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Introduction
The telling of the Great Birth Story may either begin or end by illuminating the setting in which the story was originally told by the Buddha himself. After the Buddha had attained Complete Enlightenment, and taught the Turning of the Wheel of the Dhamma, the Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta, to his first five disciples, he traveled to Rajgir and stayed there at the Bamboo Forest Monastery (Veluvanarama) until the end of winter, before returning to his home city of Kapilavatthu with a large number of monastic followers and the venerable monk Kaludhayi as guide. There he stayed at the great Banyan Forest Monastery (Nigrodarama) which was offered to the Buddhist Monastic Community by the Sakyan Royal Family. However, when the Royal Family came to visit him at the monastery, his elder relatives restrained themselves from paying their respects to him, as the Fully Awakened One was still as young then as their grandchildren. Thus the elders instructed that the younger princes come forward to pay homage while they themselves remained a distance away at the periphery. In order to remove their obstacle of pride, the Buddha entered into meditation and then by his extraordinary power, rose into the air above his relatives heads. Seeing this miracle, his father the King and all his relatives raised their hands in homage and reflected that the Buddha had now displayed supernormal powers on three occasions. They recounted the first as when in his youth his feet appeared to float above the head of a hermit his nursemaid brought him to pay respects to; and the second when as a boy, a black plum trees shadow did not move with the sun, but covered him like an umbrella as he rested under it on the auspicious day of the plowing ceremony. The third occurred at that time, when the Blessed One then sat upon his seat and ruby-colored rain fell over the area where they were then gathered, miraculously falling upon all those who wished to be wet by it, but not upon the others. All the relatives, including the Buddhas father Suddhodana, hearts filled with joy, paid their respects to the Buddha and returned to the Royal Palace. When the royal relatives had left and returned home, the Buddhas followers remarked upon the miraculous ruby-colored rain that they had never seen before. Knowing this the Buddha told them that such a rain had occurred before in times past. As everyone wished to hear the story they beseeched the Blessed One to tell it. The Lord Buddha then recounted to them the story of Vessantara, the Great Vessantara Jataka, as follows:
my belly does not stretch like that of ordinary women; sixth, may it be that when I am pregnant my breasts not darken nor sag; seventh, may my hair be dark and shining; eighth, may dust never cling to my skin and may my skin be a shining golden color; ninth, may I have authority to release prisoners condemned to death; and tenth, may I become Queen of the Sivis.
demanded that the King be returned to the throne and threatened to revolt if Prince Vessantara not be sent into exile. A Royal Officer informed Prince Vessantara of the peoples demand that he be banished to Vankagiri Mountain in the Himalayas. He (the Prince) requested two days to perform the Gift of Seven Hundreds (Sattasataka ~ in which seven hundred each of many kinds of valuable things are given away in charity) to the needy before being exiled. When she learned that Prince Vessantara was to be banished, Princess Phusati went to visit the King and beg his forgiveness, but the King would not respond. She then went to Vessantara expressing her sympathy for his hardship. He gave parting instruction to Princess Maddi that she regularly perform beneficent and charitable acts, that she care for their children and that she remain in the City to look after his father and mother, and gave her his permission that she might marry another member of the Royal Family. But Princess Maddi did not agree and asked that both she and the children might accompany him together into exile. She recounted in many details the beauty and joys of the Himalayan Forest; the path that her husband would follow.
rivers, lakes and forests: Suvannagiritala, across the River Kantimara, to beyond Mt. Aranjaragiri and Dunivittha, a distance of 30 yojana (510 km), until they reached a rest house near the gates of the City of Mathura to spend the night. When news of their arrival reached Vessantaras uncle the Mathuran King Cheta, he made haste and came forth with sixty-thousand khattiyas (Skt: ksatriyas, people of the Warrior/Ruling Caste) to meet them. Prince Vessantara told the truth to the King so that he might understand what had happened, and asked for his help in reaching Vanka Mountain. The Cheta Raja wanted to approach King Sanjaya and ask his forgiveness that Prince Vessantara might return to his home city. Vessantara replied that the King was not free to do so as the Sivis were very resentful, and the King had to honor the will of his people. King Cheta then asked the Bodhisatta Vessantara to take the throne and govern the Kingdom of Mathura in his stead, but Vessantara declined, that not being his wish, as it might be interpreted that he was setting himself up in a higher position to rebel against the Kingdom of Sivi. Not wanting to cause the Sivis and the Mathurans to have strained relations, he asked only that he be given directions to Vankagiri Mountain. Although the King invited Vessantara to come and stay within the city, the Prince declined and stayed in the rest house for only one night. The next day, the King himself accompanied the four members of the royal family to the end of his territory, showing them the way from there, and appointed a skilled forester named Cetaputta to act as their guard and protector along the way. Vessantara, Maddi and the children then made their way to Gandhamadana, and northwards by the foot of Mount Vipula to the River Ketumati, where they came to a stop and rested in the shade of the trees at the edge of the bank. A forest hunter offered them food to eat and Vessantara took off a piece of his royal jewelry and gave it to him. Later the stopped at a large banyan tree near Suvana Mountain and ate the fruits there before crossing the Nalika Mountain River and beyond, traveling along the banks of Lake Mucalinda to its northeastern corner, where they came to a narrow footpath entering into the dense forest, finally leading to Vankagiri Mountain. There, the angel Vissakamma, by Divine Order of the Heavenly Lord Sakkadevindra, had already built two hermitages near a lotus pond with his divine powers and arranged all of the equipage and necessities of forest hermits. He then wrote a scroll giving permission to anyone who came there to live as hermits to take the hermitages and supplies and use them as their own. He also had all the wind animals remove themselves from the area and enjoined the forest spirits to well look after the four royal persons. When Vessantara reached the first hermitage, he entered it alone and finding four sets of ascetic garb neatly folded inside knew that the King of the Devas was watching him. He then removed all his royal ornaments and finery, dressed himself as a hermit, and avowed himself to the ascetic life. He then went out to receive Princess Maddi who went to the second hermitage and also removed all her ornaments, and dressed as an ascetic, together with her son and daughter. Maddi then wished to go and gather fruit, to which Vessantara agreed, securing her promise that she not visit him in the night while the children slept, as they had both avowed themselves to chastity. All four members of the royal family kept the ascetic precepts and lived as hermits on Vankagiri Mountain for seven (four) months, each of them fulfilling their duties to one another. Maddi rose daily at dawn, fetched water to wash, and went into the forest for yams and fruits. In the
evening, she returned, bathed the children and the family sat to eat. By Vessantaras power of virtue, the wild animals within a distance of three leagues became gentle and all dwelt together with kindness, friendliness and compassion.
That night, Princess Maddi dreamt a dream in which a strong, sturdy man with a sword broke down her door, came in, and cut off her arms, then took out her eyes, then cut open her chest and removed her heart. Frightened, she awoke and ran to Prince Vessantara, asking him to interpret her dream. Knowing the dream meant that tomorrow a beggar would come to ask for Kanha and Jali; and knowing that if he told her his interpretation that Maddi was not yet ready to relinquish the children; he concealed the true meaning, but rather interpreted the dream thus: as previously she had been happy, now a time of suffering would come; and he told her that she had this nightmare due to an imbalance of the four elements (of solid, liquid, gas and heat) in her body. Still not reassured, at dawn Princess Maddi woke up Kanha and Jali, bathed them and giving them parting advice, asked Prince Vessantara to look after them, before going to gather fruit in the forest. With the break of dawn, Jujaka began to make his way to Prince Vessantaras hermitage. Seeing him, the Prince directed his children to go out and invite him in. Jujaka threatened them then, thinking that it would make them more controllable later. As he had planned, first he asked for Kanha and Jali cajolingly by comparing Vessantaras kindness and surpassing generosity ( dana parami) with the five rivers of India: Ganga, Yamuna, Aciravati, Sarabhu and Mahi. Prince Vessantara asked him to wait for Maddi to return, but Jujaka refused, thinking that her maternal and sympathetic nature could not allow her to give them away. Prince Vessantara then begged Jujaka to go to the palace of King Sanjaya to receive the Kings ransom -- gifts of valuable treasures, but Jujaka again refused, afraid of being accused and punished for using a falsehood to lure away the Kings grandchildren. Prince Vessantara, realizing that he had only given away external material possessions in the past, not anything that was a part of him, then agreed to give away his children. Hearing this, Kanha and Jali fled in fear together and hid themselves in the lotus pool, stepping in backwards, using lotus leaves to hide their bodies. When Jujaka went to look for them he could not find them, and so made a show of blaming Prince Vessantara for breaking his word and allowing them to run away. Prince Vessantara followed their footprints to the pool, and knowing they were both inside, he called them to come up, explaining to them that royal children should not cause anyone to criticize them. He then spoke of them as rafts to Nibbana (Skt: Nirvana), and entreated them to come forth and help him in making this gift. Jali rose up, and then called to Kanha to rise up as well. Both children embrace d their fathers feet and the three members of the Royal Family wept together. When Prince Vessantara gave them away, the earth miraculously trembled and quaked, the herds of animals were frightened, Mt. Sumeru (the old Indian name for Mt. Everest or Mt. Kailash) moved, the water in the ocean rose with the Naga King coming to float on the surface of the water, the Garuda played with the winds, the air changed strangely and rain fell, and angels (devas) of all kinds gathered to express their appreciation. Hearing the trembling of Mt. Sumeru, the Heavenly Lord, Sakkadevindra, King of the Devas, looked into the cause. The children did not want to leave however. Wishing to wait for their mothers return they glued themselves to the feet of their father. Jujaka dragged them away and beat them and then bound their soft wrists with a creeper, causing them to bleed. When Prince Vessantara remained calm, the bleeding and wailing children screamed and pleaded: Oh! When Mother returns she will cry like a chataka bird, whose little ones are killed. What will she do when she comes back with roots and fruits gathered from the forest, but finds the hermitage empty! Oh Father! I have many 9
toys: horses, elephants and chariots can you give them to Mother to ease her grief? Seeing the violence to the children and hearing their cries, anger su ddenly arose in Prince Vessantaras heart, and the thought to kill Jujaka for beating his children and showing such disrespect to him. But he then compared Jujaka to a fishhook, he with a fish, and the children to water; Nibbana was compared to the fishes place of safe refuge. As such, he compared Jujakas deeds to a fisherman who beats the fish and splashes the water in front of the refuge to excite the fish and prevent them from entering into safety; that is, Nibbana. Tears fell from his eyes and he turned and went into his hermitage to calm himself. There, he allowed his anger to finally die. Jujaka dragged the bound children away beating them. When dusk came the Brahmin led the children out of the forest.
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Bodhisattas vow and asked for Princess Maddi. Only then did Vessantara realize that he must also give away his dear wife to keep his promise and attain his goal. Then Prince Vessantara then did not lose his mental firmity and gave his permission, looking to Maddi for her consent. Princess Maddi, believing in the dedication and virtue of the Bodhisatta, and knowing of his wish to realize Bodhinyana, did not refuse. No anger sprang up in her heart and she did not wail. He noticed her appearance, standing still with her eyes unshaking. When she voiced her acceptance and decided approval, he then poured water over the hands of the Brahmin as a sign of his gift, while the Brahmin chanted the Verses of Benediction. As the water fell to the earth, for a second time, the heavens shook; the oceans rose and the earth trembled and quaked miraculously. Having witnessed the Mahasattas great charity, and knowing the hearts of both royal people, the Holy Sakkadevindra, blessed them both and offered the Princess back. He then arose in the air to reveal that he was the Lord of the Devas, and before disappearing, offered Prince Vessantara eight boons. The Prince asked for the following: First, that King Sanjaya be pleased with what he had done and welcome him back to the city; second, that he have the compassion to allow no person be put to death, but save the lives of those condemned; third, that he be a helper and patron to those of all three ages -- the young, the middle aged and the elderly; forth, that he remain content with his own wife and not attracted to the wives of others; fifth, that his children should preserve their rank, have long lives and strength and live in the Dhamma; sixth, that there should be enough heavenly food on the day that he return to the City for it to be shared with all; seven, that he remain faithfully wholehearted in giving, and that the royal treasury should not diminish from the gifts he would give, that suffering not be created; and eight, that after death he should be reborn in heaven, and always continue to raise his level of spiritual practice, never regressing. The Lord of the Devas granted him these boons before disappearing to return to heaven.
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the King, seeing his grandchildren, ordered his attendants to bring them forth. He then asked the Brahmins story, of how he had come to be leading the children to that place. Jujaka spoke honestly of all that had occurred, prompting the royal attendants to bring forth their criticism of Prince Vessantara. Not pleased to hear this, the [young] Prince Jali enjoined his grandfather not to allow the attendants to speak critically and insolently of his father in front of the King. He then related to the King all the various hardships that he had suffered, and the ultimate test of Vessantaras generosity. Seeing Jali and Kanha, the royal children, kneeling below him with Jujaka like a master and slaves, King Sanjaya called them forth. Prince Jali however, said that they were (as they were given to be) the slaves of the Brahmin, thus they might not dare sit with His Royal Highness the King. Then the King asked Jujaka his ransom price for the two children. Although he had asked Jujaka, Prince Jali spoke out himself that Prince Vessantara had estimated their ransom value at: 1000 gold tamlung for Jali & 100 of each spiritual treasure plus an additional 100 gold tamlung for Kanha. The King then had the gold withdrawn from the royal treasury and the other treasures prepared including a seven-story mansion which he gifted to Jujaka, and arranged a [welcome home] celebration for both children. The King then appointed Prince Jali to go to invite Prince Vessantara to return. Prince Jali, saying that he feared his father might not believe him, suggested that the King might go himself to show his love, accompanied by his regiment. The King agreed with Prince Jali and called to raise a regiment and build a road to go forth together in welcoming Prince Vessantara back to his kingdom. In the meantime, Jujaka the Brahmin could not enjoy his riches for long, as after several days, having eaten more sumptuous food than his digestion could handle, passed away. The King then called for the Brahmins relatives that his family might collect his treasure; but when no relatives came to claim it, the gold was returned to the royal treasury. The army assembled and a new road built, on the seventh day, the royal family mounted elephants and with a great host went forth to welcome home Prince Vessantara. Just at that time the eight Brahmins from the City of Kalinga returned with the white elephant Paccaya Naga, and offered his return, as they had not been able to handle him. So it was that the King ordered Prince Jali to ride Paccaya Naga at the head of the regiment. Led by Prince Jali, Phusati and the King emerged from the City, passed across the plains and through the forest and after several nights arrived at Vanka Mountain.
Sakkadevindra, she spoke reassuringly to her royal husband. Remembering the boons bestowed, her husband decided that they should return to the hermitage. Concerned that Prince Vessantara and Maddi might be shocked to suddenly see them all together, King Sanjaya then held council with his Queen. It was decided that he would go ahead to the hermitage; the Queen and the two children following him later in turn. When the King arrived, the two Ksatriyas [the Prince and Princess] greeted him, and the King inquired about their living conditions. Telling him everything, Prince Vessantara asked about his mother and her wellbeing, and that of his children, and of the Sivis City. After his father had told him all, his mother the Queen arrived and the two Ksatriyas greeted her as well, before the two children arrived at the hermitage. Seeing them, Princess Maddi cried and cried. Hugging their mother, the two children also cried. Overwhelmed with emotion, the three fainted together. Seeing them, Prince Vessantara and his parents also began to weep and then fainted as well. The royal harem and servants, and the entire Kings retinue also swooned, and at that moment the entire earth trembled and quaked and lightning flashed. Knowing the suffering of the six royal persons, the Heavenly Lord Sakkadevindra caused a heavenly curtain of ruby red rain to shower the area, reviving the six royal persons and the royal entourage. Regaining consciousness, all felt awe for the holiness of Prince Vessantara. Prostrating themselves, they knelt to beg for the gift of royal pardon, and to beg that he return to the city.
rice scattered on the ground along the way from Vankagiri to the Sivis city. Riding the royal white elephant Paccaya Naga, the Prince returned surrounded by his relatives and soldiers. He spent many nights along the way, and upon return was crowned and ascended the throne. He had been away from the city for one year and fifteen days. On the day that he reentered the city, he set free every captive, including even captive cats. In the evening as he lay wondering how he could satisfy his people the next day, the Heavenly Lord Sakkas throne grew warm, and he sent down a shower of the seven kinds of precious substances, till the palace grounds were filled waist-high with them, as gifts for all the people for as long as he would live. Prince Vessantara ruled his domain with the Ten Kingly Virtues of generosity, moral virtue, self sacrifice, honesty and integrity, gentleness, self-control, non-anger, non-violence, patience, and lawfulness until he reached the age of 120 years; at which time he passed away and was reborn in the Tusita Heaven; to remain a symbol of generosity for ages to come. ~ ~ ~ end of the Vessantara Jataka ~ ~ ~
Identification of Names from the Lifetime of Vessantara With the Lifetime of the Buddha Gotama
In this Jataka Tale, the Brahmin Jujaka is identified with Devadatta in the Buddhas life, Amittatapana with Cinca, Cetaputta with Channa, Accuta with Sariputta, the Heavenly Lord Sakkadevindra with Anuruddha, King Sanjaya with King Suddhodana, Queen Phusati with the Buddhas mother Mahamaya, Princess Maddi with Rahulas mother Yasodhara, Jali with Rahula, Kanhajina with Upallavanna, and Prince Vessantara with the Buddha Gotama Siddhartha.
The Victory over Mara
It has been told that while the Bodhisattva meditated beneath the Bodhi tree in his final life that the daughters of Mara came to try to seduce him. When his daughters failed, Mara himself approached with a demon army and demanded that he stop, saying he had no right to enlightenment. The Buddha responded by calling upon the Earth as his witness to his past merit. The Earth Goddess, Phra Mae Thoranee, appeared and responded by wringing the water out of her hair that he had poured over the hands of those he had given gifts to in former lives. The resulting torrent washed Maras army away and those that remained, amongst them Mara (Death) himself, paid their respects to the Buddha.
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practicing renunciation, Nekkhama. They purify their wisdom, Panna, in order to understand clearly what is beneficial and what is harmful to living beings. They constantly arouse energy, Viriya, keeping the welfare and happiness of others in mind. When they have acquired heroic fortitude through supreme energy, they become patient, Khanti, with the many failings or shortcomings of others. Once they promise to give or do something, they do not break their promise (thus they are truthful), Sacca. With unshakable resolution, Adhitthana, they work for the welfare and happiness of others. They place others before themselves through unshakable loving kindness, Metta. They do not expect anything in return through equanimity, Upekkha." Bhikkhu Bodhi, a renowned American Buddhist monk and scholar also explains: All the perfections have as their characteristic the benefiting of others. Their function is rendering help to others, or, not vacillating. Their manifestation is the wish for the welfare of others, or, for a bodhisatta, the wish for Buddhahood. Their proximate cause is great compassion, or compassion and skillful means.
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Further readings on the Jataka Tales and the Vessantara Jataka: * * * The Perfect Generosity of Prince Vessantara: A Buddhist Epic Translated from the Pali by Margaret Cone and Richard F. Gombrich Ten Lives of the Buddha: Siamese Temple Painting and Jataka Tales By Elizabeth Wray, Clare Rosenfield, Dorothy Bailey and Joe D. Wray The Jataka or Stories of the Buddhas Former Lives By Professor E.B. Cowell
This paper was prepared as one chapter for a book on Thai Theravada Buddhist holidays and festivals published by the Council of Thai Bhikkhus in the USA. The text herein was set narrated by Phra Chaokhun Vitesdhammakavi and transcribed, further researched and edited by Ven Tathaaloka at Wat Buddhanusorn Buddhist Temple in the San Francisco East Bay, USA, 2009.
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