> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# SN 20:11 · The Jackal (1) (Sigāla Sutta)
- URL: https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/sn-20-11/
- Published: 2026-06-01T02:49:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-13T16:35:07.000Z
- Description: Saṁyutta Nikāya · SN 20:11. Translated by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.
- Author: Ninth Heaven Literature & Arts Association (NHLAA)
- Tags: Buddhism, Sutta Piṭaka, Text, Indian, The Buddha, Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu, Discourse, Pali, Early Buddhist, Library

Dwelling at Sāvatthī. “Monks, did you hear that jackal[1](https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN20%5F11.html?ref=journal.ninthheaven.co) howling in the last watch of the night?”

“Yes, lord.”

“That jackal is afflicted with a disease called mange. Yet he goes wherever he likes, stands wherever he likes, sits down wherever he likes, lies down wherever he likes, and even a cool breeze blows on him.

“It would be good, monks, if a certain person here claiming to be a follower of the Sakyan were to experience a personal existence of that sort.[2](https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN20%5F11.html?ref=journal.ninthheaven.co)

“Therefore, monks, you should train yourselves: ‘We will dwell heedfully.’ That’s how you should train yourselves.”

Notes

1\. Following the Thai and Sri Lankan editions. The Burmese edition reads “old jackal.”

2\. This is a reference to Devadatta, who wounded the Buddha and created a split in the Saṅgha, acts that would send him to hell. See [AN 5:129](https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/an-5-129/). See also *Noble Warrior,* chapter 13.

See also: [SN 17:8](https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/sn-17-8/); [AN 8:7–8](https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/an-8-7/)

---

*Translated by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu. © 2014 / rev. 2017 Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu — released under the [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/?ref=journal.ninthheaven.co) licence, for free distribution only. Source: [dhammatalks.org](https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN20%5F11.html?ref=journal.ninthheaven.co) (Metta Forest Monastery).*