Kshema

Kshema, the young queen of the kingdom of Sagal, was extremely beautiful. She knew this and took great pride in her appearance. Her husband, a disciple of the Buddha, wished for her to meet the great sage. However, Kshema hesitated to do so, not out of disrespect, but due to her fear that he might not recognize her beauty. She had heard that the Buddha valued qualities beyond mere physical appearance.

One day, Kshema heard the court poet singing the praises of Spring at Venuvan, a royal garden located just outside the capital. Intrigued, she decided to visit the garden herself. What she did not know was that the Buddha was camping there at that time. Upon her arrival, she was struck by the sight of the Buddha relaxing under a tree, but even more so by a young lady, far more beautiful than herself, who was fanning the Buddha.

As Kshema observed the young lady, she noticed something astonishing; the lady’s appearance began to change rapidly. She grew older, looked sick, and gradually lost all her charm. The beautiful attendant was, in fact, a nymph, and through her transformation, the Buddha revealed to Kshema the transient nature of physical beauty.

In that moment, Kshema realized the futility of vanity and pride in her appearance. She bowed to the Buddha and chose to become his disciple, embracing the wisdom and insights that transcended physical form.