Once, the Bodhisattva was born as the son of a King. The people in the kingdom were very superstitious and would offer animal sacrifices to gods to get their wishes fulfilled. Saddened by the killing of helpless animals, the prince devised a plan to stop it. He rode in his grand chariot to a banyan tree and made the offerings of incense, flowers and water. After a few years, he prince became the king. All his subjects loved and respected him. One day, the king called all the citizens to the court of his palace and said he would have to make a special sacrifice to the banyan tree as his wish of becoming the king had been fulfilled. He then said, “Those who destroy life, steal and lie will be sacrificed.” Scared, the people stopped their dishonest practices and the kingdom became peaceful.
Moral: Sacrifice your vices, not animals.
