AN 3.82 - Gadrabha Sutta (A Donkey)
Translated by Bhikkhu Candana
Source: https://www.mindreleased.com/s/Book-3_Anguttara-Nikya-A-New-Translation.pdf#page=186
License: Candana — free distribution, unaltered contents
Copyright © Bhikkhu Candana, 2020, 2026. Free distribution only; do not alter the contents. The original book, including its complete permission notice, accompanies this text.
Candana source labels: 81b. Site text ID: AN 3.82.

81b. Gadrabha Sutta (A Donkey) Bhikkhus, while following a herd of cattle, a donkey cannot call on them by saying:

“Wait! I am one of you! I too am part of this herd!” And why is that?

It is because neither his appearance nor color is similar to those of cattle; also, his voice or calling is not like those of cattle, as well as his hoof prints are not like those of cattle. Yet, he follows after the cattle, while claiming:

“Wait! I am one of you! I too am part of this herd!”

It is the same, Bhikkhus, when a certain bhikkhu goes on following after the Noble Saṅgha of Bhikkhus, while claiming:

“I too am one of you! After all, I also am a Bhikkhu!”

Yet, the absence of fervent desire and determination in his heart for the Training, in order to fully develop in the Higher Virtues, gives him away as someone who is, in fact, totally unrelated to those who are genuine Bhikkhus, indeed!

Similarly, the absence of fervent desire and determination in his heart for the Training, in order to develop and gain the Higher Mind, gives him away as someone who is, in fact, totally unrelated to those who are genuine Bhikkhus, indeed!

Similarly, the absence of fervent desire and determination in his heart for the Training, in order to gain the Higher Wisdom, gives him away as someone who is, in fact, totally unrelated to those who are genuine Bhikkhus, indeed!

Yet, he still continues to walk behind The Noble Saṅgha of Bhikkhus, while thinking to himself:

“I too am one of you! After all, I also am a Bhikkhu!”

Therefore, Bhikkhus, you should train yourselves thus:

“Our desire and determination will be relentless as we keenly train ourselves in the Higher Virtues, as we keenly train in order to develop and fully experience the Higher Mind, and as we keenly train ourselves to gain the Higher Wisdom.”

Bhikkhus, it is in this manner that you must all train.