Satipaththana -

The Bodhisatta was once a teacher, famed across the land. One of his students, a virtuous boy, asked him how people get ahead in the world. The Bodhisatta answered that there are four qualities that help people become prosperous: acting…

The Bodhisatta was once a tree fairy who lived in a neem tree in a cemetery. One day a thief fresh from a job came and rested under the Bodhisatta’s tree. In those days, thieves were impaled with stakes made from neem tree branches, and if…

The Bodhisatta was once a lizard. One day an ascetic moved into the forest near the Bodhisatta’s home. Assuming he was a proper holy man, the Bodhisatta visited the ascetic regularly to pay respect. One time a supporter of the ascetic gave…

The Bodhisatta was once a naga. His father was a wise naga king and his younger brother was cruel and hot-headed, always getting in trouble. One time after the brother struck some female nagas, his father got so angry he ordered him…

The Bodhisatta was once a widowed queen’s son. Various people told King Aritthajanaka that his younger brother, Polajanaka, planned to kill him, so he had him imprisoned. But Polajanaka was pure of heart and had no ill intent toward his…

The Bodhisatta was once an elephant. He lived in the Himalayas, and a herd of eighty thousand followed him as their leader. A quail laid her eggs in their feeding ground and the hatchlings had just broken out of their shells when the herd…

The Bodhisatta was once a king. He had previously reigned with wisdom and virtue for eighty-four thousand years as King Makhadeva, as told in the Makhadeva Jataka (#9). Before taking the throne, he had served as prince and viceroy, each for…

The Bodhisatta was once a tree fairy living in a castor-oil tree. One day a crow perched in his tree saw a jackal eating an ox carcass down below and hoped that with a bit of flattery the jackal would share some of the flesh. “You look like…

The Bodhisatta was once a teacher, famed across the land. Long before this, there was a virtuous monk in a village who was supported by a wealthy landowner. One day an arahant arrived in the village, and the landowner was so impressed by…

The Bodhisatta was once a tree fairy. A poor man began tending the Bodhisatta’s Judas tree: sweeping the ground below it; pulling grass around its roots; and offering flowers, perfumes, and incense. Every day he greeted the tree and wished…