The Hare in the Moon

The Bodhisattva was once born as a pious hare. One evening he was about to meditate when his eye caught the almost complete orb of the moon in the distant sky. He remembered that the coming day was the holy fifteenth day of the brighter half of the month – the day on which one should not eat a single morsel before offering food to the guest first.

The Bodhisattva felt worried as he had no food that was good enough for a guest. After much thought, he decided to offer his body as food to anyone who may come to visit him.

Now, Sakka, the King of Gods, learning about the Bodhisattva’s resolve, appeared in the forest the next day to test his strength of character. He took the guise of a Brahmin and pretended to be in dire need of food. Seeing the Brahmin, the Bodhisattva lit a fire by striking two stones and jumped into the raging flames.

Sakka was stunned by this act of sacrifice. The hare’s soul went up to Heaven and Sakka, in his honor, adorned the moon with the hare’s image.

The author of this story is unknown and greatly appreciated!

What Is The Spiritual Moral / Meaning of “The Hare In the Moon” Story?

The tale of the pious hare, a narrative veiled in simplicity yet laden with spiritual depth, whispers of transcendence and unwavering dedication to the path of selflessness.

At its heart lies the narrative of the Bodhisattva, embodied in the form of a hare, a creature of grace and humility. Engaged in the pursuit of enlightenment, the hare found itself at the cusp of a sacred day, a day sanctified by the offering of food to a guest before partaking in sustenance oneself.

In the face of apparent scarcity, the Bodhisattva, tethered to the essence of altruism, resolved to make an unprecedented sacrifice. Confronted with the absence of suitable offerings for a guest, the hare made a divine decision—an act of unparalleled devotion. It chose to offer its very body as sustenance to any visitor who might grace its dwelling.

In the symphony of destiny, Sakka, the divine sovereign, adorned with celestial grace, descended to test the hare's resolve. Cloaked in the guise of a Brahmin, he assumed the facade of dire need, presenting a litmus test for the hare's strength of character.

Witnessing the Brahmin's supposed distress, the Bodhisattva, without a hint of hesitation, sparked a fire and, in an awe-inspiring display of devotion, leaped into the raging flames—a gesture of unwavering commitment and selflessness that transcended the physical realm.

Sakka, the divine beholder, was left stupefied by this act of sublime sacrifice. The hare's soul ascended to the celestial realms, an embodiment of purity and selflessness, transcending the mortal coil and transcending into the embrace of Heaven itself.

In honor of the hare's extraordinary sacrifice, Sakka adorned the lunar sphere with the silhouette of the hare—a celestial tribute to the essence of selflessness and the unparalleled commitment to spiritual ideals.

The parable of The Hare In The Moon, wrapped in the simplicity of its narrative, resonates with the celestial symphony of altruism and spiritual ascension. It resonates not merely as a story but as a testament—a testament to the transcendental power of selfless sacrifice and unwavering devotion to the path of enlightenment.

The Bodhisattva's act of selflessness stands as a beacon—a radiant guiding light illuminating the path of spiritual enlightenment. It beckons us to contemplate the depth of our own actions, to reflect upon the purity of our intentions, and to recognize the transformative power of altruism.

At its essence, the Hare in the Moon story embodies the sanctity of selflessness—a reminder that the true essence of greatness lies not in worldly possessions or achievements but in the selfless service to others. The Bodhisattva, in its humble guise as the hare, imparts an invaluable lesson—an eternal lesson that transcends time and resonates through the annals of spiritual wisdom.

In the hare's sacrifice, we witness the echoes of ultimate devotion, a poignant reminder of the sanctity of altruism and the boundless potential of the human spirit. The Tale of the Hare in the Moon stands as an enduring parable, inviting us to embrace the highest ideals of compassion, selflessness, and spiritual transcendence.