The Purpose of Life is to Walk the Path of Knowledge

Bodhi Vriksha

Ashok Mishra

Sudatta was an immensely wealthy merchant of Shravasti (Savatthi). He was also known as Anathapindaka because he was always at the forefront of arranging food and education for the poor and orphaned children in and around Shravasti. He never hesitated to do good for others. It was for this reason that he was called Anathapindaka. He had purchased a forest belonging to Jeta—the son of King Prasenajit—at a high price and dedicated it to Mahatma Buddha. 

That forest is known as Jetavana. It still exists in Shravasti today. Once, Mahatma Buddha was delivering a sermon to his disciples in Jetavana. All the disciples were striving to internalize every single word spoken by the Tathagata. Just then, Mahatma Buddha saw Mahakashyapa, Maudgalyayana, Sariputra, Chunda, and Devadatta approaching. The Tathagata instructed his disciple Anathapindaka, "My child, rise! A group of Brahmins is approaching; arrange suitable seats befitting them." Anathapindaka was taken aback. 

He said, "Lord! Perhaps you do not recognize them. Only one among them is a Brahmin; the others belong to the Kshatriya, Vaishya, and 'Untouchable' castes." Hearing this, Buddha smiled and said, "My child, caste is not determined by birth but by qualities, temperament, and deeds. By their deeds, all of them are indeed Brahmins." 

As they drew closer, one of them praised Anathapindaka; Buddha remarked that the only shortcoming Anathapindaka had was that he had not yet grasped the true purpose of life. Had he understood that the purpose of life is to become altruistic rather than selfish, he would not have spoken in that manner. Walking the path of wisdom is more important than merely being wise. Hearing this, Anathapindaka felt humbled and grasped the essence of the Buddha's words; the true purpose of life is to walk the path of wisdom.