The Greedy Water Crow and the Spirit of the Sea

Long ago, in a time beyond memory, the Bodhisatta was not a man, but a spirit of the vast and endless ocean. His realm was the sea, teeming with life, its waters deep and boundless. One day, while he floated peacefully, he noticed a strange sight—above the shimmering waves, a water crow was flying high, calling out to the schools of fish and flocks of seabirds below.

“Do not drink too much water!” the crow shouted. “If you do, it will all be gone!”

The Bodhisatta, puzzled by the bird’s odd warning, called out, “Why do you say such things? The water is infinite. It cannot be drained.”

The crow flapped its wings, replying, “I worry that if they drink too much, there will be none left for me.”

The Bodhisatta understood in an instant—this was no wise bird, but a foolish and greedy one. The crow, blinded by selfishness, thought only of itself, hoarding what was meant for all. Disgusted, the Bodhisatta assumed a terrifying shape—his form grew larger and darker, the sea churned beneath him, and his presence loomed like a storm. The crow, frightened beyond measure, fled in haste, never to return to the sea again.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

Many years later, during the time of the Buddha, a man named Upananda lived among the Buddha’s disciples. Upananda was known for his hypocrisy—he preached simplicity and virtue, urging others to live humbly, yet he himself was consumed by greed.

During the rainy season, Upananda would stay at various monasteries, leaving behind small possessions—an umbrella, a waterpot, or a walking stick—at each one. He would then encourage the other monks to abandon their fine robes and alms bowls, replacing them with tattered rags and clay pots, all in the name of modesty and practice.

But as the season wore on, Upananda would quietly gather the discarded robes and bowls, secretly taking them for himself. By the end of the rains, he had amassed a great collection, which he then carted back to his primary monastery, all the while preaching to others the virtues of living simply.

Many of the disciples began to notice this contradiction and grew discontented. When the Buddha heard of Upananda’s actions, he called the monks together. “Do not preach what you have not yet mastered,” the Buddha said. “One who preaches simplicity while indulging in greed is like the water crow, who tries to hoard what cannot be held.”

The Buddha then told the story of the water crow and the spirit of the sea, showing his disciples that the greed of Upananda had been present in him even in past lives.

Moral: Greed, no matter how cleverly disguised, is always destructive. True wisdom comes not from teaching others what you do not practice yourself, but from embodying the values you preach.