15.1 The Story about Settling a Dispute amongst Relatives

15.1 The Story about Settling a Dispute amongst Relatives
Ñātikalahavūpasamanavatthu

Dhp 197-199

CST4: Ñāātikalahavūpasamanavatthu AJ: Ñāāti-, proof-reading error.

Burlingame: A Quarrel among Brethren

Compare: Ja 536 This story is a brief outline of the Introduction to Ja 536. Dhp-a 3.254⁰⁶-255¹⁹ is almost word for word the same as Jātaka, v. 412¹⁵-413¹⁰, and Dhp-a 3.256^1-9 is almost word for word the same as Jātaka, v. 414^4-11. The Dhammapada Commentary version then concludes very briefly, saying nothing about the relation of Jātakas by the Buddha.

The Sākiyans and the Koliyans were kindred tribes who nearly fell into a war over short water supplies; the Buddha, in order to prevent bloodshed, went to them and gave them this teaching, following which they relented.

Keywords: Resources, Wars, Peace

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“Let us live on without hatred,” [30.70] {3.254} this Dhamma teaching was given by the Teacher while he was in residence among the Sākiyans with reference to the settling of a quarrel among kinsmen.

It seems that the Sākiyans and the Koliyans caused the waters of the river Rohiṇī to be confined by a single dam between the city of Kapilavatthu and the city of Koliya, and cultivated the fields on both sides of the river. Now in the month of June the crops began to droop, whereupon the laborers employed by the residents of both cities assembled. Said the residents of the city of Koliya: “If this water is diverted to both sides of the river, there will not be enough both for you and for us too. But our crops will ripen with a single watering. Therefore let us have the water.”

The Sākiyans replied: “After you have filled your storehouses, we shall not have the heart to take ruddy gold and emeralds and black pennies, and, baskets and sacks in our hands, go from house to house seeking favors at your hands. Our crops also will ripen with a single watering. {3.255} Therefore let us have this water.” – “We will not give it to you.” – “Neither will we give it to you.”

Talk waxed bitter, until finally one arose and struck another a blow. The other returned the blow and a general fight ensued, the combatants making matters worse by aspersions on the origin of the two royal families.

Said the laborers employed by the Koliyas: “You who live in the city of Kapilavatthu, take your children and go where you belong. Are we likely to suffer harm from the elephants and horses and shields and weapons of those who, like dogs and jackals, have cohabited with [30.71] their own sisters?”

The laborers employed by the Sākiyans replied: “You lepers, take your children and go where you belong. Are we likely to suffer harm from the elephants and horses and shields and weapons of destitute outcastes who have lived in jujube trees like animals?”

Both parties of laborers went and reported the quarrel to the ministers who had charge of the work, and the ministers reported the matter to the royal households. Thereupon the Sākiyans came forth armed for battle and cried out: “We will show what strength and power belong to those who have cohabited with their sisters.” Likewise the Koliyans came forth armed for battle and cried out: “We will show what strength and power belong to those who dwell in jujube trees.”

As the Teacher surveyed the world at dawn and beheld his kinsmen, he thought to himself: “If I refrain from going to them, these men will destroy each other. It is clearly my duty to go to them.” Accordingly he flew through the air quite alone to the spot where his kinsmen were gathered together, and seated himself cross-legged in the air over the middle of the river Rohiṇī. {3.256} When the Teacher’s kinsmen saw the Teacher, they threw away their weapons and did reverence to him. The Teacher said to his kinsmen: “What is all this quarrel about, great king?” – “We do not know, venerable Sir.” – “Who then would be likely to know?” – “The commander-in-chief of the army would be likely to know.” The commander-in-chief of the army said: “The viceroy would be likely to know.” Thus the Teacher put the question first to one and then to another, asking the slave-laborers last of all. The slave-laborers replied: “The quarrel is about water, venerable Sir.”

Then the Teacher asked the king: “How much is water worth, great king?” – “Very little, venerable Sir.” – “How much are nobles worth, great king?” – “Nobles are beyond price, venerable Sir.” – “It is not fitting that because of a little water you should destroy nobles who are beyond price.” They were silent.

Then the Teacher addressed them and said: “Great kings, why do you act in this manner? Were I not here present today, you would set flowing a river of blood. You have acted in a most unbecoming manner. You live in enmity, indulging in the five kinds of hatred. I live free from hatred. You live afflicted with the sickness of the pollutants. I live free from disease. You live in eager pursuit of the five kinds of sensual pleasure. I live free from the eager pursuit of aught.” So saying, he pronounced the following verses: [30.72]

197. Susukhaṁ vata jīvāma verinesu averino,
verinesu manussesu viharāma averino.

Let us live on without hatred,
amongst those who do have hatred,
amongst humans who have hatred
let us now live without hatred.

198. Susukhaṁ vata jīvāma āturesu anāturā,
āturesu manussesu viharāma anāturā.

Let us live on without sickness,
amongst those who do have sickness,
amongst humans who have sickness
let us now live without sickness.

199. Susukhaṁ vata jīvāma ussukesu anussukā
ussukesu manussesu viharāma anussukā.

Let us live on without longing,
amongst those who do have longing,
amongst humans who have longing
let us now live without longing.