The Turtle Who Saved Lives

April 6, 2013

Buddha used to be a turtle in one of his previous lifetimes

A story that is often depicted in Buddhist art is the one where the Buddha in a previous life is a Bodhisattva-turtle (that is: a turtle who has vowed to save all sentient beings).

A group of merchants were sailing, when a storm hit. The giant Bodhisattva-turtle saw the ship wreck and saved the merchants by letting them climb on his back. He brought them safely to land. Tired from the long swim and heavy load he fell asleep on the sand.

The merchants were hungry and thirsty and after the ordeal were still not sure of their lives. They discussed amongst themselves how to find food. One of them said that they should kill and eat the turtle.

The Bodhisattva-turtle heard this and out of compassion for the merchants, decided to stay put and be eaten.

The Jatakas
Jatakas are stories of previous lifetimes of the Buddha

 

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Comments

  3. Reply  

    Charles van Dijk

    April 6, 2013

    Very interesting thanks for the info. Just read that the Lotus flower appeared to him whilst meditating under the "Bodi Tree" is that true?

  8. Reply  

    Dominique Lamidieu

    April 6, 2013

    Hello this story is very interesting to learn philosophy of Buddha thank you ! Do you have others stories please? I hoppe that you are fine today.

  13. Reply  

    Reg Dawn

    April 6, 2013

    Thank you Jendhamuni…Peace & LOVE

  15. Reply  

    Bill Maginnis

    April 6, 2013

    +Audrey Beasley – this would be true except the Buddha lived 500 years BEFORE Jesus and these Jataka tales of the Buddha's past lives were to have taken place for countless lives before the historical Buddha incarnated. Just a little historical info.

  20. Reply  

    Kumara Swamy

    April 8, 2013

    Buddham saranam gachhami saranam sangam gacahhami>

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