The Serpents

Now at that time, a certain serpent was troubled about his birth as a serpent, he was ashamed of it, loathed it. Then it occurred to that serpent: Now, by what means could I be freed quickly from birth as a serpent and get back to the human realm?

Then it occurred to that serpent: These Ascetics, sons of the Sakyans, are Teachings-farers, even-farers, Brahmā-farers, they are truth-speakers, they are of moral habit, of good conduct. Now if I were to go forth among the Ascetics, sons of the Sakyans, so would I be freed quickly from birth as a serpent and could get back to the human realm?

Then that serpent, in the form of a Brahmān youth, having approached the Monks, asked for the going forth. The Monks let him go forth, they ordained him. Now at that time that serpent, together with a certain Monk, was living in a dwelling place on the edge of a town. Then that Monk, getting up in the night towards dawn, paced up and down in the open air.

Then that serpent, confident that the Monk had gone out, fell asleep. The whole dwelling-place was full of the snake, his coils were protruding through the windows.

Then that Monk, thinking: “I will enter the dwelling-place,” opening the door, saw the whole dwelling-place full of the snake, his coils protruding through the windows. Terrified at seeing this, he let out a cry of distress. Monks, having run up, spoke thus to that Monk: Why did you, Venerable Sir, let out a cry of distress?

Venerable Sirs, this whole dwelling-place is full of a snake, his coils are protruding through the windows. Then that serpent having awakened because of this noise, sat down on his own seat. Monks spoke thus: Who are you, friend?

‘I am a serpent, honored Sirs.’

But why did you, friend, act in this way?

Then that serpent told this matter to the Monks. The Monks told this matter to The Perfectly Enlightened One.

Then The Perfectly Enlightened One on this occasion, in this connection, having had The Community of Monks come together, spoke thus to this serpent:

Indeed, you serpents are not liable to growth in these Teachings and discipline. You, serpent, go away, observe the Observance Day precisely on the fourteenth, fifteenth and eighth day of the half‑month. Thus, you will be freed quickly from birth as a serpent and get back to the human realm.

Then that serpent, thinking: It is said that I am not liable to growth in these Teachings and discipline, pained, troubled, shedding tears, departed having let out a cry of distress.

Then The Perfectly Enlightened One addressed the Monks, saying:

Monks, there are these two cases of observation of a serpent’s true nature: when he indulges in sexual intercourse with a female of his own species, and when he falls asleep in confidence.

Monks, these are two cases of observation of a serpent’s true nature. Monks, if an animal is not ordained, it should not be ordained; if it is ordained, it should be expelled.

(Reference: The Book of the Discipline (Vinaya-Pitaka), Vol. 4: Mahavagga by I.B. Horner)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares that animals should not be ordained.

It is only in the human and heavenly realms that one can attain Enlightenment. Ordaining is to give up the household life, living through the generosity of Household Practitioners. By living through the generosity of Household Practitioners, an Ordained Practitioner should dedicate their time, effort, energy, and resources to learning, reflecting, and practicing The Teachings that lead to Enlightenment to develop their wisdom.

Once the Ordained Practitioner is well established in The Teachings, they should then offer The Teachings back to the Household Practitioners through sharing The Teachings with those who choose to learn and practice these Teachings. In this way, there is an exchange that is mutually beneficial for the Household Practitioners and Ordained Practitioners.

An animal is unable to develop the mind on The Path to Enlightenment and offer these Teachings back to the Household Practitioners. It would be inappropriate to ordain an animal as they would be unable to fulfill the responsibleness of the ordained lifestyle.