Jataka Tales 35: Vattaka

Vattaka Jataka While the Buddha was on an alm round through the country of Magadha He told this story about the going out of a jungle fire. At the time before the fire occurred the Buddha was on alms round in a certain village in Magadha.

After His alms round He took His meal. Then He went out again with a company of the monks.

Just then a great fire broke out around them.

There were monks far in front and behind the Buddha.

The fire spread over a wide area and everything around seemed just smoke and flame. Some of the monks who have yet to attain higher perception were seized with the fear of death.

"Let's make a counter fire," they cried out, "then the big fire will not pass over the ground that's already burnt." With this view in mind they set about kindling a fire.

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Others, however, objected to their action. "What is it that you do?" they said. "You who are without merit. Even as you journey in the company of Him the Buddha, peerless among men and devas, you do not give a thought to Him but think of making a fire. You do not know the might of a Buddha. Come let's seek him out."

So those in front and those behind came closer and gathered around the Buddha. At a certain spot the Buddha stopped with this big assembly of the monks. On came the flames as to devour them.

When the fire came to the spot where the Buddha had stopped the fire came no nearer than 16 lengths and suddenly went out like a torch plunged into water. It had not power to spread over a space 32 lengths in diameter.

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The monk burst into praise of their Master. They said: "Oh! How great are the virtues of the Buddha. Even this fire that lacks sense could not sweep over the spot where the Buddha stood.

Oh! How stupendously wonderful are the powers of a Buddha!"

Hearing their words the Buddha said: "It was not due to the present power of mine. It is the power of a former `Act of Truth' of mine. For in this spot no fire will burn throughout this era. The miracle will endure for one aeon."

Then !nanda Ananda folded a robe into four and spread it on the ground for the Buddha to sit on.

The Buddha took His seat. Bowing to the Buddha as he sat cross-legged there, the monks seated themselves around him.

Then they asked him: "Only the present is known to us; the past is hidden. Please make it known to us." And so at this request the Buddha told this story from the past.

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Story of the past Once in times past on this same spot in Magadha, the Bodhisatta was born as a quail.

As a young quail he grew as big as a large ball.

And his parents kept him lying in the nest while they obtained food for him. He had neither strength to spread his wings to fly through the air or to lift his feet and walk upon the ground.

Yearly that area was ravaged by jungle fires, and just at this time flames swept to this spot with a roar.

Flocks of birds were seized with fear and flew away from their nests. The Bodhisatta was abandoned. Lying there unable to escape the Bodhisatta thought to himself: "Had I the power to do so I would spread my wings and fly to safety, or at least I could run on the ground. But I could do neither. My parents have fled to save themselves. I am without protector or helper.

What shall I do?"

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Then this thought came. "In this world there exists the Efficacy of Goodness and the Efficacy of Truth. Those who have realized the Perfections in past ages have become All-Enlightened beneath the Bo-tree.

They have won Release by the power of goodness, transquillity tranquillity and wisdom with possession of the knowledge that released them. They are filled with truth, compassion, mercy, and patience; their love is for all creatures alike; and men call them omniscient Buddhas. And I too have grasped one truth. I hold and believe in a single principle in Nature.

Therefore it will benefit me to call to mind the Buddhas of the past and the Efficacy they have won. I will lay hold of the true belief that is in me touching the principle of Nature. By this Act of Truth let the flames go back saving me and all the other birds here."

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Thus it has been said: "Power of Truth can conquer even nature's fury."

And thus the Bodhisatta called to mind the efficacy of past Buddhas and performed an Act of Truth in his mind in the name of the true faith that was in him.

Even as he performed this Act of Truth, forest fire retreated for sixteen lengths; but in going back the flames did not burn the forest in their path. No. They went out like a burning torch put in water. Since that spot escapes being wasted by fire throughout the aeon (age), the miracle is called an 'aeon-miracle'

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End of story of the past The story ended the Buddha said: "This, Brethren, is not due to my present power but the Efficacy of an Act of Truth performed by me as a young quail that has made the flames stop from passing over this spot in the jungle."

His lesson ended he discoursed on the Truths and at the close some of the Brethren won the first, some the second, some the third paths while some became Arhats. The Buddha showed the connection and identified the Births.

He said: "My present parents were the parents of those days, and I myself was the young quail."

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