The Lion’s Roar of Shariputra

After three months of the Rains Retreat, Jetavana Monastery remained crowded with visitors. The afternoon sun filtered through the bodhi tree leaves, casting light upon the deep yellow robes of the gathered monks. Although the atmosphere was quiet, everyone felt the warmth of a completed summer season. Yet within the mind/heart of Venerable Shariputra, the leader of the Sangha, a private concern arose.

He looked around and saw that local lay followers had worked tirelessly for three months to make offerings to hundreds of monks. His heart grew heavy. He thought, “I must distribute some people to other places so that our supporters do not suffer undue hardship.” Thus, after paying homage to the Buddha, he walked gently into the crowd. He smiled and greeted each monk, from the elders to the novices. Some pressed their palms together, others bowed their heads, and he responded to all with gentle eyes. The crowd jostled forward, eager to show their reverence.

At that moment, as he turned to leave, the bag containing his robe accidentally brushed against the face of one monk. It was merely a light touch, like a bird skimming across a lake. But that monk froze, his expression changing instantly. He muttered angrily, “You greeted everyone else but ignored me, and then you deliberately struck my face with your robe! Do you look down on others because you are the leader of the Sangha?”

Soon, these complaints spread. That monk went to the Buddha and spoke with great grievance: “World-Honored One, Venerable Shariputra is arrogant and does not respect us. He greeted everyone except me and even jabbed his elbow into my face!” The Buddha listened, looking at the monk with compassionate eyes, and said slowly, “Do you misunderstand? Shariputra is a person of virtue and wisdom; why would he act this way?” But the monk persisted, adding further accusations: “World-Honored One, when he goes for alms, if he receives much, they say he seduces followers; if he receives little, they say he neglects the sick. Whatever he does is criticized!”

Seeing that the matter needed clarification, the Buddha said, “Very well, I will summon Shariputra.” While waiting, the accusing monk moved among the assembly, whispering to some and slandering others to others. Many monks simply smiled, knowing Shariputra’s true character. However, some newer practitioners began to waver. They thought, “This sounds reasonable and detailed. Perhaps he did make a mistake?” This wavering not only shook faith in a noble sage but also affected faith in the Buddha himself. If the one appointed by the Buddha to lead the Sangha were truly flawed, could the Buddha’s teachings still be trusted?

News spread quickly like fire meeting wind. Venerables Mahakashyapa, Katyayana, and Ananda hurried out, following the Buddha’s order to find Shariputra. When they met him on the road, they explained the situation. Shariputra listened silently, then returned with them. Upon arriving at the monastery, he paid homage to the Buddha. The Buddha summoned all the monks. In the solemn atmosphere, the Buddha asked:

“Shariputra, an elder here is displeased with you, believing you looked down on him, violated his body, and failed in your duties as a leader. Today, the Tathagata wishes to hear your perspective.”

Shariputra offered no defense. He pressed his palms together, lowered his gaze, and spoke in a warm voice that carried throughout the assembly:

“World-Honored One, please allow me to express the contemplation of the body that I practice and uphold. I offer this reflection as a spiritual gift to my brothers as we travel different paths of cultivation and teaching. World-Honored One, I always view myself as the earth. The earth remains peaceful and joyful when stepped upon. So too, I wish to remain peaceful and joyful when looked down upon or trampled. The earth generously accepts trash and filth thrown away by people. So too, I wish to generously accept negative thoughts and harsh insults. The earth endures plowing to grow sweet fruits and fragrant rice fields. So too, I wish to endure hurt to walk steadily, bringing joy and happiness to the world. The earth supports the lives of all beings. So too, I wish to respect and assist anyone who needs me.”

He paused, his breath steady, then continued in a deeper tone:

“World-Honored One, I see myself as a Chandala, performing the lowest tasks in life, such as carrying garbage or manure, happily accepting orders. I wish to happily perform the humblest tasks to bring joy to others. I see myself as a cleaning cloth, wiping away the dirt of the world and taking that dirt upon myself. I wish to take on all ugliness and impurity so that the world may be clean, fresh, and cool. I see myself as water, washing the world clean while flowing into the drains. I wish to serve the world, letting myself drift into oblivion. I see myself as firewood, lighting up brightness and cooking food to help the world, before returning to dust. I see myself as wind, cooling hearts on hot summer days and bringing refreshing rains, before dissolving into the void. World-Honored One, I see this body as impermanence (anicca), destined to become roadside dust any day. Each day of living demands eating, breathing, and various difficult provisions. With such thoughts, my mind holds no contempt or ill will toward anyone. Toward any sentient being, my heart is filled only with overflowing love, wishing for all beings to cherish one another and follow the Noble Eightfold Path toward liberation.”

These words rang out like a lion’s roar in the deep forest. The entire assembly fell silent. Many monks burst into tears. The ground trembled slightly, like a minor earthquake, spreading through the monastery. The monk who had slandered Shariputra could no longer stand. He collapsed to his knees, tears streaming down his face, trembling as he spoke:

“Venerable Sir, I repent. I thought badly of you and slandered you. Please forgive my offense!”

The Buddha looked at Shariputra and said, “Shariputra, you must forgive this monk. Otherwise, he will suffer terrible karmic retribution, and his head may shatter into seven pieces immediately.”

Shariputra pressed his palms together, bowed his head before the kneeling monk, and then addressed the Buddha:

“World-Honored One, I am willing to forgive this venerable brother. And I also ask him to forgive me, for having caused him distress.”

The entire assembly, except for those who were Arhats, wept with admiration for his ultimate humility. He had done nothing wrong intentionally, yet he accepted blame to apologize to the one who had slandered him. In that settled atmosphere, the Buddha quietly recited four verses:

“Like the earth without resentment, Like a stone pillar standing firm, Like a clear and pure lake, Like a sage soaring high.”

From then on, the lion’s roar of Shariputra echoed forever in the hearts of the monks. The slanderer was forgiven, but the lesson of humility and compassion remained. No one dared to lightly speak ill or slander others again, for they clearly saw: even a sage can be misunderstood, but only tolerance can resolve everything.

The Meaning of the Story

This story teaches us lessons about humility and boundless compassion. When slandered, Shariputra harbored no resentment nor made excuses. Instead, he viewed himself as earth, water, and wind, ready to accept all harm to bring peace to the world. Simultaneously, the story warns against the sin of speaking ill or slandering others, especially those of virtue and wisdom. We should always maintain mindfulness (chánh niệm), not hastily believe rumors, and live humbly like the earth so that our minds may attain purity and liberation.

Compiled from a dharma talk by Most Venerable Thich Chan Quang