The Jackal and the Lions: A Lesson in Self-Awareness

Once, the Bodhisatta was a lion, the proud leader of his pride. One day, while the lions were playing and roaring joyfully, a jackal living nearby decided to join in the fun. It let out a loud howl, hoping to sound like the mighty lions. But when the lions heard the jackal’s howl, they were embarrassed and immediately fell silent.

The Bodhisatta’s young cub, curious about the sudden change, asked his father why the other lions had stopped roaring. The Bodhisatta responded, “Jackals are vile creatures, and all lions loathe them. They are not meant to join in our mighty roar.” The cub understood that there was a sharp distinction between the proud lions and the lowly jackal.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

In the Buddha’s time, there was a dimwitted disciple who was completely unaware of his own shortcomings. He had expressed a desire to recite scripture in front of the assembly, and the other disciples, perhaps out of politeness or mockery, invited him to do so.

On the day of his performance, the disciple took his seat in the jeweled pavilion, ready to speak. But as soon as he began, he became nervous. He stumbled over the first verse and, when he couldn’t remember the second, he fled to his quarters in shame, unable to continue.

Later, when some of the Buddha’s disciples discussed the incident, the Buddha shared this story to show that the disciple’s failure wasn’t a new occurrence. He explained that, just as the jackal had foolishly tried to roar with the lions in the past, this disciple had also betrayed himself by attempting to take on something beyond his abilities without recognizing his own limitations.

Moral of the Story:

This story highlights the danger of overestimating one’s abilities and the foolishness of trying to be something one is not. Just as the jackal, in its ignorance, tried to imitate the lion’s mighty roar, the dimwitted disciple tried to perform a task beyond his skill. Both failed because they lacked the self-awareness to understand their limitations.

The Bodhisatta’s response to his cub’s question illustrates the importance of knowing one’s place in the world and accepting the natural order. Lions do not associate with jackals, and wise people know their limits. This story teaches the value of humility, self-awareness, and the recognition that it is better to be true to oneself than to strive for something that is not meant for you.