BOOK XII.   SELF, ATTA VAGGA

Xn. 1. PRINCE BODHI AND THE IVIAGIC BIRD ^

// a man value his life. This religious instruction was given by
the Teacher while he was in residence at Bhesakalavana with reference
to Prince Bodhi.   [134]

1 a. The prince, the builder, and the magic bird

The story goes that Prince Bodhi had a palace erected unlike any
other palace on the face of the earth. It seemed almost to float in
the air. Its name was Red Lotus, Kokanada. When it was finished,
the prince asked the builder, "Have you ever built a palace like this
anywhere else, or is this the first work of the sort you have done?"
The builder replied, "Your majesty, this is the first work of the sort
I have ever done." The prince, hearing his reply, thought to him¬
self, "If this man should build a palace like this for anyone else,
there would no longer be anything wonderful about this palace. I
had best kill this man, or cut off his hands and feet, or tear out his
eyes; for if I do this, he will never build a palace like this for anyone
else."

Prince Bodhi went to an intimate friend of his, a youth named
Sanjikaputta, and told him what was in his mind. Saiijikaputta
straightway thought to himself, "Without a doubt this prince intends
to kill the builder. But I shall not look on quietly and see an artisan
who possesses so priceless a gift killed before my very eyes; I will
give him a hint of what is in store for him." So Sanjikaputta went
to the builder and asked him, "Have you, or have you not, finished
your work on the palace?" "My work is finished," replied the builder.
Then said Sanjikaputta, "The prince is seeking to kill you; look out
for yourseff."    [135] The builder replied, "Master, you did me a

* In the Introduction to Jdtaka 353: iii. 157-158, the brief statement is made
that Prince Bodhi put out the builder's eyes for fear that he might build a similar
palace for another. There is no reference, however, to the story of the magic bird.
The story of the Buddha's visit to Prince Bodhi is derived either from the Vinaya^
Culla Vagga, v. 21: ii. 127-129, or from Majjhima, 85: ii. 91-97.   Text: N iii. 134-139.