Ja 68 The Birth Story about (the City of) Sāketa (1s)

In the present an old brahmin greets the Buddha as his son, and calling his wife she too talks about him as her son. The Buddha tells how he had indeed been related in various ways to these two in many previous existences.

The Bodhisatta = the son (putta),
the brahmin and his wife = the same in the past (brāhmaṇo ca brāhmaṇī ca).

Present and Past Source: Ja 68 Sāketa,
Quoted at: Ja 237 Sāketa,
Present and Past Compare: Dhp-a XVII.5 Sāketabrāhmaṇa.

Keywords: Rebirth, Relatives.

“In whom the mind is established.” This story was told by the Teacher, while at Añjanavana, about a certain brahmin. Tradition says that when the Fortunate One with his disciples was entering the city of Sāketa, an old brahmin of that place, who was going out, met him in the gateway. Falling at the One with Ten Powers’ feet, and clasping him by the ankles, the old man cried, “Son, is it not the duty of children to cherish the old age of their parents? {1.309} Why have you not let us see you all this long time? At last I have seen you; come, let your mother see you too.” So saying, he took the Teacher with him to his house; and there the Teacher sat upon the seat prepared for him, with his disciples around him. Then came the brahmin’s wife, and she too fell at the feet of the Fortunate One, crying, “My son, where have you been all this time? Is it not the duty of children to comfort their parents in their old age?” Hereon, she called to her sons and daughters that their brother was come, and made them salute the Buddha. And in their joy the aged pair showed great hospitality to their guests. After his meal, the Teacher recited to the old people the Sutta concerning old-age; [Snp 4.6 Jarāsutta]. and, when he had ended, both husband and wife won fruition of the Second Path. Then rising up from his seat, the Teacher went back to Añjanavana.

Meeting together in the Dhamma Hall, the monks fell to talking about this thing. It was urged that the brahmin must have been well aware that Suddhodana was the father, and Mahāmāyā the mother, of the Buddha; yet none the less, he and his wife had claimed the Tathāgata as their own son – and that with the Teacher’s assent. What could it all mean? Hearing their talk, the Teacher said: “Monks, the aged pair were right in claiming me as their son.” And so saying, he told this story of the past.

Monks, in ages past this brahmin was my father in 500 successive births, my uncle in a like number, and in 500 more my grandfather. And [1.167] in 1500 successive births his wife was respectively my mother, my aunt, and my grandmother. So I was brought up in 1500 births by this brahmin, and in 1500 by his wife.

And therewithal, having told of these 3000 births, the Teacher, after Fully Awakening, recited this verse:

In this connection, in whom the mind is established, in whatever person who is merely seen, he establishes his heart.

In whom the heart has confidence, in whomever is merely seen, his heart comfortably places confidence.

In that person unseen before, in that individual by nature, that person unseen before.

In him too he gladly trusts, by experiencing affection before, he surely trusts in him, he surely produces trust, this is the meaning.