Sīlavahatthijātaka
“Ingratitude lacks more.”—This story was told by the Master while at the Bamboo-grove about Devadatta. The Brethren sat in the Hall of Truth, saying, “Sirs, Devadatta is an ingrate and does not recognise the virtues of the Blessed One.” Returning to the Hall, the Master asked what topic they were discussing, and was told. “This is not the first time, Brethren,” said he, “that Devadatta has proved an ingrate; he was just the same in bygone days also, and he has never known my virtues.” And so saying, at their request he told this story of the past.
Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato · Pāli: Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka · Public domain (CC0) via SuttaCentral
1.1PTS 1.322“Akataññussa posassa,An ungrateful person,11.2niccaṁ vivaradassino;always looking for opportunity,1.3Sabbañce pathaviṁ dajjā,even if given the whole earth,1.4neva naṁ abhirādhaye”ti.would still not be satisfied.
2.1Sīlavahatthijātakaṁ dutiyaṁ.
A magnificent white elephant rescues a lost man and returns him home on his back. But, falling prey to greed, the man asks for ivory from the elephant’s tusks. The noble creature freely offered his tusks to the ungrateful wretch.
