法苑珠林 92.14

92.14

Furthermore, the Ekottarika-āgama states: The World-Honored One told the bhikṣus: 'There are people who resemble lions, and there are people who resemble sheep. How do some resemble lions? Some people, having obtained offerings of robes, food, and the like, consume them without generating minds of defiled attachment. If they do not obtain gain and offerings, they do not produce agitated thoughts; they have no mind of increase or decrease. It is just like the lion king who devours small animals without producing thoughts of liking or disliking or defiled attachment. How do some resemble sheep? It is just as when someone receives offerings from people and then consumes them, generating defiled attachment; ignorant of the evil destinies, he is conceited. It is just like a flock of sheep, where one sheep leaves the flock, goes to a large dung heap, gorges on feces, and then returns to the flock, boasting conceitedly: "I have obtained fine food, which the other sheep have not obtained." Therefore, bhikṣus, you should emulate the lion king, and not be like the dung-eating sheep.'