雜譬喻經 1.58

1.58

Formerly, the head and tail of a snake argued with each other. The head said to the tail: “I should be the leader.” The tail said to the head: “I too should be the leader.” The head said: “I have ears that can hear, eyes that can see, and a mouth that can eat, and when moving I am foremost; therefore I can be the leader. You lack such abilities and should not be the leader.” The tail said: “It is because I let you go that you can go. If I wind my body three times around a tree for three days without stopping, you, head, will not be able to go seek food, and will starve nearly to death.” The head said to the tail: “You may release it, and I permit you to be the leader.” Hearing its words, the tail immediately released it. The head then said to the tail: “Since you are the leader, I permit you to walk in front.” The tail walked in front, and before taking several steps, it fell into a fire pit and died. This illustrates that among the Saṅgha there may be a wise elder of great virtue who can decide the rules and discipline, but inferior juniors refuse to obey him. When the elder lacks the power to restrain them, he says to them: “Do as you please if you wish.” The matter is not accomplished, and both fall into non-Dharma, just like that snake falling into a fire pit.