Eradication of habitual misdemeanour

The Sangha is supposed to be an organisation abiding by the Six Harmonious Rules. As it accepts candidates on a very general basis, it is inevitable for some of its members to be of inferior roots and disputes to occur.

_________ was a difficult lad who, despite having followed the Buddha for quite a number of years, was still arrogant and short tempered. He was always in disagreement with others, and particularly fond of using bad language in arguments. For this reason, nobody liked him, and he had been cautioned several times by the Buddha. Knowing that he was a pain to everyone, he seeked the Buddha's approval for him to leave to practise elsewhere.

The Buddha mercifully said: " I do not object to your desire to practise somewhere else. But before you leave, I will tell you a story which might help you in your future cultivation. In the past, there was a crow which decided to look for another place to live because it was not welcomed in the original habitat. On its way, it met a magpie which asked where it was going.

The crow replied: " I hate this place I have been living because everyone dislikes and curses me. I cannot stand this anymore, and I am looking for another place to live."

The magpie thereupon said to the crow: " You really do not have to move. Do you realise that your companions dislike you because of your horrible voice? If your voice does not change for the better, you will recieve the same treatment wherever you go."

At this point, the Buddha looked at _________ , and then carried on: " If you do not correct your habit of finding fault with others, you will be like the crow which will never be welcomed anywhere. Do you wish to be a crow?"

After this revelation of the Buddha, _________ was suddenly awakened. He repented on the spot, and implored the Buddha to give him a chance to correct his mistakes.

Seeing that he was truly sorry, the Buddha spoke again: " Bad habits are caused by the residual store of defilements within us. Some of this are from past lives, and others are orientated results pertained to this life. We can only rely on our own cultivation to eradicate it and to reform. In resolving to do so, we must uproot the problem right at its source. To place a stone on top of the grass to stop it from growing is not the way to do it thoroughly. The best way is to remove its roots."

Listening to the Buddha's patient and merciful discourse, _________ felt all the more determined in his resolve to change. He vowed to cultivate diligently, and promised not to disappoint the Buddha's expectation of him.

Back to Contents Page