Jataka Tales 37: Tittira

Tittira Jataka While on his way to Savatthi the Buddha related this story about the way in which Venerable Sariputta was without lodging for a night. At that time Anathapindika had built the Jetavana monastery for the Buddha and had sent word it was ready for occupation.

So the Buddha left Rajagaha and on the way stopped for a period at Vesali. Then he left for Savatthi. In the meantime the disciples of the gang of six notoriously known as Chabbaggiyas had quickly gone on ahead and arrived first.

They took possession of all available lodgings for their superiors, teachers and themselves before the senior disciples of the Buddha arrived.

When they arrived neither they nor their disciples could find lodgings for them. Even Sariputta was without proper lodging.

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So he passed the night at the foot of a tree near the Buddha's quarters, either walking up and down or sitting in meditation.

Early the next morning the Buddha coughed to signal as he came out; Sariputta coughed to reveal his presence. "Who's that?" asked the Buddha. "It is I, Venerable Sir," replied Sariputta.

"What are you doing here at this hour, Sariputta?" Then Sariputta told the Buddha what happened. The Buddha: "Even while I'm still living the monks lack courtesy and show no respect to the senior disciples. What will they not do after I am dead and gone?" It was a problem that had to be decisively settled.

When the sun had risen he summoned the Brethren to the Dhamma Hall and when all were there he asked: "Is it true, monks that I hear that the followers of the Six went on ahead and kept the senior disciples out of lodgings for the night?"

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"That is so, Venerable Sir," was the reply.

Thereupon He censured the behaviour of the followers of the Six. He asked: "Tell me, who deserves the best lodgings, the best water, and the best rice, monks?"

Some answered: "He who was a nobleman before he became a brother monk." Others severally said: "He who was a brahmin; a man of means; versed in the Rules; who can expound the Law; won the first, the second, the third or fourth stage of ecstacy."

Again others said: "He who has attained the First, Second, Third Path of Release; an Arahat; who knows the Three Great Truths; who has the Six Higher forms Knowledge."

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After the monks had stated whom they severally thought as worthy of precedent in lodging and the like the Buddha said: In the Dhamma that I teach the standard in which precedence in lodging and the like is settled is not by noble birth, or having been a brahmin, or being rich before entering the monkhood; the standard is not being conversant with the Rules, with Suttas, or with all the Three Divisionsa Divisions ; nor is it either the attainment of the four stages of mystic ecstacy or walking in any of the Four Paths of Release.

Monks, in my Dhamma it is seniority which claims respect of word and deed, salutation, and all that is due in service; it is seniors who should enjoy the best lodging, the best water, and the best rice. This is the true standard, and all the senior monk ought to have these things. Yet, monks, here is Sariputta, my Chief Disciple, who has set rolling the Wheel of Minor Truth, and who deserves a lodging next to myself.

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And Sariputta has spent a night without one at the foot of a tree! If you lack respect and are insubordinate even now, what will be your behaviour as times goes by?"

And to give themn them further instruction, the Buddha said: In times past, monks, even animals came to the realization that it was not proper for them to live without respect and subordination, one to the other, or without order to their common life; even these animals decided to find out which among them was senior, and then to show him all forms of reverence.

And they looked into the matter, and when they had found one who was their senior they showed him all forms of reverence; whereby they passed away at that life's end to people heaven." And then he told them this story of the past.

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Story of the past Once, in ages since past, near a great banyan tree on the slopes of the Himalayas there were three friends - a partridge, a monkey, and an elephant. And they lived lacking respect and subordination, one to another, and were without order in their common life. Eventually the thought came to them that it was not proper for them to continue to live in this way, for they ought to find which of their number was the senior and to respect and honour him.

As they were engaged in thinking which among them was the oldest an idea came to them. The partridge and the monkey said to the elephant: "Friend elephant, how big was this banyan tree as you remembered seeing it first?" Replied the elephant: "When I was a baby I used to walk over this same banyan. As I stood over it its top branches reached my belly. I've known it since it was a little bush."

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Next the monkey was asked the same question by the other two. He replied: "When I was young I needed only stretch out my neck to eat its topmost leaves as I sat on the ground. So I've known this tree since it was very tiny."

Then the partridge was asked the same question. "Friends, of old there was a banyan tree at such a spot. I ate its seeds and voided them here. That was the origin of this tree.

Therefore I have knowledge of this tree even before it sprouted, and I am older than both of you."

Thereupon the elephant and the monkey said to the partridge: "Friend, you are the oldest. From now on you will receive acts of veneration and honour, obeisance and homage, respect of word and deed, salutation and all due homage; we will follow your counsels. For your part, please impart to us such counsel as we need."

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And thus the partridge imparted counsel to them by establishing them in the Injunctions which he also would keep. With this they behaved respectfully and were subordinate among themselves, with a well-ordered common life.

Thus these three ensured for themselves a place in a heavenly realm at the end of their lives.

End of story of the past The Buddha continued: "The aims of these three came to be known as the `Holiness of the Partridge,' and if these three animals lived together in respect and subordination, how can you, who have accepted a Faith and Rules that are well taught, live together without due respect and subordination?

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Henceforth, I ordain that to seniority shall be paid respect of word and deed, salutation and due service; that seniority shall be the title to the best lodgings, the best water, and the best rice; and never more shall a senior be kept out of lodging by a junior. Whosoever keeps out a senior commits an offence."

At the end of the sermon the Blessed One spoke thus: “Those who honour age are the one's well-versed in Dhamma."

When the Buddha had finished speaking He made the connection and identified the Births, saying: "Mogallana was the elephant of those days, Sariputta was the monkey, and I myself was the partridge."

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