Educating Rahula

Rahula, the first sramanera to join the Sangha, was intelligent but liked to tell lies. After the Buddha found out, he ordered Rahula to bring him some water. The Buddha then washed his feet, pointed at the water, and asked, "Is the water in this basin fit for drinking?" Rahula responded, "This water is dirty and thus undrinkable." The Buddha said, "You are like this water. Originally pure, but because of your dishonesty, you have become just like dirty water." After Rahula emptied the basin, the Buddha asked, "Can this basin be used to hold food?" Rahula responded, "No, this basin is not clean and thus not fit to hold food." The Buddha said, "You are like this basin. Although you have become a monk, you do not purify your body, speech, and mind, so how can the Dharma enter your heart?" After this, Rahula abandoned his mischievous habits, strictly upheld the precepts, and practiced diligently.