The Parrot and the False Ascetics

In ancient times, when the Bodhisatta was Indra, the king of the gods, there were seven brothers who lived in the wilderness as ascetics. They had chosen the path of renunciation, but instead of dedicating themselves to self-discipline and spiritual growth, they spent their time indulging in various distractions. Their devotion to their practice was weak, and they took little effort to live the austere life they had vowed to lead.

Seeing their failure, the Bodhisatta sought to teach them a lesson. In his divine wisdom, he transformed into a parrot and flew down to earth, perching on a tree near the ascetics’ dwelling. From there, he began to speak loudly for all to hear: “Praise to those who live on the remnants of charity. They will find happiness in both this life and the next.”

One of the brothers overheard this and, puffing with pride, turned to his companions. “The parrot speaks of us,” he declared. “We live on the kindness of others and will surely gain happiness for our deeds.”

However, the Bodhisatta, still perched on his branch, corrected him with a sharp rebuke. “You are mistaken,” he said. “I speak not of you, but of true ascetics who live on the donations of the virtuous. You, who feast on the carcasses left behind by lions and tigers, are no true ascetics. True renunciates do not feed on refuse. They rely on the kindness of those who offer alms willingly, not the leftovers of wild beasts.”

Shamed by the parrot’s words, the brothers realized the error of their ways. The Bodhisatta’s words struck their hearts, and they understood that to live as true ascetics, they must rise above distractions and live in a way that earned them respect and dignity.

The Moral:

True asceticism is not about mere survival or relying on what is easily available. It is about discipline, sincerity, and living with honor, seeking charity not as a convenience but as a reflection of one’s virtues. If we are to grow spiritually, we must align our actions with our vows and live according to the highest ideals, not fall prey to distractions and easy temptations.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

This story was told by the Buddha to his disciples to illustrate the flaws of some who had joined the monastic community but were failing to live up to their vows. They engaged in idle amusement and did not fully dedicate themselves to the practice. One day, Moggallana, one of the Buddha’s chief disciples, noticed their lack of commitment and decided to shake their quarters, frightening them into reflection. When the Buddha heard about this, he shared this ancient tale to show that those who are slack in their practice carry the same shortcomings as those in previous lifetimes. Through this story, the Buddha encouraged his disciples to remain diligent in their spiritual efforts and to not be distracted by worldly pleasures.