The Monk Who Never Left His Home

The monk Nigamavasi was criticized for living near his family and enjoying fine food. But the Buddha praised him for living simply, being content, and free of craving, and told a story of a former life as a parrot to teach the lesson of not rushing to judge others.

In a small village near the capital city of Savatthi, there lived a monk named Nigamavasi. He came from a wealthy family, but after ordaining, he did not travel far away. Instead, he remained near his home village, going on alms rounds there each day with his bowl. The villagers were all relatives and acquaintances, and seeing him on his alms rounds, they held him dear and filled his bowl with offerings.

This displeased many other monks in the Sangha. They whispered among themselves: "Nigamavasi has ordained, yet he still clings to his family. He refuses to go far away, lingering here to enjoy fine food. We should report this to the Buddha."

One day, those monks came to the monastery, knelt before the Buddha, and said: "Venerable Sir, the monk Nigamavasi, relying on his wealthy background, has not lived the life of one who keeps distant from his kin and embraces simplicity. Instead, he lingers near his home village to enjoy fine food. He does not accompany us into the city of Savatthi for alms as the rest of us do."

The Buddha listened, but did not rush to any conclusion. He summoned Nigamavasi and asked him before everyone: "I have heard that although you have ordained, you still cling to your relatives, refusing to go far away, remaining in your own town so that you may eat well. Is this true?"

Nigamavasi placed his palms together and replied: "Venerable Sir, I live simply and frugally, seeking nothing. I remain here because I feel no need to go anywhere else. When I take but a few steps, people have already filled my bowl with offerings. According to the rules, once the bowl is full, one must not ask for more. Should I insist on walking all the way into the capital to beg for more—and where would I put it? I do not need much. My life is very simple."

The Buddha smiled and praised him: "Nigamavasi is truly my disciple. Like me, he lives without many desires." Then he told everyone a story from a former life:

"Long ago, I was a parrot living on a great banyan tree. I lived simply, wanting nothing. One day, Sakka, lord of the gods, wished to test me, so he sent down a thunderbolt that broke the lush branch on which I perched. I gently flew to a bare branch nearby and remained there, steady and unshaken. One who lives with few desires, content and at ease, will readily attain the noble fruit."

The Buddha concluded: "This monk has walked the same path I walked. He does not have many desires, and he is worthy of great praise." Then he spoke this verse:

"Whoever cherishes diligence, And fears carelessness, That one draws near To the shore of joyful liberation."

Hearing this, the monks were ashamed, realizing they had rushed to condemn another based only on their own assumptions. They asked for repentance before the Buddha and before Nigamavasi. From then on, all gossip ceased.

This story teaches us a profound lesson: do not rush to condemn others according to your own thoughts. We often look only at appearances and assign people bad intentions, not knowing that their hearts may be entirely different. It is precisely these hasty accusations that bring so much unrest and turmoil into our lives.

The Meaning of the Story

Do not rush to condemn others based on your own assumptions. Look upon all people with a heart of compassion and understanding. One who lives contentedly, with few desires and in simplicity, will easily progress along the path of liberation.

Compiled from a dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang