The Buddha describes rebirth as a jackal with mange as fortunate for a certain person who claims to be the Buddha's follower. The Buddha then encourages the bhikkhus to train themselves diligently.

Siṅgāla sutta - Jackal

At Sāvatthi.

“Bhikkhus, have you heard the jackal howling during the early hours of the night, at the break of dawn?”

“Yes, venerable sir.”

“Bhikkhus, that jackal is afflicted with a disease called |mange::a type of skin disease caused by parasitic mites [ukkaṇḍaka]|. Wherever it wishes to go, it goes; wherever it wishes to stand, it stands; wherever it wishes to sit, it sits; and wherever it wishes to lie down, it lies down. And a cool breeze even blows upon him. It would be |fortunate::good [sādhu]|, bhikkhus, for a certain person here claiming to be a follower of the |Sakyan son::an epithet of the Buddha as he went forth from the Sakyan clan [sakyaputtiyapaṭiñña]| if he were to experience even |such a form of personal existence::acquisition of individual identity [attabhāvapaṭilābha]|.

Therefore, bhikkhus, you should train yourselves thus: ‘We will dwell |diligently::doing one’s work or duty well, with alertness, carefulness and care [appamatta]|.’ Thus, bhikkhus, you should train yourselves.”

Last updated on March 27, 2025

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