法苑珠林 78.21

78.21

Furthermore, the Saṃyukta-avadāna-sūtra says: In the past, there was a snake whose head and tail disputed with each other. The head said to the tail, 'I should be the master.' The tail said to the head, 'I should be the master.' The head said, 'I have ears that can hear, eyes that can see, and a mouth that can eat. When traveling, I go in front; therefore I can be the master. You have no such abilities.' The tail said, 'Because I let you move, you are able to move. If I do not move and coil my body three times around a tree, persisting for three days, you will be unable to seek food and will starve to the point of dying.' The head said to the tail, 'You may release me; I allow you to be the master.' Hearing these words, the tail immediately released it. The head further said to the tail, 'Since you are the master, I allow you to go first.' As the tail went first, before traveling a few paces, it fell into a large, deep pit and died. This is an analogy for sentient beings who, lacking wisdom and stubbornly asserting self and other, ultimately fall into the three miserable destinies.