Apannaka jathaka was preached by lord Buddha at jethavana to Anathapindika and his five hundred

friends, who were followers of other schools. They went with anathapindika to hear the Buddha preach
and became converts, but when the Buddha left savatti and went to rajagaha, they reverted to their old
faiths, coming back to the Buddha when he returned to savatti. Knowing this, Buddha admonished them
that, in the past too they mistook what was no refuge for a real refuge and met disaster, fell prey to evil
spirits in the wilderness and were utterly destroyed. The Buddha made clear what rebirth had concealed
from them.

Once on a time in the city of benares, the bodhisatta or the Buddha-to-come was born to a merchant’s
family and grew up to be a wise trader. In the same city lived another merchant, a foolish one, without
any common sense.

The wise merchant lived by three practices. He had control of his senses, which means he didn’t cling to
what he experienced with his senses. He made sure he wasn’t overcome with desire or aversion, which
leads to the aversion of negative thoughts and actions.

The second practice was, he avoided untimely eating and never ate more than what was necessary.
Eating more than one’s body needs makes you lethargic and is the cause of many illnesses.

The third practice was, He used to cut his hours of sleeping and meditate, in order to be more efficient.
He even promoted this practice among his employees.