Gijjha Jataka: Lesson on Humility and Disobedience

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was a vulture living with his wife and their strong, stubborn son, who was the king of their flock. The young vulture, full of youthful arrogance, often ignored the Bodhisatta’s wise advice. Despite warnings, he would fly to great heights, testing his strength and daring fate. One day, in an attempt to soar higher than ever before, he flew into fierce winds, which ultimately caused him to crash to his death.

When the Bodhisatta learned of his son’s demise, he expressed sorrow and criticized those who, out of foolish pride, ignore the counsel of their elders. He noted that such actions not only bring harm to those who disregard wisdom but also to the people who depend on them, as they too suffer the consequences.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha: A Disobedient Disciple

In the Buddha’s time, the story of the young vulture was retold to a disobedient and impatient disciple of the Buddha. This disciple often disregarded the teachings and guidance of his teachers, as well as the advice of his fellow disciples, much like the young vulture in his past life.

The Buddha shared the Gijjha Jataka with the disciple, reminding him that in a past life, his failure to listen to wise counsel had led to his death. By sharing this story, the Buddha hoped the disciple would understand the consequences of his actions and learn the importance of humility and following the advice of those who are wiser and more experienced.

Moral of the Story:

The Gijjha Jataka emphasizes the importance of humility and the value of listening to the advice of elders and experienced individuals. Pride and arrogance often lead to dangerous decisions, and those who disregard wisdom not only harm themselves but also those who rely on them. By sharing this story, the Buddha aimed to teach his disciple the significance of following the guidance of those with greater experience, avoiding the same tragic fate as the disobedient young vulture.