Bodhisatta’s Wisdom: A Tale of Family Loyalty

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was once a king who ruled with wisdom and justice. One day, some men who had been robbed in a forest chased after the thieves and mistakenly identified three men plowing a field as the culprits. They hauled these innocent men off to prison.A country woman, whose husband, son, and brother were the wrongly accused men, stood outside the palace loudly crying for her husband. The Bodhisatta, hearing her pleas, brought her in to talk and learned about the three men’s wrongful capture. He agreed to let her choose one man to be set free.To the Bodhisatta’s surprise, the woman chose her brother. When asked why she had chosen her brother over her husband or son, she explained that while she could find a new husband and have another son, she could never get another brother. Impressed by her wisdom and familial loyalty, the Bodhisatta decided to set all three men free.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

This tale has a significant connection to the Buddha’s later life. Three men were again mistaken for thieves, wrongly incarcerated, and then saved by a woman, mirroring the events of the past. When the Buddha heard some of his disciples praising this woman’s wisdom, he told them this story to illustrate that the same thing had happened to earlier births of the same four people.By sharing this story, the Buddha highlighted the recurring pattern of events and the consistent wisdom and justice displayed by the woman in both lives. This narrative underscored the idea that certain individuals may repeat similar roles or experiences across different lifetimes.

Moral

The Ucchanga Jataka teaches us about the importance of wisdom, justice, and familial loyalty. The story emphasizes the value of making wise decisions, even in difficult circumstances, and the significance of family bonds. The woman’s choice to prioritize her brother, despite the potential to replace her husband or son, demonstrates a deep understanding of the irreplaceable nature of certain relationships. This tale underscores the Buddhist principle of compassion and the importance of fair judgment, highlighting how these virtues can lead to positive outcomes for all involved.