The Prince Who Had a Plan
[The Power of Superstition]
A long time ago, when King Brahmadatta ruled Benares, in
northern India, the Bodhisattva was born as his son. The prince was quite
intelligent. He completed his entire education by the time he was 16. So at
this early age, his father appointed him second-in-command. In those days, most
people in Benares worshipped gods. They were very superstitious and believed
that the gods were the cause for things that happened to them, rather than the
results of their own actions. They would pray to the gods and ask for special
favours. Sometimes, they asked for a lucky marriage, others, the birth of a
child or wealth and fame. In return for prayers answered, they promised the
gods they would present offerings to them.
Besides offering flowers and perfumes, they would also kill
many animals - goats, lambs, chickens, pigs and others thinking that the gods
desired the sacrifice of animals as offerings. The prince saw all this and
thought: “These helpless animals are also subjects of the king, so I must
protect them too. The people commit these unwholesome acts due to ignorance and
superstition. This cannot be true religion. For true religion offers life as it
really is, giving peace of mind, and not killing or cruelty. “I fear these
people believe in their superstitions too strongly to give them up. This is
very sad. But perhaps their beliefs can be put to good use? Some day, I will
become king. So I must think of a plan to let their superstitions help them. If
they must offer sacrifices, let them kill their own greed and hatred, instead
of these helpless animals! Then the whole kingdom will benefit,” he thought.
The prince devised a really clever plan. Every so often, he
would ride in his grand chariot to a popular banyan tree just outside the city.
This was a huge tree, where people came and prayed and made offerings to a god
they thought resided in the tree. The prince descended from his chariot, and
made the same offerings as the others - with incense, flowers, perfumes and
water - but not animal sacrifices. Soon, news spread about his offerings.
Pretty soon, all the people thought he was a true believer in the great god of
the banyan tree. In time, King Brahmadatta died and his son became king. The
new king ruled Benares righteously, and the people benefited. Before long, all
his subjects came to trust and respect him as a just and honourable king. One
day, the new king decided it was the ripe time to carry out the rest of his
plan. He summoned all the leading citizens of Benares to the royal assembly
hall and asked them:
“Worthy ministers and loyal subjects, do you know how I was
able to ensure that I would become king?” No one could answer his question.
“Do you remember that I often gave wonderful, sweet offerings
to the great god of the banyan tree?” he asked. “Yes, our lord,” they said.
The king continued: “Each time, I promised the powerful god
of the tree that if I’m crowned king of Benares, I will offer a special
sacrifice to him, one that is far greater than flowers and perfume.” “Since I
am now the king, you can see for yourselves that the god has answered my
prayers. So now I must keep my promise and offer the special sacrifice.” All
those in the assembly hall nodded their heads. “We must prepare this sacrifice
at once.
What animals do you wish to kill, my lord?” they asked the
king. “My dear subjects, I am glad you are so willing to co-operate. I promised
the great god of the banyan tree that I would sacrifice anyone who fails to
practise the Five Precepts. That is, anyone who destroys life, takes what is
not given, commits sexual misconduct, speaks falsely, or loses his mind from
alcohol will be sacrificed. I promised to offer the flesh and blood of anyone
who does the above on the great god’s altar!” Being so superstitious, all those
in the hall agreed that this must be done, or the god would surely punish the
king and the kingdom.
“Ah, such is the power
of superstition that these people have lost all common sense! They cannot see
that, since the first precept is to avoid killing, if I sacrifice one of my
subjects, I will be next on the altar! Such is the power of superstition that I
can make such a promise, and never have to carry it out!” he thought. So, with
full confidence in the power of superstition, the king said to the leading
citizens, “Spread the news and announce the promise I made to the god. Then
proclaim that the first 1000 who break any of the precepts will have the honour
of being sacrificed, to keep the king’s promise.” Lo and behold, the people of
Benares became renowned for carefully practising the Five Precepts. And the
good king, who knew his subjects so well, sacrificed nobody.
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