Date: 09/27/2025 09/28/2025
Location: Star Lake Meditation Center
Teacher: Shilin Long
Dharma Talk
The Parrot King and King Evil-Reception
Long ago, in the kingdom of Kāśi in India, there was a king named Evil-Reception. He did not follow the path of virtue, but instead abused and mistreated his people in every way, committing countless evil deeds. Even merchants who came from far-off lands with rare and precious goods had their treasures seized by him without any payment.
This matter became widely known as people spread the news from mouth to mouth, and his evil reputation spread far and wide. At that time, there was a Parrot King living in the forest. Hearing travelers speak of the king’s misdeeds, the Parrot King thought:
“Although I am a bird, even I know such actions are wrong. How much more should a ruler of a whole country understand this? Instead, he is mocked and cursed — is he not worse than beasts? I should go to see the king and persuade him to abandon evil and practice good.”
So the Parrot King spread his wings and flew swiftly to the royal garden, where the king and his queen happened to be strolling. The Parrot King cried out:
“The king is cruel and without virtue. All the people and the birds and beasts are filled with anger that cannot be calmed. You are the father and mother of the people — how can you act like this?”
When the queen heard this, anger blazed within her, and she ordered her attendants to capture the Parrot King.
When the parrot was caught, the queen handed it over to the king. The king asked the parrot: “Why did you scold me?”
The parrot replied: “I spoke of your wrongdoing because I wished to help you, not because I dared to insult you.”
The king asked: “What wrongdoing have I committed?”
The parrot replied: “Because there are seven things that will bring harm to a king.”
The king asked: “What are the seven?”
The parrot answered:
Being obsessed with women and refusing to heed loyal advice.
Loving to drink wine and neglecting state affairs.
Being addicted to playing chess and showing no respect for the virtuous.
Hunting and killing living beings without compassion.
Speaking harshly and never speaking kindly.
Excessively increasing taxes and fines, going against established norms.
Seizing the property of the people without cause.
“These seven things will bring harm to the king.
“In addition, there are three things that will ruin a nation:
Being close to flattering and wicked people.
Avoiding loyal ministers and capable generals.
Enjoying waging war on other countries without caring for the people.
“If these three are not removed, the country will sooner or later face the danger of collapse.”
The Parrot King continued:
“A king should be like a bridge, carrying the people across;
like a balance scale, treating the near and far with equal fairness;
like a great road, never straying from the footsteps of the sages;
like the sun, shining upon all under heaven;
like the moon, bringing coolness to all beings;
like parents, loving and compassionate;
like the sky, covering everything;
like the earth, nourishing all things;
like a bright flame, burning away the people’s evils;
like clear water, moistening the four directions;
like a Wheel-Turning Sage King, using the Ten Wholesome Paths to teach and transform all beings.
If this is so, then the people of the world will naturally submit and look upon you with reverence.”
When King Evil-Reception heard such sincere and heartfelt words, he felt deep shame and said:
“I am a human king, yet I have acted without the Way, harming the people and damaging the reputation of the nation. I am willing to sincerely repent of my past faults, follow the teachings of the Parrot King, and cultivate the right path.”
From then on, the good and wholesome customs of the land gradually flourished. The entire country, high and low, developed a genuine heart of respect and admiration, and all the people were joyful. The king thus cleansed himself of his former evil name.
