Heard like this:
At one time, the Buddha was in the Jeta Grove, Anathapindika’s park, in the city of Shravasti.
At that time, the World-Honored One spoke to the bhikṣus, saying, “It is like a herd of cows, gentle in nature, going to places where they choose tender grass to eat and drink cool, clear water. Then there was a donkey who thought: ‘These cows, being gentle in nature, go to places where they pick tender grass to eat and drink cool, clear water. I should also follow their example, picking tender grass to eat and drinking cool, clear water.’ So, the donkey mixed with the herd of cows, scratching the earth with its front hooves, disturbing the cows, and imitating the mooing sound of the cows. But it could not change its own voice. It said, “I am also a cow, I am also a cow.” However, the cows chased the donkey away with their horns.
‘This is similar. If a bhikṣu is not diligent, practices evil ways, does not follow the way of a true ascetic but claims to be an ascetic, does not practice pure conduct but claims to do so, lacks knowledge, and holds wrong views; if his behavior is improper — his walking, coming, going, stretching, bowing, dressing, and holding the alms bowl are all done improperly; if he cannot obtain the proper requisites such as clothing, food, bedding, or medicine when ill — and when he sees other bhikṣus who are diligent in practicing the virtuous Dharma, who have attained the qualities of an ascetic, who practice pure conduct, who have knowledge, who hold the correct views, and who maintain proper conduct — their walking, coming, going, stretching, bowing, dressing, and holding the alms bowl with propriety, obtaining their requisites of clothing, food, bedding, and medicine when ill — at this point, the evil bhikṣu might think, ‘These many bhikṣus are diligent in practicing the virtuous Dharma, they have attained the qualities of an ascetic, they practice pure conduct, they are learned and have studied the scriptures, and they follow proper behavior. They have obtained clothing, food, bedding, and medicine when ill. I should also mix with them, so I too can obtain the same requisites of clothing, food, bedding, and medicine.
‘Then, this evil bhikṣu, practicing wrong Dharma, not following the behavior of an ascetic but claiming to be one, not practicing pure conduct but claiming to do so, lacking knowledge and holding wrong views, mixes with the many diligent bhikṣus, trying to imitate their behavior — their walking, coming, going, stretching, bowing, dressing, and holding the alms bowl — just like the noble bhikṣus who are diligent in practicing virtuous Dharma, walking, coming, going, stretching, bowing, dressing, and holding the alms bowl, and then says, “I am an ascetic, I am an ascetic.” The noble bhikṣus are well aware that this bhikṣu is not diligent but claims to be diligent; he is not an ascetic but claims to be an ascetic; he does not practice pure conduct but claims to do so; he lacks knowledge and holds many wrong views. At that time, the noble bhikṣus would expel him from the Sangha, saying, “You must leave, do not stay in our community.” This is just like the gentle herd of cows driving away the donkey.
‘Therefore, bhikṣus! The behavior of one who is not an ascetic and not a Brahmin should be abandoned. The good behavior of an ascetic and a Brahmin should be respected and upheld. In this way, bhikṣus, you should learn.’
At that time, the bhikṣus, hearing the Buddha’s teaching, rejoiced greatly and followed the teachings.
Dharma Torch 