SA-2 71（七一）

Thus have I heard:

Once, the Buddha was at Anāthapiṇḍada's Park in the Jeta Grove near Śrāvastī. At that time, King Prasenajit went to where the Buddha was, bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, and sat to one side. At that time, there were seven long-haired Brahmins, seven naked Nirgranthas, and seven one-clothed ascetics in the Jeta Grove, all of them tall and large. King Prasenajit saw the non-Buddhist ascetics walking back and forth in the Jeta Grove. At that time, King Prasenajit rose from his seat, joined his palms respectfully, faced the non-Buddhist ascetics, and said, "I am King Prasenajit." He said this three times. The Buddha said to King Prasenajit, "Why do you see these long-haired, naked, and one-clothed people with such respect?"

The king said, "World-Honored One! These three people in my country are the most supreme among arhats."

The Buddha said to the king, "You do not understand the intentions of others. How can you know who is an arhat and who is not? Only by living with them for a long time and observing them can you know. Even if you live with them for a long time, the wise can know whether they keep the precepts or break them, but the foolish cannot. If their parents, relatives, and family members die, you can distinguish them. If there is no such thing, it is difficult to know. If they encounter difficulties and are forced by others to commit murder, or if they are forced by a woman in private and do not break the precepts, you can know their firmness. Only by following and observing them can you know their purity or impurity. If you want to test their wisdom, listen to what they say. Only the wise can distinguish. Only the wise can know after living with them for a long time."

The king praised the Buddha, saying, "Excellent! World-Honored One! As the Buddha has said, only by living with them for a long time can one know whether they keep the precepts or break them. When faced with difficulties, one can distinguish them by observing their conduct and knowing their purity or impurity. Only by discussing and debating can one distinguish their wisdom and ignorance. The Buddha has said that only the wise can know after living with them for a long time, not immediately. Why is this? The people I send are also made to wear such attire. I send them far to other countries to observe the people there. They may stay for eight months or ten months, doing various things, before returning to the country. They indulge in the five desires and do everything as before, without any difference. Therefore, I know that what the Buddha has said is truly well-said." The king said again, "World-Honored One! I also knew about this before, but I did not observe it and immediately gave rise to respect.

At that time, the World-Honored One spoke a verse, saying:

One cannot observe and know by seeing their appearance. If one
suddenly sees a person, one cannot immediately trust them. Their appearance
may resemble an arhat, but they do not truly control their
faculties. Their various physical appearances and conduct cannot be distinguished. It
is like painting an ear pot or painting a coin. The
ignorant think it is gold, but inside it is actually copper
Such people are ignorant and know nothing. Externally they resemble the
virtuous, but internally their minds are truly poisonous and evil. When
walking, they often bring many followers, showing themselves to be virtuous and superior.

The Buddha having spoken thus, the bhikṣus, having heard the Buddha's teaching, rejoiced and upheld it.