The Ascetic Rumor: A Lesson in Words and Action

Once, the Bodhisatta was a wealthy merchant living with his wife and her mother. One day, as the Bodhisatta was out paying his respects to the king, his mother-in-law visited the house. During their conversation, the mother-in-law asked her daughter how the marriage was going and whether her husband treated her well. The daughter replied that her husband was more decent and virtuous than most ascetics, but her mother-in-law, who was hard of hearing, only caught the word “ascetic.” Thinking she had heard her daughter say that her husband had become an ascetic, she began shouting in alarm, “Oh dear, why has your husband become an ascetic!” Her loud voice caused the neighbors to hear, and soon the gossip spread throughout the town.

Upon returning home, the Bodhisatta was greeted by a man who told him about the rumor circulating, and how his family was in distress. Believing in the importance of acting upon words that could bring good fortune, the Bodhisatta immediately returned to the palace to ask the king’s permission to become an ascetic. The king granted it, and the Bodhisatta left the city, choosing to live the rest of his life in religious devotion in the Himalayas.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

In the Buddha’s time, a nobleman who devoutly followed the dharma was visiting the Buddha’s monastery to pay his respects and listen to a sermon. While he was away, his mother-in-law visited his house and asked her daughter how the marriage was going and if her husband treated her well. The daughter replied that her husband was more virtuous than most ascetics, but the mother-in-law, unable to hear clearly, misunderstood the word “ascetic” and began loudly declaring that her son-in-law had become one. The news spread quickly throughout the neighborhood, despite the daughter’s calm correction.

When the nobleman returned home, he was told about the rumor, and upon hearing that his family was in tears, he believed he should act on the “lucky words” he had heard. So, he immediately went back to the monastery and was ordained as an ascetic.

When the Buddha learned of the situation, he shared this story with his disciples to remind them that, in a past life, he himself had once acted in the same way after hearing a similar misunderstanding.

Moral of the Story:

This story illustrates the powerful influence of words and misunderstandings. It teaches us that people often act hastily on incomplete information, especially when they believe it to be meaningful or fortuitous. The Bodhisatta’s decision, influenced by a simple mistake, reminds us of the importance of clarity and reflection before taking action.

In both lives, the Bodhisatta’s response to the rumor was driven by a belief in the significance of what was said. The story shows how people can be swept away by miscommunication, yet it also highlights the noble pursuit of a life of virtue, whether inspired by misinterpreted words or sincere wisdom.