The Wild Elephant: A Lesson on Heeding Wise Counsel

Once, in the serene heights of the Himalayas, the Bodhisatta lived as an ascetic, guiding a small group of devoted followers. Among them was one ascetic who, out of kindness, took in a baby elephant whose mother had tragically died. He cared for the elephant as if it were his own, doting on it despite the Bodhisatta’s warning. The Bodhisatta, wise and experienced, cautioned the ascetic that as the elephant grew, its wild nature would eventually resurface, and it could become dangerous. Yet, the ascetic, stubborn in his ways, refused to listen. He was deeply attached to the elephant and continued to keep it as a pet.

Years passed, and the elephant grew into a powerful, unpredictable creature. One day, the ascetics went into the forest to gather food and supplies, leaving the elephant behind. As the south winds blew violently, the elephant became restless, and its wild instincts kicked in. In a frenzy, the elephant destroyed the ascetic’s hut and lay in wait for his return. When the ascetics finally came back, the elephant attacked with terrifying strength. It lifted the ascetic with its trunk and hurled him to the ground, killing him instantly. Then, trumpeting wildly, the elephant ran into the forest, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake.

Upon hearing of the tragic event, the Bodhisatta gathered his followers and shared the tale. He used the ascetic’s fate to teach an important lesson: when wise counsel is given, it must be heeded. To ignore such advice, especially from those with experience, can lead to ruin.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

The ascetic with the pet elephant was later reborn as a disciple of the Buddha. This particular disciple was known for his stubbornness and impatience. He often ignored the Buddha’s teachings and the wise advice of his fellow monks, much like he had done in his past life. One day, the Buddha, recognizing this behavior, told him the story of his former life as the ascetic with the wild elephant. He reminded the disciple that his failure to listen to wise counsel in his past had led to his own death and destruction. Through this story, the Buddha hoped the disciple would learn the value of humility, patience, and obedience.

Moral of the Story: Stubbornness and refusal to listen to wisdom can bring about harm, not just to oneself, but to others as well. It is crucial to recognize the value of guidance and not let attachment or pride cloud our judgment.