Suddhikasutta

Saṁyutta Nikāya 7.7

Linked Discourses 7.7

1. Arahantavagga

1. The Perfected Ones

Suddhikasutta

With Bhāradvāja the Pure

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

At Sāvatthī.

Atha kho suddhikabhāradvājo brāhmaṇo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi.

Then the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Pure went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him.

Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi.

When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side,

Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho suddhikabhāradvājo brāhmaṇo bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ ajjhabhāsi:

and spoke this verse in his presence:

“Na brāhmaṇo sujjhati koci,

“No brahmin in the world is ever purified

Loke sīlavāpi tapokaraṁ;

even though he’s ethical and mortifies himself.

Vijjācaraṇasampanno,

But one accomplished in knowledge and conduct

So sujjhati na aññā itarā pajā”ti.

is purified, not these other commoners.”

“Bahumpi palapaṁ jappaṁ,

“Even one who mutters many prayers

na jaccā hoti brāhmaṇo;

is no brahmin by birth

Antokasambu saṅkiliṭṭho,

if they’re filthy and corrupt within,

kuhanaṁ upanissito.

supporting themselves by fawning.

Khattiyo brāhmaṇo vesso,

Regardless of whether you’re an aristocrat,

Suddo caṇḍālapukkuso;

a brahmin, peasant, menial,
or a corpse-worker or scavenger—

Āraddhavīriyo pahitatto,

if you’re energetic and resolute,

Niccaṁ daḷhaparakkamo;

always staunchly vigorous,

Pappoti paramaṁ suddhiṁ,

you’ll attain ultimate purity.

Evaṁ jānāhi brāhmaṇā”ti.

Know that for a fact, brahmin.”

Evaṁ vutte, suddhikabhāradvājo brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

When he had spoken, the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Pure said to the Buddha,

“abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama …pe…

“Excellent, worthy Gotama …” …

aññataro ca panāyasmā bhāradvājo arahataṁ ahosīti.

And Venerable Bhāradvāja became one of the perfected.