2:7 The Traditions of The Brahmnins

Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Park. Then some affluent brahmins of Kosala — old, aged, burdened with years, advanced in life, come to the last stage — approached the Blessed One and exchanged greetings with him. When they had concluded their greetings and cordial talk, they sat down to one side and said to the Blessed One:

“Master Gotama, are the brahmins presently seen observing the brahmanical tradition of the ancient brahmins?”

“Brahmins, the brahmins are not presently seen observing the brahmanical tradition of the ancient brahmins.”

“Please let Master Gotama speak about the brahmanical tradition of the ancient brahmins, if it would not be an imposition.”

“In that case, brahmins, listen and attend closely. I will speak.”

Those affluent brahmins replied: “Yes, sir.” The Blessed One said this:

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284“The rishis of the past
controlled themselves and were austere;
having abandoned the five strands of sense pleasures,
they practiced for their own good. (1) [51]

285“The brahmins did not own cattle,
nor did they keep bullion and grain.
They had study as their wealth and grain;
they guarded a divine treasure. (2)

286“Whatever was prepared for them,
such food was placed at their doors.
People thought what was prepared in faith
should be given to those who sought it. (3)

287“With cloths dyed various colors,
with bedding, and with dwellings,
[those from] prosperous provinces and realms
paid homage to those brahmins. (4)

288“The brahmins were inviolable,
unconquerable, protected by Dhamma.
No one at all obstructed them in any way
at the doors of their homes. (5)

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289“For forty-eight years they observed
the spiritual life of virginal celibacy.
The brahmins in the past pursued
the quest for knowledge and conduct. (6)

290“The brahmins did not marry outside,
nor did they purchase a wife.
Having united through affection,
they agreed to dwell together. (7)

291“Apart from that occasion,
after her fertile season was over,
the brahmins never went to her
for sexual intercourse during the interval. (8)

292“They praised the spiritual life
of celibacy and good behavior,
rectitude, mildness, and austerity,
gentleness, harmlessness, and patience. (9) [52]

293“He who was supreme among them —
the brahmin firm in his exertion —
did not engage in sex,
even in a dream. (10)

294“Training in accordance with his practice,
others here of intelligent disposition
praised the spiritual life of celibacy
as well as good behavior and patience. (11)

295“Having requested rice,
bedding, clothes, ghee, and oil,
having righteously collected them,
they then performed sacrifice.(12)

296“But at the sacrifice that was arranged,
they did not slaughter cattle.Be includes the last couplet here in the following verse, but I follow Ce and Ee.
Like a mother, father, brother,
or any other relatives,
cows are our supreme friends,
since medicines are produced in them. (13)

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297“They give food and strength,
and so too beauty and happiness.
Having recognized this benefit,
they did not slaughter cattle. (14)

298“Delicate, with large bodies,
handsome, and glorious, the brahmins
were keen on what was to be done and not done
according to their own traditions.
As long as these continued in the world,
this population happily flourished. (15)

299“But an inversion took place in them:
having [previously] seen the slight as slight,
they saw the splendor of the king
and lavishly adorned women, (16)

300“chariots yoked with thoroughbreds,
well made, with colorful coverings,
abodes and residences that were
designed and measured in proportion. (17)

301“The brahmins then coveted
abundant human wealth
accompanied by herds of cattle,
and groups of resplendent women. (18)

302“Having composed hymns to that end,
they then approached Okkāka and said: [53]
‘You have abundant wealth and grain.
Sacrifice, you have much treasure;
sacrifice, you have much wealth.’ (19)

303“And then, convinced by the brahmins,
the king, lord of charioteers,
had these sacrifices performed:
the horse sacrifice, the man sacrifice,
the sammāpāsa, vācapeyya, and niraggaḷa.
He then gave wealth to the brahmins: (20)

304“cattle and bedding and clothes
and lavishly adorned women;
chariots yoked with thoroughbreds,
well made, with variegated coverings; (21)

305“residences that were delightful
and well designed in proportion.
Having filled them with various kinds of grain,
he gave this wealth to the brahmins. (22)

306“Having obtained wealth there,
they agreed to store it up.
As they fell under the control of desire,
their craving increased still more.
Having composed hymns for this purpose,
they again approached Okkāka and said: (23)

307“‘Like water and the earth
like bullion, wealth, and grain,
just so are cattle [useful] to people,
for they are requisites of living beings.
Sacrifice, you have much treasure;
sacrifice, you have much wealth.’ (24)

308“And then the king, lord of charioteers,
convinced by the brahmins,
had many hundreds and thousands of cows
slaughtered in sacrifice. (25)

309“They did not harm anyone in any way —
not with their feet or their horns.
The cows were as mild as lambs,
giving buckets of milk.
But having grabbed their horns,
the king slew them with a knife. (26) [54]

310“Then the devas and the fathers,Reading with Be tato devā pitaro ca, also adopted by Norman and apparently supported by Pj II.
Indra, the asuras, and rakkhasas,
cried out, ‘How unrighteous!’
because the knife struck a cow. (27)

311“Formerly there were three illnesses:
desire, hunger, and old age.
But because of the slaughter of cattle,
there came to be ninety-eight. (28)

312“This unrighteousness by violence
has come down as an ancient custom.
They kill the harmless creatures;
the sacrificers fall from righteousness. (29)

313“In such a way this mean practice,
though ancient, is censured by the wise.
Wherever they see such a thing,
people censure the sacrificer. (30)

314“When the Dhamma had thus been lost,
suddas and vessas were divided.
Numerous khattiyas were divided;
the wife despised her husband.Reading patiṃ bhariyā’vamaññatha. (31)

315“Khattiyas and Brahmā’s kinsmen,
and others protected by their clan,
disregarding the doctrine of birth,
have come under the control of sensual pleasures.” (32)

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When this was said, those affluent brahmins said this to the Blessed One: “Excellent, Master Gotama! Excellent, Master Gotama! Master Gotama has made the Dhamma clear in many ways, as though he were turning upright what had been overthrown, revealing what was hidden, showing the way to one who was lost, or holding up a lamp in the darkness so those with good eyesight can see forms.

We now go for refuge to Master Gotama, to the Dhamma, [55] and to the Sangha of bhikkhus. Let Master Gotama consider us lay followers who from today have gone for refuge for life.”

Brāhmaṇadhammikasutta

Evaṁ me sutaṁ. Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Atha kho sambahulā kosalakā brāhmaṇamahāsālā jiṇṇā vuḍḍhā mahallakā addhagatā vayoanuppattā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodiṁsu. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho te brāhmaṇamahāsālā bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:

"Sandissanti nu kho, bho gotama, etarahi brāhmaṇā porāṇānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ brāhmaṇadhamme"ti?

"Na kho, brāhmaṇā, sandissanti etarahi brāhmaṇā porāṇānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ brāhmaṇadhamme"ti.

"Sādhu no bhavaṁ gotamo porāṇānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ brāhmaṇadhammaṁ bhāsatu, sace bhoto gotamassa agarū"ti.

"Tena hi, brāhmaṇā, suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha, bhāsissāmī"ti.

"Evaṁ, bho"ti kho te brāhmaṇamahāsālā bhagavato paccassosuṁ. Bhagavā etadavoca:

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284"Isayo pubbakā āsuṁ,
saññatattā tapassino;
Pañca kāmaguṇe hitvā,
attadatthamacārisuṁ.

285 Na pasū brāhmaṇānāsuṁ,
na hiraññaṁ na dhāniyaṁ;
Sajjhāyadhanadhaññāsuṁ,
brahmaṁ nidhimapālayuṁ.

286 Yaṁ nesaṁ pakataṁ āsi,
dvārabhattaṁ upaṭṭhitaṁ;
Saddhāpakatamesānaṁ,
dātave tadamaññisuṁ.

287 Nānārattehi vatthehi,
sayanehāvasathehi ca;
Phītā janapadā raṭṭhā,
te namassiṁsu brāhmaṇe.

288 Avajjhā brāhmaṇā āsuṁ,
ajeyyā dhammarakkhitā;
Na ne koci nivāresi,
kuladvāresu sabbaso.

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(komāra)

289Aṭṭhacattālīsaṁ vassāni,
Brahmacariyaṁ cariṁsu te;
Vijjācaraṇapariyeṭṭhiṁ,
Acaruṁ brāhmaṇā pure.

290 Na brāhmaṇā aññamagamuṁ,
napi bhariyaṁ kiṇiṁsu te;
Sampiyeneva saṁvāsaṁ,
saṅgantvā samarocayuṁ.

291 Aññatra tamhā samayā,
utuveramaṇiṁ pati;
Antarā methunaṁ dhammaṁ,
nāssu gacchanti brāhmaṇā.

292 Brahmacariyañca sīlañca,
ajjavaṁ maddavaṁ tapaṁ;
Soraccaṁ avihiṁsañca,
khantiñcāpi avaṇṇayuṁ.

293 Yo nesaṁ paramo āsi,
Brahmā daḷhaparakkamo;
Sa vāpi methunaṁ dhammaṁ,
Supinantepi nāgamā.

294 Tassa vattamanusikkhantā,
Idheke viññujātikā;
Brahmacariyañca sīlañca,
Khantiñcāpi avaṇṇayuṁ.

295 Taṇḍulaṁ sayanaṁ vatthaṁ,
Sappitelañca yāciya;
Dhammena samodhānetvā,
Tato yaññamakappayuṁ.

296 Upaṭṭhitasmiṁ yaññasmiṁ,
Nāssu gāvo haniṁsu te;
Yathā mātā pitā bhātā,
Aññe vāpi ca ñātakā;
Gāvo no paramā mittā,
Yāsu jāyanti osadhā.

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297 Annadā baladā cetā,
Vaṇṇadā sukhadā tathā;
Etamatthavasaṁ ñatvā,
Nāssu gāvo haniṁsu te.

298 Sukhumālā mahākāyā,
Vaṇṇavanto yasassino;
Brāhmaṇā sehi dhammehi,
Kiccākiccesu ussukā;
Yāva loke avattiṁsu,
Sukhamedhitthayaṁ pajā.

299 Tesaṁ āsi vipallāso,
Disvāna aṇuto aṇuṁ;
Rājino ca viyākāraṁ,
Nāriyo samalaṅkatā.

300 Rathe cājaññasaṁyutte,
Sukate cittasibbane;
Nivesane nivese ca,
Vibhatte bhāgaso mite.

301 Gomaṇḍalaparibyūḷhaṁ,
Nārīvaragaṇāyutaṁ;
Uḷāraṁ mānusaṁ bhogaṁ,
Abhijjhāyiṁsu brāhmaṇā.

302 Te tattha mante ganthetvā,
Okkākaṁ tadupāgamuṁ;
Pahūtadhanadhaññosi,
Yajassu bahu te vittaṁ;
Yajassu bahu te dhanaṁ.

303 Tato ca rājā saññatto,
Brāhmaṇehi rathesabho;
Assamedhaṁ purisamedhaṁ,
Sammāpāsaṁ vājapeyyaṁ niraggaḷaṁ;
Ete yāge yajitvāna,
Brāhmaṇānamadā dhanaṁ.

304 Gāvo sayanañca vatthañca,
Nāriyo samalaṅkatā;
Rathe cājaññasaṁyutte,
Sukate cittasibbane.

305 Nivesanāni rammāni,
Suvibhattāni bhāgaso;
Nānādhaññassa pūretvā,
Brāhmaṇānamadā dhanaṁ.

306 Te ca tattha dhanaṁ laddhā,
Sannidhiṁ samarocayuṁ;
Tesaṁ icchāvatiṇṇānaṁ,
Bhiyyo taṇhā pavaḍḍhatha;
Te tattha mante ganthetvā,
Okkākaṁ puna mupāgamuṁ.

307 Yathā āpo ca pathavī ca,
Hiraññaṁ dhanadhāniyaṁ;
Evaṁ gāvo manussānaṁ,
Parikkhāro so hi pāṇinaṁ;
Yajassu bahu te vittaṁ,
Yajassu bahu te dhanaṁ.

308 Tato ca rājā saññatto,
Brāhmaṇehi rathesabho;
Nekā satasahassiyo,
Gāvo yaññe aghātayi.

309 Na pādā na visāṇena,
Nāssu hiṁsanti kenaci;
Gāvo eḷakasamānā,
Soratā kumbhadūhanā;
Tā visāṇe gahetvāna,
Rājā satthena ghātayi.

310 Tato devā pitaro ca,
Indo asurarakkhasā;
Adhammo iti pakkanduṁ,
Yaṁ satthaṁ nipatī gave.

311 Tayo rogā pure āsuṁ,
Icchā anasanaṁ jarā;
Pasūnañca samārambhā,
Aṭṭhānavutimāgamuṁ.

312 Eso adhammo daṇḍānaṁ,
Okkanto purāṇo ahu;
Adūsikāyo haññanti,
Dhammā dhaṁsanti yājakā.

313 Evameso aṇudhammo,
Porāṇo viññugarahito;
Yattha edisakaṁ passati,
Yājakaṁ garahatī jano.

314 Evaṁ dhamme viyāpanne,
Vibhinnā suddavessikā;
Puthū vibhinnā khattiyā,
Patiṁ bhariyāvamaññatha.

315 Khattiyā brahmabandhū ca,
Ye caññe gottarakkhitā;
Jātivādaṁ nirākatvā,
Kāmānaṁ vasamanvagun"ti.

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Evaṁ vutte, te brāhmaṇamahāsālā bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ: "Abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama … pe …

… upāsake no bhavaṁ gotamo dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupete saraṇaṁ gate"ti.

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Brāhmaṇadhammikasuttaṁ sattamaṁ.