Loving-Kindness & Compassion
9. Loving-Kindness & Compassion - Ekaraaja Jaataka
Many years ago, in the kingdom of Kosala, there reigned a King by the name of
Dabbamalla. In his court was a trusted minister who, due to a past
misunderstanding, was extremely jealous of a neighbouring King named Ekaraja.
The minister plotted to destroy King Ekaraja through cunning and deceit. He
slowly started to poison King Dabbamalla's mind by spreading false rumours about
King Ekaraja. Before long King Dabbamalla was convinced that King Ekaraja was a
greedy, ruthless king who planned to take over his kingdom. King Dabbamalla
gathered together his army to destroy King Ekaraja and capture His kingdom.
The Bodhisatta, who was born as King Ekaraja, was a gentle and righteous king
who ruled with loving kindness, fairness and compassion, often spending His free
time in an adjoining forest deep in meditation. As a result, He had reached the
higher spiritual levels known as the Jhaanas. The people of His kingdom were
happy, gentle people, quite unprepared for warfare. It was therefore very easy
for King Dabbamalla to overpower the kingdom and capture King Ekaraja.
With anger and hatred in his heart resulting from the false accusations of his
minister, King Dabbamalla bound King Ekaraja's feet and hands and hung Him by
His feet on a tree, where he left him to suffer a slow and painful death. Next
day he went back to see and enjoy the last moments of King Ekaraja's death.
The King expected to find a tortured, subdued King Ekaraja who would be begging
for mercy. Instead, he found a calm and peaceful King deep in meditation. King
Ekaraja was meditating a few feet above the ground and radia-ting peace and
serenity. The surprised King Dabbamalla then questioned King Ekaraja as to how
He had escaped. King Ekaraja then explained to him the virtues of kindness and
compassion, and how He often lived in the forest meditating among wild animals
who, because of the compassion He radiated, would never harm Him. On hearing the
truth, King Dabbamalla gave King Ekaraja back His kingdom and begged His
forgiveness. He then punished his minister severely for his treachery.
Practising compassion to all living beings in earnest, King Ekaraja, the
Bodhisatta, completed the virtue of compassion. On completing this virtue of
compassion He joyously proclaimed:
"No fear has anyone of me
Nor have I fear of anyone
In my goodwill to all, I trust
And love to dwell in lonely woods."
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