The Arrogant Jackal and the Fall of Pride

In a time long ago, the Bodhisatta was born as a mighty lion, the king of the forest. One day, as he wandered through the dense woods, he came upon a jackal who, trapped and unable to escape, threw himself at the lion’s feet in desperation. Pleading for his life, the jackal promised to serve the lion faithfully if he were spared. The Bodhisatta, showing mercy, agreed to the jackal’s plea and spared his life.

From that day on, the lion and the jackal formed an unusual partnership. Each day, the Bodhisatta would hunt for meat, bringing back his catch to their home, and the jackal would eat the leftovers. With each passing day, the jackal grew stronger and larger from the steady meals. But as his strength grew, so did his arrogance. One day, feeling bold and proud, the jackal declared that he was capable of killing an elephant on his own.

The Bodhisatta, wise and cautious, advised the jackal against such reckless ambitions. “No jackal can kill an elephant,” the lion said. “You are too small and too weak to take on such a mighty creature.” But the jackal, now full of pride and convinced of his own abilities, ignored the Bodhisatta’s advice and went out to hunt.

While wandering through the forest, the jackal spotted a large elephant walking below him. Driven by his overconfidence, the jackal leaped down from a high place and landed at the elephant’s feet. In an instant, the elephant stomped on the jackal with its massive foot, crushing his skull and ending his life.

When the news of the jackal’s death reached the Bodhisatta, he reflected on the foolishness of pride. “The jackal died because of his arrogance,” the Bodhisatta remarked. “He believed himself capable of more than he was, and in his pride, he ignored his proper place in the world. Let this be a lesson to all: never overestimate your abilities, and always respect your limitations. It is better to stick to your rightful duties and roles.”

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

In a later lifetime, the jackal was reborn as Devadatta, a disciple of the Buddha. In this life, Devadatta’s pride grew just as it had in his past birth. He became envious of the Buddha’s leadership and sought to establish his own order, declaring himself to be a Buddha. Disillusioned with the Buddha’s teachings, Devadatta took many of the Buddha’s followers with him and tried to lead them down his own misguided path.

The Buddha, understanding the danger of Devadatta’s actions, sent two of his most trusted disciples, Sariputta and Moggallana, to speak to Devadatta’s followers and remind them of the Buddha’s true teachings. While Devadatta was asleep, most of his followers returned to the Buddha’s fold. This betrayal enraged Kokalika, one of Devadatta’s most devoted disciples, who, in a fit of rage, kicked Devadatta in the chest, causing him to spit up blood.

The Buddha, reflecting on Devadatta’s actions, told his disciples that this was not the first time Devadatta had sought to imitate him and had suffered the consequences of his pride. The Buddha explained that just as the jackal had met his end due to overestimating his own abilities, so too did Devadatta, by arrogantly seeking to rival the true Buddha, bring suffering upon himself.

Moral: Pride and arrogance can lead to one’s downfall. It is wise to know one’s own limitations and to act in accordance with one’s true capabilities.