Story Summary
Discover The Great Monkey Bridge, a Jataka tale where the Bodhisattva Monkey King sacrifices himself to save his troop from a human king's archers. Read now.
In a lush forest along the banks of the Ganges, the Bodhisattva was once born as a wise and powerful Monkey King, leading a troop of eighty thousand. Their home was a magnificent mango tree that bore fruit of divine sweetness. To protect his troop from human discovery, the Monkey King ordered that no fruit should ever fall into the river. However, one ripe mango hidden by a bird's nest eventually fell and floated downstream to the city of Benares. There, King Brahmadatta tasted it and became obsessed with finding its source. He led his army upstream until they discovered the Great Monkey Bridge tree. Seeing the monkeys, the human king ordered his archers to surround them so he could have both the fruit and the meat. To save his terrified followers, the Monkey King leaped across the river to a bamboo grove. He cut a long vine, tied one end to a tree and the other to his waist, and leaped back. But the vine was slightly too short; he had to stretch his own body to reach the mango tree, grasping a branch to form a living bridge. He commanded his troop to run across his back to safety. The final monkey, a long-time rival, jumped with such malice that he broke the Monkey King's back. Seeing this incredible sacrifice, King Brahmadatta was moved to tears. He had the dying Monkey King brought down and cared for. Before his final breath, the Monkey King taught the human king that a true ruler seeks the happiness of his subjects above his own, leaving the king forever changed.
The Moral
True leadership is defined by self-sacrifice and the unwavering commitment to protect those who rely on you.
“A leader's greatness is measured not by his power, but by the safety and happiness of those he serves.”
Fun Fact
This story is one of the most famous Jataka tales and is beautifully depicted in the 1st-century BCE stone carvings on the gateways of the Great Stupa at Sanchi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The Great Monkey Bridge?
The moral is that a great leader must be willing to sacrifice their own comfort and even their life for the safety and well-being of their followers. It emphasizes selfless service and compassion.
Who is the Monkey King in Buddhist tradition?
In this Jataka tale, the Monkey King is the Bodhisattva, a previous incarnation of the Buddha on his path to enlightenment. He demonstrates the perfection of courage and sacrifice.
Why did the human king want to kill the monkeys?
King Brahmadatta wanted the delicious mangoes for himself and viewed the monkeys as pests or a source of meat. He only changed his mind after witnessing the Monkey King's noble act.
How did the Monkey King create the bridge?
He tied a vine to a tree on the safe side of the river and leaped back to the mango tree. When the vine proved too short, he used his own body to bridge the remaining gap.
Who was the rival monkey who hurt the Monkey King?
The rival monkey is often identified as a past life of Devadatta, the Buddha's cousin who frequently opposed him across many incarnations, representing the presence of malice even amidst sacrifice.
What did the human king learn from the Monkey King?
The human king learned that a ruler's duty is to protect and serve his subjects with the same devotion the Monkey King showed his troop, leading him to rule with justice and mercy.