| J.446 |
Takkala Jaataka | Takka.la Jaataka |
Once in a village lived a man called Vasitthaka, an only son, who looked after his
father with great devotion, until the latter, much against the wishes of the son,
found a wife for him. A son was born to the pair and, when seven years old, he overheard
his mother planning to have the old man taken by a ruse to the cemetary, and there
killed and buried in a pit. The next morning, when his father set out in a cart for
the cemetary, the child insisted on accompanying him. Having watched his father dig
a pit, he asked what it was for, and was told that the useless old man was a burden
to keep and the pit was for him. the boy was silent, and when his father stopped
to have a rest, he took up the spade and began to dig another hole. On being asked
the reason, he said it was for his father when he should become too old to be supported.
This remark opened Vasitthakaís eyes. He returned home and drove away his wife. He
afterwards took her back on promising to give up her treacherous ways. The story
was related to a man who had looked after his father, but the wife whom he took at
his fatherís wish, wanted to get rid of the old man, and suggested the idea to her
husband. But his answer was that if she found the house inconvenient, she could go
elsewhere. The Buddha said that the characters of both stories were identical, and
that he himself was the child of the Jataka. |
59/865 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.iv.043ff. |
filial piety |