150. （一五〇）欝瘦歌逻经

I have heard thus:

At one time, the Buddha was dwelling in the Bamboo Grove, in the Kalandaka Park, in the city of Rājagṛha.

At that time, the Brāhman Udayana was strolling about in the middle of the day and went to where the Buddha was. They exchanged greetings and sat down to one side. He said, "Gautama! I wish to ask something. Please listen before I speak."

The World-Honored One said, "Ask as you please."

The Brāhman Udayana then asked, "Gautama! The Brāhman establishes four kinds of service for the four castes, establishing service for the Brāhman, the Kṣatriya, the Vaiśya, and the Śūdra. Gautama! The Brāhman establishes service for the Brāhman, and the Brāhman should serve the Brāhman, and the Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, and Śūdra should also serve the Brāhman. Gautama! These four castes should serve the Brāhman. Gautama! The Brāhman establishes service for the Kṣatriya, and the Kṣatriya should serve the Kṣatriya, and the Vaiśya and Śūdra should also serve the Kṣatriya. Gautama! These three castes should serve the Kṣatriya. Gautama! The Brāhman establishes service for the Vaiśya, and the Vaiśya should serve the Vaiśya, and the Śūdra should also serve the Vaiśya. Gautama! These two castes should serve the Vaiśya. Gautama! The Brāhman establishes service for the Śūdra, and the Śūdra should serve the Śūdra. Who is more lowly and should be established to serve the Śūdra? Only the Śūdra serves the Śūdra."

The World-Honored One asked, "Brāhman! Do the Brāhman know for themselves that they establish four kinds of service for the four castes, establishing service for the Brāhman, the Kṣatriya, the Vaiśya, and the Śūdra?"

The Brāhman Udayana replied, "I do not know. Gautama! But the Brāhman themselves say this: 'In this world, among gods, demons, Brahmas, śramaṇas, and brāhmaṇas, from humans to gods, the Brāhman do not know for themselves that they establish four kinds of service for the four castes, establishing service for the Brāhman, the Kṣatriya, the Vaiśya, and the Śūdra.'"

The World-Honored One said, "Brāhman! It is like someone forcefully giving meat to another, saying, 'Sir, eat this and give me the price.' Brāhman! Your explanation for the Brāhman is also like this. Why is that? The Brāhman do not know for themselves that they establish four kinds of service for the four castes, establishing service for the Brāhman, the Kṣatriya, the Vaiśya, and the Śūdra."

The World-Honored One asked, "Brāhman! What is service? If there is service, and because of that service, there is equality without superiority, is that service? If there is service, and because of that service, there is superiority without equality, is that service? Brāhman! If one serves a Brāhman, and because of that service, there is equality without superiority, is that service? If one serves a Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, or Śūdra, and because of that service, there is equality without superiority, is that service? Brāhman! If one serves a Brāhman, and because of that service, there is superiority without equality, is that service? If one serves a Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, or Śūdra, and because of that service, there is superiority without equality, is that service?"

The Brāhman Uṣiṅga Kālāma replied, "Gautama! If I serve and because of that service, there is equality without superiority, I should not serve them. If I serve and because of that service, there is superiority without equality, I should serve them. Gautama! If I serve a Brāhman and because of that service, there is equality without superiority, I should not serve them. If I serve a Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, or Śūdra and because of that service, there is equality without superiority, I should not serve them. Gautama! If I serve a Brāhman and because of that service, there is superiority without equality, I should serve them. If I serve a Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, or Śūdra and because of that service, there is superiority without equality, I should serve them."

The World-Honored One said, "Brāhman! If there are other Brāhmanas who are not foolish, not deluded, not inverted, with minds not inverted, free and independent, I will ask them: 'What do you think? If there is service, and because of that service, there is equality without superiority, is that service? If there is service, and because of that service, there is superiority without equality, is that service? Brāhman! If one serves a Brāhman, and because of that service, there is equality without superiority, is that service? If one serves a Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, or Śūdra, and because of that service, there is equality without superiority, is that service? Brāhman! If one serves a Brāhman, and because of that service, there is superiority without equality, is that service? If one serves a Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, or Śūdra, and because of that service, there is superiority without equality, is that service?'

"Brāhman! Those Brāhmanas who are not foolish, not deluded, not inverted, with minds not inverted, free and independent, replied to me: 'Gautama! If I serve and because of that service, there is equality without superiority, I should not serve them. If I serve and because of that service, there is superiority without equality, I should serve them. Gautama! If I serve a Brāhman and because of that service, there is equality without superiority, I should not serve them. If I serve a Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, or Śūdra and because of that service, there is equality without superiority, I should not serve them. Gautama! If I serve a Brāhman and because of that service, there is superiority without equality, I should serve them. If I serve a Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, or Śūdra and because of that service, there is superiority without equality, I should serve them.'"

The World-Honored One asked, "Brāhman! What do you think? If there is service, and because of that service, one loses faith, morality, learning, wisdom, and insight, is that service? If there is service, and because of that service, one increases faith, morality, learning, wisdom, and insight, is that service? Brāhman! If one serves a Brāhman, and because of that service, one loses faith, morality, learning, wisdom, and insight, is that service? If one serves a Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, or Śūdra, and because of that service, one loses faith, morality, learning, wisdom, and insight, is that service? Brāhman! If one serves a Brāhman, and because of that service, one increases faith, morality, learning, wisdom, and insight, is that service? If one serves a Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, or Śūdra, and because of that service, one increases faith, morality, learning, wisdom, and insight, is that service?"

The Uṣaṅgu Brāhman replied, "Gautama! If I serve and because of that service, I lose faith, morality, learning, wisdom, and insight, I should not serve them. If I serve and because of that service, I increase faith, morality, learning, wisdom, and insight, I should serve them. Gautama! If I serve a Brāhman and because of that service, I lose faith, morality, learning, wisdom, and insight, I should not serve them. If I serve a Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, or Śūdra and because of that service, I lose faith, morality, learning, wisdom, and insight, I should not serve them. Gautama! If I serve a Brāhman and because of that service, I increase faith, morality, learning, wisdom, and insight, I should serve them. If I serve a Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, or Śūdra and because of that service, I increase faith, morality, learning, wisdom, and insight, I should serve them."

The World-Honored One said, "Brāhman! If there is another Brāhman who is not foolish, not deluded, not inverted, with an un-inverted mind, free and independent, I will ask that Brāhman, 'What do you think? If there is service, and because of that service, one loses faith, morality, learning, wisdom, and insight, is that service? If there is service, and because of that service, one increases faith, morality, learning, wisdom, and insight, is that service? Brāhman! If one serves a Brāhman, and because of that service, one loses faith, morality, learning, wisdom, and insight, is that service? If one serves a Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, or Śūdra, and because of that service, one loses faith, morality, learning, wisdom, and insight, is that service? Brāhman! If one serves a Brāhman, and because of that service, one increases faith, morality, learning, wisdom, and insight, is that service? If one serves a Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, or Śūdra, and because of that service, one increases faith, morality, learning, wisdom, and insight, is that service?'

"Brāhman! That Brāhman who is not foolish, not deluded, not inverted, with an un-inverted mind, free and independent, also answers me like this: 'Gautama! If I serve and because of that service, I lose faith, morality, learning, wisdom, and insight, I should not serve them. If I serve and because of that service, I increase faith, morality, learning, wisdom, and insight, I should serve them. Gautama! If I serve a Brāhman and because of that service, I lose faith, morality, learning, wisdom, and insight, I should not serve them. If I serve a Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, or Śūdra and because of that service, I lose faith, morality, learning, wisdom, and insight, I should not serve them. Gautama! If I serve a Brāhman and because of that service, I increase faith, morality, learning, wisdom, and insight, I should serve them. If I serve a Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, or Śūdra and because of that service, I increase faith, morality, learning, wisdom, and insight, I should serve them.'"

The Uṣṭraka Brāhman said, "Gautama! The Brāhman establishes four kinds of wealth for the four castes, establishing wealth for the Brāhman, Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, and Śūdra. Gautama! The Brāhman establishes begging as wealth for the Brāhman. If the Brāhman despises begging, he then despises wealth. Despising wealth, he then loses profit. Just as a cowherd who cannot tend cows loses profit, so too, Gautama! The Brāhman establishes begging as wealth for the Brāhman. If the Brāhman despises begging, he then despises wealth. Despising wealth, he then loses profit.

Gautama! The Brāhman establishes wealth for the Kṣatriya. Gautama! The Brāhman establishes bows and arrows as wealth for the Kṣatriya. If the Kṣatriya despises bows and arrows, he then despises wealth. Despising wealth, he then loses profit. Just as a cowherd who cannot tend cows loses profit, so too, Gautama! The Brāhman establishes bows and arrows as wealth for the Kṣatriya. If the Kṣatriya despises bows and arrows, he then despises wealth. Despising wealth, he then loses profit.

Gautama! The Brāhman establishes wealth for the Vaiśya. Gautama! The Brāhman establishes farming as wealth for the Vaiśya. If the Vaiśya despises farming, he then despises wealth. Despising wealth, he then loses profit. Just as a cowherd who cannot tend cows loses profit, so too, Gautama! The Brāhman establishes farming as wealth for the Vaiśya. If the Vaiśya despises farming, he then despises wealth. Despising wealth, he then loses profit.

Gautama! The Brāhman establishes wealth for the Śūdra. Gautama! The Brāhman establishes hemp as wealth for the Śūdra. If the Śūdra despises hemp, he then despises wealth. Despising wealth, he then loses profit. Just as a cowherd who cannot tend cows loses profit, so too, Gautama! The Brāhman establishes hemp as wealth for the Śūdra. If the Śūdra despises hemp, he then despises wealth. Despising wealth, he then loses profit.

The World-Honored One asked, "Brahmin! Do the Brahmins know for themselves that they establish four kinds of wealth for the four classes, establishing wealth for the Brahmins, and establishing wealth for the Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras?"

The Uṣṭraka Brāhman replied, "I do not know, Gautama! But the Brahmins say, 'In this world, including the gods, Māra, Brahmā, Śramaṇas, and Brahmins, from humans to gods, we do not know for ourselves that we establish four kinds of wealth for the four classes, establishing wealth for the Brahmins, and establishing wealth for the Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras.'"

The World-Honored One said, "Brahmin! It is like someone forcefully giving meat to another, saying, 'Sir, eat this and give me the price.' Brahmin! Your explanation for the Brahmins is also like this. Why is that? The Brahmins do not know for themselves that they establish four kinds of wealth for the four classes, establishing wealth for the Brahmins, and establishing wealth for the Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras. Thus, Brahmin! I myself well understand and know the teachings, establishing for people the teachings of cessation, extinction, awakening, and the path, and establishing wealth for myself."

The World-Honored One asked, "Brahmin! What do you think? Is there a Brahmin who is not attached, bound, touched, or obstructed by this space, but not so for the Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras?"

The Uṣaṣka-gālava Brahmin replied, "Gautama! The Brahmin is not attached, bound, touched, or obstructed by this space, and so are the Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras."

"Brahmin! I myself well understand and know the various dharmas, and I establish for people the dharmas of cessation, extinction, awakening, and the path, and the dharmas of good destinies, and I establish my own wealth."

The World-Honored One asked, "Brahmin! What do you think? Can there be a Brahmin who can practice loving-kindness, without attachment, without resentment, without anger, without disputes, while the Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras cannot?"

The Udraka Rāmaputra Brahmin replied, "Gautama! Brahmins can practice loving-kindness, without attachment, without resentment, without anger, without disputes, and so can the Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras."

"Brahmin! I myself well understand and know all dharmas, and I establish for people the dharmas of cessation, extinction, awakening, and the path, and I establish my own wealth."

The World-Honored One asked, "Brahmin! What do you think? If a hundred people come, and one of them says to them, 'Come together! Only those born in the Kṣatriya and Brahmin castes can take soap to the water and bathe, removing dirt and becoming extremely pure.' Brahmin! What do you think? Can only those in the Kṣatriya and Brahmin castes take soap to the water and bathe, removing dirt and becoming extremely pure? Can those in the Vaiśya and Śūdra castes not take soap to the water and bathe, removing dirt and becoming extremely pure? Can all one hundred people take soap to the water and bathe, removing dirt and becoming extremely pure?"

The Uṣaṣka-gālava Brahmin replied, "Gautama! All one hundred people can take soap to the water and bathe, removing dirt and becoming extremely pure."

"So it is, Brahmin! I myself well understand and know the teachings, and I establish for people the teachings of cessation, the teachings of extinction, the teachings of the path of awakening, the teachings of the good destinies, and I establish my own wealth."

The World Honored One asked, "Brahmin! What do you think? If one hundred people come, and one person says to them, 'Come together! Only those born in the kṣatriya and brahmin castes can use extremely dry sāla and sandalwood wood as kindling, and by drilling, produce fire and nurture it.' Brahmin! What do you think? Can those in the kṣatriya and brahmin castes use extremely dry sāla and sandalwood wood as kindling, and by drilling, produce fire and nurture it? Can those in the householder and artisan castes use dry pig and dog troughs, iḍa wood, and other inferior wood as kindling, and by drilling, produce fire and nurture it? Can all one hundred people use various kinds of wood as kindling, and by drilling, produce fire and nurture it?"

The Uṣṭraka brahmin replied, "Gautama! All one hundred people can use various kinds of wood as kindling, and by drilling, produce fire and nurture it."

"So it is, brahmin! I myself well understand and know the teachings, and I establish for people the teachings of cessation, the teachings of extinction, the teachings of the path of awakening, and the teachings of the good destinies, and I establish my own wealth."

The World-Honored One asked, "Brahmin! What do you think? If those one hundred people all use various kinds of wood as kindling, and by drilling, produce fire and nurture it, do all those fires have smoke, color, heat, and light, and can they all perform the functions of fire? Is it that only one of those fires has smoke, color, heat, and light, and can perform the functions of fire? Or is it that none of those fires have smoke, color, heat, and light, and cannot perform the functions of fire? Or is it that all those fires have smoke, color, heat, and light, and can perform the functions of fire?"

The Uṣṭraka Brāhmaṇa replied, "Gautama! If those one hundred people all use various kinds of wood as kindling, and by drilling, produce fire and nurture it, then all those fires have smoke, color, heat, and light, and can perform the functions of fire. If it is that only one of those fires has smoke, color, heat, and light, and can perform the functions of fire, then that is impossible. If it is that none of those fires have smoke, color, heat, and light, and cannot perform the functions of fire, that is also impossible. But, Gautama! Those one hundred fires all have smoke, color, heat, and light, and can perform the functions of fire."

"So it is, Brahmin! I myself well understand and know the teachings, and I establish for people the teachings of cessation, extinction, the path of awakening, and the teachings of the good destinies, and I establish my own wealth."

The World-Honored One asked, "Brahmin! What do you think? If those one hundred people all use various kinds of wood as kindling, and by drilling, produce fire and nurture it, then if someone puts dry grass and wood into that fire, producing smoke, color, heat, and flames, are there differences in the smoke, color, heat, and flames?"

The Ucchedavāda Brahmin replied, "Gautama! If those one hundred people all use various kinds of wood as kindling, and by drilling, produce fire and nurture it, then if someone puts dry grass and wood into that fire, producing smoke, color, heat, and flames, I cannot establish any differences in the smoke, color, heat, and flames of that fire."

The World-Honored One said, "Brahmin! In this way, I have attained fire and attained non-distraction, which can extinguish distraction and arrogance. I cannot establish any differences in the fire."

The Ucchedavāda Brahmin said, "World-Honored One! I have understood. Well-Gone One! I have understood. World-Honored One! I now take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. I only wish the World-Honored One would accept me as a lay follower, from this day forth until life's end, taking refuge with utmost sincerity."

The Buddha spoke thus. The Ucchedavāda Brahmin, having heard the Buddha's words, joyfully received and practiced them.