The Introduction to the Story of the Cuckoo or: The Buddha goes to War
An English translation of this Jātaka story which describes the Buddha’s teachings about resource shortage and war (from Kuṇālajātakavaṇṇanā, Jā 536).
An English translation of this Jātaka story which describes the Buddha’s teachings about resource shortage and war (from Kuṇālajātakavaṇṇanā, Jā 536).
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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Introduction</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> S<strong>to</strong>ry <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Cuckoo</strong> - 6<br />
<strong>The</strong> Koliyans also said: “We will show <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong> power and strength<br />
<strong>of</strong> those who dwell in Jujube trees!” and that day <strong>the</strong>y went out <strong>to</strong><br />
fight.<br />
Now o<strong>the</strong>r teachers say: “Slaves <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sākiyans and<br />
Koliyans, after going <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> river f<strong>or</strong> water, and placing<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir head-rolls 5 on <strong>the</strong> ground, sat around having a<br />
pleasant conversation. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong>ok ano<strong>the</strong>r's headroll,<br />
thinking it her own, and because <strong>of</strong> this, saying:<br />
This is my head-roll, this is your head-roll, gradually a<br />
quarrel broke out between <strong>the</strong> slave-w<strong>or</strong>kers who dwelt<br />
in both cities, and also between <strong>the</strong> servants, headmen,<br />
ministers and princes, and that day <strong>the</strong>y all went out <strong>to</strong><br />
fight.” But <strong>the</strong> f<strong>or</strong>mer explanation has come down in<br />
many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ancient Commentaries, and it is considered<br />
suitable <strong>to</strong> uphold it.<br />
And so that day in <strong>the</strong> evening time <strong>the</strong>y will go out <strong>to</strong> fight.<br />
* * *<br />
<strong>The</strong>n at that time <strong>the</strong> Gracious One was living near Sāvatthī, and<br />
<strong>to</strong>wards <strong>the</strong> time <strong>of</strong> dawn he was looking around <strong>the</strong> w<strong>or</strong>ld and saw<br />
<strong>the</strong>se groups going out <strong>to</strong> battle that day. Having seen it, considering:<br />
“With my going <strong>the</strong>re will this quarrel be pacified <strong>or</strong> will it not?” he
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