Lion and Tiger: Overcoming Deceit with Wisdom and Trust

In this past life, the Bodhisatta was born as a tree fairy, a spirit that watches over nature and the creatures within it. There was a lion and a tiger who lived peacefully together in a cave. They had a unique arrangement: the jackal, who had no means to hunt for food, was allowed to eat their leftover meat. However, the jackal harbored a deep desire to taste the flesh of either the lion or the tiger, something he had never been able to do. He realized that in order to fulfill this desire, he would need to create a rift between the two great animals, causing them to fight each other.

The jackal, using deceit, went to the lion and whispered in his ear that the tiger had spoken badly of him, claiming that the lion was not nearly as strong or beautiful as the tiger. The lion, who trusted his friend, brushed this off and told the jackal that the tiger would never speak such things. Unperturbed, the jackal then went to the tiger, repeating the same lie about the lion. The tiger, suspicious, asked the lion about it, and the lion denied the accusation. The tiger, ashamed for doubting his friend, apologized, and the lion forgave him. Their friendship remained strong, and the jackal, seeing that his plot had failed, fled in defeat.

The Bodhisatta, observing all of this, saw how easily deceit could be used to break the bond of friendship, but also how trust and understanding between friends could withstand the malicious efforts of an outsider.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

In the time of the Buddha, the lion and tiger were earlier births of Sariputta and Moggallana, two of the Buddha’s closest disciples, known for their wisdom and compassion. They spent a rainy season living in the wilderness, where they were assisted by a beggar, who was the earlier birth of the jackal. The beggar, seeing the harmonious relationship between the two monks, sought to create division between them. He told Sariputta that Moggallana had spoken poorly of him, claiming that Sariputta was inferior in both lineage and spiritual attainments. Sariputta, wise and calm, dismissed the accusation as a lie.

The beggar, undeterred, told the same story to Moggallana, but Moggallana too rejected it. Both monks knew the beggar’s intentions and sent him away. When they returned to the Buddha’s monastery, Sariputta and Moggallana shared the story with the Buddha, who then told them this past-life story. The Buddha explained that even in past lives, he had seen how deception could sow discord, but he also emphasized the importance of wisdom and friendship in overcoming such challenges.

Moral of the Story:

The story of the lion and the tiger teaches us that deceit and manipulation can create unnecessary conflict, but true wisdom and trust between friends can overcome such schemes. The jackal’s deceit was intended to break the bond of friendship between two strong individuals, but by relying on their wisdom and loyalty to one another, the lion and the tiger were able to see through the lies and remain united.

This story also illustrates the wisdom of Sariputta and Moggallana, who, despite being targeted by deceit, recognized the falsity of the beggar’s claims. It is a lesson in maintaining harmony and peace, even in the face of malicious attempts to cause division. The Buddha used this story to teach his disciples the importance of not allowing external forces to sow discord, especially when trust and understanding exist between individuals.