{"id":"mn98","title":"With Vāseṭṭha","languageCodes":["en","pi"],"languageNotes":{"en":"Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0","pi":"Mahāsaṅgīti edition · SuttaCentral"},"chapters":[{"id":"mn98","title":"With Vāseṭṭha","units":[{"id":"mn98:0","sourceIds":["mn98:0.1","mn98:0.2"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Majjhima Nikāya 98\nVāseṭṭhasutta","en":"Middle Discourses 98\nWith Vāseṭṭha"}},{"id":"mn98:1","sourceIds":["mn98:1.1","mn98:1.2"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Evaṁ me sutaṁ—\nekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā icchānaṅgale viharati icchānaṅgalavanasaṇḍe.","en":"So I have heard.\nAt one time the Buddha was staying in a forest near Icchānaṅgala."}},{"id":"mn98:2","sourceIds":["mn98:2.1","mn98:2.2"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Tena kho pana samayena sambahulā abhiññātā abhiññātā brāhmaṇamahāsālā icchānaṅgale paṭivasanti, seyyathidaṁ—\ncaṅkī brāhmaṇo, tārukkho brāhmaṇo, pokkharasāti brāhmaṇo, jāṇussoṇi brāhmaṇo, todeyyo brāhmaṇo, aññe ca abhiññātā abhiññātā brāhmaṇamahāsālā.","en":"Now at that time several very well-known well-to-do brahmins were residing in Icchānaṅgala. They included\nthe brahmins Caṅkī, Tārukkha, Pokkharasāti, Jānussoṇi, Todeyya, and others."}},{"id":"mn98:3","sourceIds":["mn98:3.1","mn98:3.2","mn98:3.3","mn98:3.4","mn98:3.5","mn98:3.6","mn98:3.7","mn98:3.8"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Atha kho vāseṭṭhabhāradvājānaṁ māṇavānaṁ jaṅghāvihāraṁ anucaṅkamantānaṁ anuvicarantānaṁ ayamantarākathā udapādi:\n“kathaṁ, bho, brāhmaṇo hotī”ti?\nBhāradvājo māṇavo evamāha:\n“yato kho, bho, ubhato sujāto mātito ca pitito ca saṁsuddhagahaṇiko yāva sattamā pitāmahayugā akkhitto anupakkuṭṭho jātivādena—\nettāvatā kho, bho, brāhmaṇo hotī”ti.\nVāseṭṭho māṇavo evamāha:\n“yato kho, bho, sīlavā ca hoti vattasampanno ca—\nettāvatā kho, bho, brāhmaṇo hotī”ti.","en":"Then as the students Vāseṭṭha and Bhāradvāja were going for a walk they began to discuss the question:\n“How do you become a brahmin?”\nBhāradvāja said this:\n“When you’re well born on both your mother’s and father’s side, stemming from a clean vessel, with irrefutable and impeccable genealogy back to the seventh paternal generation—\nthen you’re a brahmin.”\nVāseṭṭha said this:\n“When you’re ethical and accomplished in doing your duties—\nthen you’re a brahmin.”"}},{"id":"mn98:4","sourceIds":["mn98:4.1"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Neva kho asakkhi bhāradvājo māṇavo vāseṭṭhaṁ māṇavaṁ saññāpetuṁ, na pana asakkhi vāseṭṭho māṇavo bhāradvājaṁ māṇavaṁ saññāpetuṁ.","en":"But neither was able to persuade the other."}},{"id":"mn98:5","sourceIds":["mn98:5.1","mn98:5.2","mn98:5.3","mn98:5.4","mn98:5.5","mn98:5.6","mn98:5.7"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Atha kho vāseṭṭho māṇavo bhāradvājaṁ māṇavaṁ āmantesi:\n“ayaṁ kho, bho bhāradvāja, samaṇo gotamo sakyaputto sakyakulā pabbajito icchānaṅgale viharati icchānaṅgalavanasaṇḍe.\nTaṁ kho pana bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato:\n‘itipi so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho vijjācaraṇasampanno sugato lokavidū anuttaro purisadammasārathi satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā’ti.\nĀyāma, bho bhāradvāja, yena samaṇo gotamo tenupasaṅkamissāma; upasaṅkamitvā samaṇaṁ gotamaṁ etamatthaṁ pucchissāma.\nYathā no samaṇo gotamo byākarissati tathā naṁ dhāressāmā”ti.\n“Evaṁ, bho”ti kho bhāradvājo māṇavo vāseṭṭhassa māṇavassa paccassosi.","en":"So Vāseṭṭha said to Bhāradvāja,\n“Worthy Bhāradvāja, the ascetic Gotama—a Sakyan, gone forth from a Sakyan family—is staying in a forest near Icchānaṅgala.\nHe has this good reputation:\n‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’\nCome, let’s go to see him and ask him about this matter.\nAs he answers, so we’ll remember it.”\n“Yes, worthy sir,” replied Bhāradvāja."}},{"id":"mn98:6","sourceIds":["mn98:6.1","mn98:6.2","mn98:6.3"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Atha kho vāseṭṭhabhāradvājā māṇavā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodiṁsu.\nSammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu.\nEkamantaṁ nisinno kho vāseṭṭho māṇavo bhagavantaṁ gāthāhi ajjhabhāsi:","en":"So they went to the Buddha and exchanged greetings with him.\nWhen the greetings and polite conversation were over, they sat down to one side,\nand Vāseṭṭha addressed the Buddha in verse:"}},{"id":"mn98:7","sourceIds":["mn98:7.1","mn98:7.2","mn98:7.3","mn98:7.4","mn98:7.5","mn98:7.6","mn98:7.7","mn98:7.8","mn98:7.9","mn98:7.10","mn98:7.11","mn98:7.12","mn98:7.13","mn98:7.14","mn98:7.15","mn98:7.16","mn98:7.17","mn98:7.18","mn98:7.19","mn98:7.20","mn98:7.21","mn98:7.22","mn98:7.23","mn98:7.24","mn98:7.25","mn98:7.26","mn98:7.27","mn98:7.28"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"“Anuññātapaṭiññātā,\ntevijjā mayamasmubho;\nAhaṁ pokkharasātissa,\ntārukkhassāyaṁ māṇavo.\nTevijjānaṁ yadakkhātaṁ,\ntatra kevalinosmase;\nPadakasmā veyyākaraṇā,\njappe ācariyasādisā;\nTesaṁ no jātivādasmiṁ,\nvivādo atthi gotama.\nJātiyā brāhmaṇo hoti,\nbhāradvājo iti bhāsati;\nAhañca kammunā brūmi,\nevaṁ jānāhi cakkhuma.\nTe na sakkoma ñāpetuṁ,\naññamaññaṁ mayaṁ ubho;\nBhavantaṁ puṭṭhumāgamā,\nsambuddhaṁ iti vissutaṁ.\nCandaṁ yathā khayātītaṁ,\npecca pañjalikā janā;\nVandamānā namassanti,\nlokasmiṁ gotamaṁ.\nCakkhuṁ loke samuppannaṁ,\nmayaṁ pucchāma gotamaṁ;\nJātiyā brāhmaṇo hoti,\nudāhu bhavati kammunā;\nAjānataṁ no pabrūhi,\nyathā jānemu brāhmaṇan”ti.","en":"“We’re both authorized masters\nof the three Vedas.\nI’m a student of Pokkharasāti,\nand he of Tārukkha.\nWe’re fully qualified\nin all the Vedic experts teach.\nAs philologists and grammarians,\nwe match our tutors in recitation.\nWe have a dispute\nregarding genealogy.\nFor Bhāradvāja says that\none is a brahmin due to birth,\nbut I declare it’s because of one’s deeds.\nOh Clear-eyed One, know this as our debate.\nSince neither of us was able\nto convince the other,\nwe’ve come to ask you, sir,\nrenowned as the awakened one.\nAs people honor with cupped palms\nthe moon on the cusp of waxing,\nbowing, they revere\nGotama in the world.\nWe ask this of Gotama,\nthe Eye arisen in the world:\nis one a brahmin due to birth,\nor else because of deeds?\nWe don’t know, please tell us,\nso we can recognize a brahmin.”"}},{"id":"mn98:8","sourceIds":["mn98:8.1","mn98:8.2","mn98:8.3","mn98:8.4","mn98:8.5","mn98:8.6","mn98:8.7","mn98:8.8","mn98:8.9","mn98:8.10","mn98:8.11","mn98:8.12","mn98:8.13","mn98:8.14","mn98:8.15","mn98:8.16","mn98:8.17","mn98:8.18","mn98:8.19","mn98:8.20","mn98:8.21","mn98:8.22","mn98:8.23","mn98:8.24","mn98:8.25","mn98:8.26","mn98:8.27","mn98:8.28","mn98:8.29"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"“Tesaṁ vo ahaṁ byakkhissaṁ,\n(vāseṭṭhāti bhagavā)\nAnupubbaṁ yathātathaṁ;\nJātivibhaṅgaṁ pāṇānaṁ,\nAññamaññāhi jātiyo.\nTiṇarukkhepi jānātha,\nna cāpi paṭijānare;\nLiṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ tesaṁ,\naññamaññā hi jātiyo.\nTato kīṭe paṭaṅge ca,\nyāva kunthakipillike;\nLiṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ tesaṁ,\naññamaññā hi jātiyo.\nCatuppadepi jānātha,\nkhuddake ca mahallake;\nLiṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ tesaṁ,\naññamaññā hi jātiyo.\nPādudarepi jānātha,\nurage dīghapiṭṭhike;\nLiṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ tesaṁ,\naññamaññā hi jātiyo.\nTato macchepi jānātha,\nudake vārigocare;\nLiṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ tesaṁ,\naññamaññā hi jātiyo.\nTato pakkhīpi jānātha,\npattayāne vihaṅgame;\nLiṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ tesaṁ,\naññamaññā hi jātiyo.","en":"“I shall explain to you,”\nsaid the Buddha,\n“accurately and in sequence,\nthe taxonomy of living creatures,\nfor species are indeed diverse.\nKnow the grass and trees,\nthough they lack self-awareness.\nThey’re defined by birth,\nfor species are indeed diverse.\nNext there are bugs that crawl or fly,\nand so on, to ants and termites.\nThey’re defined by birth,\nfor species are indeed diverse.\nKnow the quadrupeds, too,\nboth small and large.\nThey’re defined by birth,\nfor species are indeed diverse.\nKnow, too, the long-backed snakes,\ncrawling on their bellies.\nThey’re defined by birth,\nfor species are indeed diverse.\nNext know the fish,\nwhose habitat is the water.\nThey’re defined by birth,\nfor species are indeed diverse.\nNext know the birds,\nwinged chariots in flight.\nThey’re defined by birth,\nfor species are indeed diverse."}},{"id":"mn98:9","sourceIds":["mn98:9.1","mn98:9.2","mn98:9.3","mn98:9.4","mn98:9.5","mn98:9.6","mn98:9.7","mn98:9.8","mn98:9.9","mn98:9.10","mn98:9.11","mn98:9.12","mn98:9.13","mn98:9.14","mn98:9.15","mn98:9.16","mn98:9.17","mn98:9.18","mn98:9.19","mn98:9.20","mn98:9.21","mn98:9.22"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Yathā etāsu jātīsu,\nliṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ puthu;\nEvaṁ natthi manussesu,\nliṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ puthu.\nNa kesehi na sīsehi,\nna kaṇṇehi na akkhīhi;\nNa mukhena na nāsāya,\nna oṭṭhehi bhamūhi vā.\nNa gīvāya na aṁsehi,\nna udarena na piṭṭhiyā;\nNa soṇiyā na urasā,\nna sambādhe na methune.\nNa hatthehi na pādehi,\nnaṅgulīhi nakhehi vā;\nNa jaṅghāhi na ūrūhi,\nna vaṇṇena sarena vā;\nLiṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ neva,\nyathā aññāsu jātisu.\nPaccattañca sarīresu,\nmanussesvetaṁ na vijjati;\nVokārañca manussesu,\nsamaññāya pavuccati.","en":"While the differences between these species\nare defined by birth,\nthe differences between humans\nare not defined by birth.\nNot by hair nor by head,\nnot by ear nor by eye,\nnot by mouth nor by nose,\nnot by lips nor by eyebrow,\nnot by shoulder nor by neck,\nnot by belly nor by back,\nnot by buttocks nor by breast,\nnot by groin nor by genitals,\nnot by hands nor by feet,\nnot by fingers nor by nails,\nnot by knees nor by thighs,\nnot by color nor by voice:\nnone of these are defined by birth\nas it is for other species.\nIn specific human bodies\nyou can’t find such distinctions.\nThe distinctions among humans\nare spoken of by convention."}},{"id":"mn98:10","sourceIds":["mn98:10.1","mn98:10.2","mn98:10.3","mn98:10.4","mn98:10.5","mn98:10.6","mn98:10.7","mn98:10.8","mn98:10.9","mn98:10.10","mn98:10.11","mn98:10.12","mn98:10.13","mn98:10.14","mn98:10.15","mn98:10.16","mn98:10.17","mn98:10.18","mn98:10.19","mn98:10.20","mn98:10.21","mn98:10.22","mn98:10.23","mn98:10.24","mn98:10.25","mn98:10.26","mn98:10.27","mn98:10.28","mn98:10.29","mn98:10.30","mn98:10.31","mn98:10.32"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Yo hi koci manussesu,\ngorakkhaṁ upajīvati;\nEvaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,\nkassako so na brāhmaṇo.\nYo hi koci manussesu,\nputhusippena jīvati;\nEvaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,\nsippiko so na brāhmaṇo.\nYo hi koci manussesu,\nvohāraṁ upajīvati;\nEvaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,\nvāṇijo so na brāhmaṇo.\nYo hi koci manussesu,\nparapessena jīvati;\nEvaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,\npessako so na brāhmaṇo.\nYo hi koci manussesu,\nadinnaṁ upajīvati;\nEvaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,\ncoro eso na brāhmaṇo.\nYo hi koci manussesu,\nissatthaṁ upajīvati;\nEvaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,\nyodhājīvo na brāhmaṇo.\nYo hi koci manussesu,\nporohiccena jīvati;\nEvaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,\nyājako so na brāhmaṇo.\nYo hi koci manussesu,\ngāmaṁ raṭṭhañca bhuñjati;\nEvaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,\nrājā eso na brāhmaṇo.","en":"Anyone among humans\nwho lives off keeping cattle:\nknow them, Vāseṭṭha,\nas a farmer, not a brahmin.\nAnyone among humans\nwho lives off various professions:\nknow them, Vāseṭṭha,\nas a professional, not a brahmin.\nAnyone among humans\nwho lives off trade:\nknow them, Vāseṭṭha,\nas a trader, not a brahmin.\nAnyone among humans\nwho lives off serving others:\nknow them, Vāseṭṭha,\nas a servant, not a brahmin.\nAnyone among humans\nwho lives off stealing:\nknow them, Vāseṭṭha,\nas a bandit, not a brahmin.\nAnyone among humans\nwho lives off archery:\nknow them, Vāseṭṭha,\nas a warrior, not a brahmin.\nAnyone among humans\nwho lives off priesthood:\nknow them, Vāseṭṭha,\nas a sacrificer, not a brahmin.\nAnyone among humans\nwho taxes village and nation,\nknow them, Vāseṭṭha,\nas a ruler, not a brahmin."}},{"id":"mn98:11","sourceIds":["mn98:11.1","mn98:11.2","mn98:11.3","mn98:11.4","mn98:11.5","mn98:11.6","mn98:11.7","mn98:11.8","mn98:11.9","mn98:11.10","mn98:11.11","mn98:11.12","mn98:11.13","mn98:11.14","mn98:11.15","mn98:11.16","mn98:11.17","mn98:11.18","mn98:11.19","mn98:11.20","mn98:11.21","mn98:11.22","mn98:11.23","mn98:11.24","mn98:11.25","mn98:11.26","mn98:11.27","mn98:11.28","mn98:11.29","mn98:11.30","mn98:11.31","mn98:11.32","mn98:11.33","mn98:11.34","mn98:11.35","mn98:11.36","mn98:11.37","mn98:11.38","mn98:11.39","mn98:11.40","mn98:11.41","mn98:11.42","mn98:11.43","mn98:11.44","mn98:11.45","mn98:11.46","mn98:11.47","mn98:11.48","mn98:11.49","mn98:11.50","mn98:11.51","mn98:11.52","mn98:11.53","mn98:11.54","mn98:11.55","mn98:11.56","mn98:11.57","mn98:11.58","mn98:11.59","mn98:11.60","mn98:11.61","mn98:11.62","mn98:11.63","mn98:11.64","mn98:11.65","mn98:11.66","mn98:11.67","mn98:11.68","mn98:11.69","mn98:11.70","mn98:11.71","mn98:11.72","mn98:11.73","mn98:11.74","mn98:11.75","mn98:11.76","mn98:11.77","mn98:11.78","mn98:11.79","mn98:11.80","mn98:11.81","mn98:11.82","mn98:11.83","mn98:11.84","mn98:11.85","mn98:11.86","mn98:11.87","mn98:11.88","mn98:11.89","mn98:11.90","mn98:11.91","mn98:11.92","mn98:11.93","mn98:11.94","mn98:11.95","mn98:11.96","mn98:11.97","mn98:11.98","mn98:11.99","mn98:11.100","mn98:11.101","mn98:11.102","mn98:11.103","mn98:11.104","mn98:11.105","mn98:11.106","mn98:11.107","mn98:11.108","mn98:11.109","mn98:11.110","mn98:11.111","mn98:11.112","mn98:11.113","mn98:11.114","mn98:11.115","mn98:11.116"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Na cāhaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ brūmi,\nyonijaṁ mattisambhavaṁ;\nBhovādi nāma so hoti,\nsace hoti sakiñcano;\nAkiñcanaṁ anādānaṁ,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nSabbasaṁyojanaṁ chetvā,\nyo ve na paritassati;\nSaṅgātigaṁ visaṁyuttaṁ,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nChetvā naddhiṁ varattañca,\nsandānaṁ sahanukkamaṁ;\nUkkhittapalighaṁ buddhaṁ,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nAkkosaṁ vadhabandhañca,\naduṭṭho yo titikkhati;\nKhantībalaṁ balānīkaṁ,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nAkkodhanaṁ vatavantaṁ,\nsīlavantaṁ anussadaṁ;\nDantaṁ antimasārīraṁ,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nVāripokkharapatteva,\nāraggeriva sāsapo;\nYo na limpati kāmesu,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nYo dukkhassa pajānāti,\nidheva khayamattano;\nPannabhāraṁ visaṁyuttaṁ,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nGambhīrapaññaṁ medhāviṁ,\nmaggāmaggassa kovidaṁ;\nUttamatthamanuppattaṁ,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nAsaṁsaṭṭhaṁ gahaṭṭhehi,\nanāgārehi cūbhayaṁ;\nAnokasārimappicchaṁ,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nNidhāya daṇḍaṁ bhūtesu,\ntasesu thāvaresu ca;\nYo na hanti na ghāteti,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nAviruddhaṁ viruddhesu,\nattadaṇḍesu nibbutaṁ;\nSādānesu anādānaṁ,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nYassa rāgo ca doso ca,\nmāno makkho ca ohito;\nSāsaporiva āraggā,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nAkakkasaṁ viññāpaniṁ,\ngiraṁ saccaṁ udīraye;\nYāya nābhisajje kiñci,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nYo ca dīghaṁ va rassaṁ vā,\naṇuṁ thūlaṁ subhāsubhaṁ;\nLoke adinnaṁ nādeti,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nĀsā yassa na vijjanti,\nasmiṁ loke paramhi ca;\nNirāsāsaṁ visaṁyuttaṁ,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nYassālayā na vijjanti,\naññāya akathaṅkathiṁ;\nAmatogadhaṁ anuppattaṁ,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nYodhapuññañca pāpañca,\nubho saṅgaṁ upaccagā;\nAsokaṁ virajaṁ suddhaṁ,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nCandaṁ va vimalaṁ suddhaṁ,\nvippasannaṁ anāvilaṁ;\nNandībhavaparikkhīṇaṁ,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nYo imaṁ palipathaṁ duggaṁ,\nsaṁsāraṁ mohamaccagā;\nTiṇṇo pāraṅgato jhāyī,\nanejo akathaṅkathī;\nAnupādāya nibbuto,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nYodhakāme pahantvāna,\nanāgāro paribbaje;\nKāmabhavaparikkhīṇaṁ,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nYodhataṇhaṁ pahantvāna,\nanāgāro paribbaje;\nTaṇhābhavaparikkhīṇaṁ,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nHitvā mānusakaṁ yogaṁ,\ndibbaṁ yogaṁ upaccagā;\nSabbayogavisaṁyuttaṁ,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nHitvā ratiñca aratiṁ,\nsītībhūtaṁ nirūpadhiṁ;\nSabbalokābhibhuṁ vīraṁ,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nCutiṁ yo vedi sattānaṁ,\nupapattiñca sabbaso;\nAsattaṁ sugataṁ buddhaṁ,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nYassa gatiṁ na jānanti,\ndevā gandhabbamānusā;\nKhīṇāsavaṁ arahantaṁ,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nYassa pure ca pacchā ca,\nmajjhe ca natthi kiñcanaṁ;\nAkiñcanaṁ anādānaṁ,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nUsabhaṁ pavaraṁ vīraṁ,\nmahesiṁ vijitāvinaṁ;\nAnejaṁ nhātakaṁ buddhaṁ,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.\nPubbenivāsaṁ yo vedi,\nsaggāpāyañca passati;\nAtho jātikkhayaṁ patto,\ntamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.","en":"I don’t call someone a brahmin\nafter the mother’s womb they’re born from.\nIf they still have attachments,\nthey’re just someone who says ‘worthy’.\nHaving nothing, taking nothing:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nHaving cut off all fetters\nthey have no anxiety;\nthey’ve slipped their chains and are detached:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nThey’ve cut the strap and harness,\nthe halter and bridle too;\nwith cross-bar lifted, they’re awakened:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nAbuse, killing, caging:\nthey endure these without anger.\nPatience is their powerful army:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nNot irritable or pretentious,\ndutiful in precepts and observances,\ntamed, bearing their final body:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nLike water from a lotus leaf,\nlike a mustard seed off the point of a pin,\nsensual pleasures slip off them:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nThey understand for themselves\nthe end of suffering in this life;\nwith burden put down, detached:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nDeep in wisdom, intelligent,\nexpert in the path and what is not the path;\narrived at the highest goal:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nMixing with neither\nhouseholders nor the homeless;\na migrant with no bastion, few in wishes:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nThey’ve laid aside violence\nagainst creatures firm and frail;\nnot killing or making others kill:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nNot fighting among those who fight,\nquenched among those who have taken up arms,\nnot grasping among those who grasp:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nThey’ve discarded greed and hate,\nalong with conceit and contempt,\nlike a mustard seed off the point of a pin:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nThe words they utter\nare polished, informative, and true,\nand don’t offend anyone:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nThey don’t steal anything in the world,\nlong or short,\ntiny or huge, beautiful or ugly:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nThey have no hope\nfor this world or the next;\nwith no need for hope, detached:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nThey have no clinging,\nknowledge has freed them of indecision,\nthey’ve arrived at the objective of freedom from death:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nThey’ve escaped the chain\nof both good and bad deeds;\nsorrowless, stainless, pure:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nPure as the spotless moon,\nclear and unclouded,\nthey’ve ended relish for rebirth:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nThey’ve got past this grueling swamp\nof delusion, transmigration.\nMeditating in stillness, free of indecision,\nthey have crossed over to the far shore.\nThey’re quenched by not grasping:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nThey’ve given up sensual pleasures,\nand have gone forth from lay life;\nthey’ve ended rebirth in the sensual realm:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nThey’ve given up craving,\nand have gone forth from lay life;\nthey’ve ended craving to be reborn:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nThey’ve thrown off the human yoke,\nand slipped out of the heavenly yoke;\nunyoked from all yokes:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nGiving up desire and discontent,\nthey’re cooled and free of attachments;\na hero, master of the whole world:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nThey know the passing away\nand rebirth of all beings;\nunattached, holy, awakened:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nGods, centaurs, and humans\ndon’t know their destiny;\nthe perfected ones with defilements ended:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nThey have nothing before or after,\nor even in between.\nHaving nothing, taking nothing:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nCaptain of the herd, excellent hero,\ngreat seer and victor;\nunstirred, washed, awakened:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin.\nThey who know their past lives,\nsee heaven and places of loss,\nand have attained the end of rebirth:\nthat’s who I declare a brahmin."}},{"id":"mn98:12","sourceIds":["mn98:12.1","mn98:12.2","mn98:12.3","mn98:12.4","mn98:12.5","mn98:12.6","mn98:12.7","mn98:12.8","mn98:12.9","mn98:12.10","mn98:12.11","mn98:12.12","mn98:12.13","mn98:12.14","mn98:12.15","mn98:12.16","mn98:12.17","mn98:12.18","mn98:12.19","mn98:12.20"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Samaññā hesā lokasmiṁ,\nnāmagottaṁ pakappitaṁ;\nSammuccā samudāgataṁ,\ntattha tattha pakappitaṁ.\nDīgharattānusayitaṁ,\ndiṭṭhigatamajānataṁ;\nAjānantā no pabrunti,\njātiyā hoti brāhmaṇo.\nNa jaccā brāhmaṇo hoti,\nna jaccā hoti abrāhmaṇo;\nKammunā brāhmaṇo hoti,\nkammunā hoti abrāhmaṇo.\nKassako kammunā hoti,\nsippiko hoti kammunā;\nVāṇijo kammunā hoti,\npessako hoti kammunā.\nCoropi kammunā hoti,\nyodhājīvopi kammunā;\nYājako kammunā hoti,\nrājāpi hoti kammunā.","en":"For name and clan are formulated\nas mere convention in the world.\nProduced by mutual agreement,\nthey’re formulated in each case.\nFor a long time this misconception\nhas prejudiced those who don’t understand.\nIgnorant, they declare\nthat one is a brahmin by birth.\nYou’re not a brahmin by birth,\nnor by birth a non-brahmin.\nYou’re a brahmin by your deeds,\nand by deeds a non-brahmin.\nYou’re a farmer by your deeds,\nby deeds you’re a professional;\nyou’re a trader by your deeds,\nby deeds are you a servant;\nyou’re a bandit by your deeds,\nby deeds you’re a warrior;\nyou’re a sacrificer by your deeds,\nby deeds you’re a ruler."}},{"id":"mn98:13","sourceIds":["mn98:13.1","mn98:13.2","mn98:13.3","mn98:13.4","mn98:13.5","mn98:13.6","mn98:13.7","mn98:13.8","mn98:13.9","mn98:13.10","mn98:13.11","mn98:13.12","mn98:13.13","mn98:13.14","mn98:13.15","mn98:13.16"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ,\nkammaṁ passanti paṇḍitā;\nPaṭiccasamuppādadassā,\nkammavipākakovidā.\nKammunā vattati loko,\nkammunā vattati pajā;\nKammanibandhanā sattā,\nrathassāṇīva yāyato.\nTapena brahmacariyena,\nsaṁyamena damena ca;\nEtena brāhmaṇo hoti,\netaṁ brāhmaṇamuttamaṁ.\nTīhi vijjāhi sampanno,\nsanto khīṇapunabbhavo;\nEvaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,\nbrahmā sakko vijānatan”ti.","en":"In this way the astute regard deeds\nin accord with truth.\nSeeing dependent origination,\nthey’re expert in deeds and their results.\nDeeds make the world go on,\ndeeds make people go on;\nsentient beings are bound by deeds,\nlike a moving chariot’s linchpin.\nBy fervor and spiritual practice,\nby restraint and by self-control:\nthat’s how to become a brahmin,\nthis is the supreme brahmin.\nAccomplished in the three knowledges,\npeaceful, with rebirth ended,\nknow them, Vāseṭṭha,\nas the Divinity and Sakka to the wise.”"}},{"id":"mn98:14","sourceIds":["mn98:14.1","mn98:14.2","mn98:14.3","mn98:14.4","mn98:14.5","mn98:14.6"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Evaṁ vutte, vāseṭṭhabhāradvājā māṇavā bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:\n“abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama, abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama.\nSeyyathāpi, bho gotama, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ bhotā gotamena anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito.\nEte mayaṁ bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāma dhammañca bhikkhusaṅghañca.\nUpāsake no bhavaṁ gotamo dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gate”ti.\nVāseṭṭhasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ aṭṭhamaṁ.","en":"When he had spoken, Vāseṭṭha and Bhāradvāja said to him,\n“Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent!\nAs if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with clear eyes can see what’s there, worthy Gotama has made the teaching clear in many ways.\nWe go for refuge to the worthy Gotama, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha.\nFrom this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember us as lay followers who have gone for refuge for life.”"}}]}],"sourceRevision":"afdafa92450cfe7573b280da50382888323666d2","sourceUrl":"https://suttacentral.net/mn98/en/sujato","licence":"CC0 1.0","licenceUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/","editionNote":"Full supplied source file; inherited abbreviations are preserved. Not a reconstructed expansion of every repetition. No Malay or Mandarin translation is implied."}