The Buddha's Hand Amidst the Stench

In the afternoon at the Jetavana monastery, pale golden sunlight stretched across the thatched roofs. A breeze carried a pungent, foul odor that struck the nostrils of anyone passing by, causing them to frown and hurry away with hands over their mouths. From a humble hut at the edge of the forest, where a bamboo cot sat near the porch, came faint but persistent moans, mingling with the buzzing of flies into a mournful tune. This was where Elder Putigatta lay, his body gaunt and skeletal, covered in festering sores oozing blood and pus, emitting a stench so severe that no one dared approach him.

Elder Putigatta had ordained in his youth and practiced diligently for many years. But one day, small pimples began to appear all over his body. Initially itchy, they soon spread into swollen, painful tumors. The medicine of that time could not cure him. Fellow monks took turns caring for him, applying various herbal remedies, but his condition worsened daily. The sores burst, bleeding and leaking pus, until maggots appeared, writhing within the wounds. While these larvae helped clean the infection, to ordinary eyes, the sight was horrifying. The foul smell permeated the entire monastery grounds.

At first, his brothers remained patient, taking turns washing him and feeding him spoonfuls of porridge. But as his illness progressed, he lost control of his bodily functions and had to remain bedridden. The stench became unbearable. They built a bamboo cot and moved him outside to the porch for fresh air and easier cleaning. Gradually, visitors grew fewer, until no one came near anymore. Everyone had their own tasks and avoided that terrible smell. The elder lay there alone, in pain, with only his faint moans echoing in hopelessness.

One evening, as the sun dipped behind the mountains, the silhouette of a monk appeared at the end of the path leading to the monastery. It was the Buddha. He walked calmly to the bamboo cot, his compassionate eyes gazing at the trembling monk in agony. He gently called out, "Putigatta, I have come to visit you." The elder opened his eyes, saw the Blessed One, and tears streamed down his face, leaving him speechless. The Buddha turned to the accompanying monks and said, "Please bring hot water and a clean cloth here."

The monks obeyed, yet as they approached, they still frowned and leaned away from the odor. The Buddha showed no discomfort. He personally removed the elder’s outer robe and handed it to a monk to wash. Then, dipping a towel in hot water, he gently wiped each wound on the sick man’s body. Every movement was slow and careful, like a mother tending to her infant. He cleaned away the pus and dried blood, then ordered the inner garments to be washed and dried. Once everything was clean, he personally dressed the elder again, neatly and respectfully.

Lying there, Elder Putigatta felt the warmth of the Teacher’s hand, and his heart suddenly became remarkably peaceful. The pain seemed to vanish, replaced by unwavering faith. The Buddha sat beside him, looking directly into the eyes of the dying disciple, and slowly recited a verse:

"Before long, this body Will lie upon the earth, Cast aside, unconscious, Like a useless log."

The deep, warm voice of the Buddha poured into the elder’s soul. He realized this body was merely a mass of impermanence (anicca); the pain would pass, and only liberation was the ultimate goal. In that moment, the elder smiled, his eyes brightening with profound peace. He gently exhaled his last breath, departing in tranquility without a shred of regret.

The monks standing around were astonished. Before, they had heard cries of pain and anxiety. Yet after being cared for by the Buddha and hearing just one short verse, the elder had smiled and passed away with serene freedom. They asked the Buddha, "Blessed One, how could someone suffering so greatly attain enlightenment and depart so peacefully?"

The Buddha looked at the monks, his voice filled with compassion. "My children, this is the karmic result from many distant past lives. In a previous existence, Elder Putigatta was a bird hunter. When he caught birds, he broke their wings and legs so they could not fly, locking them in cages to sell gradually. That karma of killing caused this body to endure such horrific illness, as you see. However, in that same life, he encountered a Pratyekabuddha on alms round. He rejoiced, made offerings, and vowed, 'May I attain the fruit of enlightenment like him.' Thanks to that merit, despite falling through many cycles of rebirth (samsara), the seed of liberation continued to grow. In this life, the old karma ripened fully, requiring him to pay off the debt once and for all, while also providing the conditions (dependent origination) for him to attain enlightenment."

The Buddha paused, looked around at the monks, and continued, "You see, often we look at a gentle person who suffers greatly and do not understand why. But if we had eyes to see through countless lifetimes, we would clearly perceive the cause and effect (karmic law) of each individual. Do not doubt the law of cause and effect simply because a practitioner encounters hardship. Cause and effect never err; sometimes karmic retribution is hidden very far back or takes a long time to manifest."

After speaking, the Buddha arranged for the cremation of Elder Putigatta according to the rites for an Arhat. He wanted his disciple to depart in a dignified form, showing final respect to one who had achieved liberation.

The lesson from this story lies not only in karma but also in the Buddha’s boundless compassion. He did not shy away from the stench or filth, personally caring for the sick and suffering. This action teaches us about love, sacrifice, and human dignity before death. Although this body is subject to impermanence (anicca), respecting those who are passing away is a beautiful aspect of Buddhism, and indeed, of humanity.

The Meaning of the Story

The tale of Elder Putigatta reminds us that karma from many past lives can cause a person to suffer even while practicing the Dharma. But if one has merit and makes effort, when old debts are paid, the fruit of enlightenment ripens. Simultaneously, through the Buddha’s actions, we learn unconditional compassion, respect for human dignity even in one’s final moments, and the importance of not doubting the law of cause and effect based on external appearances.

Compiled from a dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang