What is the significance of the Buddha’s request for a handful of mustard seeds and the
addition of a condition to it?
In the time of Buddha lived a woman named Kisa Gotami. She got married at a young age and gave birth to a son. One day, the child fell ill and soon died. Kisa Gotami loved her son dearly and refused to believe that her son was dead. He carried his son's body around his village and asked if there was anyone who could resurrect his son.
The villagers saw that the son was already dead and nothing could happen. He advised her to accept his death and make arrangements for the last rites. In great grief, she fell to her knees and held her son's body by her own. She kept on talking to wake up her son.
A village elder took pity on him and suggested him to consult Buddha.
"Kisa Gotami. We can't help you. But you must go to the Buddha. Maybe he will resurrect your son!"
She immediately went to the Buddha's house and begged him to bring back her son.
Buddha was aware of the distress of Kisa Gotami. He needed her to see the reality of life and to pass and accept the person's predicament. He requested that he bring a modest bunch of mustard seeds from a house where no one had given him a bucket to show that death is common to all.
Buddha was aware of the distress of Kisa Gotami. He needed her to see the reality of life and to pass and accept the person's predicament. He requested that he bring a modest bunch of mustard seeds from a house where no one had given him a bucket to show that death is common to all.