Monthly Archives: January 2014
128. The Bodhisatta And His Daughter-In-Law
Once on a time, while Brahmadatta was king of Benares, the Bodhisatta was born of a rich man’s family. When he came of age, he lived as a householder, and was blessed with sons and daughters, and for his son’s wife he chose the daughter of a richman of Benares, and marriage was celebrated.
Now the girl saw in her home honour and reverence offered to a bull. She asked of her nurse, “What is that?” “A right royal bull,” said she. And afterward the girl saw a hunchback going through the street. “That must be a right royal man!” thought she; and taking with her the best of her belongings in a bundle, she went off with him.
127. The Bodhisatta And His Cunning Brother
Once upon a time when Brahmdatta was reigning in Benares. The Bodhisatta was born in a merchant’s family worth eight crores. When he grew up, at his parents’ death he provided for his younger brother and carried on the house: he made an alms-chamber at the house-door and lived as a householder giving much in alms. One son was born to him; and when the son could walk on his feet, he saw the misery of desires and the blessing of renunciation, so handing over all his wealth together with his wife and child to his younger brother, he became an ascetic, and gaining the Faculties and Attainments he dwelt in the Himalaya.
126. The Bodhisatta And His Correspondent
Once on a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was a very wealthy merchant in that city. And he had a border merchant as a correspondent, whom he had never seen. He showed kindness to them at the time of crisis.
When his caravan traveled East, it was attacked by thieves. They took everything leaving the wounded traders belonging to the Bodhisatta. When they reported the matter to the correspondent, he refused to help them.
Being told by his people what they had done, he said, “This trouble is the result of their ingratitude for kindness shown them.” And he went on to instruct the assembled crowd:-
The man ungrateful for a kindly deed,
Thenceforth shall find no helper in his need.
The Bodhisatta taught the truth. After a life spent in charity and other good works, he passed away to fare according to his deserts.
125. The Bodhisatta And His Chaplain
Once upon a time, when king Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born to his chief queen. He came of age, and his father passed away; and then he became king and ruled in righteousness.
The Bodhisatta had a chaplain named Ruhaka, and this Ruhaka’s wife was an old Brahmin woman.
