法苑珠林 3.44

3.44

問曰。此鳥既是畜生。何得與天為師。如正法念經說。此鳥本為人時於三天下教化之師。諸天本是所化眾生。由信受化故。布施持戒今得生天。其鳥本為師時。為名利破戒。其心不實。今作天鳥。然由教化微善力。故今得生天。由本化師故。與諸天為師。若見諸天放逸即來訶責。諸天見聞各生慚愧改不放逸。

Question: Since these birds are animals, how can they act as teachers to the devas? Answer: As the *Saddharmasmṛtyupasthāna-sūtra* states, when these birds were originally human, they were teachers who instructed people in the three continents; the devas were originally the beings they instructed. Because [the devas] believed and received their instruction, practiced generosity, and kept the precepts, they have now been born in heaven. When those birds were originally teachers, they broke the precepts for the sake of fame and profit, and their minds were not truthful; hence they have now become heavenly birds. Yet, due to the slight wholesome power of their teaching, they have now been born in heaven. Because they were originally instructing teachers, they serve as teachers to the devas; whenever they see the devas being negligent, they come to reproach them, and when the devas see and hear them, they each give rise to shame and reform so as not to be negligent.