The Story of Culasari

While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses (244) and (245) of this book, with reference to a bhikkhu named Culasari who practised medicine.

One day, Culasari came back after ministering to a patient. On his way he met Thera Sariputta and related to him how he went to treat a patient and had been given some delicious food for his services. He also begged Thera Sariputta to accept some of the food from him. Thera Sariputta did not say anything to him but continued on his way. Thera Sariputta refused to accept food from that bhikkhu because that bhikkhu had transgressed the law prohibiting bhikkhus from practising medicine. Other bhikkhus reported about this to the Buddha and he said to them, "Bhikkhus! A bhikkhu who is shameless is coarse in thought, word and deed. He is arrogant like a crow, he would find a living by unlawful means and live in comfort. On the other hand, life for a bhikkhu who has a sense of shame is not easy."

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Verse 244: Life is easy for one who is shameless and bold as a crow, who slanders others and is pretentious, aggressive and corrupt.

Verse 245: Life is hard for one with a sense of shame, who always seeks purity, who is free from attachment, who is modest and who sees clearly what is proper livelihood.

At the end of the discourse many people attained Sotapatti Fruition.