The Discourse on the Recluse and the Donkey
(Gadrabha Sutta, AN 3.82)
(By Thanahayo Bhikkhu)
“Ānanda! the Doctrine and Discipline I have set forth and laid down for you all shall be your Teacher after
I am gone.”
Mahaparinibbana Sutta
“Suppose, bhikkhus, a donkey followed behind a group of cattle, thinking: “I too am a cow! I too am a cow!” But it doesn’t look like a cow, or sound like a cow, or leave a footprint like a cow. Still it follows behind a herd of cattle, thinking: “I too am a cow! I too am a cow!”
(Gadrabha Sutta, AN3.82)
The Donkey
The Parable of the Donkey
In the same way, a bhikkhu follows closely behind the Saṅgha, thinking: ‘I’m a monk too! I’m a monk too!’ But he doesn’t have the same enthusiasm for undertaking the training in the higher ethics, the higher mind, and the higher wisdom as the other bhikkhus. Still he follows closely behind the Saṇgha, thinking:
‘I’m a monk too! I’m a monk too!’
(Gadrabha Sutta, AN3.82)
The Donkey
“So you should train yourself like this:
‘We will have keen enthusiasm for undertaking the training in the higher ethics, the higher mind, and the higher wisdom.’ That’s how you should train.”
(Gadrabha Sutta, AN3.82)
The Donkey
The Buddha’s Admonition
Morality
Concentration
Wisdom
“Not therefore is he a Bhikkhu�merely because he begs from others.�Not by adopting the outward from�does one truly become a bhikkhu.�He who wholly subdues evil,�Both small and great, �is called a monk (bhikkhu)�because he has overcome all evils.”
Dhp 266, 267
Simple, not easy!
Higher Ethics
Adhi-Sīla Sikkhā
Higher Mind
(Concentration)
Adhi-Citta Sikkhā
Higher Wisdom
Adhi-Paññā Sikkhā
Essence of the Sutta
The Buddha declares that a foolish monastic, without spiritual training, may be closely associated with eminent teachers or great establishments, but he remains
a foolish monk or nun.
Even if a fool, all his life,
draws near to the wise,
he understands not the Dhamma,
just as a spoon tastes not the soup.
Even if one wise, for just a moment, draws near to the wise, he quickly understands the Dhamma, just as the tongue tastes the soup.
(Dh 64-65)
Rejoice in your merit