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Deeds and their Results
Three different groups of monks see a crow die, a woman drowned and themselves buried alive on their way to the Buddha. They decide to ask him why it happened, and he explains there is nowhere to escape from the results of bad actions.
The Revolution of Deeds
King Pasenadi defeats King Ajātasattu in battle, takes his four-fold army from him, and, showing mercy, releases him with his life.
Offending the Inoffensive
A hunter blames a monk for his failure to catch game and he sets his dogs on him, chasing him up a tree. The monk’s robe falls over the hunter and the dogs devour him instead.
The Fruit of Unjust Punishment
Being fooled by his wife a young man, who was faithfully performing his duty before, murders his parents.
Do not Despise Wickedness
A monk refuses to look after his requisities, thinking them not worth the trouble. The Buddha admonishes him.
The Ripening of Wickedness
A cousin of the nun Uppalavaṇṇā hides in her forest dwelling and rapes her when she returns. This is told to the Buddha.
Deeds do not Ripen at Once
A man burns down the hut of a Paccekabuddha and eventually is reborn as a snake-ghost, burning the whole length of his long body. He is seen by Ven. Mahāmoggallāna, who relates it to the Buddha.
Avoiding Wickedness
A merchant sets out with 500 wagons but learns there are thieves ahead and thieves behind, and so stays put in a village. This is told to the Buddha who draws the lesson therefrom.
Experiencing the Results of Deeds
A young Devaputta called Khema recites these verses to the Buddha about the results of deeds.
The Result of not Keeping the Precepts
Laymen are arguing as to which of the precepts is hardest to keep. The Buddha tells them they all are hard, but explains further.
Rejoicing Here and Hereafter
A layman who has long been a supporter lies dying and the monks go to chant for him. Seeing celestial chariots coming to take him away he asks them to wait until the monks finish chanting, but the monks think he is asking them to stop and go away. Later the Buddha explains.
Holding Oneself Dear
King Pasenadi reflects that if one holds oneself dear he would not engage in what is wrong but do what is right. The Buddha concurs.
Fortune and Misfortune
Two Goddesses, who cannot decide precedence, vie with each other for lying on a virtuous householder’s couch. The one who is even more virtuous than the householder wins.
Consequences of Indulgence and Duty
Yet more verses by which the Bodhisatta eventually persuades the man-eating King to give up his bad habit.
Protecting Life First
A King is willing to give up a charm to his wife even though it will cost his life. The Bodhisatta as Sakka, in the form of a goat, persuades him not to be so foolish.
Good is Hard to Do
Devadatta causes a split in the Community and informs Ānanda. The Buddha explains how easy it is to do what is wrong.
The Bad find Good Hard to Do
Devadatta causes a split in the Community and informs Ānanda. The Buddha explains how easy it is to do what is wrong.
Never give up Hope
A King, while enjoying the royal festivities, reflects on how he strove when he was lost in the ocean, never giving up hope of claiming his throne.
Wrong-Doing and the Well-Done
This is the teaching of the Devaputta Tāyana, which was confirmed by the Buddha, and recommended to the monks.
The Need to Act Today
One of the verses spoken by the Buddha that were later analysed by the Buddha and, in separate discourses, by three of his monks.
Shunning the Indolent
The Buddha teaches how like attracts like: if one mixes with the indolent one becomes lazy; if one mixes with the energetic, one will make a good effort.
Doing One’s Duties on Time
A brahmin student sleeps under a tree when he is supposed to be collecting wood. Being woken up he quickly climbs the tree and grabs some green wood. The following day the cook cannot cook with it, everyone is delayed, and they miss their lunch.
He who Does his Duty
More advice to Sigāla on how to put aside his comfort and do his duty.
Taking One’s Opportunity
A marriage has been arranged, but an angry ascetic prevents one party from going, saying it is not auspicious. When they go the next day the girl has already been married off to another.
Rags to Riches
A young man, starting with a dead mouse, is careful in his trading and in making friends, and so by and by he makes his fortune.
Fortune sides with the Meritorious
A wood-collector has the chance of good luck, but looses it to an elephant-trainer, who by evening is raised to King of the country.
Acting without Consideration
A pack of lions, wanting to avenge the insult on their sister, pounce on what looks like a jackal, but it is in fact only a reflection. They all die apart from the Bodhisatta who understands the situation and speaks these words.
Inconsiderate and Considerate Action
A false ascetic is scolded by a Prince for his loose ways. The ascetic lies to the King and tries to get the Prince killed, but he defends himself successfully before retiring to the Himālayas.
The Wise do not Panic
A hare hears the noise of a fruit falling and thinking it omens the end of the world he starts to run which panics all the other animals who also flee. The Bodhisatta finds out the cause and calms them down.
Keeping to One’s own Habitat
A city crow named Saviṭṭhaka (Devadatta) has to leave his home and finds a water crow to serve. Thinking he can swim like his master he attempts to dive for fish, but dies in the attempt.
Knowing One’s Strengths
A jackal (Devadatta) who lives on the food left over by a Lion decides to act like a lion himself and against all good advice attacks an elephant, only to be slaughtered on the spot.
Acting at the Right Time and Speed
A King is very slothful so the Bodhisatta shows him a tortoise and explains its characteristics. The King understands the lesson and reforms his ways.
Sobreity
Horses that have been in battle are given fine wine but remain sober; while the strained leftovers are fed to the donkeys – who all become drunk on it.
Protecting Good Fortune
A worthless fellow is given a jar that will provide him with all he needs, but being dissolute he uses it to get drunk, breaks it and is reduced to poverty once again.
Wrong Means
A brahmin called Vedabbha is captured by thieves and brings down a shower of jewels to pay his ransom, but he is killed, and the thieves fight over the treasure until they also are all killed.
Arrogance is a Give-Away
A servant knows where his late Master’s treasure was hidden, but when he takes the Son to the place he becomes arrogant because of his knowledge, abuses him and refuses to reveal it. The Bodhisatta explains.
The Reward of Using Wealth Wisely
A rich merchant dies after living like a pauper. The Buddha explains that when a man of low character obtains wealth he is unable to enjoy it.
Wealth that goes to Waste
Out of greed a man kills his brother’s son. The brother who is the Bodhisatta exhorts him with these words.
Seven True Treasures
A short discourse listing the seven true treasures.
Live not with Enemies
The Bodhisatta escapes some robbers and reflects on this back at home.
Wise Discrimination
Two golden geese fly to Mount Neru and find to their surprise that even crows glowed golden in its shadow, and determine not to live in such an undiscriminating place.
Non-Attachment to Home
A turtle stays behind in the mud when a drought threatens and is killed by someone digging there. As he dies he utters these words.
Having Forbearance when Unknown
Two nāgas are exiled from their rich home and have to live on a dunghill where they are abused. The elder speaks these cautionary words.
The Strength of Being on Home Grounds
A quail fools a hawk into attacking him on his home ground and dodges aside at the last moment leaving the hawk to plunge to his death.
Immodesty
The King of the Golden Mallards holds a festival so his daughter can pick a spouse. She likes the peacock best – until he exposes himself while dancing in joy.
Excess leads to Loss
A drummer earns money at a festival, but his son through too much drumming attracts thieves who beat and rob them.
Knowing Proper Limits
An acrobat knows the four-javelin dance, but when he is drunk one day, despite being warned by his pupil, he tries to extend it to five, and is impaled.
Deception
A merchant named Superwise tries to cheat his partner named Wise by having his Father pose as a Tree-Deva. Wise sets fire to the tree, and out scampers the Father.
Correct and Timely Speech
A young cuckoo is being fostered by a crow but gives his identity away when he cries out. The crow kills him and throws him out of the nest.
The Dangers of Wrong Speech
The High Divinity Tudu approaches Ven. Kokālika and advises him to have respect for the two Chief Disciples, but he is rebuked by the Venerable who is intent on blaming them.
The Qualities of Good Speech
The Buddha explains the four qualities that make for good speech, and summarises them with a verse, which is followed by another improvised by Ven. Vaṅgīsa, who was considered the foremost disciple in extemporary composition.
Speaking Kindly
A bull wishes to repay his master and has him wage a bet he can draw a 100 wagons. But when the time comes the master scolds him, and he doesn’t make an effort. Later the master speaks kindly and the bull draws the wagons, earning his master a fortune.
Truth is the Sweetest Thing
The Bodhisatta gives and keeps his word to return to a man-eating King, who is threatening to eat him. In part of the dialogue which follows the Bodhisatta preaches on the virtue of keeping to one’s word.
Truth is Immortal
Ven. Vaṅgīsa speaks another verse inspired by a teaching of the Buddha about truth.
Only Promise what can be Done
A Queen asks the King if the mountain they see ahead were made of gold would he give her some. He says he would not.
Keeping One’s Promises
King Sivi is very generous and resolves to give even his body parts away if asked. Sakka decides to test him and dressed as a brahmin asks for his eye to which the King agrees; the townsfolk try to persuade him to change his mind, and this is part of his reply.
The Results of Lying
Despite being warned of the dire consequences a King of old, desiring to raise a younger brother above an older one, tells a lie, and not only looses his magical powers, but is swallowed up by the Earth when he repeats it.
The Liar is capable of all Wrong-Doing
Ciñcā Māṇavikā falsely accuses the Buddha of impregnating her. The gods help reveal the lie, and Ciñcā falls into the Avīci hell.
The Buddha has no Faults
A group of gods who constantly perceive offense speak offensively to the Buddha, implying that he is not without fault. This is part of the exchange.
A Small Wickedness appears Great to the Pure of Heart
A monk is reproved by a Devadhītā for smelling a lotus flower. He asks why she does not reprove someone who cuts down the lotuses instead. They do not accept reproof, she says, and adds the following.
Seeing One’s own Faults
A merchant goes to see the Buddha when he is passing through, but the outside ascetics try to persuade him not to by telling him falsely that he teaches there is no result of actions.
The Fate of a Fault-Finder
A monk is always finding fault with the others, so they ask the Buddha about it. This is his admonition.
Looking to One’s own Deeds
When a lay-disciple invites the Buddha for a meal an ascetic she supports abuses both her and the Buddha, who tells her not to worry about what the ascetic is doing or saying, but to look to herself.
Patience with Rough Speech
Sakka and other gods come to consult with the Bodhisatta. He asks questions and these are the replies.
The Strength of Patience
The gods defeat the demons, and their leader Vepacitti is brought before Sakka, whom he abuses. Sakka remains calm, and the following conversation takes place between him and Mātali, his charioteer.
The Result of Greed
A golden goose goes occasionally and gives his former family one of his golden feathers and they grow rich. But greed overcomes his former wife and she plucks him. The feathers though, when stolen, are gold no more, and they sink back into poverty.
Wisdom is the only Cure for Greed
A King receives Sakka, the Bodhisatta, disguised as a young brahmin, who promises to help him conquer three cities. But the King is so mean he doesn’t even offer him lodging. In the morning the brahmin is nowhere to be found and the King falls sick thinking of his loss. Sakka preaches to him as the only way to cure his illness of greed.
Craving brings on Grief and Fear
A brahmin farmer wishing for his fields to prosper decides to make the Buddha his partner. Just before the crop is brought in floods wash it all away.
Desires are never Satisfied
A brahmin farmer wishing for his fields to prosper decides to make the Buddha his partner. Just before the crop is brought in floods wash it all away.
The Snare of Taste
A gardener named Sañjaya entices a deer into the palace through lining his grass with honey.
Confidence is the Taste Supreme
A teacher falls ill while being looked after by the King of Bāraṇāsī and none of his doctors can cure him. He goes to the Himālayas where he is cared for by his beloved pupil, the Bodhisatta, and gets better with his loving care.
Knowing the Measure
King Pasenadi eats too much and is always uncomfortable; the Buddha speaks this verse, which the King has an attendant remember and repeat to him when he eats.
Neither Grieving nor Yearning
A short dialogue between a god, who speaks first, and the Buddha in Jeta’s Wood.
