Dhamma Principles › The Great Lion's Roar: Roaring in Assemblies, Ordaining in Earnest
The Great Lion's Roar: Roaring in Assemblies, Ordaining in Earnest
Practice

The Great Lion's Roar: Roaring in Assemblies, Ordaining in Earnest

Sīhanādañca samaṇo gotamo nadati

At the end of the Great Lion's Roar, the Buddha says nothing surpasses accomplishment in virtue, mind and wisdom, affirms that his teaching is proclaimed in assemblies where it can be questioned and tested, and the naked ascetic Kassapa asks to ordain, offering to undergo probation for four years.

8 points

In the Mahāsīhanāda Sutta, also called the Kassapasīhanāda Sutta, of the Dīgha Nikāya, the naked ascetic Kassapa asks the Buddha about austerities. Earlier in the discourse the Buddha shows that external observances don't make someone an ascetic if virtue, mind and wisdom are undeveloped. This page covers the end of the discourse.

After describing accomplishment in virtue, mind and wisdom up to the ending of the defilements, he says there is no accomplishment higher or finer than these. He notes that some ascetics and brahmins praise virtue, some austerity, some wisdom and some freedom, but in the highest virtue, austerity, wisdom and freedom he sees no one his equal.

He then tells Kassapa that if anyone says the ascetic Gotama roars his lion's roar only in empty huts, Kassapa should say that's not so: he roars in assemblies, confidently; people ask him questions, he answers, listeners gain confidence and practise accordingly.

Kassapa asks to go forth. The Buddha says one formerly of another sect must undergo probation for four months. Kassapa says he will undergo probation for four years. He then receives ordination, lives alone and diligent, and becomes one of the arahants.

  1. 1

    Nothing beyond accomplished virtue, mind and wisdom Uttaritarā vā paṇītatarā vā natthi

    Having described accomplishment in virtue, mind and wisdom up to the knowledge of the ending of defilements, he says there is no other accomplishment higher or finer than these.

    Applying it in daily life

    When choosing where to invest time in self-improvement, ask whether it makes your conduct better, your mind steadier, or your view of life clearer.

  2. 2

    The highest virtue Yadidaṃ adhisīlaṃ

    Some ascetics and brahmins praise virtue in many ways. The Buddha says that in the highest noble virtue he sees no one his equal: this is higher virtue (adhisīla).

    Applying it in daily life

    Good virtue isn't measured by how well you praise it, but by keeping it on days when no one is watching.

  3. 3

    Austerity that scours away defilement Yadidaṃ adhijegucchaṃ

    Some praise austere scrupulousness; here too he has no equal. The Royal Thai edition renders the answer as higher mind (adhicitta), while the Pāli Siam edition reads adhijegucchaṃ, a higher scrupulous shunning of evil — which the earlier part of the discourse has shown is not self-mortification.

    Applying it in daily life

    Strictness worth having is strictness with your own defilements, such as anger or stinginess — not punishing the body or overworking until you fall ill.

  4. 4

    The highest wisdom and freedom Yadidaṃ adhipaññaṃ

    Some praise wisdom, some freedom. He says that in the highest wisdom and the highest freedom he sees no one his equal: higher wisdom and higher freedom.

    Applying it in daily life

    The goal of studying Dhamma isn't knowing a lot but a mind that is actually freer in daily life. Measure progress by what you can let go of.

  5. 5

    Roaring in assemblies, not in empty huts Parisāsu ca nadati

    He tells Kassapa that if anyone says the ascetic Gotama roars his lion's roar in empty huts and not in assemblies, or roars but not confidently, Kassapa should say that's not so: he roars in assemblies and roars confidently.

    Applying it in daily life

    If you're confident in what you say, say it where people can question you. Views voiced only in closed groups where no one objects deserve more checking.

  6. 6

    Asking, answering, listening, trusting, practising Tathattāya paṭipajjanti

    He sets out the sequence: gods and humans ask him questions, he answers, satisfying their minds; they think it worth listening, gain confidence, show their confidence, practise accordingly, and having practised are satisfied. He gives the example of the wanderer Nigrodha, who asked about austerity and was delighted with the answer.

    Applying it in daily life

    Good confidence doesn't stop at enjoying the talks. Check what the things you admire in the Dhamma have actually become in your actions.

  7. 7

    Four months' probation, and individual differences Puggalavemattatā viditā

    When Kassapa asks to ordain, the Buddha says one formerly of another sect undergoes four months' probation, after which the monks, if satisfied, ordain him — but adds that he knows the differences between individuals in this. This is a rule of monastic ordination.

    Applying it in daily life

    When bringing someone new into a team or group, a clear trial period is good for everyone, but look at each person individually rather than always applying one rule to all.

  8. 8

    Offering four years, then practising to the end Eko vūpakaṭṭho appamatto ātāpī pahitatto

    Kassapa says that if probation is four months, he will undergo four years. The sutta relates that he received the going forth and ordination, then lived alone, withdrawn, diligent, ardent and resolute, and before long realised the goal of the holy life, becoming one of the arahants.

    Applying it in daily life

    When starting something that matters in your life, such as breaking a bad habit or taking up meditation, be willing to give it more time than you'd like, and keep at it steadily.

Try it in daily life

What this teaching affirms is not mystery or special powers but openness to scrutiny. A good teacher speaks in the open, lets people question, can answer, and the fruit of practice shows in those who practise.

Kassapa's story is about sincerity. Hearing the four-month condition, he doesn't bargain it down but offers more himself, and once ordained he practises all the way to the goal.

Probation is a rule of the monastic discipline for ordaining as a monk, not a condition for lay people. What lay people can take from it is the attitude towards what they commit to: giving time to prove their own resolve.

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