Bodhisatta’s Wisdom: Overcoming Anger and Impulsiveness

Once, the Bodhisatta was born as a wise and noble naga, the son of a powerful naga king. His younger brother, however, was impulsive, cruel, and hot-headed, often getting into trouble with his actions. One day, the younger brother struck some female nagas, which angered their father greatly. In a fit of rage, the father ordered that the younger brother be expelled from their kingdom. However, the Bodhisatta, with his wisdom and calm demeanor, persuaded their father to reconsider, and the younger brother was allowed to stay.

But the trouble didn’t end there. The younger brother continued to act rashly, and after he struck the female nagas again, their father, once again enraged, decided that both sons should be punished. This time, he ordered them to leave the naga kingdom and go to the human city, where they would live for three years on a dunghill, far from their royal life. The Bodhisatta once again tried to convince their father to be merciful, but this time the king was resolute, and the brothers were sent into exile.

In the human city, the two naga brothers struggled to survive. They scrounged for food and were met with mockery from the human children, who threw sticks and stones at them. The younger brother, filled with anger, wanted to retaliate and suggested that they use their poisonous breath to kill the boys. However, the Bodhisatta, calm and composed, stopped him. He explained that they were in a foreign land, where no one knew of their royal status, and that they had no choice but to endure the insults of these low-class humans. The Bodhisatta’s wisdom helped to calm his younger brother, teaching him an important lesson in patience and humility.

After three years, the brothers returned to their naga kingdom. The younger brother, now a changed naga, had learned the value of humility and self-control. He had learned to temper his impulsive nature and to recognize the importance of enduring hardship with dignity.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

The younger naga brother was later reborn as one of the Buddha’s disciples, who was known for his quick temper. The Buddha, upon hearing his disciple struggle with his anger, told him this story to remind him that in a previous life, he had also struggled with the same flaws, but had learned to overcome them through patience and wisdom. This story helped the disciple reflect on his own nature and strive toward greater control over his impulses.

Moral: Wisdom and patience are the true marks of nobility. Just as the Bodhisatta taught his younger brother to endure hardship without resorting to violence or anger, we too must learn to face life’s difficulties with composure and humility.