Cuckoo Jataka: The Rebuke of Harsh Mother

Cuckoo Jataka: The Rebuke of Harsh Mother

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In a past life, the Bodhisatta was born as a king. His mother, however, was cruel, unruly, and harsh in her behavior. Though her actions troubled him, the Bodhisatta believed it would be disrespectful for him to confront her. One day, while walking with her through the palace grounds, a blue jay screeched loudly, causing a stir among the servants. They complained about the harshness of its cry, shouting, “What a harsh shriek! Shut up, already!” Later, they heard a cuckoo singing its sweet, melodious song. Everyone around stopped to listen and praised the bird, saying, “Sing away, birdie! Sing away!”

The Bodhisatta seized this moment to offer a subtle rebuke. He pointed out that although the blue jay was bright and colorful, its harsh voice annoyed people, while the plain, mottled grey cuckoo with its soft, pleasant song was beloved by all. He explained that this contrast demonstrated that being gentle and sweet in speech and behavior was the best way to be. His mother, reflecting on his wise words, understood the lesson and changed her ways, becoming kinder and more considerate from that point onward.


In the Lifetime of the Buddha

In the time of the Buddha, Anathapindika, a wealthy and generous supporter of the Buddha, had a daughter-in-law who was the very embodiment of arrogance and cruelty. She was violent, abusive, and completely neglectful of her duties as a wife, hurling insults and blows at everyone around her. Her behavior was so intolerable that even the servants in the household feared her. She lacked any redeeming qualities, and her presence caused strife in the family.

One day, the Buddha, accompanied by five hundred disciples, visited Anathapindika’s home. While he was giving a discourse, the daughter-in-law could be heard yelling at the servants. The Buddha paused and, noticing the disturbance, inquired about the cause of the commotion. Upon hearing of the woman’s vile conduct, the Buddha requested to speak with her.

He approached her with great calm and explained that there were seven types of wives, each embodying different qualities. He described them as follows:

  1. The Destroyer Wife: One who hates her husband and destroys every good thing he does.
  2. The Thievish Wife: A woman who is only interested in stealing money.
  3. The High and Mighty Wife: A wife who is lazy, greedy, rude, and tyrannical.
  4. The Motherly Wife: Compassionate and protective, caring for her husband like a mother would.
  5. The Sisterly Wife: Modest, respectful, and obedient.
  6. The Friendly Wife: Virtuous and eager to please.
  7. The Slavish Wife: Calm and patient, fully bending to her husband’s will.

The Buddha explained that the first three types of wives—the Destroyer, the Thievish, and the High and Mighty—were destined for hell, while the other four types had more virtuous and wholesome qualities.

Hearing this, the daughter-in-law immediately recognized the gravity of her actions. She felt deep remorse and asked for the Buddha’s forgiveness. She vowed to change her ways and promised to adopt the qualities of a slavish wife, one who would be calm, patient, and respectful to her husband. From that day on, she abandoned her cruel ways and began living a more religious and virtuous life.

Later, when the Buddha’s disciples discussed her remarkable transformation, the Buddha revealed that the same woman had once been tamed by him in a previous birth, just as he had done in this life. He shared this story with his disciples to show them that even the most obstinate individuals could be guided to righteousness through the Buddha’s wisdom and compassion.


Moral of the Story

The Sujata Jataka teaches several important lessons:

  1. Gentleness and Wisdom: The Bodhisatta, through his wise words, showed how gentleness and kindness could be more effective than harshness or reprimands. He used the example of the birds to demonstrate that people respond better to sweetness and gentleness in both speech and actions.
  2. Transformation is Possible: The story of Anathapindika’s daughter-in-law highlights the power of the Buddha’s teachings to transform even the most harsh and unruly people. Through a simple, yet profound lesson, the Buddha helped her recognize the destructive nature of her behavior and guided her toward a more virtuous and peaceful life.
  3. Self-Reflection: Both the Bodhisatta’s interaction with his mother and the Buddha’s lesson to the daughter-in-law point to the importance of self-reflection. By observing the consequences of one’s actions and words, a person can realize the need for change and growth.
  4. Compassionate Guidance: The Buddha’s approach to his disciples and to those in his presence was always compassionate and patient, emphasizing that wisdom and understanding can lead to positive change in others, even when they are deeply entrenched in negative behaviors.

This Jataka story exemplifies the Buddha’s skillful use of teachings to inspire moral growth and the transformative power of kind, thoughtful guidance.

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