161. （一六一）梵摩经

I have heard thus:

At one time, the Buddha was traveling in the country of Vidéha, together with a great assembly of bhikṣus.

At that time, in the city of Vesālī, there was a brāhman named Brahmadatta who was extremely wealthy and happy, with immeasurable wealth and property, livestock, and industries beyond measure. He had a fief and a granary, and was fully endowed with various necessities. The food was abundant, and even the water, grass, and trees in Vesālī were given to him by King Ajātaśatru of Magadha, the son of Vaidehī. The brāhman Brahmadatta had a young brāhman named Udraka who was raised by his parents. He was born pure, and his parents' lineage was unbroken for seven generations. He was well-versed and had a vast memory, reciting more than the four Vedas. He deeply understood the five kinds of statements: cause, condition, truth, text, and play.

The brāhman Brahmadatta heard that the śramaṇa Gautama, the son of the Śākya clan, had renounced his Śākya relatives, shaved his beard and hair, donned the saffron robes, left home out of true faith, and gone forth to practice the path. He was traveling in the country of Videha, together with a great assembly of bhikṣus. The śramaṇa Gautama had a great reputation that was heard in the ten directions. He was a Tathāgata, an Arhat, a Perfectly Enlightened One, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, a Sugata, an unsurpassed knower of the world, a driver of tameable people, a teacher of gods and men, a Buddha, a Bhagavān. In this world, including the gods, Māra, Brahmā, śramaṇas, and brāhmaṇas, from humans to gods, he himself knew, himself realized, himself accomplished, and himself dwelt. He taught the Dharma, which was excellent in the beginning, excellent in the middle, and excellent in the end, with meaning and expression, complete and pure, revealing the holy life.

Furthermore, it is said that the śramaṇa Gautama possesses the thirty-two marks of a great person. If one possesses the marks of a great person, there are necessarily two true and non-deceptive destinies. If one remains at home, one will certainly become a wheel-turning king, wise and intelligent, with a fourfold army, ruling the world, self-controlled. As a righteous Dharma king, one will accomplish the seven treasures. Those seven treasures are the wheel treasure, elephant treasure, horse treasure, jewel treasure, woman treasure, householder treasure, and general treasure. These are called the seven. One will have a thousand sons, with handsome features, brave and fearless, able to subdue other armies. One will certainly rule over all this land up to the great ocean, not by means of weapons, but by teaching with the Dharma, bringing peace and happiness. If one shaves off one's beard and hair, dons the saffron robes, leaves home out of true faith, and goes forth to practice the path, one will certainly attain the state of a Tathāgata, an Arhat, a Perfectly Enlightened One, with a renowned name spreading throughout the ten directions.

The brāhman Brahmadatta heard this and said, "Udraka, I have heard that the śramaṇa Gautama, the son of the Śākya clan, renounced his Śākya relatives, shaved his beard and hair, donned the saffron robes, left home out of true faith, and went forth to practice the path. He is traveling in the country of Videha, together with a great assembly of bhikṣus. Udraka, it is said that the śramaṇa Gautama has a great reputation that is heard in the ten directions. He is a Tathāgata, an Arhat, a Perfectly Enlightened One, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, a Sugata, an unsurpassed knower of the world, a driver of tameable people, a teacher of gods and men, a Buddha, a Bhagavān. In this world, including the gods, Māra, Brahmā, śramaṇas, and brāhmaṇas, from humans to gods, he himself knows, himself realizes, himself accomplishes, and himself dwells. He teaches the Dharma, which is excellent in the beginning, excellent in the middle, and excellent in the end, with meaning and expression, complete and pure, revealing the holy life.

Furthermore, Udraka, it is said that the śramaṇa Gautama possesses the thirty-two marks of a great person. If one possesses the marks of a great person, there are necessarily two true and non-deceptive destinies. If one remains at home, one will certainly become a wheel-turning king, wise and intelligent, with a fourfold army, ruling the world, self-controlled. As a righteous Dharma king, one will accomplish the seven treasures. Those seven treasures are the wheel treasure, elephant treasure, horse treasure, jewel treasure, woman treasure, householder treasure, and general treasure. These are called the seven. One will have a thousand sons, with handsome features, brave and fearless, able to subdue other armies. One will certainly rule over all this land up to the great ocean, not by means of weapons, but by teaching with the Dharma, bringing peace and happiness. If one shaves off one's beard and hair, dons the saffron robes, leaves home out of true faith, and goes forth to practice the path, one will certainly attain the state of a Tathāgata, an Arhat, a Perfectly Enlightened One, with a renowned name spreading throughout the ten directions.

Udraka, you uphold the teachings and possess the thirty-two marks of a great person. If one possesses the marks of a great person, there are necessarily two true and non-deceptive destinies. If one remains at home, one will certainly become a wheel-turning king, wise and intelligent, with a fourfold army, ruling the world, self-controlled. As a righteous Dharma king, one will accomplish the seven treasures. Those seven treasures are the wheel treasure, elephant treasure, horse treasure, jewel treasure, woman treasure, householder treasure, and general treasure. These are called the seven. One will have a thousand sons, with handsome features, brave and fearless, able to subdue other armies. One will certainly rule over all this land up to the great ocean, not by means of weapons, but by teaching with the Dharma, bringing peace and happiness. If one shaves off one's beard and hair, dons the saffron robes, leaves home out of true faith, and goes forth to practice the path, one will certainly attain the state of a Tathāgata, an Arhat, a Perfectly Enlightened One, with a renowned name spreading throughout the ten directions.

"Udraka replied, "Yes, World-Honored One! I uphold the teachings and possess the thirty-two marks of a great person. If one possesses the marks of a great person, there are necessarily two true and non-deceptive destinies. If one remains at home, one will certainly become a wheel-turning king, wise and intelligent, with a fourfold army, ruling the world, self-controlled. As a righteous Dharma king, one will accomplish the seven treasures. Those seven treasures are the wheel treasure, elephant treasure, horse treasure, jewel treasure, woman treasure, householder treasure, and general treasure. These are called the seven. One will have a thousand sons, with handsome features, brave and fearless, able to subdue other armies. One will certainly rule over all this land up to the great ocean, not by means of weapons, but by teaching with the Dharma, bringing peace and happiness. If one shaves off one's beard and hair, dons the saffron robes, leaves home out of true faith, and goes forth to practice the path, one will certainly attain the state of a Tathāgata, an Arhat, a Perfectly Enlightened One, with a renowned name spreading throughout the ten directions.

"Brahman Varuna said, "Udraka, go to that śramaṇa Gautama and see if he is like this or not. Does he really have the thirty-two marks of a great person?

Udraka heard this and bowed at the feet of Brahman Varuna, circumambulated him three times, and left. He went to where the Buddha was, exchanged greetings, and sat to one side. He observed the World-Honored One's body for the thirty-two marks. He saw that the World-Honored One had thirty marks, but he was uncertain about two marks: the hidden male organ and the broad and long tongue. The World-Honored One thought, "This Udraka is observing my body for the thirty-two marks. He sees thirty marks, but is uncertain about two marks: the hidden male organ and the broad and long tongue. I should now resolve his doubts." Knowing this, the World-Honored One immediately manifested his supernormal powers as appropriate. Having manifested his supernormal powers as appropriate, he caused Udraka to see my hidden male organ and broad and long tongue.

Then the World-Honored One manifested his supernormal powers as appropriate. Having manifested his supernormal powers as appropriate, Udraka saw the World-Honored One's hidden male organ and broad and long tongue. The broad and long tongue is that the tongue comes out of the mouth and covers the face. Having seen this, Udraka thought, "The śramaṇa Gautama has accomplished the thirty-two marks of a great person. If one has accomplished the marks of a great person, there are definitely two truths that are not false. If one stays at home, one will definitely become a wheel-turning king, wise and intelligent, with the four types of armies, ruling the world, self-controlled, a righteous Dharma king who has accomplished the seven treasures. Those seven treasures are the wheel treasure, elephant treasure, horse treasure, jewel treasure, woman treasure, householder treasure, and general treasure. These are called the seven. With a thousand sons, handsome and brave, fearless and able to subdue others, he will definitely rule over all this land up to the great ocean, not by sword or staff, but by teaching with the Dharma, bringing peace and happiness. If he shaves his head and beard, puts on the monastic robes, leaves home out of true faith, becomes a homeless monk, and studies the path, he will definitely attain the state of a Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One, with his fame spreading and being heard in the ten directions."

Udraka further thought, "I should observe his demeanor and conduct, and observe where he goes." Then Udraka followed the Buddha and observed his demeanor and conduct, and observed where he went, for four summer months. After four summer months, Udraka was pleased with the World-Honored One's demeanor and conduct, and with observing where he went. He said, "Gautama! I have something to do now and wish to take leave and return."

The World-Honored One said, "Udraka! Go as you please."

Having heard what the World-Honored One said, Udraka Ramaputta accepted it well and remembered it well. He then rose from his seat, circumambulated the Buddha three times, and left. He went to the brahmin Brahmadatta, bowed his head at the brahmin Brahmadatta's feet, and sat to one side.

The brahmin Brahmadatta asked, "Udraka! Is it really as I have heard, that the śramaṇa Gautama has a great reputation that is heard in the ten directions, and that he really has the thirty-two marks of a great man?"

Udraka Ramaputta replied, "Yes, sir! It is really as I have heard, that the śramaṇa Gautama has a great reputation that is heard in the ten directions. The śramaṇa Gautama is like this, not unlike this. He really has the thirty-two marks. Sir, the śramaṇa Gautama stands with his feet firmly planted, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has a wheel with a thousand spokes growing on the soles of his feet, all complete, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has long toes, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has straight and upright feet, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has full and even ankles on both sides of his feet, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has well-rounded ankles, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has upward-pointing body hair, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has webbed fingers and toes like a goose king, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama.

Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has extremely wonderful and soft hands and feet, soft and tender like a cotton flower, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has soft and fine skin, dust and water do not stick to it, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has one hair per pore, and each hair grows in a single pore, the color is like dark blue, curling to the right like a conch, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has intestines like a deer king, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has a hidden male organ like a good horse king, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has a round and beautiful body like a nyagrodha tree, the upper and lower parts are perfectly proportioned, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has a straight body, by standing upright and stretching his arms he can touch his knees, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama.

Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has a golden body color like purple gold, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has seven full places, the seven full places are the two hands, two feet, two shoulders, and neck, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has a large upper body like a lion, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has lion-like cheeks, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has a straight back, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has two shoulders connected to the neck, which is full and even, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has forty teeth, the teeth are not sparse, the teeth are white, and the teeth are the first taste of flavor, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has a pleasant Brahma voice, his voice is like that of a kalavinka bird, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama.

Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has a broad and long tongue, the broad and long tongue means that when the tongue comes out of the mouth, it covers the entire face, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has full tear ducts, like a bull king, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has dark blue eyes, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has a flesh protuberance on the top of his head, round and well-proportioned, with hair curling to the right, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. Furthermore, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has hair growing between his eyebrows, pure white and curling to the right, this is called, sir, the great man's mark of a great man of the śramaṇa Gautama. This is called, sir, the śramaṇa Gautama has accomplished the thirty-two marks of a great man.

If one has accomplished the marks of a great man, there are necessarily two true and non-false places. If one stays at home, one will definitely become a wheel-turning king, wise and intelligent, with four kinds of armies, ruling the world, freely as one wishes. As a Dharma king who has accomplished the seven treasures, those seven treasures are the wheel treasure, elephant treasure, horse treasure, jewel treasure, female treasure, householder treasure, and general treasure, these are called the seven. With a thousand sons, handsome in appearance, brave and fearless, able to subdue other armies, he will definitely rule over all this land up to the great ocean, not by sword or staff, but by teaching with the Dharma, bringing peace and happiness. If one shaves off one's beard and hair, puts on the saffron robes, with utmost faith, leaves home, becomes homeless, and studies the path, one will definitely attain the state of a Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One, with one's fame spreading and being heard in the ten directions.

Furthermore, sir, I see the śramaṇa Gautama putting on his robe, having put on his robe, wearing his robe, having worn his robe, leaving his room, having left his room, leaving the garden, having left the garden, walking to the village, entering the village, having entered the village, in the street, entering a house, having entered a house, arranging his seat, having arranged his seat, sitting, having sat, washing his hands, having washed his hands, receiving food and drink, having received food and drink, eating, having eaten, washing his hands and reciting the blessing, rising from his seat, leaving the house, having left the house, in the street, leaving the village, having left the village, entering the garden, having entered the garden, entering the room, having entered the room. Sir, the śramaṇa Gautama puts on his robe neatly, not too high or too low, the robe does not cling to the body, the wind cannot cause the robe to separate from the body. Sir, the śramaṇa Gautama wears his robe neatly, not too high or too low, the robe does not cling to the body, the wind cannot cause the robe to separate from the body. Sir, the śramaṇa Gautama always wears new robes, in accordance with the noble ones, cut with a knife, dyed a bad color. Thus, those noble ones dye it a bad color. Those who wear the robes do not do so for wealth, not for pride, not for adornment, not for decoration, but only to ward off the touch of mosquitoes, flies, wind, and sun, and to cover their bodies out of shame.

When he leaves his room, his body is not bent down or raised up. Sir, when the śramaṇa Gautama leaves his room, he never bends down. Sir, when the śramaṇa Gautama wants to walk, he first raises his right foot, raising and lowering it properly, walking without disturbance or evil disturbance. When walking, his two ankles never touch each other. Sir, when the śramaṇa Gautama walks, he is not covered in dust. Why is that? Because of his good conduct in the past. When he leaves the garden, his body is not bent down or raised up. Sir, when the śramaṇa Gautama leaves the garden, he never bends down. When going to the village, his body turns to the right, observing like a dragon, looking all around, not afraid, not terrified, not startled. Why is that? Because he is a Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One. When he enters the village, his body is not bent down or raised up. Sir, when the śramaṇa Gautama enters the village, he never bends down. When in the streets, he does not look down or up, but only looks straight ahead, without obstruction to what is to be known or seen.

Sir, the śramaṇa Gautama's faculties are always calm. Why is that? Because of his good conduct in the past. When he enters a house, his body is not bent down or raised up. Sir, when the śramaṇa Gautama enters a house, he never bends down. Sir, when the śramaṇa Gautama turns his body to the right and sits on a bed, he does not sit on the bed with excessive bodily strength, nor does he support his thighs with his hands while sitting on the bed. Having sat on the bed, he is not sullen or troubled, nor does he enjoy it. When receiving water for washing, he does not do so too high or too low, too much or too little. When receiving food and drink, he does not do so too high or too low, too much or too little. Sir, the śramaṇa Gautama receives food evenly in his bowl, with equal soup and food. Sir, when the śramaṇa Gautama takes food, he puts it neatly into his mouth slowly. Before the food arrives, he does not open his mouth in advance, and while in his mouth, he chews it three times before swallowing. There is no rice or soup, and he does not break it up. There is some left in his mouth, and he puts another mouthful in.

Sir, the śramaṇa Gautama, with three pure things, eats food not to get a taste, but to be free from attachment to taste. He does not eat for wealth, not for pride, not for adornment, not for decoration, but only to sustain his body, to live long without illness, to stop old illnesses, not to give rise to new illnesses, to sustain life without illness, and to have strength and happiness. Having finished eating, he receives water for washing his hands, not too high or too low, not too much or too little. He receives water for washing his bowl, not too high or too low, not too much or too little. Having washed his hands and purified them, his bowl is also purified. Having washed his bowl and purified it, his hands are also purified. Having wiped his hands, he then wipes his bowl. Having wiped his bowl, he then wipes his hands. Having washed and wiped his bowl, he places it aside, not too close or too far, not looking at the bowl often, and not for the sake of the bowl. He does not criticize this food, nor praise that food, but only sits in shame and silence. Having taught the Dharma to the householders, inspired them with longing, and brought them to fulfillment and joy, he then rises from his seat, departs, and returns. When he leaves home, his body is not bent down or raised up.

Sir, when the śramaṇa Gautama leaves home, he never bends down. He does not look down or up in the streets, but only looks straight ahead, without hindrance to what is known and seen. Sir, the śramaṇa Gautama's faculties are always calm. Why is that? Because of his good conduct in the past. When he leaves the village, his body is not bent down or raised up. Sir, when the śramaṇa Gautama leaves the village, he never bends down. When he enters the garden, his body is not bent down or raised up. Sir, when the śramaṇa Gautama enters the garden, he never bends down. After eating in the middle, he puts away his robe and bowl, washes his hands and feet, puts his sitting mat on his shoulder, enters the room, and sits in meditation. Sir, the śramaṇa Gautama enters the room to sit in meditation for the benefit of the world. Sir, the śramaṇa Gautama then rises from his meditation in the afternoon, with a radiant complexion. Why is that? Because he is a Tathāgata, an Arhat, a Perfectly Enlightened One.

"Sir, the śramaṇa Gautama utters eight kinds of sounds with his mouth: one, very deep; two, vimālupa; three, penetrating the heart; four, lovable; five, extremely full; six, vivacious; seven, distinct; eight, wise. Loved by many, enjoyed by many, remembered by many, it brings mental concentration. Sir, the śramaṇa Gautama teaches the Dharma according to the assembly, his voice does not go beyond the assembly, but only in the assembly, he teaches the Dharma, inspiring longing, bringing fulfillment and joy. Having taught the Dharma, inspired longing, and brought fulfillment and joy, he then rises from his seat and returns to his place. Sir, the śramaṇa Gautama is like this, but only more so. Sir, I wish to go to that śramaṇa Gautama to learn the holy life."

The brahmin Brahmadatta said, "As you wish."

Then the student Uddaka bowed his head at the feet of the brahmin Brahmadatta, circumambulated him three times to the right, and left. He went to where the Buddha was, bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, sat to one side, and said, "World-Honored One! I wish to learn the path from the World-Honored One, receive full ordination, become a fully ordained monk, and be able to practice the holy life under the World-Honored One."

Then the World-Honored One ordained the student Uddaka, allowing him to learn the path and receive full ordination. Having ordained the student Uddaka, allowing him to learn the path and receive full ordination, he traveled through the country of Videha, together with a large assembly of monks. He gradually proceeded forward and arrived at Vesali, staying in the Great Grove of the Gods.

The brahmins and householders of Vesali heard that the śramaṇa Gautama, the son of the Śākya clan, had renounced his Śākya family, gone forth to practice the path, and was traveling through the country of Videha, together with a large assembly of monks. He had gradually come to Vesali and was staying in the Great Grove of the Gods. The śramaṇa Gautama had a great reputation that was heard in the ten directions. The śramaṇa Gautama was a Tathāgata, an Arhat, a Perfectly Enlightened One, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, a Sugata, an unsurpassed knower of the world, a driver of tameable people, a teacher of gods and men, a Buddha, a Bhagavān. He had realized for himself and accomplished the supreme perfect enlightenment in this world, among gods, Māras, Brahmās, śramaṇas, and brahmins, from humans to gods. He taught the Dharma that was good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, with the right meaning and phrasing, complete and pure, revealing the holy life. If one saw the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the Perfectly Enlightened One, and honored, paid respect, and made offerings to him, it would be a great gain. We should all go together to see that śramaṇa Gautama and pay homage and make offerings.

Those brahmins and householders of Vesali, each accompanied by their own kind of retinue, left Vesali and went north to the Great Grove of the Gods, wishing to see the World-Honored One, pay homage, and make offerings. Having approached the Buddha, some of the brahmins and householders of Vesali bowed their heads at the Buddha's feet and then sat to one side, some exchanged greetings with the Buddha and then sat to one side, some joined their palms towards the Buddha and then sat to one side, and some sat silently upon seeing the Buddha from afar. After they had each taken their seats, the Buddha taught them the Dharma, inspiring them with yearning and bringing them to fulfillment and joy. Having taught them the Dharma with countless skillful means, inspiring them with yearning and bringing them to fulfillment and joy, he remained silent.

The brahmin Brahmadatta heard that the śramaṇa Gautama, the son of the Śākya clan, had renounced his Śākya family, gone forth to practice the path, and was traveling through the country of Videha, together with a large assembly of monks. He had gradually come to the country of Vesali and was staying in the Great Grove of the Gods. That śramaṇa Gautama had a great reputation that was heard in the ten directions. That śramaṇa Gautama was a Tathāgata, an Arhat, a Perfectly Enlightened One, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, a Sugata, an unsurpassed knower of the world, a driver of tameable people, a teacher of gods and men, a Buddha, a Bhagavān. He had realized for himself and accomplished the supreme perfect enlightenment in this world, among gods, Māras, Brahmās, śramaṇas, and brahmins, from humans to gods. He taught the Dharma that was good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, with the right meaning and phrasing, complete and pure, revealing the holy life. If one saw the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the Perfectly Enlightened One, and honored, paid respect, and made offerings to him, it would be a great gain. I should go to see that śramaṇa Gautama and pay homage and make offerings.

The brahmin Brahmadatta said to the charioteer, "Quickly prepare the carriage! I wish to go to see the śramaṇa Gautama!"

The charioteer received the order and quickly prepared the carriage. He then returned and said, "The carriage is ready. Please know the time." Thereupon, Brahmadatta mounted the most excellent and wonderful carriage, left Vesali, and went north to the Great Grove of the Gods, wishing to see the World-Honored One, pay homage, and make offerings.

At that time, the World-Honored One was surrounded by an immeasurable assembly in front and behind, teaching the Dharma. The brahmin Brahmadatta saw from afar the World-Honored One surrounded by an immeasurable assembly in front and behind, teaching the Dharma. Having seen this, he was terrified. Thereupon, Brahmadatta immediately moved to the side of the road, went to the foot of a tree, and said to a mendicant, "Go to that śramaṇa Gautama and ask on my behalf, 'Are you in good health, free from illness, strong, and living in comfort?' Say this: 'Gautama! My teacher Brahmadatta asks if you are in good health, free from illness, strong, and living in comfort. Gautama! My teacher Brahmadatta wishes to come and see the śramaṇa Gautama!'"

Thereupon, the mendicant accepted the instruction and went to where the Buddha was. They exchanged greetings and sat to one side. He said, "Gautama! My teacher Brahmadatta asks if you are in good health, free from illness, strong, and living in comfort. Gautama! My teacher Brahmadatta wishes to come and see the śramaṇa Gautama!"

The World-Honored One said, "Mendicant! May the brahmin Brahmadatta be at ease and happy, and may the gods, humans, asuras, gandharvas, rākṣasas, and other various kinds of beings be at ease and happy. Mendicant! Let the brahmin Brahmadatta come as he pleases."

Thereupon, the mendicant, having heard what the Buddha said, accepted it well and remembered it well. He then rose from his seat, circumambulated the Buddha three times, and departed. He returned to where the brahmin Brahmadatta was and said, "Sir! I have already informed the śramaṇa Gautama. The śramaṇa Gautama is now waiting for you, sir. You should know the time."

The brahmin Brahmadatta then descended from his carriage and walked to where the Buddha was. The assembly saw from afar the brahmin Brahmadatta coming and immediately rose from their seats, making way for him. Why was this? Because of his fame, virtue, and wide knowledge.

The brahmin Brahmadatta said to the assembly, "Virtuous ones! All of you, please sit down again. I wish to go straight to see the śramaṇa Gautama." Thereupon, Brahmadatta went to where the Buddha was, exchanged greetings, and sat to one side.

At that time, the brahmin Brahmadatta was not lacking in the two faculties of the eyes and ears. Having sat down, Brahmadatta carefully observed the Buddha's body with the thirty-two marks. He saw thirty of them, but had doubts about two: the sheathed penis and the broad and long tongue. Brahmadatta then asked the World-Honored One in verse:

As I have heard before, the thirty-two marks of a great person, I seek
but do not see two on the body of the honored śramaṇa Gautama. Does
he have a sheathed penis? The most honored among all people is deeply hidden
How can he be the most honored among people, not showing his subtle tongue?
If the honored one has a broad and long tongue, I only wish to
see it. Now I truly have doubts in my mind, I pray that the
Tamer will resolve my doubts.

The World-Honored One thought: "This brahmin Brahmadatta seeks the thirty-two marks on my body. He sees thirty, but has doubts about two: the sheathed penis and the broad and long tongue. I should now remove his doubts." The World-Honored One, knowing this, performed the supernormal power of manifesting the image. Having performed the supernormal power of manifesting the image, the brahmin Brahmadatta saw the World-Honored One's sheathed penis and broad and long tongue. As for the broad and long tongue, the tongue came out of the mouth and completely covered his face. The World-Honored One stopped the supernormal power and spoke this verse to the brahmin Brahmadatta:

What you have heard before, the thirty-two marks of a great person, they
are all complete in my body, the supreme and true. The Tamer has
cut off my doubts, the brahmin has given rise to subtle faith. It
is difficult to see and hear, the supreme and true perfect enlightenment. The
appearance in the world is extremely difficult, the supreme and true perfect enlightenment
Brahmins, I am the perfectly enlightened one, the supreme and true Dharma King.

Having heard this, the brahmin Brahmadatta thought: "This Śramaṇa Gautama has accomplished the thirty-two marks of a great person. If one who has accomplished the marks of a great person, there are necessarily two true and non-false places. If he stays at home, he will surely become a wheel-turning king, wise and intelligent, with a fourfold army, ruling the world. As a Dharma king, he will accomplish the seven treasures. Those seven treasures are the wheel treasure, elephant treasure, horse treasure, jewel treasure, woman treasure, householder treasure, and general treasure. These are called the seven. He will have a thousand sons, with handsome faces, brave and fearless, able to subdue other armies. He will surely rule over all this land up to the great ocean, not by sword or staff, but by teaching with the Dharma, bringing peace and happiness. If he shaves his beard and hair, puts on the saffron robes, leaves home out of true faith, becomes a homeless one, and studies the path, he will surely attain the state of Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One, with his fame spreading and being heard in the ten directions."

Then the World-Honored One thought: "This brahmin Brahmadatta has been without flattery and deceit for a long time. Whatever he wants to ask is to understand, not to trouble. He is also like this. I should explain the profound Abhidharma to him." Knowing this, the World-Honored One spoke a verse to the brahmin Brahmadatta:

Because of the Dharma of present happiness, benefiting for the
future. Brahmin, you ask about matters, according to your original
intention. I will resolve your doubts about those various matters."
The World-Honored One having already permitted the brahmin Brahmadatta to
ask, he then asked the World-Honored One about matters according
to his original intention: "What is a brahmin? What is
the meaning of the three knowledges? What is called non-attachment?
What is perfect enlightenment?

At that time, the World-Honored One replied in verse:

Destroying unwholesome dharmas, establishing and abiding in the practice of
the brahman. Cultivating the brahman's practice, this is called a
brahman. Clearly understanding the past, seeing the pleasant and the
evil paths, attaining the exhaustion of ignorance, this is called
the sage. Well knowing the pure mind, completely liberating from
desire, anger, and ignorance, accomplishing the three knowledges, this is
called the three knowledges. Far from unwholesome dharmas, rightly abiding
in the ultimate truth, most respected in the world, this
is called non-attachment. Benefiting devas and humans, giving the eye
destroying disputes, universally knowing and seeing the exhaustion, this is
called perfect enlightenment.

At that time, Brahma immediately rose from his seat, wanting to bow his head at the Buddha's feet. At that time, the great assembly simultaneously let out a loud and lofty voice, saying: "The Śramaṇa Gautama is truly amazing! He has great supernatural powers, great authority, great merit, and great spiritual power. Why is this? Among the brāhmaṇas and householders of this country of Mithilā, Brahma is the foremost, because of his birth. Brahma is raised by his parents, born pure, and his parents' lineage is pure for seven generations. He is born without evil. He bows his head in utmost respect to the Śramaṇa Gautama, making offerings and serving him. The Śramaṇa Gautama is truly amazing! He has great supernatural powers, great authority, great merit, and great spiritual power. Why is this? Among the brāhmaṇas and householders of this country of Mithilā, Brahma is the foremost, because of his learning. Brahma is well-versed and has memorized the four Vedas, deeply understanding the five kinds of statements: cause, condition, right, text, and play. He bows his head in utmost respect to the Śramaṇa Gautama, making offerings and serving him.

"The Śramaṇa Gautama is truly amazing! He has great supernatural powers, great authority, great merit, and great spiritual power. Why is this? Among the brāhmaṇas and householders of this country of Mithilā, Brahma is the foremost, because of his wealth. Brahma is extremely wealthy and prosperous, with immeasurable wealth, livestock, and industries. His fiefs and estates are abundant, with plenty of food and water, grass, and wood. The king of Magadha, Ajātaśatru, has specially granted him a fief. He bows his head in utmost respect to the Śramaṇa Gautama, making offerings and serving him. The Śramaṇa Gautama is truly amazing! He has great supernatural powers, great authority, great merit, and great spiritual power. Why is this? Among the brāhmaṇas and householders of this country of Mithilā, Brahma is the foremost, because of his longevity. Brahma is extremely old, with a full lifespan of one hundred and twenty-six years. He bows his head in utmost respect to the Śramaṇa Gautama, making offerings and serving him."

At that time, the World-Honored One, knowing the thoughts of the great assembly with his mind-reading knowledge, said to the brāhmaṇa Brahma: "Stop, stop! Brāhmaṇa, just be content in your mind. Return to your seat, and I will teach the Dharma for you."

The brāhmaṇa Brahma bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, then sat to one side. The World-Honored One taught the Dharma for him, inspiring him with yearning and bringing about joy. With immeasurable skillful means, he taught the Dharma for him, inspiring him with yearning and bringing about joy. Having done so, according to the way of the Buddhas, he first spoke the Dharma of beauty, which delights the listener, namely, speaking of giving, speaking of precepts, and speaking of the Dharma of rebirth in heaven, criticizing desire as a calamity and saṃsāra as impure, praising the wonderful state of desirelessness and the white purity of the path. Having spoken this, the Buddha knew that he had a joyful mind, a complete mind, a pliant mind, a patient mind, an elevated mind, a one-pointed mind, a mind without doubt, and a mind without afflictions. He had the ability to receive the true Dharma of the Buddha, namely, the true essentials spoken by all Buddhas. The World-Honored One fully spoke for him the teachings on suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path. The brāhmaṇa Brahma then saw the four noble truths on that very seat, namely, suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path, just as white cloth is easily dyed. In this way, the brāhmaṇa Brahma saw the four noble truths on that very seat, namely, suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path.

Then Brahma saw the Dharma, attained the Dharma, realized the pure Dharma, cut off doubts, crossed over perplexity, had no other masters, was no longer dependent on others, had no hesitation, and abided in the realization of the fruits. He attained fearlessness in the World-Honored One's teachings. He then rose from his seat, bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, and said: "World-Honored One! I now take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the community of bhikṣus. I only wish that the World-Honored One would accept me as a lay devotee. From this day forth, I take refuge for life, until the end of my life."

At that time, the brāhmaṇa Brahma joined his palms towards the Buddha and said, "World-Honored One! I only wish that you would deign to accept my invitation tomorrow, together with the community of bhikṣus." The World-Honored One accepted for the sake of the brāhmaṇa Brahma.

The brāhmaṇa Brahma, knowing that the World-Honored One had silently accepted, bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, circumambulated him three times, and departed. He returned to his home and prepared a feast of the finest and most delicious food, with abundant and digestible food. When the meal was ready, he laid out the seats and announced the time, saying, "The World-Honored One! The meal is ready. The Sage knows the time."

Then, the World-Honored One, passing the night, at dawn, put on his robe, took his bowl, with the community of bhikṣus following, with the World-Honored One leading, went to the house of the brāhmaṇa Brahma. In front of the community of bhikṣus, he spread out a seat and sat down. The brāhmaṇa Brahma, knowing that the World-Honored One and the community of bhikṣus had settled in their seats, personally served the water for washing, with the finest and most delicious food, with abundant and digestible food, personally serving and pouring, until they were fully satisfied. After the meal, he put away the dishes, served the water for washing, and took a small seat to sit and receive the blessings.

After Brahma sat down, the World-Honored One spoke the blessing for him, saying:

The fire is the best of fasts, the sound of all sounds
the king is the most honored among humans, the ocean is the
longest of rivers, the moon is the brightest among the stars, the
light of the sun is unsurpassed, above, below, in all directions, and
in all worlds, from humans to gods, the Buddha is the most supreme.

Then, after the World-Honored One had spoken the blessing for the brahmin Brahma, he rose from his seat and left. He stayed in the country of Misala for several days, then put on his robe, took his alms bowl, and traveled to the country of Savatthi. He continued on and arrived at Savatthi, where he stayed at the Jeta Grove Anathapindika's Park. Then, when many bhikkhus were begging for alms in Savatthi, they heard that the brahmin Brahma of Misala had asked the Buddha a question in verse and then passed away. Having heard this, the bhikkhus finished their meal, and after midday, they put away their robes and bowls, washed their hands and feet, put their sitting mats over their shoulders, went to where the Buddha was, bowed their heads at his feet, stood to one side, and said: "World-Honored One! We many bhikkhus put on our robes in the morning, took our alms bowls, and entered Savatthi to beg for alms. We heard that the brahmin Brahma of Misala had asked the Buddha a question in verse and then passed away. World-Honored One! Where has he gone? Where has he been reborn? What will be his future state?"

The World-Honored One replied, "Bhikkhus! The brahmin Brahma has gained great benefit. He understood the Dharma at the last moment and did not trouble me for the sake of the Dharma. Bhikkhus! The brahmin Brahma has exhausted the five lower fetters, and he has been reborn in a place where he will attain parinirvana. He has attained the non-retrogressive state and will not return to this world." At that time, the World-Honored One prophesied that Brahma would attain the state of a non-returner.

The Buddha spoke thus. The brahmin Brahma and the bhikkhus, having heard the Buddha's words, rejoiced and received them with respect.

The tenth chapter on the Brahma Sutra is completed.