Story Summary
Discover the Jataka tale of The Merchant of Seri, where honesty triumphs over greed as two traders encounter a hidden golden bowl in an old woman's home.
In the kingdom of Seri, two merchants traveled together selling pots and pans. One was greedy and dishonest, while the other was the Bodhisattva, a kind and fair-minded soul. They divided the streets of a city to avoid competition. In a certain house lived an old woman and her granddaughter, who had fallen on hard times. Unaware of its value, they possessed a dirty, soot-covered bowl that was actually solid gold. The greedy merchant arrived first. Seeing the bowl's potential, he scratched the bottom and realized it was gold. To get it for next to nothing, he pretended it was worthless and threw it on the ground, planning to return later and 'grudgingly' accept it. Later, the honest merchant visited the same house. When asked to trade for the bowl, he immediately recognized its true nature. He told the woman, 'Mother, this bowl is worth a hundred thousand pieces of gold. I do not have enough wealth to pay its full value.' Touched by his honesty, she gave it to him for what he could afford. When the greedy merchant returned and found the bowl gone, his heart filled with such intense rage and regret that he suffered a heart attack and died, while the honest merchant lived a life of prosperity and peace.
The Moral
Honesty and integrity lead to lasting peace and prosperity, while greed and deceit ultimately lead to one's own destruction.
“A man should be honest even if it costs him a fortune, for a stained soul is the heaviest burden.”
Fun Fact
This Jataka tale is often used in Buddhist teachings to illustrate 'Sacca' or truthfulness, one of the ten perfections (Paramitas) required for enlightenment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The Merchant of Seri?
The moral is that honesty is the best policy and greed leads to ruin. It teaches that being truthful about the value of things brings peace, while trying to cheat others results in personal loss.
Who is the 'Merchant of Seri' in Buddhist tradition?
The honest merchant is identified as the Bodhisattva, a previous incarnation of the Buddha. He represents the perfection of truthfulness and integrity on his path to enlightenment.
What happened to the greedy merchant at the end?
When the greedy merchant realized he lost the golden bowl due to his own trickery, he was consumed by overwhelming rage and grief. His heart burst from the intensity of his negative emotions, leading to his death.
Why did the old woman trust the second merchant?
She trusted the second merchant because of his transparent honesty. Unlike the first merchant who was rude and dismissive, the Bodhisattva spoke kindly and admitted the bowl's true, immense value.
What does the golden bowl symbolize in the story?
The golden bowl symbolizes hidden potential and the test of character. It reveals the true nature of the two merchants—one who sees it as an object to exploit and another who treats it with fairness.
How does this Jataka tale relate to Karma?
The story illustrates Karma by showing that the greedy merchant's deceitful actions immediately led to his own suffering, while the Bodhisattva's honesty resulted in a fair trade and a clear conscience.