Prince Bodhi and the Cloth Path

In the magnificent palace of Prince Bodhi in Varanasi, the atmosphere was more festive than ever. The prince had just completed a new palace, splendid with intricately carved pillars and walls painted red and gilded with gold. He wished to invite the Buddha for an alms offering to seek blessings, and more importantly, he secretly hoped to soon have a child to continue his lineage.

Long ago, while he was still in his mother’s womb, she had requested the Buddha to accept refuge for her unborn child. When he was still an infant, she carried him to meet the Buddha again to take refuge. Growing up amidst luxury, the prince always remembered the Buddha and his mother’s teachings. Today, he wanted to do something truly special to express his reverence.

He had many pieces of cloth purchased, as in those times there were no carpets like today. The cloth was spread from the main gate, winding along the dirt path, through the courtyard, and into the very heart of the palace, right to the spot where the Buddha would sit for the meal. The prince waited from early morning, his heart full of joy.

When the Buddha arrived at the start of the path, he stopped, stood still, and did not step onto the cloth. Prince Bodhi hurried out, joined his palms respectfully, and said: "Blessed One, please set your feet upon this path and enter my palace so that I may gain many blessings."

The Buddha remained silent. The prince, feeling perplexed, made a second request: "Blessed One, please step upon this path, enter my newly built palace, so that through this merit, I may receive abundant blessings."

The Buddha still did not move. For the third time, the prince pleaded earnestly, yet the Buddha stood unmoved. Then, the Venerable Ananda stepped forward and gently said to the prince: "Your Highness, the World-Honored One is thinking of the poor and the destitute who have no clothes to wear. This cloth could be used to help many poor people cover their bodies. Therefore, please roll up the cloth, and the World-Honored One will enter the palace."

Prince Bodhi awakened. He suddenly understood the profound meaning behind the Buddha’s action. He quickly ordered his servants to roll up all the cloth and put it away. Only then did the Buddha slowly proceed into the palace, walking on the familiar dirt path. Upon arrival, he stopped at the doorstep where a basin of water was ready for washing his feet, and then his hands, before eating, in accordance with the custom of India at that time.

After the alms offering, Prince Bodhi knelt down, taking refuge in the Buddha for the third time in his life. Choking with emotion, he said: "Blessed One, my mother took refuge for me when I was still in her womb, and again when I was an infant. Now that I have grown, I take refuge in the World-Honored One once more."

Then, hesitantly, he asked: "Blessed One, when I laid down the cloth hoping you would walk upon it, my mind held a thought: if you stepped on the cloth, I would have an heir. If you did not, I would remain childless. Today, you did not step upon the cloth—does that mean I will have no children?"

The Buddha looked at the prince with compassionate eyes and replied: "It is so, Prince Bodhi. You will have no children to continue your lineage."

The prince stood stunned, his face filled with sorrow. He asked: "Blessed One, what is the karmic cause that I have no children?"

The Buddha calmly recounted: "Prince, in a distant past life, you and your spouse were sailing on the sea when your ship unfortunately wrecked. Both of you drifted onto a deserted island. On the island, there were many birds, but nothing else to eat. During the entire time you lived there, the two of you only ate eggs and chicks, because you could not catch the adult birds. The newly hatched chicks could not fly, so you ate them in great numbers, along with their eggs. Due to this heavy karma of taking life, you no longer have the blessings to have children now."

Prince Bodhi was silent, recognizing the profound lesson. The Buddha then spoke this verse:

"If you truly love yourself, you must skillfully protect your own being. The wise one, through all three watches of the night, must always remain awake and mindful."

The Meaning of the Story

The story of Prince Bodhi teaches us that the law of cause and effect (karmic law) constantly operates around us, and that even a small, unguarded action during a moment of heedlessness can create heavy karma. A wise person is one who remains always mindful, who values their blessings from merit, who thinks of others, and who especially refrains from actions of taking life, because all actions bear their fruit. Always maintain a mind of compassion and mindful awareness in every circumstance.

Compiled from a dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang