Lions and Sheep (EA20.4)

Thus have I heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in Śrāvastī, at Jetṛ’s Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park. Then the Exalted One said to the monks:

“Now it is apposite for me to say the following—there are persons who are like lions and those who are like sheep. Listen attentively and take heed of what I am going to say.”

“We shall, Exalted One,” replied the monks.

In order to instruct them, the Exalted One went on, “How does a person resemble a lion? There is, for example, a monk, someone who receives what is respectfully offered: robes, alms-food, lodging and medicine for treating the sick. Having received them and then enjoying them, attachment does not arise in his mind; neither thoughts of desire arise in him nor any wrong perception. Not entertaining any wrong ideas whatsoever, he is absolutely certain about the Teaching conducive to emancipation. Even if he has to go without gains and favours, he is neither distracted nor does he experience elation and dejection.

“He is like the royal lion whenever the latter has to make do with a small domestic animal as prey. At that time the king of beasts, too, does not think, ‘This is good, that is bad’. Attachment does not arise in his mind; neither thoughts of desire arise in him nor wrong perception.

“Similar is the behaviour of this person: whenever he receives respectful offerings … attachment does not arise in his mind. Even if he does not receive anything, he does not entertain any wrong ideas.

“Take for example someone who receives what people respectfully offer him: robes, alms-food, lodging, help and medicine for the sick. Having received and enjoyed them, attachment arises in his mind; thoughts of sensuous desire arise in him and he is absolutely oblivious of the path leading to emancipation. Should he receive nothing, he does not stop fretting. Having received respectful offerings, however, he boasts of himself and insults the other monks by saying, ‘It is me who is fit to receive robes … medicine for the sick, whereas these monks are not.’

“Let us take the simile of a single sheep in the midst of a large flock of sheep. Having separated itself from the flock, that sheep went to a large heap of dung. Having feasted on the faeces at a distance from the flock, it returned and boasting of itself, it insulted the other sheep by saying, ‘I am fit to receive excellent food, these sheep are not.’

“Similarly, whenever the second type of person receives gains and favours, robes … medicine for the sick, he loses his composure and attachment arises in his mind; then he boasts of himself while insulting the other monks by saying, ‘I am fit to receive respectful offerings, these monks are not.’

“Therefore, monks, you should train to be like the royal lion and not like the sheep. Thus, O monks, you should train.”

“After listening to the Buddha’s words, the monks were pleased and respectfully applied themselves to practice.

Translated from Sanskrit to Chinese by Dharmanandi.

Originally published as Ekottarikāgama XXVIII, Buddhist Studies Review 18.2, 2001, pp. 219–228. Translated from the Chinese version by Thích Huyên-Vi in collaboration with Sara Boin-Webb and Bhikkhu Pāsādika. Used with kind permission of the Buddhist Studies Review and Bhikkhu Pāsādika.

Transcription by Nola Webb, 2014.

Prepared for SuttaCentral by Bhikkhu Sujato.