English
Seated to one side, the mendicant brahmin said this to the Blessed One: "I too, good Gotama, am a mendicant, and you too are a mendicant. What is the difference between us here?" "Not by that is one a mendicant, just because one begs from others; Taking up a vile practice, not by that is one a mendicant. "But one who here has cast off both merit and demerit, And lives a holy life, understanding, in the world, That one is truly called a mendicant." When this was said, the mendicant brahmin said this to the Blessed One: "Excellent, good Gotama, excellent, good Gotama… (as in the previous suttas)… Let the good Gotama remember me as a lay follower, who has taken refuge from this day forth as long as life lasts." 11. The Saṅgārava Sutta 207. Occasion in Sāvatthī. At that time, a brahmin named Saṅgārava was residing in Sāvatthī, a water-purifier, who believed in purification by water, and was devoted to the practice of descending into water morning and evening. Then, in the morning, the Venerable Ānanda dressed, took his bowl and robe, and entered Sāvatthī for alms. Having walked for alms in Sāvatthī, and having returned from his alms-round after his meal, he approached the Blessed One; having approached, he saluted the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the Venerable Ānanda said this to the Blessed One: "Here, venerable sir, a brahmin named Saṅgārava is residing in Sāvatthī, a water-purifier, who believes in purification by water, and is devoted to the practice of descending into water morning and evening. It would be good, venerable sir, if the Blessed One would approach the dwelling of the brahmin Saṅgārava, out of compassion." The Blessed One consented by silence. Then, in the morning, the Blessed One dressed, took his bowl and robe, and approached the dwelling of the brahmin Saṅgārava. He went to his dwelling. Having gone, he sat on the prepared seat. Then the brahmin Saṅgārava went to where the Blessed One was. Having gone, he exchanged greetings with the Blessed One. Having concluded the courteous and memorable talk, he sat down to one side. To the brahmin Saṅgārava, sitting to one side, the Blessed One said this: "Is it true, brahmin, that you are a water-purifier, that you believe in purity through water, that you live devoted to the practice of descending into water morning and evening?" "Yes, good Gotama." "Seeing what benefit, brahmin, are you a water-purifier, do you believe in purity through water, do you live devoted to the practice of descending into water morning and evening?" "Here, good Gotama, whatever evil deed I have done during the day, that I wash away with a bath in the evening. Whatever evil deed I have done during the night, that I wash away with a bath in the morning. Seeing this benefit, good Gotama, I am a water-purifier, I believe in purity through water, I live devoted to the practice of descending into water morning and evening." "The Dhamma is a lake, brahmin, with the shore of virtue, Undisturbed, praised by the good and the wise; Where indeed those who know the Vedas bathe, And with unsoiled bodies cross to the other shore." When this was said, the brahmin Saṅgārava said to the Blessed One: "Excellent, good Gotama! Excellent, good Gotama! ... Let the good Gotama remember me as a lay follower, who has taken refuge from this day forth, for as long as life lasts." 12. The Khomadussa Sutta Thus have I heard: At one time the Blessed One was dwelling among the Sakyans, at a Sakyan town named Khomadussa. Then the Blessed One, having dressed in the morning and taken his bowl and robe, entered the town of Khomadussa for alms. Now at that time, the brahmin householders of Khomadussa were assembled in the assembly hall for some business or other, and the deva... who touches one? Then the Blessed One approached that assembly. The Khomadussa brahmins and householders saw the Blessed One coming from afar. Having seen him, they said: "Who are these shaven-headed ascetics? Who will know the law of the assembly?" Then the Blessed One addressed the Khomadussa brahmins and householders with a verse: "That is not an assembly where there are no good people, They are not good people who do not speak the Dhamma; Having abandoned lust, hatred, and delusion, Those who speak the Dhamma are indeed good people." When this was said, the Khomadussa brahmins and householders said to the Blessed One: "Excellent, good Gotama! Excellent, good Gotama! Just as, good Gotama, one might set upright what was overturned, or reveal what was hidden, or point out the way to one who was lost, or hold up a lamp in the darkness so that those with eyes might see forms—even so has the Dhamma been made clear by the good Gotama in many ways. We go for refuge to the good Gotama, to the Dhamma, and to the Sangha of monks. May the good Gotama remember us as lay followers who have gone for refuge from this day forth as long as life lasts." The Chapter on Lay Followers is the second. Its summary: Cultivation, Udaya, Devahita, another great hall; Arrogant, hostile, new worker, wood gatherer; Mother-supporter, beggar, Sangarava, and Khomadussa, these are twelve. The Connected Discourses with Brahmins is finished.