Buddha: His Life, his Doctrine, his Order c8.s1.t5.27

c8.s1.t5.27

∗ An amusing illustration of the manner in which the sacred texts deal with the claims of character of the speakers and the other requirements of description by dramatic dialogue, is to be found in the history of Buddha's conversation with Anâthapindika's daughter-in-law (in the "Anguttara-Nikâya," Sattakanipâta). Buddha comes in his begging excursion to the house of his wealthiest and most liberal admirer, the great wholesale merchant Anâthapindika. He hears loud conversation and wrangling, and asks: "Why are the people screaming and crying in thy house? One would think fishermen had been robbed of their fish." And Anâthapindika pours out his grief to Buddha: a daughter-in-law of a rich family has come into his house, who will not listen to her husband and her parents-in-law, and declines to show due reverence to Buddha. Buddha says to her: "Come, Sujâtâ." She answers: "Yes, sire," and comes to Buddha. He says to her: "There are seven kinds of wives which a man may have, Sujâtâ. What seven are they? One resembles a murderess, another a robber, another a mistress, another a mother, another a sister, another a friend, another a servant. These Sujâtâ, are the seven kinds of wives which a man may have. Which kind art thou?" And Sujâtâ has forgotten all obstinacy and pride, and says deferentially: "Sire, I do not understand the full meaning of that which the Exalted One has stated in brief; therefore, sire, may the Exalted One so expound to me his doctrine, that I may be able to understand the full meaning of that which the Exalted One has stated briefly." "Hearken, then, Sujâtâ, and take it well to heart: I shall state it to thee."—"Yes, sire," said Sujâtâ. And Buddha describes to her then the seven kinds of women, from the worst who goes after other men, despises her husband, and tries