Bodhisatta’s Patience: Wisdom in Dealing with Anger

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was an ascetic living in the Himalayas with his father and younger brother. During the rainy season, they would retreat to a village to live among people, as it was hard to find food in the mountains when it rained. When the rains ended, they would journey back home. On the final day of their journey, the Bodhisatta walked ahead to prepare their huts, while his father walked slowly behind. His younger brother, impatient and wanting to hurry, pushed their father from behind, which angered the father. In frustration, the father turned back to the spot where they had started, and they argued as the sun began to set.

That evening, the Bodhisatta, carrying a torch, went back to find them. When he learned what had happened, he gently advised his father that young boys were like clay pots, easily broken, and needed patience. He told his father that even when the son is wrong, it was important to be calm and understanding. The father, appreciating this wisdom, began to be more patient from that point on.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

In the Buddha’s time, a young nobleman became a disciple of the Buddha and soon attained arahantship. After his mother passed away, his elderly father and younger brother joined him as disciples. The three traveled to a village for the rainy season, and when the rains were over, they walked back to the Buddha’s monastery.

As they neared the monastery, the young nobleman walked ahead quickly to prepare their rooms, while his father, walking slowly, was impatiently pushed by his younger brother. The two quarreled, and the father, growing annoyed, decided to turn back to the beginning of the journey. As a result, night fell before they could reach the monastery. The young nobleman took a torch and went back to find them.

The next day, when the young nobleman arrived late at the monastery, the Buddha asked why. The nobleman explained what had happened, and the Buddha then told him this story, showing that his father had acted in the same way in a past life.

Moral: This story illustrates the importance of patience, especially when dealing with those who are younger or less experienced. The Bodhisatta’s advice to his father reflects the wisdom of responding with understanding rather than anger. The story also shows how, through the practice of patience and reflection, individuals can improve their temper and relationships.