151. （一五一）中阿含梵志阿摄惒经第十（第三念诵）

I have heard thus:

At one time, the Buddha was traveling in the country of Śrāvastī, staying at the Jeta Grove Anāthapiṇḍada-ārāma.

At that time, many brāhmaṇas gathered in a schoolhouse in Kośala to discuss this matter: "The brāhmaṇa caste is superior, the others are inferior; the brāhmaṇa caste is white, the others are all black; the brāhmaṇas attain purity, non-brāhmaṇas do not attain purity; the brāhmaṇas are the sons of Brahmā, born from his mouth, transformed by Brahmā. But the śramaṇa Gautama says that all four castes are pure, and teaches this." They thought, "Who among us has the ability to go to the śramaṇa Gautama and ask him about this matter according to the Dharma?" They further thought, "The brāhmaṇa student Ascetic is raised by his parents, born pure, and his parents' lineage is unbroken for seven generations. He is learned, has a good memory, recites the four Vedas, and deeply understands the five kinds of statements: cause, condition, right, text, and play. The brāhmaṇa student Ascetic has the ability to go to the śramaṇa Gautama and ask him about this matter according to the Dharma." "Let us all go to the brāhmaṇa student Ascetic and tell him about this. We will accept whatever the brāhmaṇa student Ascetic says.

Then the many brāhmaṇas of Kośala went to the brāhmaṇa student Ascetic and exchanged greetings with him. They sat to one side and said, "Student, we many brāhmaṇas gathered in a schoolhouse in Kośala to discuss this matter: 'The brāhmaṇa caste is superior, the others are inferior; the brāhmaṇa caste is white, the others are all black; the brāhmaṇas attain purity, non-brāhmaṇas do not attain purity; the brāhmaṇas are the sons of Brahmā, born from his mouth, transformed by Brahmā. But the śramaṇa Gautama says that all four castes are pure, and teaches this.' We thought, 'Who among us has the ability to go to the śramaṇa Gautama and ask him about this matter according to the Dharma?' We further thought, 'The brāhmaṇa student Ascetic is raised by his parents, born pure, and his parents' lineage is unbroken for seven generations. He is learned, has a good memory, recites the four Vedas, and deeply understands the five kinds of statements: cause, condition, right, text, and play. The brāhmaṇa student Ascetic has the ability to go to the śramaṇa Gautama and ask him about this matter according to the Dharma.' We wish that the brāhmaṇa student Ascetic would go to the śramaṇa Gautama and ask him about this matter according to the Dharma."

The brāhmaṇa student Ascetic said to the brāhmaṇas, "The śramaṇa Gautama teaches the Dharma according to the Dharma. If one teaches the Dharma according to the Dharma, one cannot be questioned.

The many brāhmaṇas of Kośala said, "Student, you have not yet been defeated, so do not be so quick to surrender. Why is that? The brāhmaṇa student Ascetic is raised by his parents, born pure, and his parents' lineage is unbroken for seven generations. He is learned, has a good memory, recites the four Vedas, and deeply understands the five kinds of statements: cause, condition, right, text, and play. The brāhmaṇa student Ascetic has the ability to go to the śramaṇa Gautama and ask him about this matter according to the Dharma. We wish that the brāhmaṇa student Ascetic would go to the śramaṇa Gautama and ask him about this matter according to the Dharma." The brāhmaṇa student Ascetic silently accepted the request from the many brāhmaṇas of Kośala.

Then the brāhmaṇa student Ascetic went with the many brāhmaṇas of Kośala to where the Buddha was. They exchanged greetings and sat to one side. He said, "Gautama, I wish to ask something. May I ask?"

The World-Honored One said, "Student, ask as you wish."

Ascetic then asked, "Gautama, the brāhmaṇas say, 'The brāhmaṇa caste is superior, the others are inferior; the brāhmaṇa caste is white, the others are black; the brāhmaṇas attain purity, non-brāhmaṇas do not; the brāhmaṇas are the sons of Brahmā, born from his mouth, created by Brahmā.' I do not know what the śramaṇa Gautama would say about this."

The World-Honored One said, "I will ask you, answer as you know. Student, have you heard that in other countries such as Rājagṛha and Vaiśālī there are two kinds of families, the noble and the servants, where the noble become servants and the servants become noble?"

The student Ascetic replied, "Gautama, I have heard that in other countries such as Rājagṛha and Vaiśālī there are two kinds of families, the noble and the servants, where the noble become servants and the servants become noble."

"So it is, student. If a brahmin goes in the right direction, he will attain good understanding and know the Dharma for himself. If a kṣatriya, householder, or worker goes in the right direction, they will also attain good understanding and know the Dharma for themselves."

The student Ascetic said, "Gautama, it is wonderful and marvelous how you have spoken this parable. But the brahmins say, 'The brahmin caste is superior, the others are inferior; the brahmin caste is white, the others are black; the brahmins attain purity, the non-brahmins do not; the brahmins are the sons of Brahmā, born from his mouth, created by Brahmā.'"

The World-Honored One asked, "What do you think, student? Can only brahmins be unattached and unfettered in this space, untouchable and unobstructed? Not kṣatriyas, householders, or workers?"

The student Ascetic replied, "Gautama, brahmins are unattached and unfettered in this space, untouchable and unobstructed; so are kṣatriyas, householders, and workers."

"So it is, student. If brahmins go in the right direction, they will attain good understanding and know the Dharma for themselves; if kṣatriyas, householders, and workers go in the right direction, they will also attain good understanding and know the Dharma for themselves."

The student Ascetic said, "Gautama, it is wonderful, it is marvelous! You have spoken this parable well. But the brahmins say, 'The brahmin caste is superior, the others are inferior; the brahmin caste is white, the others are black; the brahmins attain purity, non-brahmins do not attain purity; the brahmins are the sons of Brahma, born from his mouth, created by Brahma.'"

The World-Honored One asked, "What do you think, student? Can only brahmins practice loving-kindness, without attachment, without resentment, without anger, without conflict; not so for kṣatriyas, householders, and workers?"

The student Ascetic replied, "Gautama, brahmins can practice loving-kindness, without attachment, without resentment, without anger, without conflict; so can kṣatriyas, householders, and workers."

"So it is, student. If a brahmin goes in the right direction, he will attain good understanding and know the Dharma for himself; if a kṣatriya, householder, or worker goes in the right direction, they will also attain good understanding and know the Dharma for themselves."

The student Ascetic said, "Gautama, it is wonderful, it is marvelous! You have spoken this parable well. But the brahmins say, 'The brahmin caste is superior, the others are inferior; the brahmin caste is white, the others are black; the brahmins attain purity, non-brahmins do not; the brahmins are born from the mouth of Brahma, created by Brahma.'"

The World-Honored One asked, "What do you think, student? If a hundred people come, and one of them says, 'Come together! Only those born in the kṣatriya or brahmin castes can take soap to the water and bathe, removing dirt and becoming extremely pure.' What do you think, student? Can only those in the kṣatriya or brahmin castes take soap to the water and bathe, removing dirt and becoming extremely pure? Can only those in the householder or worker 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 student Ascetic replied, "Gautama, all one hundred people can take soap to the water and bathe, removing dirt and becoming extremely pure."

"So it is, student. If a brahmin goes in the right direction, he will attain good understanding and know the Dharma for himself. If a kṣatriya, householder, or worker goes in the right direction, he will also attain good understanding and know the Dharma for himself."

The student Ascetic said, "Gautama, it is wonderful, it is marvelous! You have spoken this parable well. But the brahmins say, 'The brahmin caste is superior, the others are inferior; the brahmin caste is white, the others are black; the brahmins attain purity, non-brahmins do not attain purity; the brahmins are the sons of Brahmā, born from his mouth, created by Brahmā.'"

The World-Honored One asked, "What do you think, student? If a hundred people come, and one of them says, 'Come together! Only those born in the kṣatriya or brahmin castes can use very dry sāla and sandalwood wood as kindling, and by rubbing them together, produce fire and nurture it.' What do you think, student? Can only those in the kṣatriya and brahmin castes use very dry sāla and sandalwood wood as kindling, and by rubbing them together, produce fire and nurture it? Or can those in the householder and worker castes use dry pig and dog troughs, and wood from the ilandana tree and other inferior wood as kindling, and by rubbing them together, produce fire and nurture it? Or can all a hundred kinds of people use various kinds of wood as kindling, and by rubbing them together, produce fire and nurture it?"

The student Ascetic replied, "Gautama, all a hundred kinds of people can use various kinds of wood as kindling, and by rubbing them together, produce fire and nurture it."

"So it is, student. If a brahmin is on the right path, he will attain good understanding and know the Dharma for himself. If a kṣatriya, householder, or worker is on the right path, he will also attain good understanding and know the Dharma for himself."

The student Ascetic said, "Gautama, it is wonderful, it is marvelous! You have spoken this parable well. But the brahmins say, 'The brahmin caste is superior, the others are inferior; the brahmin caste is white, the others are black; the brahmins attain purity, non-brahmins do not; the brahmins are born from the mouth of Brahma, created by Brahma.'"

The World-Honored One asked, "What do you think, student? If those hundred people all use various kinds of wood to make fire-kindling and rub them to produce fire, and nurture it, will all those fires have smoke, color, heat, and light, and be able to perform the functions of fire? Is it that only that fire has smoke, color, heat, and light, and can perform the functions of fire? Or is it that only that fire has no 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 student Ascetic said, "Gautama, if those hundred people all use various kinds of wood to make fire-kindling and rub them to produce fire, and nurture it, will all those fires have smoke, color, heat, and light, and be able to perform the functions of fire? If it is that only that fire has smoke, color, heat, and light, and can perform the functions of fire, it is impossible. If it is that only that fire has no smoke, color, heat, and light, and cannot perform the functions of fire, it is also impossible. Gautama, but it is that all those fires have smoke, color, heat, and light, and can perform the functions of fire."

"So it is, student. If a brahmin goes in the right direction, he will attain good understanding and know the Dharma for himself. If a kshatriya, householder, or worker goes in the right direction, he will also attain good understanding and know the Dharma for himself."

The student Ascetic said, "Gautama, it is wonderful, it is marvelous! You have spoken this parable well. But the brahmins say, 'The brahmin caste is superior, the others are inferior; the brahmin caste is white, the others are black; the brahmins attain purity, the non-brahmins do not attain purity; the brahmins are the sons of Brahma, born from his mouth, created by Brahma.'"

The World-Honored One said, "Student, if this body follows where it is born, it is counted as that. If born in the brahmin caste, it is counted as the brahmin caste; if born in the kshatriya, householder, or worker caste, it is counted as the worker caste. Student, it is like fire, which follows where it is born. If born from wood, it is counted as wood fire; if born from grass, dung, or firewood, it is counted as firewood fire. So it is, student. This body follows where it is born. If born in the brahmin caste, it is counted as the brahmin caste; if born in the kshatriya, householder, or worker caste, it is counted as the worker caste."

The World-Honored One asked, "Student, what do you think? If a kshatriya woman and a brahmin man were to unite, and from that union a child was born, resembling either the father or the mother or neither, how would you describe it? Would it be a kshatriya or a brahmin?"

The student Asheghala-yanta-na-ma-na said, "Gautama, if a kshatriya woman and a brahmin man were to unite, and from that union a child was born, resembling either the father or the mother or neither, I would not say it is a kshatriya or a brahmin. Gautama, I would only say it is another person."

"So it is, student. This body belongs to the class it is born into. If born into the brahmin class, it is counted as brahmin; if born into the kshatriya, householder, or artisan class, it is counted as artisan."

The World-Honored One asked, "Student, if a brahmin woman and a kshatriya man were to unite, and from that union a child was born, resembling either the father or the mother or neither, how would you describe it? Is it a brahmin or a kshatriya?"

The student Asajjhaya Asajjhaya-putta replied, "Gautama, if a brahmin woman and a kshatriya man were to unite, and from that union a child was born, resembling either the father or the mother or neither, I would not say it is a brahmin or a kshatriya. Gautama, I would only say it is of another class."

"So it is, student. This body belongs to the class it is born into. If born into the brahmin class, it is counted as brahmin; if born into the kshatriya, householder, or artisan class, it is counted as artisan."

The World-Honored One asked, "Student, what do you think? If someone has many grass horses and lets a male donkey mate with them, and from that union a foal is born, how would you describe it? Is it a donkey or a horse?"

The student Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya Asajjhaya As

"So it is, student. If this body is born into a certain class, it is counted as that class. If born into the Brahmin class, it is counted as the Brahmin class; if born into the Kshatriya, Vaishya, or Shudra class, it is counted as the Shudra class."

The World-Honored One said, "Monks, in the past, there were many ascetics living together in a high place, and they gave rise to this evil view: 'The Brahmin caste is superior, the others are inferior; the Brahmin caste is white, the others are black; the Brahmins attain purity, non-Brahmins do not attain purity; the Brahmins are the sons of Brahma, created by Brahma.' Then the ascetic Asita Devala heard that the many ascetics living together in a high place had given rise to this evil view, and he put on a monastic robe, wrapped his head with a monastic cloth, carried a staff and umbrella, dressed in white clothes, and entered the dwelling place of the ascetics through a quiet room for walking meditation.

Then one of the ascetics living together in the high place saw Asita Devala wearing a monastic robe, wrapping his head with a monastic cloth, carrying a staff and umbrella, dressed in white clothes, and entering the dwelling place of the ascetics through a quiet room for walking meditation. Having seen this, he went to the many ascetics living together in the high place and said, 'Venerable ones! Now there is a person wearing a monastic robe, wrapping his head with a monastic cloth, carrying a staff and umbrella, dressed in white clothes, and entering the dwelling place of the ascetics through a quiet room for walking meditation. Should we all go together and curse him, saying, "You will become ashes, you will become ashes!"'

Then the many ascetics living together in the high place went to Asita Devala and together cursed him, saying, 'You will become ashes, you will become ashes.' According to the method of their curse, they cursed him, saying, 'You will become ashes, you will become ashes.' As they did so, his radiant complexion became even more excellent and his body became radiant. The many ascetics then thought, 'When we originally cursed him, saying, "You will become ashes, you will become ashes," he did become ashes. Now we curse this person, saying, "You will become ashes, you will become ashes." According to the method of our curse, we curse this person, and his radiant complexion becomes even more excellent and his body becomes radiant. We should ask him.' They then asked him, 'Who are you?' Asita Devala replied, 'Venerable ones! Have you heard of the ascetic Asita Devala?' They replied, 'We have heard of the ascetic Asita Devala.' He said again, 'I am he.' The many ascetics then apologized to Asita Devala, saying, 'Please forgive us. We did not know that you were the ascetic Asita Devala.

Then Asita Devala said to the ascetics, 'I have forgiven you. You really have given rise to evil views: "The Brahmin caste is superior, the others are inferior; the Brahmin caste is white, the others are all black; Brahmins attain purity, non-Brahmins do not attain purity; Brahmins are the sons of Brahma, created by Brahma."'" The ascetics replied, "Yes." Asita Devala further asked the ascetics, "Do you know your own father?" The ascetics replied, "We know. The Brahmin takes a Brahmin wife, not a non-Brahmin. His father, and his father's father, up to seven generations of fathers, the Brahmin takes a Brahmin wife, not a non-Brahmin." Asita Devala further asked the ascetics, "Do you know your own mother?" The ascetics replied, "We know. The Brahmin takes a Brahmin husband, not a non-Brahmin. Her mother, and her mother's mother, up to seven generations of mothers, the Brahmin takes a Brahmin husband, not a non-Brahmin." Asita Devala further asked the ascetics, "Do you know when you were conceived?" The ascetics replied, "We know. Conception occurs when three things come together: the parents come together, there is no obstruction, and the fragrant essence has arrived. Asita! When these things come together, one enters the mother's womb.

"Asita Devala further asked the ascetics, 'Do you know whether you were born as a male or a female? Do you know where you came from? Did you come from the Kṣatriya caste, the Brahmin caste, the Vaishya caste, or the Shudra caste? Did you come from the east, south, west, or north?' The ascetics replied, 'We do not know.' Asita Devala further said to the ascetics, 'Venerable ones! Since you do not see or know this, you do not know where you were conceived. From where did you come? Were you born as a male or a female? Did you come from the Kṣatriya caste, the Brahmin caste, the Vaishya caste, or the Shudra caste? Did you come from the east, south, west, or north? Yet you say, "The Brahmin caste is superior, the others are inferior; the Brahmin caste is white, the others are all black; Brahmins attain purity, non-Brahmins do not attain purity; Brahmins are the sons of Brahma, created by Brahma."'" Mānava! Those many ascetics living in the high place were well-taught and well-rebuked by Asita Devala, yet they could not establish the purity of Brahmins. How much less so you and your disciples who wear fur robes?

Then the brahmin student Asita Devala was directly rebuked and scolded by the World-Honored One. He was inwardly distressed, lowered his head in silence, and lost his eloquence.

Then the World-Honored One, having directly rebuked and scolded the brahmin student Asita Devala, further delighted him and said, "Mānava! There was a brahmin who held a feast and gave alms. He had four sons, two of whom studied and two did not. What do you think, Mānava? Which of those sons would the brahmin first offer the best seat, the best water, and the best food to?"

Asita Devala replied, "Gautama! If that brahmin had two sons, those who studied would certainly be offered the best seat, the best water, and the best food first."

The World-Honored One further asked, "Mānava! There was another brahmin who held a feast and gave alms. He had four sons, two of whom studied but were not diligent, delighting in evil practices, and two who did not study but were diligent, delighting in good practices. What do you think, Mānava? Which of those sons would the brahmin first offer the best seat, the best water, and the best food to?"

Asita Devala replied, "Gautama! If that brahmin had two sons, although they did not study, they were diligent and delighted in good practices. They would certainly be offered the best seat, the best water, and the best food first."

The World-Honored One said, "Mānava! You first praised learning and then praised upholding the precepts. Mānava! I have explained that the four castes are all pure and have been established and revealed. You have also said that the four castes are all pure and have been established and revealed."

Then Asita Devala rose from his seat, wanting to bow at the Buddha's feet. At that time, the great assembly exclaimed in loud voices, "The Śramaṇa Gautama is truly amazing! He has great supernatural powers, great virtue, great merit, and great spiritual power. Why is that? Because the Śramaṇa Gautama has explained that the four castes are all pure and have been established and revealed, causing Asita Devala to also say that the four castes are all pure."

At that time, the World-Honored One knew the thoughts in the minds of the great assembly and said, "Stop! Stop! Asita Devala! Just be content in your mind and return to your seat. I will explain the Dharma for you."

Asita Devala bowed at the Buddha's feet, sat to one side, and the World-Honored One explained the Dharma for him, inspiring him with longing and bringing about joy. Having used immeasurable skillful means to explain the Dharma for him, inspiring him with longing and bringing about joy, he remained silent.

Then, Asita Devala, having been taught the Dharma by the Buddha, inspired with longing and brought to joy, rose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha's feet, circumambulated him three times, and departed. At that time, the many Brahmins of Kosala, not far from where they had gone, criticized Asita Devala in various ways, saying, "What were you trying to do? You wanted to subdue the ascetic Gotama, but instead you were subdued by the ascetic Gotama and returned. It is like someone who enters a forest for the sake of the eyes, but returns without the eyes. Asita Devala, it is the same for you. You wanted to subdue the ascetic Gotama, but instead you were subdued by the ascetic Gotama and returned. It is like someone who enters a pond to drink, but returns thirsty. Asita Devala, it is the same for you. You wanted to subdue the ascetic Gotama, but instead you were subdued by the ascetic Gotama and returned. Asita Devala, what were you trying to do?"

Then, Asita Devala said to the many Brahmins of Kosala, "Virtuous ones! I have already said: 'The ascetic Gotama speaks the Dharma according to the Dharma. If one speaks the Dharma according to the Dharma, one cannot be questioned.'"

The Buddha spoke thus. Asita Devala, having heard what the Buddha said, rejoiced and practiced it.

The tenth chapter on Asita Devala is completed.