This talk explores the ethical complexities within the Upāyakauśalya Sūtra, an early Mahāyāna Buddhist text from the 1st century BCE, through the lens of a significant Jātaka tale. The story of the Bodhisattva as a ship captain, "Great Compassion," who kills a would-be murderer to save 500 lives, including those on the path to enlightenment, will be the central focus. By examining the concept of "compassionate murder," this talk will delve into its apparent contradictions and implications for Buddhist ethics, questioning how such actions align with or challenge popular ethical theories.