Vāseṭṭhasutta

Sutta Nipāta 3.9

Anthology of Discourses 3.9

Vāseṭṭhasutta

With Vāseṭṭha

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

So I have heard.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā icchānaṅgale viharati icchānaṅgalavanasaṇḍe.

At one time the Buddha was staying in a forest near Icchānaṅgala.

Tena kho pana samayena sambahulā abhiññātā abhiññātā brāhmaṇamahāsālā icchānaṅgale paṭivasanti, seyyathidaṁ—

Now at that time several very well-known well-to-do brahmins were residing in Icchānaṅgala. They included

caṅkī brāhmaṇo, tārukkho brāhmaṇo, pokkharasāti brāhmaṇo, jāṇussoṇi brāhmaṇo, todeyyo brāhmaṇo, aññe ca abhiññātā abhiññātā brāhmaṇamahāsālā.

the brahmins Caṅkī, Tārukkha, Pokkharasāti, Jānussoṇi, Todeyya, and others.

Atha kho vāseṭṭhabhāradvājānaṁ māṇavānaṁ jaṅghāvihāraṁ anucaṅkamantānaṁ anuvicarantānaṁ ayamantarākathā udapādi:

Then as the students Vāseṭṭha and Bhāradvāja were going for a walk they began to discuss the question:

“kathaṁ, bho, brāhmaṇo hotī”ti?

“How do you become a brahmin?”

Bhāradvājo māṇavo evamāha:

Bhāradvāja said this:

“yato kho, bho, ubhato sujāto hoti mātito ca pitito ca saṁsuddhagahaṇiko yāva sattamā pitāmahayugā akkhitto anupakkuṭṭho jātivādena,

“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—

ettāvatā kho bho brāhmaṇo hotī”ti.

then you’re a brahmin.”

Vāseṭṭho māṇavo evamāha:

Vāseṭṭha said this:

“yato kho, bho, sīlavā ca hoti vatasampanno ca,

“When you’re ethical and accomplished in doing your duties—

ettāvatā kho, bho, brāhmaṇo hotī”ti.

then you’re a brahmin.”

Neva kho asakkhi bhāradvājo māṇavo vāseṭṭhaṁ māṇavaṁ saññāpetuṁ, na pana asakkhi vāseṭṭho māṇavo bhāradvājaṁ māṇavaṁ saññāpetuṁ.

But neither was able to persuade the other.

Atha kho vāseṭṭho māṇavo bhāradvājaṁ māṇavaṁ āmantesi:

So Vāseṭṭha said to Bhāradvāja,

“ayaṁ kho, bho bhāradvāja, samaṇo gotamo sakyaputto sakyakulā pabbajito icchānaṅgale viharati icchānaṅgalavanasaṇḍe;

“Worthy Bhāradvāja, the ascetic Gotama—a Sakyan, gone forth from a Sakyan family—is staying in a forest near Icchānaṅgala.

taṁ kho pana bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato:

He has this good reputation:

‘itipi …pe… buddho bhagavā’ti.

‘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.’

Āyāma, bho bhāradvāja, yena samaṇo gotamo tenupasaṅkamissāma; upasaṅkamitvā samaṇaṁ gotamaṁ etamatthaṁ pucchissāma.

Come, let’s go to see him and ask him about this matter.

Yathā no samaṇo gotamo byākarissati tathā naṁ dhāressāmā”ti.

As he answers, so we’ll remember it.”

“Evaṁ, bho”ti kho bhāradvājo māṇavo vāseṭṭhassa māṇavassa paccassosi.

“Yes, worthy sir,” replied Bhāradvāja.

Atha kho vāseṭṭhabhāradvājā māṇavā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodiṁsu.

So they went to the Buddha and exchanged greetings with him.

Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu.

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

Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho vāseṭṭho māṇavo bhagavantaṁ gāthāhi ajjhabhāsi:

and Vāseṭṭha addressed the Buddha in verse:

“Anuññātapaṭiññātā,

“We’re both authorized masters

tevijjā mayamasmubho;

of the three Vedas.

Ahaṁ pokkharasātissa,

I’m a student of Pokkharasāti,

tārukkhassāyaṁ māṇavo.

and he of Tārukkha.

Tevijjānaṁ yadakkhātaṁ,

We’re fully qualified

Tatra kevalinosmase;

in all the Vedic experts teach.

Padakasma veyyākaraṇā,

As philologists and grammarians,

Jappe ācariyasādisā.

we match our tutors in recitation.

Tesaṁ no jātivādasmiṁ,

We have a dispute

vivādo atthi gotama;

regarding genealogy.

Jātiyā brāhmaṇo hoti,

For Bhāradvāja says that

bhāradvājo iti bhāsati;

one is a brahmin due to birth,

Ahañca kammunā brūmi,

but I declare it’s because of one’s deeds.

evaṁ jānāhi cakkhuma.

Oh Clear-eyed One, know this as our debate.

Te na sakkoma saññāpetuṁ,

Since neither of us was able

aññamaññaṁ mayaṁ ubho;

to convince the other,

Bhavantaṁ puṭṭhumāgamhā,

we’ve come to ask you, sir,

sambuddhaṁ iti vissutaṁ.

renowned as the awakened one.

Candaṁ yathā khayātītaṁ,

As people honor with cupped palms

pecca pañjalikā janā;

the moon on the cusp of waxing,

Vandamānā namassanti,

bowing, they revere

evaṁ lokasmi gotamaṁ.

Gotama in the world.

Cakkhuṁ loke samuppannaṁ,

We ask this of Gotama,

mayaṁ pucchāma gotamaṁ;

the Eye arisen in the world:

Jātiyā brāhmaṇo hoti,

is one a brahmin due to birth,

udāhu bhavati kammunā;

or else because of deeds?

Ajānataṁ no pabrūhi,

We don’t know, please tell us,

yathā jānemu brāhmaṇaṁ”.

so we can recognize a brahmin.”

“Tesaṁ vo ahaṁ byakkhissaṁ,

“I shall explain to you,”

(vāseṭṭhāti bhagavā)

said the Buddha,

Anupubbaṁ yathātathaṁ;

“accurately and in sequence,

Jātivibhaṅgaṁ pāṇānaṁ,

the taxonomy of living creatures,

Aññamaññā hi jātiyo.

for species are indeed diverse.

Tiṇarukkhepi jānātha,

Know the grass and trees,

na cāpi paṭijānare;

though they lack self-awareness.

Liṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ tesaṁ,

They’re defined by birth,

aññamaññā hi jātiyo.

for species are indeed diverse.

Tato kīṭe paṭaṅge ca,

Next there are bugs that crawl or fly,

yāva kunthakipillike;

and so on, to ants and termites.

Liṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ tesaṁ,

They’re defined by birth,

aññamaññā hi jātiyo.

for species are indeed diverse.

Catuppadepi jānātha,

Know the quadrupeds, too,

Khuddake ca mahallake;

both small and large.

Liṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ tesaṁ,

They’re defined by birth,

Aññamaññā hi jātiyo.

for species are indeed diverse.

Pādūdarepi jānātha,

Know, too, the long-backed snakes,

Urage dīghapiṭṭhike;

crawling on their bellies.

Liṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ tesaṁ,

They’re defined by birth,

Aññamaññā hi jātiyo.

for species are indeed diverse.

Tato macchepi jānātha,

Next know the fish,

Odake vārigocare;

whose habitat is the water.

Liṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ tesaṁ,

They’re defined by birth,

Aññamaññā hi jātiyo.

for species are indeed diverse.

Tato pakkhīpi jānātha,

Next know the birds,

Pattayāne vihaṅgame;

winged chariots in flight.

Liṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ tesaṁ,

They’re defined by birth,

Aññamaññā hi jātiyo.

for species are indeed diverse.

Yathā etāsu jātīsu,

While the differences between these species

Liṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ puthu;

are defined by birth,

Evaṁ natthi manussesu,

the differences between humans

Liṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ puthu.

are not defined by birth.

Na kesehi na sīsena,

Not by hair nor by head,

Na kaṇṇehi na akkhibhi;

not by ear nor by eye,

Na mukhena na nāsāya,

not by mouth nor by nose,

Na oṭṭhehi bhamūhi vā.

not by lips nor by eyebrow,

Na gīvāya na aṁsehi,

not by shoulder nor by neck,

Na udarena na piṭṭhiyā;

not by belly nor by back,

Na soṇiyā na urasā,

not by buttocks nor by breast,

Na sambādhe na methune.

not by groin nor by genitals,

Na hatthehi na pādehi,

not by hands nor by feet,

Nāṅgulīhi nakhehi vā;

not by fingers nor by nails,

Na jaṅghāhi na ūrūhi,

not by knees nor by thighs,

Na vaṇṇena sarena vā;

not by color nor by voice:

Liṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ neva,

none of these are defined by birth

Yathā aññāsu jātisu.

as it is for other species.

Paccattañca sarīresu,

In specific human bodies

Manussesvetaṁ na vijjati;

you can’t find such distinctions.

Vokārañca manussesu,

The distinctions among humans

Samaññāya pavuccati.

are spoken of by convention.

Yo hi koci manussesu,

Anyone among humans

Gorakkhaṁ upajīvati;

who lives off keeping cattle:

Evaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,

know them, Vāseṭṭha,

Kassako so na brāhmaṇo.

as a farmer, not a brahmin.

Yo hi koci manussesu,

Anyone among humans

Puthusippena jīvati;

who lives off various professions:

Evaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,

know them, Vāseṭṭha,

Sippiko so na brāhmaṇo.

as a professional, not a brahmin.

Yo hi koci manussesu,

Anyone among humans

Vohāraṁ upajīvati;

who lives off trade:

Evaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,

know them, Vāseṭṭha,

Vāṇijo so na brāhmaṇo.

as a trader, not a brahmin.

Yo hi koci manussesu,

Anyone among humans

Parapessena jīvati;

who lives off serving others:

Evaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,

know them, Vāseṭṭha,

Pessiko so na brāhmaṇo.

as a servant, not a brahmin.

Yo hi koci manussesu,

Anyone among humans

Adinnaṁ upajīvati;

who lives off stealing:

Evaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,

know them, Vāseṭṭha,

Coro eso na brāhmaṇo.

as a bandit, not a brahmin.

Yo hi koci manussesu,

Anyone among humans

Issatthaṁ upajīvati;

who lives off archery:

Evaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,

know them, Vāseṭṭha,

Yodhājīvo na brāhmaṇo.

as a warrior, not a brahmin.

Yo hi koci manussesu,

Anyone among humans

Porohiccena jīvati;

who lives off priesthood:

Evaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,

know them, Vāseṭṭha,

Yājako eso na brāhmaṇo.

as a sacrificer, not a brahmin.

Yo hi koci manussesu,

Anyone among humans

Gāmaṁ raṭṭhañca bhuñjati;

who taxes village and nation,

Evaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,

know them, Vāseṭṭha,

Rājā eso na brāhmaṇo.

as a ruler, not a brahmin.

Na cāhaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ brūmi,

I don’t call someone a brahmin

Yonijaṁ mattisambhavaṁ;

after the mother’s womb they’re born from.

Bhovādi nāma so hoti,

If they still have attachments,

Sace hoti sakiñcano;

they’re just someone who says ‘worthy’.

Akiñcanaṁ anādānaṁ,

Having nothing, taking nothing:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Sabbasaṁyojanaṁ chetvā,

Having cut off all fetters

Yo ve na paritassati;

they have no anxiety;

Saṅgātigaṁ visaṁyuttaṁ,

they’ve slipped their chains and are detached:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Chetvā naddhiṁ varattañca,

They’ve cut the strap and harness,

Sandānaṁ sahanukkamaṁ;

the halter and bridle too;

Ukkhittapalighaṁ buddhaṁ,

with cross-bar lifted, they’re awakened:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Akkosaṁ vadhabandhañca,

Abuse, killing, caging:

Aduṭṭho yo titikkhati;

they endure these without anger.

Khantībalaṁ balānīkaṁ,

Patience is their powerful army:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Akkodhanaṁ vatavantaṁ,

Not irritable or pretentious,

Sīlavantaṁ anussadaṁ;

dutiful in precepts and observances,

Dantaṁ antimasārīraṁ,

tamed, bearing their final body:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Vāri pokkharapatteva,

Like water from a lotus leaf,

Āraggeriva sāsapo;

like a mustard seed off the point of a pin,

Yo na limpati kāmesu,

sensual pleasures slip off them:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Yo dukkhassa pajānāti,

They understand for themselves

Idheva khayamattano;

the end of suffering in this life;

Pannabhāraṁ visaṁyuttaṁ,

with burden put down, detached:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Gambhīrapaññaṁ medhāviṁ,

Deep in wisdom, intelligent,

Maggāmaggassa kovidaṁ;

expert in the path and what is not the path;

Uttamatthamanuppattaṁ,

arrived at the highest goal:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Asaṁsaṭṭhaṁ gahaṭṭhehi,

Mixing with neither

Anāgārehi cūbhayaṁ;

householders nor the homeless;

Anokasārimappicchaṁ,

a migrant with no bastion, few in wishes:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Nidhāya daṇḍaṁ bhūtesu,

They’ve laid aside violence

Tasesu thāvaresu ca;

against creatures firm and frail;

Yo na hanti na ghāteti,

not killing or making others kill:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Aviruddhaṁ viruddhesu,

Not fighting among those who fight,

Attadaṇḍesu nibbutaṁ;

quenched among those who have taken up arms,

Sādānesu anādānaṁ,

not grasping among those who grasp:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Yassa rāgo ca doso ca,

They’ve discarded greed and hate,

Māno makkho ca pātito;

along with conceit and contempt,

Sāsaporiva āraggā,

like a mustard seed off the point of a pin:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Akakkasaṁ viññāpaniṁ,

The words they utter

Giraṁ saccamudīraye;

are polished, informative, and true,

Yāya nābhisaje kañci,

and don’t offend anyone:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Yodha dīghaṁ va rassaṁ vā,

They don’t steal anything in the world,

Aṇuṁ thūlaṁ subhāsubhaṁ;

long or short,

Loke adinnaṁ nādiyati,

tiny or huge, beautiful or ugly:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Āsā yassa na vijjanti,

They have no hope

Asmiṁ loke paramhi ca;

for this world or the next;

Nirāsāsaṁ visaṁyuttaṁ,

with no need for hope, detached:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Yassālayā na vijjanti,

They have no clinging,

Aññāya akathaṅkathī;

knowledge has freed them of indecision,

Amatogadhamanuppattaṁ,

they’ve arrived at the objective, freedom from death:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Yodha puññañca pāpañca,

They’ve escaped clinging

Ubho saṅgamupaccagā;

to both good and bad deeds;

Asokaṁ virajaṁ suddhaṁ,

sorrowless, stainless, pure:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Candaṁva vimalaṁ suddhaṁ,

Pure as the spotless moon,

Vippasannamanāvilaṁ;

clear and unclouded,

Nandībhavaparikkhīṇaṁ,

they’ve ended relish for rebirth:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Yomaṁ palipathaṁ duggaṁ,

They’ve got past this grueling swamp

Saṁsāraṁ mohamaccagā;

of delusion, transmigration.

Tiṇṇo pāraṅgato jhāyī,

Meditating in stillness, free of indecision,

Anejo akathaṅkathī;

they have crossed over to the far shore.

Anupādāya nibbuto,

They’re quenched by not grasping:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Yodha kāme pahantvāna,

They’ve given up sensual pleasures,

Anāgāro paribbaje;

and have gone forth from lay life;

Kāmabhavaparikkhīṇaṁ,

they’ve ended rebirth in the sensual realm:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Yodha taṇhaṁ pahantvāna,

They’ve given up craving,

Anāgāro paribbaje;

and have gone forth from lay life;

Taṇhābhavaparikkhīṇaṁ,

they’ve ended craving to be reborn:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Hitvā mānusakaṁ yogaṁ,

They’ve thrown off the human yoke,

Dibbaṁ yogaṁ upaccagā;

and slipped out of the heavenly yoke;

Sabbayogavisaṁyuttaṁ,

unyoked from all yokes:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Hitvā ratiñca aratiṁ,

Giving up desire and discontent,

Sītibhūtaṁ nirūpadhiṁ;

they’re cooled and free of attachments;

Sabbalokābhibhuṁ vīraṁ,

a hero, master of the whole world:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Cutiṁ yo vedi sattānaṁ,

They know the passing away

Upapattiñca sabbaso;

and rebirth of all beings;

Asattaṁ sugataṁ buddhaṁ,

unattached, holy, awakened:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Yassa gatiṁ na jānanti,

Gods, centaurs, and humans

Devā gandhabbamānusā;

don’t know their destiny;

Khīṇāsavaṁ arahantaṁ,

the perfected ones with defilements ended:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Yassa pure ca pacchā ca,

They have nothing before or after,

Majjhe ca natthi kiñcanaṁ;

or even in between.

Akiñcanaṁ anādānaṁ,

Having nothing, taking nothing:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Usabhaṁ pavaraṁ vīraṁ,

Captain of the herd, excellent hero,

Mahesiṁ vijitāvinaṁ;

great seer and victor;

Anejaṁ nhātakaṁ buddhaṁ,

unstirred, washed, awakened:

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Pubbenivāsaṁ yo vedi,

They who know their past lives,

Saggāpāyañca passati;

see heaven and places of loss,

Atho jātikkhayaṁ patto,

and have attained the ending of rebirth,

Tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

that’s who I declare a brahmin.

Samaññā hesā lokasmiṁ,

For name and clan are formulated

Nāmagottaṁ pakappitaṁ;

as mere convention in the world.

Sammuccā samudāgataṁ,

Produced by mutual agreement,

Tattha tattha pakappitaṁ.

they’re formulated in each case.

Dīgharattamanusayitaṁ,

For a long time this misconception

Diṭṭhigatamajānataṁ;

has prejudiced those who don’t understand.

Ajānantā no pabruvanti,

Ignorant, they declare

Jātiyā hoti brāhmaṇo.

that one is a brahmin by birth.

Na jaccā brāhmaṇo hoti,

You’re not a brahmin by birth,

Na jaccā hoti abrāhmaṇo;

nor by birth a non-brahmin.

Kammunā brāhmaṇo hoti,

You’re a brahmin by your deeds,

Kammunā hoti abrāhmaṇo.

and by deeds a non-brahmin.

Kassako kammunā hoti,

You’re a farmer by your deeds,

Sippiko hoti kammunā;

by deeds you’re a professional;

Vāṇijo kammunā hoti,

you’re a trader by your deeds,

Pessiko hoti kammunā.

by deeds are you a servant;

Coropi kammunā hoti,

you’re a bandit by your deeds,

Yodhājīvopi kammunā;

by deeds you’re a warrior;

Yājako kammunā hoti,

you’re a sacrificer by your deeds,

Rājāpi hoti kammunā.

by deeds you’re a ruler.

Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ,

In this way the astute regard deeds

Kammaṁ passanti paṇḍitā;

in accord with truth.

Paṭiccasamuppādadassā,

Seeing dependent origination,

Kammavipākakovidā.

they’re expert in deeds and their results.

Kammunā vattati loko,

Deeds make the world go on,

Kammunā vattati pajā;

deeds make people go on;

Kammanibandhanā sattā,

sentient beings are bound by deeds,

Rathassāṇīva yāyato.

like a moving chariot’s linchpin.

Tapena brahmacariyena,

By fervor and spiritual practice,

Saṁyamena damena ca;

by restraint and by self-control:

Etena brāhmaṇo hoti,

that’s how to become a brahmin,

Etaṁ brāhmaṇamuttamaṁ.

this is the supreme brahmin.

Tīhi vijjāhi sampanno,

Accomplished in the three knowledges,

santo khīṇapunabbhavo;

peaceful, with rebirth ended,

Evaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,

know them, Vāseṭṭha,

brahmā sakko vijānatan”ti.

as the Divinity and Sakka to the wise.”

Evaṁ vutte, vāseṭṭhabhāradvājā māṇavā bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:

When he had spoken, Vāseṭṭha and Bhāradvāja said to him,

“abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama …pe…

“Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent! …

upāsake no bhavaṁ gotamo dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupete saraṇaṁ gate”ti.

From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember us as lay followers who have gone for refuge for life.”

Vāseṭṭhasuttaṁ navamaṁ.