SA-2 2（二）

Thus have I heard:

Once, the Buddha was at Anāthapiṇḍada's Park in the Jeta Grove near Śrāvastī, teaching the Dharma surrounded by an innumerable great assembly. At that time, a bhikṣu with a haggard appearance and no majestic presence came to where the Buddha was, bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, joined his palms, and sat to one side facing the bhikṣus. At that time, all the bhikṣus had this thought: "Why is this bhikṣu's appearance so haggard and without majestic presence?" The World-Honored One, knowing what the bhikṣus were thinking, said to them, "Bhikṣus, did you see that bhikṣu pay homage to me?" The bhikṣus said to the Buddha, "World-Honored One, we saw him." The Buddha said, "Do not have a lowly view of him. Why? That bhikṣu has accomplished what was to be done, attained arahantship, cast off the heavy burden, ended all bonds of existence, and attained true liberation. You should not have a contemptuous view of him. If you know and see him as I do, then you may measure him. If you falsely measure him, it will be to your own detriment."

At that time, the World-Honored One spoke a verse, saying:

Although the peacock may adorn its body with colors, it is not as good as the wild goose that
can fly high. Although the external form may have beautiful appearance, it is not as good as the virtue
of cutting off the taints. Now this bhikṣu is like a good horse, able to tame its mind and
actions well, cutting off desires, extinguishing bonds, leaving birth and death, receiving the final body, and destroying the army of Māra.

The Buddha having spoken thus, the bhikṣus and others, having heard the Buddha's teaching, rejoiced and upheld it.