Saṃyutta Nikāya
II. Nidāna Vagga
20. Opamma Saṃuttaṃ

Sutta 11

Sigāla Suttaṃ

The Jackal (1)

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

Sourced from dhammatalks.org
For free distribution only.

 

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[1][rhyc] Dwelling at Sāvatthī.

"Monks, did you hear that jackal^[1] howling in the last watch of the night?"

"Yes, lord."

"That jackal is afflicted with a disease called mange.

Yet he goes wherever he likes, stands wherever he likes, sits down wherever he likes, lies down wherever he likes, and even a cool breeze blows on him.

"It would be good, monks, if a certain person here claiming to be a follower of the Sakyan were to experience a personal existence of that sort.^[2]

"Therefore, monks, you should train yourselves:

'We will dwell heedfully.'

That's how you should train yourselves."

 

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^[1] Following the Thai and Sri Lankan editions. The Burmese edition reads "old jackal."

^[2] This is a reference to Devadatta, who wounded the Buddha and created a split in the Saṅgha, acts that would send him to hell. See AN 5:129. See also Noble Warrior chapter 13.

 

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Of Related Interest:

SN 17.8;
AN 8.7
AN 8.8