The Tale of the Dishonest Wife

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was an acrobat who made his living by performing feats of agility and strength on the streets. One day, as he sat near the house of a brahmin, he witnessed a scene that would reveal the true nature of the brahmin’s wife.

While her husband was away, the wife’s lover came to visit her. After some time, the lover, having been entertained, was served a meal of rice with curry. The wife, keeping watch at the door, noticed her husband returning home, and panic set in. Desperate to cover up the situation, she quickly urged her lover to hide in the storeroom. She then grabbed some fresh rice, placed it on the lover’s plate, and tried to pass it off as a meal waiting for her husband, pretending that the food had been prepared just for him.

However, the brahmin, keen-eyed and aware of the smallest details, noticed that the rice was hot on top but cold underneath. Suspicious, he asked his wife, “What is going on here?” The wife, realizing she had been caught, remained silent, offering no explanation.

Unbeknownst to the wife and her lover, the Bodhisatta, who had been watching from outside, understood immediately what had transpired. He knew of the lover’s hiding place in the storeroom, and without hesitation, he informed the brahmin of the situation. The brahmin, enraged by the betrayal, confronted his wife and her lover. He berated them both and, after a public scolding, warned them never to engage in such deceit again.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

In the time of the Buddha, one of his disciples began to long for the wife he had left behind in his lay life. The Buddha, noticing his disciple’s growing attachment, recognized that this longing stemmed from the disciple’s past life. The brahmin and his wife, in their earlier births, were the same individuals as the disciple and his wife in the current life. The Buddha shared this story with his disciple, explaining that the wife had been wicked in a previous existence and had caused the disciple much suffering. By recalling this past, the Buddha guided his disciple to understand that his current longing for her was based on an attachment to a woman who had once caused him harm.

Moral:

This story teaches several important lessons:

1. The Dangers of Deception: The wife’s attempt to cover up her affair with her lover was based on deceit, and her actions were exposed because of her dishonesty. The story reminds us that lies, no matter how cleverly concealed, often come to light in the end.
2. Vigilance and Awareness: The brahmin’s keen observation of the temperature difference in the rice showed the importance of being vigilant and paying attention to the small details. The story emphasizes the value of mindfulness and awareness in our relationships and surroundings.
3. Attachment and Letting Go: In the context of the Buddha’s teachings, the story also addresses the dangers of attachment. The disciple’s longing for his wife in his current life was a manifestation of his attachment to a past filled with suffering. The Buddha’s wisdom shows that true liberation comes from letting go of attachments, especially to individuals who have caused us harm.
4. Understanding the Past: The story also highlights the importance of understanding our past actions and relationships. Just as the Bodhisatta helped the brahmin understand the situation in his household, the Buddha helped his disciple understand the nature of his past attachments, guiding him toward greater clarity and wisdom.

Ultimately, the tale teaches us that deception leads to exposure, that vigilance can help us avoid being misled, and that true peace comes from letting go of unhealthy attachments to the past.