Yasodhara, The Wife of The Buddha
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All scholars of Buddha have dealt with Buddha's wife and all have noted incongruencies; the different names given to her, even within one sect. (such as the Theravadin) Prudence restrained most from inquiry and making conclusions. Only Etienne Lamotte went forward and de-structured the mechanism of reasoning that invented the various episodes.
We too are preoccupied with this person and have submitted a bold hypothesis- based on investigations. We will study the text chronologically as best we can- the first group of texts, the Vinayapitaka and the Sutrapitaka, were written in the same time period. It became necessary to distinguish the groups formed by the first four Nikaya and the four Agama from the group of the fifth Nikaya and corresponding texts which are more recent.
Within the Vinayapitaka, two distinct groups appear:
a) The texts of the Sarvastivadin, Theravadin, Mahisasaka and Dharmaguptaka, all BC.
b) Texts from the Mabasamghaka, Lakottakavadin and Mulasarvastivadin written later.
We have limited the examination of late canonical texts of the Sutra group to those belonging to the Khuddkanikayapali, and as for the post-canonical texts, we have limited ourselves to certain Pali texts of the same genre.
Although it is not impossible that a story part or some information of ancient origin may only be present in one or two later texts, it is rare, and can be considered negligible in the canonical texts for evident reasons. As ancient Buddhist writers had great freedom, their silence on this matter can only mean a) ignorance of subject matter or b) knowledge thereof but unused as it was considered doubtful- at any rate their silence calls for caution on our behalf.
Aside from one exception these Sutras preserved in Pali are silent on the matter of Buddha's wife, as are the Chinese translations. Only one Sutra isolated in its Chinese translation (origin unknown) mentions "Yasodhara, mother of Rahula" as part of a list of nuns known for their good deeds, past and present. The parallel text of the Anguttaranikaya Pali as in the Ekotaraagama in the Chinese version does not mention Yasodhara nor Rahula's mother nor any other potential spouse of the Buddha amidst the names of the nuns praised by the enlightened one. This silence so surprised the commentators that the most famous amidst them, Buddhagose, found the need to identify this woman Yasodhara with the nun Bhadra Kaccana who figures in the Anguttaranikaya list.
However none of the rare information given by the ancient Pali texts on this Shikuni absolves this identification. Furthermore, this Bhadda Kaccana (Bhadra Katyayana in sanskrit) is totally unknown in texts other than the Pali literature and the Theravadin. Also she does not figure on the saint nun list of the Ekottaragama nor in the isolated Sutra that mentions Yasodhara. If Bhadra Kaccana is praised in the relevant passage of the Anguttaranikaya as being one of the first nuns to obtain supernatural powers, this quality does not correspond to Yasodhara's attributes in the isolated Sutra nor does it apply to the virtues attributed to other biksuni in the Sutra or the Ekotaaragama. Anyway, the possession of supernatural powers does not distinguish Bhadra Kaccana from the others, nor does it identify her with Yasodhara.
Conclusion: Buddha's future wife was unknown in the first four Nikaya and Agama (of whichever sect) and Yasodhara's mention in the isolated Sutra can be considered a very late addition. Yasodhara wasn't known in the ancient Vinayapitaka or the Sarvastivadin either. Nor in the Chinese translation known simply as the Vinaya.
The Vinaya of the Theravadin in Pali, of the Mahisaka and of the Dharmagupta (in Chinese translation) contain one Short scene only where "Rahula's mother" appears (Rahulamata) in Kapila. This woman shows Buddha to her son and (only) says "It's your father." That is the hamagupta; the Theravadin and the Mahisaka add, "go ask for your heritage." In both cases the rest is the usual.
One would have difficulties understanding why the Dhamagupta's more ancient version would purposely subtract the son's request for inheritance as it is a perfect Bhuddistic element , and thereby "contradict" the Theravadin and the Mahisaka.
In all three versions Rahula's mother plays a small secondary role. She then disappears completely from the above texts. It's Suddhodana who asks Buddha to forbid children from becoming Bhikkus if not allowed to do so by their parents. The part assigned to Yasodhara could have been relegated to anyone in the entourage.
Conclusion: In this small scene, the only one she appears in in the Vinaya, this woman is a secondary element, and unnecessary to the action. She is a literary ornament, an inconsistent character with no personality, a shadow, a fictitious character invented by the authors of the primitive version of this episode, and not drawn by them from a solid tradition with an historic origin. -
Because of the fact that the three sects were closely linked, the similarities in the three versions, and the fact that the Sarvastivadin completely ignores all, one can conclude that the primitive version of this episode came about after the schism that separated the Sarvastivadin from the Sthavira group- the three other sects mentioned later appear later- i.e.. this primitive version is from the second half of the 3rd century B.C., at the end of Ashoka's reign. All this is confirmed by the silence of the ancient Vinazapitaka and ancient parts of the Sutrapitaka regarding Yasodhara. We can conclude that by that time period (2 centuries after Buddha's death) his disciples had thoroughly forgotten Yasodhara, bizarre as it may seem.
Even her "chosen" name used in the 3 Vinayapitaka is bizarre- it is very rare, in a Buddhist canon, to designate anyone as the "mother of X.." Such indication always relates to imaginary figures such as the two Yaksini etc... If another known figure in Buddha's life bears a similar name, it is because it is being used as a surname which accompanies the real name. For example Visakha is named Mrgaramata.(?) mother of Mrgara" because of the devotion which allowed her to convert... It causes one to think that the appellation Rahulamata without her proper name shows how ignorant the Ancient Buddhist authors were in respect to Buddha's wife. They simply deduced her existence through the proven existence of Rahula. The name given to her shows the reasoning that brought her out of total forgetfulness. Since Rahula was alive, his mother must have existed, consequently she took care of him as a child. Therefore she was the appropriate choice for telling him who his father was and that he should ask him for his inheritance. In both versions the fact that she was "Rahula's mother" sufficed to explain her role in that short scene- and it was unnecessary to further develop it.
Buddha's wife is well known by the Vinazapilaka's fixed A.D. At least that's the given impression considering the abundance of information on that subject.
However, the documents about the monastic laws of the Maha Samghika conserved in their Chinese translation have kept certain ancient parts untouched that have captured our attention. Parts that concern Rahula's ordination as well as Mahaprajapati Gautami's and other Shakya women's ordinations. During Rahula's ordination, the operation through which Sariputra initiates Rahula according to Buddha's instructions is described in great detail but Yasodhara's role is completely left out. This ignorance is the same as is displayed in the Vinazapitaka of the Sarvastivadin, although somewhat more significant as the other only alluded to Rahula's ordination. As for the story of the foundation of the order of nuns, between the Mahasanigika, Sarvastivadin, Theravadin, Masisaka and the Dharmapupta none specifies Buddha's wife as figuring amidst the 500 anonymous women who accompany Queen Gautami. One notices that the Mahasamphika shares the same ignorance as above in regards to Buddha's wife.
The same is inapplicable to later parts concerning laymen monks. Even if the "scenette" is absent, a whole passage based on the Jataka refers to Buddha's youth. References that are definitely A.D. are included. The most interesting information is: Afraid that the Cakravartin lineage were to become extinct, King Solomon authorized Buddha to leave once his wife became pregnant. She stayed pregnant six years, during which time Buddha vainly attempted to seek enlightenment through maceration. Once Buddha returned to Kathmandu, the father and the son had an interview, after which Mahaprajapati Gautami, Rahula and Yasodhara left mundane life. Here we see some of the important elements of Buddha's wife's life- and the fact that they are simply presented by brief illustrations based on references to texts which tell the tale in detail proves firstly the antecedent existence of these texts (Jataka and others) and also that the monks addressed by the Vinayapitaka knew the legend well. Even if Yasodhara was not specified as Buddha's mother, one cannot doubt the fact as her name figures amidst the only three names mentioned to be ordained upon Buddha's return to K, and she is mentioned in between M. Gautami and Rahula. Furthermore Buddhist tradition knows no other Yasodhara from the Shakya tribe. In this case, she is given considerable importance. So, the timid character of the 3 versions becomes an important member of Buddha's family, and a Buddhist saint. This last trait is confirmed by the allusion to the legend whereby she carried her son 6 years (during which time Buddha was going through austerities). From the Buddhist point of view, only an exceptional woman with miraculous attributes could be the object of such a miracle. All of which harmonizes with the name of Yasodhara which is given her, which the isolated Sutra of a lost Ekotaaragama already attributed to the mother of Rahula and which we will find again in later texts of "septentrional" India. Who more than Buddha's wife deserves a name which means "she who possesses glory."
The Mahavastu, part of the Vinapitaka of the Lokottaravadin sect of the Mahasamgika group, contains much information on Rahula's mother and on Yasodhara. When this was written (A.D.) Yasodhara was already famous and legends had already formed around Buddha's wife.
Rahula's first meeting with Buddha is narrated and doubled. Here, Yasodhara offers Buddha and his followers a meal on the third day after Buddha's return to Katmandu. Buddha's first meal was with his father and his second with M. Gautama. The order shows Yasodhara was third in line according to the Sakya hierarchy. During this meal Yasodhara hands Rahula assorted condiments and tells him to "carry them to his father." This demonstrates his awareness of his relationship to Buddha. Then Yasodhara says "go ask for your father's wealth" the obedient son complies and asks Buddha "Oh Holy Man, give me my father's wealth." Buddha answers "Oh Rahula, leave your house and I'll give you your father's wealth." This dialogue pleases all save Yasodhara who tries to dissuade Buddha from turning his son into a monk. The monks point Buddha's attention to the fact that Yasodhara is trying to buy Buddha's attention with the condiments, to which Buddha replies that it isn't the first time and illustrates with the tale of the Nahinijataka.
The second story begins with the decision of the Sakyas not to let anyone say that Rahula is Buddha's son under penalty of death. The day after Gautama's meal, Rahula sees Buddha at last and is in awe, without knowledge of their bond. He asks Yasodhara who his father is, but Yasodhara respects the silence and tells him his father is on a business trip. Rahula asks if Buddha isn't his parent, and goes so far as to say that he thinks Buddha is his father, which Yasodhara denies. Finally, torn, Yasodhara tells Rahula the truth. Rahula grabs Buddha's robe and declares his wish to follow him as an holy man. Hearing this, the court women and King beg Buddha to refuse so their royal lineage can continue. Buddha refuses and says Rahula has reached his final existence, but he gives his father a one week delay until he ordains Rahula. Yasodhara immediately takes Rahula to her chambers and tries to dissuade him by describing the austerities and hardships vs. the good life available, but Rahula follows Buddha.
As we see, the "scenette" is now fully developed and broken into two contradicting traditions. Rahula knows Buddha is his father in story #1 but not in story #2. The court is happy that Rahula is becoming a monk in story #1 but not in story #2. Story #1 seems closer to the short phrase of the ancient Vinayapitaka, with the essential difference being that Rahula knows/guesses that Buddha is his father. He claims heritage based on his mother's guidance. The second story does not mention this issue.
Rahula even ignores the fact that Buddha is his father, this being the principal theme and pivotal point, further compounded by the Shakya ordaining a death penalty for breaking the silence, which Yasodhara does by confessing his origins to her son. Not to mention the kings recriminations. In other words, by disassociating the simple phrases of the Theravadin and the Mahisaka, or comparing them separately, we get two stories that differ.
In both stories Yasodhara is #3, important not only as Rahulas's mother, but in her own right- with thoughts, character and personality. -
The Mahavastu gives further information. Legend tells us Yasodhara was born on the same day as Buddha (together with other characters integrated in Buddha's life).(16) She was the daughter of Shakya Mahanaman, one of Buddha's faithful laymen within his own tribe.(17)
Buddha falls in love with Yasodhara, courts her, gives her his necklace, and finally "conquers" her due to his skills. ( 18 ) She conceives Rahula the same night Buddha flees. (19) Her son stays six years in her womb. (20) One morning Buddha sends messages to Suddhodana and to Queen Gautami but not to Yasodhara, saddened, she decides to live the ascetic life of theBuddha. When Buddha returns to K, she walks ahead of the females of the court to greet him. (23)
All of this information is easily imagined based on ancient beliefs of Buddha's paternity vs. Rahula, hence the existence of Buddha's wife, Rahula's mother. However, in total contradiction of the ancient canonical texts, she is now shown as a vibrant young woman, fully worthy of being Buddha's companion, born into a good family, virtuous, and able to love her spouse to a point that, although abandoned by him, she still decides to keep the same austerities as he does.
Other parts of the Mahavastu show more imagination on the part of their authors: When Buddha dumps her, Dervadetta, Buddha's cousin, offers to marry Yasodhara and make her the #1 queen, but Yasodhara immediately rejects him as well as Suddhodava (half brother of Buddha) who makes the same offer. (24) Under unknown circumstances, Suddhodava condemns her to death without trial or inquisition. However she is innocent and Buddha ends up saving her. (25) In equally mysterious circumstances she saves Buddha's life as he is taken to the capital execution grounds. (26) When pregnant with Rahula, Yasodhara had a dream that Buddha would reach enlightenment, (27) Queen Gautami, blind due to tears shed upon Buddha's departure, could not see all of his miracles upon his return to Katmandu so Yasodhara bathed her eyes with water streaming from Buddha's body (during the miracle of water and fire) and Queen Gautama recovered her sight. This was due to the "supernatural powers" of Buddha, and also to the kindness of Yasodhara.( 28 )
The conditions surrounding Yasodhara's saving of Buddha are ignored completely in this text, but other texts allow us to guess why good, kind King Suddhodava condemns Yasodhara to death unjustly. The miracle which allows Yasodhara to keep Rahula in her womb for six years is the cause. There were doubts as to her fidelity when she gave birth to a child six years after her husband left, which is severely punishable conduct.
The last four episodes confirm Yasodhara's image as shown by the Mahavastu's other passages: she had great virtue as well as love for Buddha in spite of his abandoning her. One sees the tendency to make Yasodhara and Buddha the perfect couple, and this tendency is further stressed in the 14 Jatarka and other stories told in that work (29) to show that the two beings that are to become Buddha and Yasodhara have previously led similar heroic past lives. Yasodhara appears in the Mahavastu as a principal female Buddhist saint and as Buddha's wife. All this conforms to Buddhist logic and to the theory of the maturing of acts.
The enormous Vinayapitaka of the Mulasarvastivadin also contains numerous mentions of Yasodhara. Let's examine and compare this version of Rahula's encounter with Buddha. (30) When Buddha comes back to Katmandu Yasodhara seeks a way to bring Buddha back to her. She asks for help from a female holy man/magician. The woman manufactures a ball from a substance that inspires love and sells it to Yasodhara for five gold pieces. Yasodhara tells Rahula to take this ball to his father. Thanks to his omniscience Buddha knows that Rahula's birth caused Yasodhara severe problems, so he takes it upon himself to dispel them. He magically creates 500 clones of himself, but Rahula disregards all of them and went straight to Buddha with the magic ball. Buddha gives the ball back to Rahula, who eats it and, bewitched, proceeds to follow Buddha. After meditating for a while Buddha realizes Rahula has not yet achieved his last life and that he needs to leave this way of life in order to become the disciple of one of the 500 Buddha apparitions. When Suddhodava and his entourage witness this miracle, they show great respect for Yasodhara. Knowing she has been unjustly accused they proceed to shower her with praise. Buddha then brings Rahula to his chosen place to ordain him, but Sudhoddava asks Buddha to delay for a day. Buddha accepts, and Sudhodava arranges a big celebration for Rahula and places him on a high seat. He praises him lavishly then, the next day, personally brings him back to Buddha to be ordained.
Examine this version and the changes that occur. The condiments have been changed to a magic filter with the power to make Buddha fall in love with Yasodhara again.(This is included in the Mahavasti, the monks denounce Yasodhara to Buddha for having tried to seduce him.) Buddha's omniscience allows him not only to avoid the trap but to have Rahula eat the filter and follow him through his own will. The principle element in this version is the unjust accusation of the suffering Yasodhara by the Shakyas, and the fact that Buddha dissipated the above because of his hate of injustice rather than his love for Yasodhara. By recognizing Buddha and not being fooled by the 500 clones, Rahula proves that he is Buddha's son. The magic ball story shows us that we have entered the realm of legend, where the imaginative Buddhist authors have been given free rein. Two elements from the ancient versions have been completely abandoned- elements that the Mahavastu had preserved. The "scenette," and the sad or happy reactions of Yasodhara and the court regarding Buddha's decision to make Rahula a monk. The story here has a new meaning- Rahula's ordination is a means to legitimize his miraculous birth.(Now the central theme.)
Another scene told by the Mahavastu is apparently derived from the double story about Rahula's ordination, found in the Mahavastu. (31) It takes place during Buddha's stay in Katmandu, but after Rahula's ordination. Yasodhara invites Buddha for lunch at the palace with the intention of not letting him leave her again. During this lunch, all of Buddha's ex-wives and concubines use every means they can by which to seduce him. Of course Buddha recognizes their intentions and through miraculous means injects thoughts of respect and awe into their minds, after which he preaches his doctrine to them. As for his scandalized monks, Buddha tells the Ekasruga-Jataka and the Kinnari-Jataka to tell him about Yasodhara's similar past behavior. Buddha addresses a particular sermon to Yasodhara, who is suddenly converted and obtains ordination. Soon after Yasodhara acquires the four fruits of sainthood Buddha praises her in front of his monks, declaring that the nun Yasodhara has human respect and modesty, and that of all the nuns she is the only one who has no doubts. Finally, through another Jataka, Buddha explains that it was because of acts in her past lives that she was able to keep Rahula in her womb for six years. -
The seduction theme, somewhat present in the Mahavastu, clearer in the Vinyapitaka of the Mulasarvastivadin is now the major theme in this version.
Everything was as previously described in the lunch given by Yasodhara for Buddha. The story ends at the conversion and ordination of Yasodhara, but there is no mention of Rahula's ordination, which is said to have occurred prior to this. Consequently, the two major versions of the Mahavastu version, the "scenette 1+2," have completely disappeared.
More information on Yasodhara is available in the monastic laws of the Mulasarvastivadin. We are told Yasodhara becomes pregnant the day of the big departure (32). She practices austerities parallel to those of Buddha for six years, hoping for enlightenment. These exercises suspend the embryo's development in the womb. When Buddha decides that these austerities were useless, Yasodhara does the same, and feels great joy.(35)
This results in the embryo starting to develop naturally. Seeing this the Shakyas laugh and accuse Yasodhara of infidelity during Buddha's absence. Yasodhara denies this and, to prove her innocence, predicts the birth of a son with a brilliant moon in his hands. Indeed, a sage comes to examine the newborn child and finds a moon in his hands. Because of this the child was named Rahula.(37)
Even though Yasodhara's prediction comes to pass, the Shakyas do not believe Rahula is Buddha's son. Hearing this Yasodhara cries and decides to prove Rahula's legitimacy by test. She brings him to a pond where Buddha used to bathe, puts him on a stone and declares that if Rahula is the son of Buddha he and the stone will float, if not, they'll drown. The stone floats and Yasodhara orders the stone to carry Rahula back and forth. The order is obeyed, and the Shakya's have witnessed this miracle. Yasodhara takes Rahula and announces that Buddha, having become enlightened after six years of austerities, will come back to Katmandu in another six years, hence 12 years after his departure.( 38 )
This and similar stories are to be found in the same collection of documents. Let's compare new versions with old- when Yasodhara finds out that Buddha has become enlightened, she gives birth to Rahula in her ultimate happiness.(39) At that moment a lunar eclipse occurs, and Sudhoddava takes this as a positive omen. He cleans the city and is charitable towards the poor. The ministers, brought together by Sudhoddava, decide to give the infant the name Rahula, in connection with Rahu, demon of the eclipse.(40) At the same time, Awanda is born to king Dronodana, brother of Sudhoddava. Sudhoddava, having said Rahula is not Buddha's son, causes Yasodhara to become worried, so she goes to the pond with her son and performs an operation similar to the one mentioned above. The child sits on the stone and directs it at whim. Sudhoddava and his entourage witness the event and are convinced. Sudhoddava enters the water, holds up Rahula, and watches as the stone sinks immediately.
We find, in both passages, elements already present in the Mahavastu. The day of Rahula's conception, his six years in Yasodhara's womb, Yasodhara's six year long austerities, as well as a series of consequences are only alluded to or completely absent from the Mahavastu. But the six years of austerities which allow Rahula's growth in the womb, the different explanation of Rahula's name, the child being born on the day of the eclipse, the birth causing a scandal and seeming illegitimate, Yasodhara being blamed and scorned, suffering then using miracles to prove her innocence, and Buddha returning six years after Rahula's birth are all present.
Other passages from the Vinayapitaka of the Mulasarvastivadin complete our information on the legends surrounding Yasodhara. She is the daughter of Shaliya Dandapani (43). Gautama gives her a gold ring, a symbol of the love between them from past lives. (44) Harking to a concensus by councilors, Sudhoddava gives Yasodhara to Buddha as his spouse.(45) Buddha also marries two other Shakya maidens, Gopika and Mrgarajamya (not to mention having 60,000 concubines) but Yasodhara is the main spouse.(46) To prove he is a real man, Buddha gets Yasodhara pregnant on the day of his departure.(47) That same night Yasodhara has 8 dreams which she tells her husband about. He interprets them as good omens for his future enlightenment, and based upon this Yasodhara allows him to leave his family.( 48 ) Many of these elements are present in the Mahavastu, mostly in simplified format; the ring gift, the marriage, the premonition dreams of Yasodhara. In the Mulasarvastivadin as well, Yasodhara is linked to Buddha by love in past existences (all mutual). Amidst the important elements ignored by the Mahavastu, aside from the ordination of Yasodhara, are her rapid ascension to sainthood, Buddha's comments on her virtues which trampoline her to first place amongst all the saintly women involved with Buddha, and the fact that in between her and all the concubines come two other spouses.
The same goes for the Jakata, where Yasodhara is formally identified as the heroine, having been Buddha's wife or companion during prior lives. The only contribution of the Pali Jatakas, the Mahavastu, and a few other documents preserved elsewhere is that the woman who was Buddha's wife in his last reincarnation is the same one who was present in his other lives. Such a long attachment signifies that the woman had accumulated immense merit in previous lives in order to be chosen again and again, especially for the last reincarnation. On this basis she was worthy of great respect from the Buddhist monks and accepted as the top female saint. Throughout this structure we see the belief in multiple re-birth. This belief asserts that certain couples who love each other very much can be linked through different reincarnations due to the power of their mutual love, and certain rights accomplished together. A passage in the Kathavattu concerns these rights, (50) and to show how strong this belief was we will mention the story of Nakulapitr and Nakulamatr as told by the Samajivi-sutta(51) Pali on one side and the ending of Rabindranath Tagore's on the other side.(52)
The introductory comments in the Pali Jatakas give us very little on Rahulamata, wife of Gautama. She is ordained in Savatthi along with 500 other Shakya women, and they all become Saints.(53) As such she is known as Bimba or Bimbaderi.(54) Rahula, himself a monk, comes to visit her in her cell and twice procures her a medicine to relieve her of some ailment.
(55) When she is still a faithful laywoman, Buddha and Sudhoddava visit her in her palace suite where she lives with her 40,000 women. Sudhoddava praises her highly and reveals to Buddha that she chose the austere life of
a widow after Buddha's death- this due to her fidelity. Buddha approves and says she behaved likewise in another life, which is the theme of the Candakinnara-Jataka.
Here we find two elements that are also present elsewhere-Rahulamata's ordination after Rahula becomes a monk like her ancient husband, and an allusion to the self -imposed macerations and austerities of Rahulamata after Buddha left her. This allusion is unclear and suggests another explanation for the six years of austerities. She may have chosen a hard life naturally due to her sorrow, which no longer allowed her to appreciate the luxurious life she had lived so far- due to the discredit she could have suffered because her husband abandoned her. The other scenes, told in detail, contrast with the silence of the Pali texts on so many other more important elements spun around the legend of Buddha's wife- legends described in detail by the Mahavastu, the Vinayapitaka and other works from north India. -
The Pali Apadana makes a "Doyenne" (theri) out of this woman named Yasodhara, who is known as such in the Theravadin (57) literature. In the verses dedicated to her, she describes herself as Buddha's main wife (Pajapati) before he left the layman's life. She further identifies herself with Sumitta, the young woman who in a previous existence gave 8 handfuls of lotus to a young ascete who in turn gave them to Dipankara Buddha. This identification process is analogous to the one already noted in the Pali Jataka and in those cited by the Mahavastu. As for the rest, since one finds here the confirmation that Buddha's ancient spouse has become a nun and a saint, hence a "doyenne (in French)," we remain surprised that the texts have given her the name of Yasodhara.
The Nidanakatha, Buddha's biography that was the first among the Pali Jataka, but was actually written a while later, seems to have also been influenced, more subtly and indirectly, since our heroine only appears as Rahulamata, the name given to her in most Pali texts. Therein, she is born on the same day as Buddha and various other characters of varied importance in Buddha's legendary biography.(5
She marries him at age 16, after he conquers her hand by proving his superiority over her other pretenders in a series of games comparable to the Olympics. (59) Buddha leaves the layman's life, his wife and his son after taking one last look at his sleeping family, this is the same night that Yasodhara bears Rahula.(60) When Buddha returns to K., Yasodhara is awestruck by his appearance and pronounces verses of praise in his favor.(61) She refuses to assist in the banquet given for Buddha the day after his arrival, although all the other ladies of the court are present. So, Buddha visits her in her wing and she bows before her husband. At the same time S. informs Buddha of Yasodhara's austerity since his death.(62)
Although the Nidanakatha was somewhat influenced by traditions of "septentrional" India, it distinguishes itself at certain points. First it was not sufficient for Buddha to court and offer her a jewel for her hand, but he needed to triumph over his rivals by proving his superiority in various areas. Furthermore, it was not Rahula's conception that occurred the night of Buddha's departure, it was his birth. This has two consequences, one of which is important: before leaving Buddha sees Yasodhara and Rahula one last time- Rahula's legitimacy is no longer in doubt, Yasodhara is therefore not subjected to doubts and punishments by the Shakya, so she will not need to prove by miracle that Rahula is Buddha's son. When Buddha returns to K, her love and admiration are expressed in verses, and by staying reclusive, she causes Buddha to be obliged to come to her, at which time S. praises her and she receives the ultimate approval of Buddha himself.
Finally the post-canonical texts of the non Theravadin, whether preserved in Sanskrit or in their Chinese translations, contain much information relating to Gautama's wife. There are, as usual, big differences from other texts. It is actually useless to examine them in detail as they contain nothing that would help us solve the mystery of Buddha's wife.
We can now say that most of the information about Yasodhara being the wife of Buddha is derived from information about Rahula being Buddha's son. The rare elements with a positive historic base, such as Yasodhara's name and her father's name, are the late fruits of the later author's imagination- proven by their silence and diversification. There are many different names given to Yasodhara and her father, this fact exemplifies
the confusion.
Everything is geared towards the exaltation of this woman, her social rank, her virtues, even her supernatural powers. All are heavily insisted upon by the Mulasarvastivadin. The rare negative traits are present to underline a quality of hers, if she sends Rahula off with a sweet for Buddha during the lunch she is offering him, it is in order to honor and feed him. If it is seen as a seduction attempt by old monks, if the ancient spouse of the Buddha tries to bring the Buddha back to her by offering him a feast, and attempts in every honorable way to seduce him through her ladies or herself, if she sends Rahula with a condiment or a magic love filter, it is all because of the immense love which ties her to her ancient husband throughout many communal lives. If she attempts to dissuade Rahula from becoming a monk, it is because of the natural affection she holds for her only son. Only old monks and dried out devotees could blame her, because of their religious egoism.
Daughter of one of the principle Shakya notables, she is so beautiful and virtuous Buddha falls in love with her and conquers her in a contest where he obliterates his rivals. Through this marriage she acquires a very high rank in King Sudhoddava's court, a rank she will keep after the great Departure and conserve after Buddha's return. The austerities she practices are proof of her devotion, courage, and the strength of her attachment to Buddha. (While he is carrying out his macerations.) According to Northern texts, the result of these austerities is the delay of Rahula's birth and development in her womb for six years. This miracle causes her to have to undergo severe tests, due to the incredulity of the Shakyas. She ends in accomplishing two out of three miracles. Buddha himself tops the defense by performing one miracle and his wife is finally praised. Shortly after she becomes a nun, then successively attains all degrees of sainthood, leaving the memory of an exceptional woman. She therefore deserved the name given her in "septentrional" India, Yasodhara, "the glorious one." But where is there one historical detail?
The actual quantity of texts involving this woman, the leading part she often plays, the diversity of the information we can find about her; all prove that from the first century B.C., Buddhist authors attached great interest to "Buddha's wife," an interest which rapidly developed itself over the centuries.
So far we have seen that the reasons for this are easy to understand- they transpire through the stories. Since Buddha had been married in his past lives, the one chosen for marriage must have been extraordinary to justify such a choice by the omniscient Buddha. It stands to reason that such a woman should provoke interest and be praised, venerated and admired by the faithful.
However this interest emerges late, four centuries after the parinirvana of Buddha and the death of Yasodhara. Also this interest contrasts sharply with the (almost) complete silence of the ancient canonical texts written during the first four centuries of Buddhist history. This strange silence, which could be interpreted as scornful but also reveals the historians total neglect of this woman, is suddenly replaced with such preoccupation that as such it could be interpreted as an attempt for rehabilitation and justice. This contrast between the ancient and newer texts is compounded by another contrast, the fact that in the ancient canonical texts there does exist much information on the rest of the people close to Buddha.
The woman Buddha married may have simply been an ordinary woman, whose acts and character were not interesting enough to recall, if this were the case, she must have resigned herself to the widowhood imposed by Buddha's departure and goes about educating her son correctly, but in the shadow of Mahapra-Gautami, whose strong personality is clearly defined in the ancient canonical texts. Does she become a nun under Gautami's influence, along with the other young women of the Shakya tribe? (As was the tradition) There is no proof of this except for affirmative repetitions and the praises of later texts. However we can see that this woman is the only member of Buddha's family (in the large sense) that ancient tradition completely neglected, without even attempting to give her fictitious character traits or memorable acts because of her close relationship to Buddha and Rahula. -
One could also suppose that the woman never existed, in other words that Buddha never married and by consequence Rahula was not his son, maybe he wasn't even a member of Buddha's family, although a member of the Shakya clan. In such a case one can understand the texts' silence on the issue. We must examine the sources from which we get the idea that Rahula is Buddha's son. The principal source is the story told by the three Vinayaputakas of the Theravadin, Mahisasaka and Dharmaguptaka in which the mother of the child designates Buddha as his father. This text proves that the authors thereof were convinced of the reality of the paternity link between Buddha and Rahula, and that it was believed at the time this story was imagined- at the end of Ashoka's reign. Furthermore, if the Buddha had never married, the first generation of his disciples would have faithfully reported this fact which would have been considered as proof of an asceticism perfectly compatible with his doctrine, and it would have been difficult thereafter to bestow a son upon him, even if the son were to become one of his best disciples, as did Rahula. In addition marriage must have been a far stronger obligation for a young man belonging to the warrior caste as did Buddha.
We hold as proof the thoughts, acts and words attributed to Sudhoddava, in both ancient and more recent texts. (whether derived from the author's imagination or not) They all reflect a disposition with predominant social obligations. Consequently, the second hypothesis denying Buddha's marriage and Rahula's paternity can be temporarily discarded.
The third hypothesis is somewhat a combination of the first two. It's the one presented at the end of our article on "Buddha's youth." - Buddha married in his youth and had one son named Rahula but the mother thereof died shortly after giving birth. Not much of historical value can be found in texts about Buddha's youth. This might reflect the discretion of Buddha concerning his youth, conforming to his doctrine of renunciation of the layman life's pleasures. However, the almost complete silence of the ancient canonical texts on the woman who was Buddha's wife and Rahula's mother is still quieter than the silence surrounding Buddha's youth, since it isn't even masked by legends. They are therefore similar, and it can be deduced that this woman belonged entirely to her husband's youth, and that she disappears between Rahula's birth and Buddha's return to Katmandu. This third hypothesis seems more acceptable than the preceding two- it keeps the advantages and discards the inconveniences. In accordance with the tradition that calls Rahula Buddha's son it explains the total absence of the ancient wife of Buddha in all posterior episodes the big departure- as told by all the Sutrapitaka and by most Vinayapitaka, with the exception of the "scenette" where Yasodhara tells Rahula that he is Buddha's son.
As we have already demonstrated in the article on "Buddha's Youth" this hypothesis allows an explanation for Buddha's departure and his choice of an ascetic life- a far more credible explanation than the famous legend of Buddha's four encounters; the literary beauty thereof not being questioned, only the factual aspect. The young woman's demise, especially if it was rapid, if she died during childbirth or soon after as the result of an infection, could easily have devastated the prince sufficiently to make him denounce layman's life to search amidst asceticism and meditation for the means by which to conquer death once and for all. The goal of his doctrine, the theme of the four truths, the fact that Nirvana is immortal and that death personified is represented in the canonical texts as being Buddha's main enemy - all this points to the idea that young Gautama left his family after a particularly cruel and brutal death, which provoked in him immense grief he thought he could temper with flight and the definite renunciation of the layman's life's pleasures so suddenly replaced by deep pain.
One can not blame us for having tried to pierce the mystery in which the ancient canonical texts shroud the wife of Buddha and mother of Rahula- we cannot contest the low quality of the results obtained by this study and the fragility of the hypotheses offered. In brief, we did what the Buddhist authors did at the beginning of our era and in the centuries following- but by using different methods of investigation inherent to our occidental school in order to know the life of one of the universe's most interesting characters: The Buddha.
From : www.buddha-kyra.com/wife.htm -
Yasodhara Theri : Chief Disciple of Buddha Among Nuns
Introduction: Yasodhara devotion to Gautama Buddha is unique in the world. When Buddha left her, Dervadetta, Buddha's cousin, offers to marry Yasodhara and make her the chief queen, but Yasodhara immediately rejects him. When Suddhodava (half brother of Buddha) who makes the same offer, she again rejects the offer.
There was a legend that said, Yasodhaya was condemned to death by King Shuddhodana for carrying the pregnancy with Rahula in her womb for six long years practicing austerities in the same way as Bodhisatta Prince Siddhatta. She was wrongly accused of infidelity for the pregnancy in Prince Siddhatta absence, which she finally proved to the King that she was virtuous all these six years, while Sidhatta was in his austerities practice. She then delivered Rahula after her long austerities practice. After another six more years Buddha came back to visit his father, then Rahula met his father for the first time. When Pajapati Gotami was blind. Yasodhaya applies the water coming from Buddha body, when he was performing the fire and water miracle, to wash GotamiÂ’s eyes and that brought back her sight. This was due to the "supernatural powers" of Buddha, and also to the kindness of Yasodhara.
Yashodhara devotion to the Buddha was finally heralded by her father-in-law, King Shuddhodana. He informed the Buddha of her devotion by saying, "When my daughter heard that you had taken to wearing simple yellow robes, she too gave up her jewels and wore yellow robes. When she heard that you had only one meal a day, she too had only one meal a day. When she heard that you slept on low, hard beds, she too gave up the luxurious palace couches and beds. And when she heard that you had given up garlands and perfume, she too gave up garlands and perfume. When her relatives sent messages of young men who wanted to support her she did not even look at a single one.”
Yasodhara was also practicing austerities the same way as Siddhatta and so she had a dream that Buddha would reach enlightenment. This was due to the "supernatural powers" of Buddha, and also to the kindness of Yasodhara. In the Pali Canon, she was known only as Rahula mother, never as the wife of Buddha. When the Buddha enters the PrincessÂ’s room, she was, from the abundance of her affection, like an overflowing vessel, unable to contain her love. Forgetting that the man whom she loved was the Buddha, the Lord of the world, the preacher of truth, she held him by his feet and wept bitterly.
And the Blessed One spoke kindly to Yasodhara, telling of her great merits inherited from former lives. She had indeed been again and again of great assistance to him. Her purity, her gentleness, her devotion had been invaluable to the Bodhisattva when he aspired to attain enlightenment, the highest aim of mankind. And so holy had she been that she desired to become the wife of a Buddha. This, then, is her karma, and it is the result of great merits. Her grief has been unspeakable, but the consciousness of the glory that surrounds her spiritual inheritance increased by her noble attitude during her life, will be a balm that will miraculously transform all sorrows into heavenly joy.
Yasodhaya is another example of achieving Nibbana in this very life. She has through her past meritorious deeds has been fully qualified for Nibbana in this very life:
a. She has accrued enough perfections - Parami
b. She was timely ordained as Bhikkhuni
c. Her time for the fruition is right
So she attained the Sainthood – Arahatship and was declared as the Chief Disciple among the Bhukhuni’s Order.
Yashodhara was the daughter of King Suppabuddha and Queen Pamita. As King Suppabuddha was one of King Shuddhodana younger brothers, she was one of Prince SiddharthaÂ’s cousins. Yashodhara was born on the same day as Prince Siddhartha. She was exquisitely beautiful, with golden skin and blue-black hair that cascaded down to her feet. Yasodhaya was the chief consort because of her past meritorious deeds. Prince Siddhatta also marries two other Shakya maidens, Gopika and Mrgarajamya (not to mention having 60,000 concubines)
Prince Siddhartha was sixteen when His parents decided that it was a suitable time for Him to marry. As was the custom at that time, a great celebration was held and princesses from all over the country were brought in procession for the Prince to choose from. None of them attracted His attention. The Prince treated them with gifts but refused them all. The procession was almost finished when Yashodhara came rushing in, to inquire if there were any gifts left for her. The Prince then arose from His throne, and taking the pearl necklace that adorned His person, gently placed it around her neck. Prince Siddhartha chose His cousin, Yashodhara, to be His bride.
At first King Suppabuddha was against the marriage. He knew that the wise men had foretold that Siddhartha would leave the palace and His crown to become a Buddha. He also felt that the gentle, compassionate Prince might not be skilled in warfare, and as such, not be suitable for his daughter. The princess, however, wanted to marry no one else but Siddhartha.
King Suppabuddha, wishing to test Prince Siddhartha, arranged a tournament for Him to display His skills in archery, riding and swordsmanship. Sportsmen from all over the country gathered to challenge the Prince. Siddhartha, however, was an excellent sportsman. He excelled in all the events and ousted the best men in the country. King Suppabuddha therefore relented and gave his daughter in marriage to Prince Siddhartha. -
Buddha Dipankara Definite Proclamation to Sumedha
She saw the Buddha Dîpankara give the Bodhisattva eight handfuls of white jasmine flowers and the definite proclamation that He would be a Buddha by the name of Gotama, of the Sakyan caste, in the distant future.
Yasodhaya Aspiration
Cutting off her hair, she aspired to be His consort and helpmate and to support Him actively in His quest for Buddhahood.
This strong aspiration and the meritorious deeds that she performed over a long period of time resulted in her being the BodhisattvaÂ’s consort and supporter throughout many births. During this very long period in which the Bodhisattva completed the virtues she actively supported His quest for perfection.
In fact, her dying words reflected this devotion. She referred to the fact that she had been the wife of no other but Him during the entire period and had helped Him to achieve in 100,000 world cycles and four infinite periods what other Buddhas take eight and sixteen infinite periods to achieve.
When the Buddha visited the palace in Kapilavatthu for the first time, all but Princess Yashodhara came to pay homage to Him. She held back, thinking, "Certainly if there is any virtue in me, the Noble Lord Himself will come to my presence." After the meal the Buddha, accompanied by His two male chief disciples, entered her chamber and sat down on the seat prepared for Him. He then said, "Let the kingÂ’s daughter reverence me as she likes." On seeing the Buddha, Yashodhara came forward quickly, and clasping His ankles, placed her head on His feet and paid reverence to Him as she wished.
Yashodhara devotion to the Buddha was heralded by her father-in-law, King Shuddhodana. He informed the Buddha of her devotion by saying, "When my daughter heard that you had taken to wearing simple yellow robes, she too gave up her jewels and wore yellow robes. When she heard that you had only one meal a day, she too had only one meal a day. When she heard that you slept on low, hard beds, she too gave up the luxurious palace couches and beds. And when she heard that you had given up garlands and perfume, she too gave up garlands and perfume. When her relatives sent messages of young men who wanted to support her she did not even look at a single one.”
The Buddha acknowledged this devotion by saying that it was not only in this birth that she had been devoted to him. He then dispensed the Candakinnara Jataka, where Yashodhara had given her life to save His by jumping in front of a hunterÂ’s arrow.
However, her love and devotion are best seen in the poem "The Lion of Men". Pointing out the Buddha and His retinue of monks to their son from the palace balcony, with adoration she described the Buddha and introduced Him to little Rahula.
Yashodhara gave up the household life and entered the order of nuns at the same time as Maha Pajapati Gotami . She attained Arahantship and was declared the chief disciple among the nuns who attained supernormal powers (Maha Abhiaaa) to recall infinite eras of the past. Only four of the BuddhaÂ’s disciples had such powers. In general, the BuddhaÂ’s disciples could only recall up to 100,000 world cycles. Yashodhara, the BuddhaÂ’s two chief male disciples and the Elder Bakkula, however, had supernormal powers and could recall incalculable eras. The nun Yashodhara passed away at the age of 78, prior to the Lord Buddha. -
The Lion of Men
His red, sacred feet are marked with an excellent wheel;
His long heels are decked with characteristic marks;
His feet are adorned with the chowrie (camara) and parasol;
That indeed, is your father, lion of men.
He is a delicate and noble Sakya Prince;
His body is full of characteristic marks;
Intent on the welfare of the world;
That indeed, is your father, lion of men.
Like the full moon is His face;
He is dear to gods and men;
His gait is as graceful as that of an elephant of noble breed;
That indeed, is your father, lion of men.
He is of noble lineage, sprung from the warrior caste;
His feet have been honored by gods and men;
His mind is well established in morality and concentration;
That, indeed, is your father, lion of men.
Long and prominent is His well-formed nose;
His eyelashes are long like those of a heifer;
His eyes are exceedingly blue and like a rainbow are His blue-black brows;
That indeed, is your father, lion of men.
Round and smooth is His well-formed neck;
His jaws are strong like that of a lion;
His body is golden like that of the king of beasts;
That indeed, is your father, lion of men.
Soft and deep is His sweet voice;
His tongue is as red as vermilion;
His white teeth like pearls are twenty, each row;
That indeed, is your father, lion of men.
Like the color of collyrium is His blue-black hair;
Like a polished golden plate is His smooth forehead;
White as the morning star is His beautiful tuft of hair (between the brows);
That, indeed, is your father, lion of men.
Just as the moon, surrounded by the multitude of stars;
Follows the skyÂ’s path;
Even so goes the Lord, accompanied by His monks;
That, indeed, is your father, lion of men.
Candakinnara Jataka
Once the bodhisattva (Gautama), born as a kinnara named Canda, lived with his mate Candaa in the Canda mountain of the Himavanta forest. One day, while the kinnaras were enjoying themselves near a little stream, the king of Benares, seeing Candaa fell in love with her. The king shot Canda with an arrow, and when Candaa lamented aloud for her dead husband, the king revealed himself and offered her his love and his kingdom. Candaa scorned the offer and protested to the gods for allowing harm to befall her husband. SakkaÂ’s throne was heated by her great loyalty and coming in the guise of a brahmin, he restored Canda to life. The king was Anuruddha and Candaa was Rahulamata (Yasodaya). The Jataka was related by the Buddha when he visited his fatherÂ’s palace at Kapilavatthu and heard from Suddhodana how devotedly Rahulamata continued to love the Buddha. He said it was not the first time that she had shown such undying affection. -
YASODHARA, THE FORMER WIFE
ON next morning the Buddha took his bowl and set out to beg his food. And the news spread abroad: "Prince Siddhattha is going from house to house to receive alms in the city where he used to ride in a chariot attended by his retinue. His robe is like a red clod, and he holds in his hand an earthen bowl."
On hearing the strange rumor, the king went forth in great haste and when he met his son he exclaimed: "Why dost thou thus disgrace me? Knowest thou not that I can easily supply thee and thy bhikkhus with food?" And the Buddha replied: "It is the custom of my race."
But the king said: "how can this be? Thou art descended from kings, and not one of them ever begged for food."
"O great king," rejoined the Buddha thou and thy race may claim descent from kings; my descent is from the Buddhas of old. They, begging their food, lived on alms." The king made no reply, and the Blessed One continued: "It is customary, O king, when one has found a hidden treasure, for him to make an offering of the most precious jewel to his father. Suffer me, therefore, to open this treasure of mine which is the Dharma, and accept from me this gem": And the Blessed One recited the following stanza:
"Arise from dreams and delusions,
Awaken with open mind.
Seek only Truth. Where you find it,
Peace also you will find."
Then the king conducted the prince into the palace, and the ministers and all the members of the royal family greeted him with great reverence, but Yasodhara, the mother of Rahula, did not make her appearance. The king sent for Yasodhara, but she replied: "Surely, if I am deserving of any regard, Siddhattha will come and see me."
The Blessed One, having greeted all his relatives and friends, asked: "Where is Yasodhara?" And on being informed that she had refused to come, he rose straightway and went to her apartments.
"I am free, the Blessed One said to his disciples, Sari putta and Moggallana, whom he had bidden to accompany him to the princess's chamber; "the princess, however, is not as yet free. Not having seen me for a long time, she is exceedingly sorrowful. Unless her grief be allowed its course her heart will cleave. Should she touch the Tathagata, the Holy One, ye must not prevent her."
Yasodhara sat in her room, dressed in mean garments, and her hair cut. When Prince Siddhattha entered, she was, from the abundance of her affection, like an overflowing vessel, unable to contain her love. Forgetting that the man whom she loved was the Buddha, the Lord of the world, the preacher of truth, she held him by his feet and wept bitterly.
Remembering, however, that Suddhodana was present, she felt ashamed, and rising, seated herself reverently at a little distance.
The king apologized for the princess, saying: "This arises from her deep affection, and is more than a temporary emotion. During the seven years that she has lost her husband, when she heard that Siddhattha had shaved his head, she did likewise; when she heard that he had left off the use of perfumes and ornaments, she also refused their use. Like her husband she had eaten at appointed times from an earthen bowl only. Like him she had renounced high beds with splendid coverings, and when other princes asked her in marriage, she replied that she was still his. Therefore, grant her forgiveness."
And the Blessed One spoke kindly to Yasodhara, telling of her great merits inherited from former lives. She had indeed been again and again of great assistance to him. Her purity, her gentleness, her devotion had been invaluable to the Bodhisattva when he aspired to attain enlightenment, the highest aim of mankind. And so holy had she been that she desired to become the wife of a Buddha. This, then, is her karma, and it is the result of great merits. Her grief has been unspeakable, but the consciousness of the glory that surrounds her spiritual inheritance increased by her noble attitude during her life, will be a balm that will miraculously transform all sorrows into heavenly joy.
From: www.sacred-texts.com