Lion,â monks, is a synonym for the Tathṅgata, worthy & rightly self-awakened. When the Tathṅgata teaches the Dhamma to his assembly, that is his lionâs roar. When the Tathṅgata teaches the Dhamma to monks, he teaches the Dhamma attentively, not inattentively. When the Tathṅgata teaches the Dhamma to nuns⦠to male lay followers⦠to female lay followers, he teaches the Dhamma attentively, not inattentively. When the Tathṅgata teaches the Dhamma to run-of-the-mill people—even to beggars & hunters of fowl—he teaches the Dhamma attentively, not inattentively. Why is that? The Tathṅgata is one who respects the Dhamma, reveres the Dhamma." See also: MN 122; SN 6:2; AN 4:33; AN 7:56 - --> - - - -