SN 20:12 · The Jackal (2) (Sigāla Sutta)

Dwelling at Sāvatthī. “Monks, did you hear that jackal1 howling in the last watch of the night?”

“Yes, lord.”

“That jackal is afflicted with a disease called mange. There might be some gratitude & thankfulness in that jackal, but there might not be any gratitude & thankfulness in a certain person here claiming to be a follower of the Sakyan.2

“Therefore, monks, you should train yourselves: ‘We will be grateful & thankful. The least little favor done for us won’t be forgotten.’ That’s how you should train yourselves.”

Notes

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.

See also: AN 2:31–32; Iti 107

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Translated by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu. © 2014 / rev. 2017 Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu — released under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 licence, for free distribution only. Source: dhammatalks.org (Metta Forest Monastery).