The Tittira Jataka: The Partridge and His Friends

In a lush and ancient forest, the Bodhisatta was once a partridge, living in a harmonious friendship with a monkey and an elephant. Despite their differences, the three friends treated each other as equals, but as time passed, they began to feel that this equality was not entirely proper. They realized that it was important to establish a hierarchy based on age and to show deference and honor to the eldest among them.To determine who was the oldest, the three friends sat at the foot of a grand banyan tree and shared their earliest memories of its size. The elephant recalled a time when the banyan was just a small bush, over which he would walk, and its topmost branches would only reach up to his belly. The monkey remembered when the tree was slightly taller, allowing him to eat its topmost sprouts while sitting on the ground.The Bodhisatta, however, had the most ancient memory of all. He recalled eating fruit from a giant banyan tree nearby and voiding the seeds, one of which grew into the very tree they were sitting under. This revelation established the Bodhisatta as the oldest of the three friends.Recognizing the partridge’s seniority, the monkey and the elephant decided to show him the utmost respect and deference. From that day forward, they sought the Bodhisatta’s counsel on all matters and followed his guidance, ensuring a proper ordering of their common life. By honoring the Bodhisatta and adhering to the Commandments he taught, the three friends secured their rebirth in heaven at the end of their lives.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

This tale has a significant connection to the Buddha’s later life. One day, while the Buddha was traveling, his senior disciples, including Sariputta, arrived late in a town and found that all the available rooms had already been taken by other disciples. As a result, Sariputta had to spend the night under a tree.In the morning, when the Buddha learned of this incident, he gathered his disciples and rebuked them for their lack of courtesy and subordination. He emphasized the importance of honoring seniority and told them the story of the partridge, the monkey, and the elephant to illustrate that even animals understand the virtue of respecting their elders.Following this incident, the Buddha made it a formal offense for disciples not to provide the best lodging, rice, and water to the senior-most among them, ensuring that such disrespect would not occur again.The monkey in the story was revealed to be an earlier birth of Sariputta, and the elephant was an earlier birth of Moggallana, both of whom were among the Buddha’s top disciples.

Moral

The Tittira Jataka teaches us the importance of respecting and honoring seniority. The story highlights that establishing a proper hierarchy based on age and experience can lead to a more harmonious and orderly community. By showing deference to their elders, individuals can ensure that they receive wise counsel and guidance, ultimately leading to a more virtuous and fulfilling life. This tale serves as a reminder that respect for seniority is a fundamental virtue that promotes unity and well-being within any community.