Tag Archives: The Bodhisatta – As A Lion Who Saved Animals
51. The Bodhisatta – As A Lion Who Saved Animals
Once upon a time when Brahmadatta reigned in Benares, the Bodhisatta came to life as a young lion. And when fully grown he lived in a wood. Near the Western Ocean, there was a grove of palms mixed with vilva tree.
One day this hare after feeding came and lay down beneath the young palm tree. And the thought struck him: “If this earth should be destroyed, what would become of me?” At this very moment a ripe vilva fruit fell on a palm leaf. At the sound of it, the hare thought: “This solid earth is collapsing,” and starting up he ran, without looking behind. Another hare saw him running, as if frightened to death, and asked the cause of his panic. Then the hare stopped a moment and without looking back said, “The earth here is breaking up.” And at this the second hare ran after the other. Seeing this and knowing that the earth is splitting up, all the other animals followed them.
