The Patient Wife and the Four Brothers Who Became Monks

One morning in Shravasti, golden sunlight stretched across the thatched roofs. In a small house, a wife was quietly sweeping the courtyard when she heard her husband’s angry voice from inside. He shouted, "Are you going to listen to the teachings of Gotama again? You are superstitious and foolish, unable to distinguish right from wrong!"

The wife said nothing; she only smiled softly. Since hearing the Buddha’s dharma talk and attaining the fruit of Stream-Entry, she had placed her full trust in the Three Jewels. She regularly made offerings and cultivated merit through good deeds. However, her husband remained unconvinced. He often scolded and argued with her, for he was a stubborn man who refused to yield to anyone.

Despite this, the wife remained gentle and composed. She never fought back, yet she would not allow anyone to insult the Three Jewels. Her inner strength was unshakable. One day, she spoke to her husband, saying, "If you were to meet the World-Honored One, you too would follow Him."

Her husband laughed mockingly. "Me? I will go there and argue with Him until we settle this once and for all!"

And so he went. When he stood before the Buddha, gazing upon His radiant and majestic presence, he felt suddenly overwhelmed. He dared not speak rudely or harshly as he did at home. He stood there, thinking he must ask his questions respectfully and seek clarity. He asked, "Venerable Sir, how can one know if a person is holy or ordinary?"

The Buddha looked at him and replied gently, "A holy person is free from anger, no longer lives solely for themselves, lives with noble ideals, always clearly knows what is right and wrong, transcends their own biases, and is not enslaved by their own thoughts. An ordinary person, however, is controlled and driven by their thoughts, always following the dictates of their mind."

Hearing this, the husband was stunned. The Buddha had struck at the core of his being. He realized he acted on impulse, led by his own mind. After a moment of reflection, he knelt down, joined his palms together, and said, "World-Honored One, I wish to ordain!"

News reached home, bringing mixed emotions to the wife. She rejoiced that her husband now believed in the Three Jewels, but she felt a touch of sadness, for having only attained Stream-Entry, her freedom from attachment was not yet complete. Soon, the husband’s three younger brothers heard the news. Angry, they rushed to bring their brother back. They followed Brahmanism and did not believe in the Buddha. Seeing their brother shaved-headed and wearing yellow robes, they cursed him just as he had once cursed his wife, calling him superstitious, foolish, and blind.

The husband simply smiled, joined his palms, and spoke calmly, "Brothers, I am not foolish. I was once as stubborn as you are. But now I have met the Buddha, a fully enlightened one. If I do not devote myself to practice, my life will be wasted. Please, go and meet the World-Honored One yourselves."

The three brothers looked at each other, curious, and decided to visit the Buddha. They debated and asked questions, and the Buddha answered them with patience. As a result, all three requested ordination that very same day.

The story of four brothers becoming monks in a single day caused much discussion among the bhikkhus. They wondered, "How is this possible? Yesterday they were rebellious and opposed, yet today they have all ordained?" The Buddha did not speak of past-life karma, but instead recited a verse:

"One who has no ill will despite being insulted or beaten, who uses patience as their strength, I call a true Brahmin."

The Buddha praised the wife for her patience, for she did not give rise to hatred and explained things calmly, thereby guiding her husband to meet Him. The Buddha Himself demonstrated patience and gentleness, winning over the elder brother. The brother, facing curses from his siblings, also responded with calm explanation, leading them to liberation. This story holds three mirrors of patience: the wife, the Buddha, and the husband. Through these, everything came to pass beautifully.

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

The profound lesson intended by Most Venerable Thich Chan Quang is that patience is not cowardice, but a great inner strength. When faced with disagreement, especially regarding religious beliefs, a person of true virtue remains gentle, composed, and explains matters with humility. Such patience possesses a powerful transformative ability, turning enemies into friends and opponents into companions on the path. Conversely, aggression and anger only increase enmity and division.

Compiled from the dharma talk of Most Venerable Thich Chan Quang