The Daughter-in-Law’s Invitation to the Buddha

As evening settled over Shravasti, the sun had set, yet a lingering warmth still clung to the red-tiled roofs. In the garden of a wealthy elder’s home, birds chirped softly as they returned to their nests. A young woman named Sujata, daughter of Anathapindika, swept the courtyard in silence. With each stroke of her broom, an indescribable unease stirred within her heart. She had recently married into this large, affluent household, but to her, it felt as strange and unfamiliar as a distant forest.

Sujata was the daughter of a devout lay practitioner who had attained the first stage of enlightenment, known as Stream-Entry. From childhood, her father had guided her according to the right path of the Buddha’s teachings. As she grew, she followed these instructions diligently and also attained the fruit of Stream-Entry herself. However, due to a betrothal arranged in her youth, she was married off to a wealthy elder living one hundred and twenty miles away from her parents’ home. Her husband’s family followed the naked ascetic sect of the Niganthas, a tradition predating the Buddha that advocated renouncing all material possessions, even clothing. They believed that true liberation came only when one was unbound by anything, including garments.

One morning, the elder, her father-in-law, joyfully sent invitations to the naked ascetics for making offerings at his home. He told his daughter-in-law, “Today I have invited genuine practitioners to our house; please prepare the offerings with care.” Sujata bowed and agreed, but a deep sense of anxiety rose within her. She had heard about these ascetics—men who wore nothing on their bodies.

When the group of ascetics entered the courtyard, Sujata was standing on the veranda. Seeing them—naked human beings without a single piece of cloth to cover themselves—she panicked, her face turning pale. She had never witnessed such a sight. In the city of Shravasti, everyone dressed modestly and walked with dignity. Terrified, she rushed into an inner room and locked the door, her heart pounding wildly.

After the offerings were completed, the elder called for his daughter-in-law to greet the teachers. When he could not find her anywhere in the house, he flew into a rage. As she timidly emerged, he shouted, “You are my daughter-in-law, yet you know no propriety! We make offerings to genuine practitioners, and you hide away completely. Do you disrespect my teachers?”

Sujata bowed respectfully and replied, “Father, please calm your anger. I have my own path. In my path, the monks always wear dignified robes, and their walking, speaking, and conduct are full of grace, without a single word out of place. These men... they are not like that.”

The elder was surprised. “What is this strange path? Which religion do you follow?”

Sujata looked up, her eyes bright with faith. “I follow Shakyamuni Buddha, the Fully Enlightened One. He teaches us to live purely, with proper demeanor, knowing shame, and preserving our virtue.”

Hearing his daughter-in-law speak of the Buddha, the elder found it intriguing. She spoke of the Buddha’s teachings, of compassion and wisdom, and of a noble way of life. The elder listened, captivated. He said, “You speak beautifully. Can you invite your teacher here so that I may meet him?”

Overjoyed, Sujata replied, “Yes, I will make the invitation.”

She then stepped into the center of the courtyard, stood under the open sky, clasped her hands together, and faced toward Shravasti. With sincere reverence, she said, “World-Honored One, I am Sujata, daughter of Anathapindika. Tomorrow, I humbly request permission to offer food to the Buddha and the Sangha. Please, out of your compassion, come to my home.”

Her heart overflowed with faith. She believed that the Buddha, possessing boundless spiritual powers, would hear her plea. She did not doubt for a moment.

The next morning, the Buddha draped his robe, took his alms bowl, and stepped out of the monastery. His disciples assumed he was going into the city for alms as usual. But upon reaching the gate, he paused, then slowly rose into the air, heading toward the elder’s home. The disciples watched in astonishment.

The Buddha landed before the gate of the elder’s house and walked in calmly. Seeing him, Sujata wept with joy. She hurriedly prostrated in respect and reverently presented the offerings. After receiving the meal, the Buddha gave a dharma talk. Everyone in the elder’s household listened, and their hearts rejoiced. The elder and all members of the family took refuge in the Triple Gem, becoming disciples of the Buddha.

Later, the Buddha’s disciples asked with curiosity, “World-Honored One, we saw no one come to invite you. How did you know to go to the elder’s house?”

The Buddha gently replied:

“A virtuous person, though far away, shines brightly like a snowy mountain. An evil person, though near, is like an arrow shot in the dark night, unseen by anyone.”

He did not praise his own spiritual powers, but rather commended the daughter-in-law for her wholesome mind and unwavering faith. He taught that a person of virtue, even if distant, becomes known and respected by all, just as a snowy peak glimmers even in the night. Conversely, an evil person, even if close, remains unnoticed, like an arrow fired into darkness.

From then on, the elder’s family abandoned the naked ascetic sect and turned to take refuge in the Buddha. Sujata lived happily in a family that now understood the right path, and her faith grew ever stronger.

The Meaning of the Story

This story teaches us that those with virtue and genuine faith, even if they are in remote places, become known and respected by all, shining like a luminous snowy mountain. At the same time, we must remain vigilant against arguments that sound appealing but lead to extremes and errors. Let us hold firm to our faith in the Dharma, live with proper dignity, know shame, and always place our trust in the Buddha.

Compiled from the dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang