Even Oxen Respond Well to Polite, Kindly Speech

~ By Ajahn Jayasāro ~

The Monastic Discipline states that a monk who speaks abusive words commits an offence entailing confession. When announcing the rule the Buddha told a charming story:

A long time ago, a certain poor brahmin owned a marvellous talking ox called Nandavisāla. One day the ox suggested that the brahmin bet a thousand coins with a local merchant that he could pull one hundred carts tied together. The brahmin took the advice and the great test of strength took place before a large crowd. The brahmin got very excited. He shouted out, ‘Go, you rascal! Pull, you rascal!’ To his horror, Nandavisāla stood completely still. Everyone laughed at the brahmin. Afterwards, the ox asked the brahmin why he looked so sad. The brahmin replied, ‘What do you think? Now I owe the merchant a thousand coins. Why did you do that to me?’ Nandavisāla said, ‘Well why did you call me a rascal when it’s not true? Anyway, it doesn’t matter. Go back to the merchant and bet him two thousand coins that I can pull the one hundred carts. But please, don’t call me any more names.’ The merchant accepted the bet and the crowd returned. After tying all the carts together and yoking Nandavisāla, the brahmin shouted, ‘Go, good ox! Pull, good ox!’ Then, to the loud cheers of the crowd, Nandavisāla pulled the carts away.

Even oxen respond well to polite, kindly speech was the lesson. How much more so, we human beings.

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"Food for the Heart", a series of Dhamma teachings handwritten weekly is posted on the Buddhadāsa Indapañño Archives page with Ajahn's kind permission.

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For other teachings by Ven. Ajahn Jayasāro, please visit the Panyaprateep Foundation website.