Aṇguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka-Nipāta
X. Kakudha Vaggo
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fives
Chapter X: Kakudha
Sutta 99
Sīha Suttaṃ
Lion
Translated by E. M. Hare
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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Once the Exalted One dwelt near Sāvatthī;
and there he addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
'Yes, lord,' they replied;
and the Exalted One said:
"Monks, at eventide the lion,
king of beasts,
leaves his lair;
he stretches himself;
he looks around on the four quarters;
three times he roars his lion-roar;
then he goes forth to hunt.[1]
[95] Monks, if he strike a blow at an elephant,
he strikes verily with care,
not without care;
if he strike a blow at a buffalo,
he strikes verily with care,
not without care;
if he strike a blow at an ox,
he strikes verily with care,
not without care;
if he strike a blow at a leopard,
he strikes verily with care,
not without care;
if he strike a blow at any small creature,
be it bat
a hare
or cat,
he strikes with care,
not without care.
And why?
He thinks:
Let not my skill[2] fail me!
§
A[3] lion, monks,
that is a name for the Tathāgata,
arahant,
fully enlightened.
Verily, monks,
when the Tathāgata teaches Dhamma in assembly,
that is his lion-roar;
and if the Tathāgata teach Dhamma to the monks,
he teaches with care,
not without care;
if the Tathāgata teach Dhamma to the nuns,
he teaches with care,
not without care;
if the Tathāgata teach Dhamma to laymen, disciples,
he teaches with care,
not without care;
if the Tathāgata teach Dhamma to lay-women, disciples,
he teaches with care,
not without care;
if the Tathāgata teach Dhamma to the many folk,
be they but followers who go about with grain,[4]
he teaches with care,
not without care.
And why?
Filled with respect for Dhamma
is the Tathāgata, monks,
filled with reverence for Dhamma.'
[1] Cf. A. ii, 33; v, 32; S. iii, 84.
[2] Yogga-patha.
[3] Cf. Sn. 546, 572; It. 123; S. i, 28.
[4] Annabhāranesādānaṃ.
