Jataka Tales – Stories from the Buddha’s previous lives

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King Maitribala (Courageous Generosity)

The Buddha was once born as a benevolent king named Maitribala, which means “He Whose Strength is Kindness”.  He ruled his subjects with right action. His sole concern was for their welfare. His protection for them was the dharma.

One day, five yaksha demons invaded the king’s realm. These demons survived on human flesh and blood as they drained the life force from their victims. At first, they were gleeful at the prospect of feeding on the king’s prosperous subjects. But try as they might, they were powerless against the benevolent and pervasive influence of the king over his realm.

Baffled by this, the yakshas assumed the form of brahmans. As they wandered in search of an answer to their predicament, they came upon a lone cowherder who was peacefully resting in the shade of a leafy tree.

In their croaking voices they asked the cowherder, “Are you not frightened to be by yourself in this remote and lonely forest? Do you not fear the demons who prey upon the unsuspecting?”

The cowherder laughed. “In this country we have a good luck charm that not even the King of the Gods can overcome. With such powerful protection, why would I be afraid?”

The yakshas’ curiosity compelled them to feign respect as they asked the cowherder what was the nature of this extraordinary charm.

“It is our magnificent king,” he replied. “How strange you have not heard of him. Our king’s power comes from his exalted mind. His strength comes from his loving kindness, not from some rag-tag army. He knows no anger. He speaks no harsh words. He protects his subjects with benevolence and uses his wealth to honor the virtuous. Yet with all this, he has no taint of pride or expectation of reward. Such is the power of his virtue that no harm can befall those under his protection. Perhaps your countrymen are not concerned with virtue. Or perhaps your good fortune has run dry so that you have lost the opportunity to hear of him. But since you have found your way to our king’s realm, perhaps some small bit of good fortune remains for you.”

The example of such virtue only inflamed the anger of the yakshas, just as resistance to the truth inflames the minds of fools.

With the goal of the king’s destruction, the yakshas journeyed to the palace. Still disguised as brahmans, they appeared before the king and requested food. The king rejoiced in being able to honor his new guests. He ordered a splendid meal to be served to the supposed brahmans.  Yet when the feast arrived, the yakshas scorned it as a tiger would if served grass.

Seeing this, the king asked, “What sort of food do you prefer?  Please let me know and I will see that it is prepared for you.”

“Raw human flesh and warm human blood,” the yakshas replied.  With that, they threw off their brahman disguises and revealed their vile, demonic forms.

Moved with compassion for their wretched state, the king clearly saw how their wicked actions only brought more suffering upon these pitiful beings. With his boundless generosity, the king had never turned away a supplicant. At the same time, he was unwilling to harm a single creature to serve the needs of the yakshas.

With this in mind, the king addressed the yakshas. Pointing to his own body, he said, “I bear this body solely for the benefit of all beings. Therefore, feast on this flesh and blood. Being able to serve in this way is a path to good fortune.”

The yakshas could not believe this kind of generosity was possible. Seeking proof, they said, “When a supplicant has made his request, it is up to the donor to act.”

The king immediately commanded his physicians to open his veins. But the royal ministers cried out, “Your majesty, please do not let your love of charity result in harm to all your subjects. Up to now you have protected us.  If you depart this life, these demons will run rampant through the kingdom and none shall be spared.”

“I have always walked the path of righteousness,” the king replied. “That is your true source of protection. Although your love for me has given you the courage to try to stop me, if I depart from this path by abandoning generosity, a worse fate could befall you.”

With that, the king ordered the physicians to open his veins.

“Drink,” he said to the yakshas. “By doing so, you will be serving the dharma.”

The yakshas drank, but the king’s strength and clarity of mind did not diminish. Instead, the king rejoiced that his body had served as a means to honor mendicants.  It was the same with the flesh the king offered to the yakshas.

The joy and serenity of the king in this act touched the hearts of the demons. The anger they had nourished for so long withered away. They began to praise and bow to the great being.

“No more, your majesty,” they cried. “Despite our wickedness, it is clear that by depending on you, we can realize our salvation.  But please tell us, what do you hope to gain by such actions?”

“My sole aim is to free the helpless from the endless cycle of suffering,” replied the king. “For them, I strive for enlightenment through the accumulation of merit. In that way, I will save them. Now if you wish to please me, from this moment onward refrain from harming others and cultivate virtue.”

The yakshas promised to follow these instructions and disappeared. It is said that the first five disciples of the Buddha were the five yakshas from this story.

The truly compassionate have no concern for their own pleasures. It is the sufferings of others that concerns them.