The Venerable Gavampati’s name means “cow cud” or “cow king” because when he was finished eating he continued to smack his lips like a cow chewing its cud. When cows are done eating, they go to sleep, but they continue to munch on their cud.
Because of this habit, Shakyamuni Buddha was afraid that people would ridicule him and consequently fall; so he sent Gavampati to the heavens to receive offerings from the gods.
Why did he have this habit? It was retribution for having created evil karma with his mouth by one sentence of slander. Long ago, in limitless ages past, he met an elderly Pratyekabuddha who had lost his teeth and chewed his food very slowly. “Old Master,” said Gavampati, “You sound just like a cow chewing its cud!”
The Pratyekabuddha said, “The retribution you will incur for having slandered me will be extremely grave. Hurry and repent!”
Gavampati, who was a Shramanera at the time, ridiculed the Master saying, “Repent of what? Why should I beg your forgiveness?” As a result of his slander, for five hundred lifetimes, he was reborn as a cow. When he finally became a person, his cow-like habits remained, and when he was done eating, he still worked his jaws like a cow. Such was the retribution for slandering a Pratyekabuddha. From this we should take special care in every movement and word not to casually slander or berate others. Watch yourself.