This sutta demonstrates the ideal of good Bhikkhu and those who walk on the spiritual journey under the guidance of the Buddha.

“Suppose, bhikkhus, a donkey follows behind a group of cattle, thinking: “I too am a cow! I too am a cow!” But it doesn’t look like a cow, or sound like a cow, or leave a footprint like a cow. Still it follows behind a herd of cattle, thinking: “I too am a cow! I too am a cow!”

In the same way, some mendicant follows behind the bhikkhu Saṅgha, thinking: ‘I’m a monk too! I’m a monk too!’ But they don’t have the same enthusiasm for undertaking the training in the higher ethics, the higher mind, and the higher wisdom as the other bhikkhus. Still they follow behind the bhikkhu Saṇgha, thinking:

‘I’m a monk too! I’m a monk too!’

(Gadrabha Sutta, AN3.82) | Read full sutta