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“[…] To him his parents said: ‘Son, a man is free to enter the order, but it causes misery to a Sramana [ascetic] that he may not remedy any ailings.’ He answered: ‘O father and mother, it is even thus as you have plainly told; but who takes care of the creatures and birds in the woods? As a wild animal by itself roams about in the woods, thus I shall practice the Law by controlling myself and doing penance. When in a large forest a wild animal falls very sick at the foot of a tree, who is there to cure it? Or who will give it medicine? or who will inquire after its health? or who will get food and drink for it, and feed it? When it is in perfect health, it will roam about in woods and on (the shores of) lakes in search of food and drink. When it has eaten and drunk in woods and lakes, it will walk about and go to rest according to the habits of wild animals. In the same way a pious monk goes to many places and walks about just as the animals, but afterwards he goes to the upper regions. As a wild animal goes by itself to many places, lives in many places, and always gets its food; thus a monk on his begging-tour should not despise nor blame (the food he gets). I shall imitate this life of animals.’ ‘Well, my son, as you please.’ With his parents’ permission he gave up all his property. ‘I shall imitate this life of animals, which makes one free from all misery, if you will permit me.’ ‘Go, my son, as you please.’ When he had thus made his parents repeat their permission, he gave up forever his claims in any property, just as the snake casts off its slough. His power and wealth, his friends, wives, sons, and relations he gave up as if he shook off the dust from his feet, and then he went forth. He observed the five great vows, practiced the five Samitis [Rules of Conduct], and was protected by the three Guptis [Rules of Avoidance of Misconduct]; he exerted himself to do mental as well as bodily penance. He was without property, without egoism, without attachment, without conceit, impartial towards all beings, whether they move or not. He was indifferent to success or failure (in begging), to happiness and misery, to life and death, to blame and praise, to honor and insult. […]”
