The Maha-Ukkusa Jataka: The Power of True Friendship and Loyalty

In the Maha-Ukkusa Jataka, the Bodhisatta was once a lion who lived on the north shore of a lake. Across the lake, on the south and west shores, lived a pair of hawks. The male hawk sought the hand of the female hawk, but she had one condition: she would only marry him if he had friends who could help them in times of danger. She explained that a good husband must have friends to ensure their protection, and for him to be worthy of her, he must befriend the osprey, who lived on the east shore of the lake, the turtle who resided on a small island, and the Bodhisatta, the lion.

The hawk agreed to her terms and befriended all three creatures. Soon after, the hawks built a nest on the island, and they were blessed with two young sons.

One day, a group of villagers went hunting near the hawks’ island. They set up a smoky fire to fend off gnats and mosquitoes, but the smoke irritated the young hawks, who were not yet able to fly. The hawks’ cries of distress reached the ears of the female hawk, who quickly sent her mate to ask the osprey for help.

The osprey, true to his friendship, flew to the island and began to sprinkle water from his wings onto the fire, dousing the flames. The men, who were attempting to climb the tree to catch the young hawks, were thwarted each time the osprey arrived to extinguish the fire. But eventually, the osprey grew weak and exhausted from repeatedly flying back and forth.

Realizing that the osprey could no longer continue, the female hawk sent her mate to seek the help of the turtle. The turtle agreed to help, but before he could set off, his son insisted that he would be the one to go. The turtle’s son dove into the lakebed and brought back mud to the island, using it to put out the fire.

Despite their efforts, the men decided to catch the turtle instead, tying him up with vines. However, the turtle, displaying incredible strength, dove into the lake, dragging the men into the water with him. The men scrambled back to the island, wet and defeated, and decided to wait until the next day to capture the young hawks.

At this point, the female hawk sent her mate to ask the Bodhisatta for help. The Bodhisatta, sensing the danger to his friends, said that he would kill the hunters. As he swam toward the island, the men, terrified of the mighty lion, fled.

With the hunters gone, the osprey, the turtle, the hawks, and the Bodhisatta gathered on the island to celebrate their victory. The Bodhisatta, filled with gratitude, spoke to them about the value of friendship. He reminded them that true friends are those who stand by one another in times of need, and that the bonds of friendship must never be broken. The animals all vowed to uphold these bonds of loyalty and friendship for the rest of their lives.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

In the Buddha’s time, the hawks were earlier incarnations of a poor man and his wife. When the man proposed to her, she asked him if he had any friends who could help them in times of trouble. The man admitted that he had no friends, so the woman told him to come back only after he had made some.

The man took her advice seriously and began by befriending the four gatekeepers of the city. From there, he worked his way up, forming friendships with the town guards, astrologers, nobles of the royal court, and eventually the king himself. Through these relationships, he eventually became close to the Buddha’s eighty chief disciples and even the Buddha himself.

The man, now known as the “man of many friends”, married the wise woman, and they received many gifts and honors from the king and the people. On the seventh day after their wedding, they invited the Buddha and five hundred disciples to their home, offering them great gifts. After a sermon from the Buddha, the couple experienced a breakthrough in understanding dharma.

Later, when the Buddha overheard his disciples discussing how the man had benefited from following his wife’s advice to make friends, he shared this story to show them that it was not the first time the couple’s wise decisions had led to success.

In this Jataka, the father and son turtles were earlier births of Moggallana, one of the Buddha’s chief disciples, and the Buddha’s son, Rahula. The osprey was an earlier birth of Sariputta, another of the Buddha’s chief disciples.

Moral Reflection:

The Maha-Ukkusa Jataka teaches us that true friendship is built on the foundation of loyalty, trust, and mutual support. The Bodhisatta, in his life as a lion, exemplifies the importance of standing by your friends in their times of need. Through his powerful action, he not only saves his friends but also highlights the value of supporting one another in times of danger or difficulty.

The story also emphasizes the wisdom in choosing friends who can help you when needed, and the importance of having a strong network of allies. This is mirrored in the human story of the man of many friends, who followed his wife’s advice to make meaningful connections, which ultimately led to his success and prosperity.

The turtle, the osprey, the hawks, and the Bodhisatta demonstrate that when we form genuine relationships, we can face life’s challenges together. Selflessness, sacrifice, and a willingness to help others, especially in times of need, are the hallmarks of true friendship. These principles are integral not only to personal growth but also to the well-being of the community.

Final Takeaway:

This Jataka encourages us to reflect on the quality of our friendships. Are they rooted in loyalty and mutual support, or are they shallow and self-serving? The Bodhisatta’s lion-like courage and the turtle’s strength remind us that when we stand by our friends, we can overcome any challenge together. True friendship is not just about being there during good times, but about showing up for each other in times of crisis and need.