Thus have I heard:
One time, the Budha was staying at Anaathapindidas Ashrama in Jetavana of Shraavastii.
At that time, Budha said to the Bhikshus, “I will now explain how some people are like lions, and others are like sheep. Listen carefully and reflect deeply on this.”
The Bhikshus replied, “So be it, Budha.” Then the Bhikshus listened attentively to Budha’s teaching.
Budha said, “How is someone like a lion? Suppose, bhikshus, a person receives offerings of robes, food, bedding, and medicine for illness. Having received them, they partake of them without giving rise to attachment, desire, or any thought of craving. They understand the path of liberation. Even if they do not receive such offerings, they do not give rise to disturbed thoughts or fluctuations of mind. Just as a lion king devours its prey without thinking, ‘This is good, this is bad,’ without attachment, desire, or thought, so too is this person. Whether they receive offerings of robes, food, bedding, or medicine, they partake of them without attachment or craving. Even if they do not receive such offerings, they remain undisturbed.
“On the other hand, suppose someone receives offerings of robes, food, bedding, and medicine, and having received them, they partake of them with attachment, craving, and desire, not knowing the path of liberation. Even if they do not receive such offerings, they constantly dwell on such thoughts. When such a person receives offerings, they become arrogant and belittle others, saying, ‘I can receive robes, food, bedding, and medicine, but these bhikshus cannot.’
This is like a sheep that leaves the flock, goes to a pile of dung, eats its fill, and then returns to the flock, boasting, ‘I have eaten well, but these sheep have not.’ Similarly, when someone receives offerings of robes, food, bedding, and medicine, they give rise to disturbed thoughts and attachment, becoming arrogant and saying, ‘I can receive offerings, but these bhikshus cannot.’ Therefore, bhikshus, you should strive to be like the lion king, not like the sheep. Thus, bhikshus, you should train yourselves.”
When the bhikshus heard what the Budha said, they followed it with joy.