The Crow
Thus I have heard: One time, the Budha was staying at
Anaathapindidas Ashrama in Jetavana of Shraavastii.
At that time, the Bhagavaan said to the bhikshus:
“Now I shall give a simile of the crow, and I shall also give a simile of the pig.
Reflect on this carefully, and I will explain it in detail.”
They replied, “Yes, Bhagavaan.”
At that time, the bhikshus received the Budha’s teaching.
The Bhagavaan said:
“What does it mean to say that a person is like a crow?
Just as there is a person who dwells in solitude yet constantly indulges in sensual desires and commits evil deeds,
Later, feeling ashamed and remorseful, they confess and reveal their actions to others.
Why is this so?
It is because they may be criticized by those who practice the noble life, who say:
‘This person indulges in desires and engages in wrongdoing.’
Thus, after committing evil deeds, they seek to confess, feeling shame and remorse.”
“Just like a crow that constantly suffers from hunger, it eats impure things and then immediately wipes its beak, fearing that other birds might see and say, ‘This crow eats filth.’
In the same way, there is a person who, while dwelling in solitude, indulges in sensual desires and commits unwholesome deeds.
Later, feeling ashamed and remorseful, they confess and disclose their actions to others.
Why is this so?
It is because they may be recognized and criticized by those who practice the noble life, who say:
‘This person indulges in desires and engages in wrongdoing.’
This is what is meant by saying that a person is like a crow.”
“And what does it mean to say that a person is like a pig?
There is a person who, while dwelling in solitude, continuously indulges in sensual desires and engages in wrongdoing.
Yet, they feel neither shame nor remorse.
Instead of repenting, they boast about themselves and arrogantly proclaim:
‘I am able to enjoy the five sensual pleasures, while these others cannot.’
Even after committing evil deeds, they feel no shame.”
“Such a person is like a pig—constantly feeding on filth and lying in unclean places, joyfully leaping toward other pigs.
In the same way, there is a person who indulges in sensual desires and engages in wrongdoing, yet feels no shame or remorse.
Instead, they boast about themselves and arrogantly proclaim:
‘I am able to enjoy the five sensual pleasures, while these others cannot.’
This is what is meant by saying that a person is like a pig.”
“Therefore, bhikshus, you should abandon such behaviour and keep your distance from it.
Thus, bhikshus, you should train yourselves in this way.”
When the bhikshus heard what the Budha said, they followed it with joy.