Once Upon a Time...
Long ago, a group of 500 merchants prepared for a long journey across a scorching desert.
The desert was so vast that it took seven days to cross. There was no water, no food, and no shade. To survive, they carried large barrels of water, food, and supplies.
Leading them was a wise and experienced caravan leader—the Bodhisatta (the Buddha in a past life).
Before they started, he warned them:
"This desert is dangerous. We must travel only at night when it is cool. During the day, we will rest and save our strength."
The merchants trusted him and followed his advice.
The Deceiver in the Sky
On the seventh night, as they neared the end of the desert, something strange happened.
A magical spirit, disguised as a nobleman, stood in the middle of the path. He shouted:
"Turn back! There is no need to carry all that heavy water anymore. I have just come from ahead, and there is a lush green oasis with fresh rivers and cool shade. Throw away your water barrels and travel lightly!"
The merchants were tempted. They were tired of carrying the heavy barrels and suffering under the heat. Some whispered:
"What if he’s telling the truth? Why should we carry this burden if there is water ahead?"
But the wise caravan leader was suspicious. He climbed onto a high seat and looked far into the distance. He saw no oasis—only more desert.
He turned to his people and said:
"This man is lying. If we throw away our water, we will die before reaching safety. Trust me and keep moving."
Some merchants hesitated but eventually listened to him. They kept their water and continued.
The Deadly Trap
After several hours, they saw something shocking.
By the side of the path, there were hundreds of skeletons—the remains of past travelers.
These people had believed the same lie and had thrown away their water. They had died of thirst before reaching the end of the desert.
The merchants gasped in fear and thanked their leader. If they had listened to the deceiver, they would have died too.
Finally, they reached the other side of the desert, safe and alive. They drank fresh water, rested, and continued their journey with great successThe Buddha’s Past Life
In this story, the wise caravan leader was the Bodhisatta (the Buddha in a past life). Even before he became the Buddha, he used his wisdom to guide and protect others.
The Lesson of the Vannupatha Jataka
- 1. Beware of false promises – Not everyone who gives advice has good intentions. Always check the facts before believing something.
- 2. Think before making decisions – Just because something sounds easy doesn’t mean it’s true. Wise people always verify before acting.
- 3. True leaders protect their people – A good leader does not follow emotions or temptation. They look ahead, think carefully, and make the right choice, even when others doubt them.