The Mittamitta Jataka: Recognizing True Friendship and Foresight

In the Mittamitta Jataka, the Bodhisatta appears as an ascetic living in the Himalayas. He is a wise and compassionate figure, guiding others with his knowledge and insight. One of the ascetics living in his community, however, disregards the Bodhisatta’s advice and adopts a young, orphaned elephant. While the Bodhisatta cautioned against raising such an animal, the other ascetic insisted on caring for it.

As the elephant grew, it became more dangerous and unpredictable. Eventually, the elephant killed its caretaker and fled into the forest. The other ascetics, shaken by the tragic event, turned to the Bodhisatta for guidance. They asked him how to distinguish between a friend and a foe.

The Bodhisatta explained that true friends are those who exhibit kindness, warmth, and a positive attitude, while foes are characterized by their negativity, unfriendly behavior, and lack of compassion. In other words, one’s behavior and attitude are the clearest indicators of whether someone is truly a friend or a foe.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

This Jataka story connects to a situation involving one of the Buddha’s disciples. In this story, the disciple took a piece of cloth from his teacher without asking for permission. The disciple had assumed that the teacher would not be angry, so he took the cloth and made a shoe bag from it. When the teacher found out, he became enraged and struck the disciple.

When the Buddha heard his disciples discussing the incident, he used this story to explain that the disciple had not been considerate of others’ feelings, just as in the past he had shown a lack of respect and consideration for the boundaries of others. The Buddha explained that the disciple’s failure to recognize the impact of his actions on others had led to the teacher’s angry response.

The story served as a reminder that thoughtful consideration of others’ feelings and boundaries is essential in relationships, whether they are of friendship, mentorship, or any other form.

Moral Lessons and Teachings

1. Friendship and Foes: The Bodhisatta’s teaching in the Jataka about recognizing friends and foes highlights the importance of observing a person’s attitude. Friends will show kindness and act with goodwill, while foes may seem outwardly friendly but are often negative and deceitful underneath. The story teaches us to trust actions and behavior rather than just appearances.
2. Consideration for Others: The Buddha’s teaching through the story of the disciple and the teacher reinforces the need for consideration and respect in our actions. The disciple’s failure to ask for permission or think about his teacher’s feelings resulted in a rash and angered reaction. Similarly, the Bodhisatta’s warning about the elephant teaches the importance of foresight and responsibility when dealing with others, as certain actions can lead to destructive consequences.
3. Consequences of Ignoring Wisdom: The tragic fate of the ascetic who adopted the elephant without listening to the Bodhisatta’s advice is a clear example of the consequences of ignoring wisdom and guidance. The Bodhisatta’s caution about the dangers of raising such a wild and unpredictable animal highlights the importance of heeding wise counsel, especially when it comes to taking responsibility for others or for things that can potentially become harmful.
4. Emotional Sensitivity: Both stories—of the elephant and the disciple—serve as lessons in emotional sensitivity. Whether in our interactions with people (as in the case of the disciple) or with animals (as in the case of the elephant), understanding the emotional needs and reactions of others is critical to preventing harm and building meaningful connections.

Conclusion

The Mittamitta Jataka teaches the value of understanding who is truly a friend based on their actions, the importance of respecting others’ feelings, and the wisdom of listening to guidance and warnings. Whether dealing with interpersonal relationships or managing responsibilities, the story encourages mindfulness of others’ emotions and the consequences of neglecting wisdom and consideration. Through both the Bodhisatta’s advice and the Buddha’s teaching, the Jataka highlights key aspects of ethical conduct, responsibility, and emotional intelligence.