Prince Bodhi and the Cloth Carpet

In the vast royal gardens, Prince Bodhi stood before his newly built palace, his heart full of eager anticipation. He had begun constructing this residence in his childhood, when his mother carried him to meet the Buddha and take refuge. Now grown, he wished to host the first monastic meal in this palace by inviting the Buddha. He ordered many cloths to be purchased, for carpets did not exist in those days, and laid them from the street all the way to where the Buddha would sit. He desired that the feet of the World-Honored One step upon these cloths, so that he might receive blessings and have a capable heir to continue his lineage.

The Buddha arrived and stood at the beginning of the path, right where the cloth started. He did not step forward. Prince Bodhi knelt down, pressing his palms together in reverence. He pleaded, “World-Honored One, please place your foot on this path and enter my palace, so that I may receive abundant blessings.”

The Buddha remained silent and did not move.

The prince made his request a second time, and then a third. The Buddha still stood still. Venerable Ananda stepped forward and whispered gently, “Prince, the World-Honored One is thinking of the poor who have no clothes to wear. This cloth could help them. Please roll it up, and the World-Honored One will enter.”

The prince awakened to this truth and hurriedly ordered his servants to roll up all the cloth. The Buddha walked barefoot on the earth, his feet gathering dust, until he reached the threshold. There, the prince had prepared a basin of water, following Indian custom to wash the feet of honored guests before entering. The prince personally scooped water to wash the Buddha’s feet, then washed his own hands, and the Buddha sat down to accept the meal.

After the meal, the Buddha gave a dharma talk. Prince Bodhi knelt again to take refuge for the third time. He said, “World-Honored One, my mother took refuge for me while I was in her womb and when I was an infant. Today, having matured, I wish to take refuge in you once more.” Then he asked, “When I laid out the cloth, I believed that if you stepped on it, I would have an heir. Since you did not step on it, does this mean I will have no children?”

The Buddha replied, “That is correct, Prince. You will not have an heir.”

The prince’s face turned pale, and his voice trembled as he asked, “What karma has caused me to have no children?”

The Buddha looked at him with eyes full of compassion. “In a past life, you and your wife traveled by boat across the sea. The ship sank, and you drifted to a deserted island. Although there were many birds on the island, there was no other food. During your time there, you and your wife ate only eggs and baby birds. Because you consumed too much, you lack the merit in this life to have children.”

The prince bowed his head, tears streaming down his face. He understood that every action bears fruit, even something as small as eating a bird’s egg.

The Buddha spoke a verse: “If one loves oneself, one must carefully protect oneself. The wise person remains vigilant throughout the three watches of the night.”