Dhammapada Chapter 26 Brahmana Verse 383-423
Verse 383 A saint knows the uncreated
Chinda sotaṃ parakkamma, kāme panuda brāhmaṇa
Saṅkhārānaṃ khayaṃ ñatvā, akataññū’si brāhmaṇa
O Brahmana, cut off the stream of craving with diligence, and abandon sense desires.
O Brahmana, perceiving the cessation of the conditioned, be an arahant who realizes Nibbana, the Unconditioned.
Story related to Dhammapada Verse 383 : Brahmin Who Had Great Faith
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse 383 with reference to a brahmin, who showed extreme devotion to some bhikkhus.
Once, in Savatthi, there lived a brahmin who became extremely devoted to the Buddha and his Teaching, after hearing a discourse given by the Buddha. Every day, he invited the bhikkhus to his house for alms-food. When the bhikkhus arrived at his house, he addressed them as "arahants" and respectfully requested them to enter his house. When thus addressed, the puthujjana bhikkhus and the arahants felt embarrassed and they decided not to go to the brahmin's house the next day.
When the brahmin found that the bhikkhus did not come to his house again he felt unhappy. He went to the Buddha and told him about the bhikkhus not coming to his house. The Buddha sent for those bhikkhus and asked for an explanation. The bhikkhus told the Buddha about the brahmin addressing all of them as arahants.
The Buddha then asked them whether they felt any false pride and undue elation when they were thus addressed. The bhikkhus answered in the negative. To them the Buddha said, "Bhikkhus, if you don't feel any false pride and undue elation when addressed as arahants, you are not guilty of breaking any of the rules of discipline of the bhikkhus. The fact is that the brahmin addressed you so because he was extremely devoted to the arahants. So. my sons, you should strive hard to get rid of craving and attain arahantship."
Chinda sotaṃ parakkamma, kāme panuda brāhmaṇa
Saṅkhārānaṃ khayaṃ ñatvā, akataññū’si brāhmaṇa
O Brahmana, cut off the stream of craving with diligence, and abandon sense desires.
O Brahmana, perceiving the cessation of the conditioned, be an arahant who realizes Nibbana, the Unconditioned.
Story related to Dhammapada Verse 383 : Brahmin Who Had Great Faith
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse 383 with reference to a brahmin, who showed extreme devotion to some bhikkhus.
Once, in Savatthi, there lived a brahmin who became extremely devoted to the Buddha and his Teaching, after hearing a discourse given by the Buddha. Every day, he invited the bhikkhus to his house for alms-food. When the bhikkhus arrived at his house, he addressed them as "arahants" and respectfully requested them to enter his house. When thus addressed, the puthujjana bhikkhus and the arahants felt embarrassed and they decided not to go to the brahmin's house the next day.
When the brahmin found that the bhikkhus did not come to his house again he felt unhappy. He went to the Buddha and told him about the bhikkhus not coming to his house. The Buddha sent for those bhikkhus and asked for an explanation. The bhikkhus told the Buddha about the brahmin addressing all of them as arahants.
The Buddha then asked them whether they felt any false pride and undue elation when they were thus addressed. The bhikkhus answered in the negative. To them the Buddha said, "Bhikkhus, if you don't feel any false pride and undue elation when addressed as arahants, you are not guilty of breaking any of the rules of discipline of the bhikkhus. The fact is that the brahmin addressed you so because he was extremely devoted to the arahants. So. my sons, you should strive hard to get rid of craving and attain arahantship."
Verse 384 : Cultivate concentration and insight
Yadā dvayesu dhammesu, pāragū hoti brāhmaṇo
Atha’ssa sabbe saṃyogā, atthaṃ gacchanti jānato
When the brahmana has ‘crossed over’ in respect of the two states,
(i.e., calm and insight), then all the fetters of that knowing one come to an end.
Story related to Dhammapada Verse 384 : Thirty Bhikkhus
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse 384 with reference to thirty bhikkhus.
On one occasion, thirty bhikkhus came to pay homage to the Buddha. The Venerable Sariputta, seeing that time was ripe and proper for those bhikkhus to attain arahantship, approached the Buddha and asked a question, solely for the benefit of those bhikkhus. The question was this: "What are the two dhammas?" To this the Buddha replied, "Sariputta! Tranquility and Insight Meditation are the two dhammas."
At the end of the discourse all the thirty bhikkhus attain arahantship.
Yadā dvayesu dhammesu, pāragū hoti brāhmaṇo
Atha’ssa sabbe saṃyogā, atthaṃ gacchanti jānato
When the brahmana has ‘crossed over’ in respect of the two states,
(i.e., calm and insight), then all the fetters of that knowing one come to an end.
Story related to Dhammapada Verse 384 : Thirty Bhikkhus
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse 384 with reference to thirty bhikkhus.
On one occasion, thirty bhikkhus came to pay homage to the Buddha. The Venerable Sariputta, seeing that time was ripe and proper for those bhikkhus to attain arahantship, approached the Buddha and asked a question, solely for the benefit of those bhikkhus. The question was this: "What are the two dhammas?" To this the Buddha replied, "Sariputta! Tranquility and Insight Meditation are the two dhammas."
At the end of the discourse all the thirty bhikkhus attain arahantship.
Verse 385: The Unfettered Person Is A Brahmana
Yassa pāraṃ apāraṃ vā, pārāpāraṃ na vijjati
Vītaddaraṃ visaṃyuttaṃ, tam ahaṃ brūmi brāhmaṇaṃ
Him I call a brahmana who has for him neither this shore (i.e., the sense-bases) nor the other shore (i.e., the sense objects), and who is undistressed and free from moral defilements.
Story related to dhammapada verse 385: Mara
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse 385 with reference to Mara.
On one occasion, Mara came to the Buddha disguised as a man and asked him, "Venerable Sir, You often say the word 'param'. What is the meaning of that word?" The Buddha, knowing that it was Mara who was asking that question, chided him, "O wicked Mara! The words 'param' and 'aparam' have nothing to do with you. 'Param' which means 'the other shore' can be reached only by the arahants who are free from moral defilements."
Yassa pāraṃ apāraṃ vā, pārāpāraṃ na vijjati
Vītaddaraṃ visaṃyuttaṃ, tam ahaṃ brūmi brāhmaṇaṃ
Him I call a brahmana who has for him neither this shore (i.e., the sense-bases) nor the other shore (i.e., the sense objects), and who is undistressed and free from moral defilements.
Story related to dhammapada verse 385: Mara
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse 385 with reference to Mara.
On one occasion, Mara came to the Buddha disguised as a man and asked him, "Venerable Sir, You often say the word 'param'. What is the meaning of that word?" The Buddha, knowing that it was Mara who was asking that question, chided him, "O wicked Mara! The words 'param' and 'aparam' have nothing to do with you. 'Param' which means 'the other shore' can be reached only by the arahants who are free from moral defilements."
Verse 386 Who is contemplative and pure is a brahmana
Jhāyiṃ virajam āsīnaṃ, katakiccaṃ anāsavaṃ
Uttamatthaṃ anuppattaṃ, tam ahaṃ brūmi brāhmaṇaṃ
Who is meditative, stainless and secluded, who has done his duty and
is free from corruption, who has attained the highest goal — I call
a Brahmana.
Story related to dhammapada 386: Certain Brahmin
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse 386 with reference to a brahmin.
One day, a brahmin thought to himself, "Gotama Buddha calls his disciples 'brahmana'. I also am a brahmin by caste. Shouldn't I also be called a brahmana?" So thinking, he went to the Buddha and posed this question. To him the Buddha replied, "I do not call one a brahmana simply because of his caste; I only call him a brahmana, who has attained arahatship."
At the end of the discourse the brahmin attained Sotapatti Fruition
Jhāyiṃ virajam āsīnaṃ, katakiccaṃ anāsavaṃ
Uttamatthaṃ anuppattaṃ, tam ahaṃ brūmi brāhmaṇaṃ
Who is meditative, stainless and secluded, who has done his duty and
is free from corruption, who has attained the highest goal — I call
a Brahmana.
Story related to dhammapada 386: Certain Brahmin
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse 386 with reference to a brahmin.
One day, a brahmin thought to himself, "Gotama Buddha calls his disciples 'brahmana'. I also am a brahmin by caste. Shouldn't I also be called a brahmana?" So thinking, he went to the Buddha and posed this question. To him the Buddha replied, "I do not call one a brahmana simply because of his caste; I only call him a brahmana, who has attained arahatship."
At the end of the discourse the brahmin attained Sotapatti Fruition
Verse 387 The buddha shines by day and night
Divā tapati ādicco, rattimābhāti1 candimā
Sannaddho khattiyo tapati, jhāyī tapati brāhmaṇo
Atha sabbam ahorattiṃ, buddho tapati tejasā
By day shines the sun; by night shines the moon; in regalia shines the king; in meditation shines the arahat; but the Buddha in his glory shines at all times, by day and by night.
Story related to dhammapada verse 387: Thera Ananda
While residing at the Pubbarama monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse 387 with reference to the Venerable Ananda.
It was the full moon day of the seventh month (Assayuja) when King Pasenadi of Kosala came to visit the Buddha. The king was then resplendent in his full royal regalia. At that time, Thera Kaludayi was also present in the same room sitting at the edge of the congregation. He was in deep mental absorption (jhana), his body bright and golden. In the sky, the Venerable Ananda noticed that the sun was setting and the moon was just coming out, both the sun and the moon radiating rays of light.
The Venerable Ananda looked at the shining splendour of the king, of the thera, and of the sun and the moon. Finally, the Venerable Ananda looked at the Buddha and he suddenly perceived that the light that was then radiating from the Buddha far surpassed the light shining from the others. Seeing the Buddha in his glory and splendour, the Venerable Ananda immediately approached the Buddha and burst forth, "O Venerable Sir! The light that shines forth from your noble body far surpasses the light from the king, the light from the thera, the light from the sun and the light from the moon."
Divā tapati ādicco, rattimābhāti1 candimā
Sannaddho khattiyo tapati, jhāyī tapati brāhmaṇo
Atha sabbam ahorattiṃ, buddho tapati tejasā
By day shines the sun; by night shines the moon; in regalia shines the king; in meditation shines the arahat; but the Buddha in his glory shines at all times, by day and by night.
Story related to dhammapada verse 387: Thera Ananda
While residing at the Pubbarama monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse 387 with reference to the Venerable Ananda.
It was the full moon day of the seventh month (Assayuja) when King Pasenadi of Kosala came to visit the Buddha. The king was then resplendent in his full royal regalia. At that time, Thera Kaludayi was also present in the same room sitting at the edge of the congregation. He was in deep mental absorption (jhana), his body bright and golden. In the sky, the Venerable Ananda noticed that the sun was setting and the moon was just coming out, both the sun and the moon radiating rays of light.
The Venerable Ananda looked at the shining splendour of the king, of the thera, and of the sun and the moon. Finally, the Venerable Ananda looked at the Buddha and he suddenly perceived that the light that was then radiating from the Buddha far surpassed the light shining from the others. Seeing the Buddha in his glory and splendour, the Venerable Ananda immediately approached the Buddha and burst forth, "O Venerable Sir! The light that shines forth from your noble body far surpasses the light from the king, the light from the thera, the light from the sun and the light from the moon."
Verse 388 He who had discarded all evil is holy
Bāhitapāpo’ti brāhmaṇo, samacariyā samaṇo’ti vuccati
Pabbājay’attano malaṃ, tasmā “pabbajito”ti vuccati
Because he has discarded evil he is called a 'brahmana'; because he lives calmly he is called a 'samana'; and because he gets rid of his impurities he is called a 'pabbajita'.
Story related to Dhammapada Verse 388: Brahmin Recluse
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse 388 with reference to a brahmin ascetic.
Once there was a brahmin ascetic in Savatthi. One day, it occurred to him that the Buddha called his disciples pabbajita bhikkhus and since he also was a recluse, he should also be called a pabbajita. So he went to the Buddha and posed the question why he should not be called a pabbajita. The Buddha's answer to him was this: "Just because one is a recluse one does not automatically become a pabbajita; a pabbajita must have other qualifications also."
At the end of the discourse the brahmin attained Sotapatti Fruition.
Bāhitapāpo’ti brāhmaṇo, samacariyā samaṇo’ti vuccati
Pabbājay’attano malaṃ, tasmā “pabbajito”ti vuccati
Because he has discarded evil he is called a 'brahmana'; because he lives calmly he is called a 'samana'; and because he gets rid of his impurities he is called a 'pabbajita'.
Story related to Dhammapada Verse 388: Brahmin Recluse
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse 388 with reference to a brahmin ascetic.
Once there was a brahmin ascetic in Savatthi. One day, it occurred to him that the Buddha called his disciples pabbajita bhikkhus and since he also was a recluse, he should also be called a pabbajita. So he went to the Buddha and posed the question why he should not be called a pabbajita. The Buddha's answer to him was this: "Just because one is a recluse one does not automatically become a pabbajita; a pabbajita must have other qualifications also."
At the end of the discourse the brahmin attained Sotapatti Fruition.
Verse 389-390 : Do not harm an arahant, an arahant does not retaliate
Na brāhmaṇassa pahareyya, n’āssa muñcetha brāhmaṇo
Dhī brāhmaṇassa hantāraṃ, tato dhī yassa muñcati.
Na brāhmaṇass’etadakiñci seyyo, yadā nisedho manaso piyehi
Yato yato hiṃsamano nivattatim tato tato sammatimeva dukkhaṃ
One should not strike a brahmana; a brahmana should not get angry with his assailant; it is shameful to strike a brahmana; it is more shameful to get angry with one's assailant.
For a brahmana there is no benefit at all if he does not restrain from anger to which his mind is prone. Inasmuch as one desists from the intention to harm, to that extent dukkha ceases.
Story related to Dhammapada verse 389-390: Thera Sariputta
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses 389 and 390 with reference to the Venerable Sariputta.
The Venerable Sariputta was often praised by many people for his patience and forbearance. His pupils usually said of him thus: "Our teacher is a man of great patience and extreme endurance. If he is abused or even beaten by others, he does not lose his temper but remains calm and composed."
As this was often said of the Venerable Sariputta, a brahmin holding wrong views declared to the admirers of Sariputta that he would provoke the Venerable Sariputta into anger. At that moment, the Venerable Sariputta, who was on his alms-round, appeared on the scene; the brahmin went after him and hit him hard on his back with his hand. The thera did not even look round to see who was the person that attacked him, but proceeded on his way as if nothing had happened. Seeing the magnanimity and great fortitude of the noble thera, the brahmin was very much shaken. He got down on his knees at the feet of the Venerable Sariputta, admitted that he had wrongfully hit the thera, and asked for pardon. The brahmin then continued, "Venerable Sir, should you forgive me, kindly come to my house for alms-food."
In the evening, other bhikkhus reported to the Buddha that the Venerable Sariputta had gone for alms-food to the house of a brahmin who had beaten him. Further, they observed that the brahmin was sure to get bolder and he would soon be assaulting other bhikkhus also. To those bhikkhus, the Buddha replied, "Bhikkhus, a true brahmana does not beat another true brahmana; only an ordinary man or an ordinary brahmin would beat an arahant in anger and ill will. This ill will should be eradicated by Anagami Magga."
Na brāhmaṇassa pahareyya, n’āssa muñcetha brāhmaṇo
Dhī brāhmaṇassa hantāraṃ, tato dhī yassa muñcati.
Na brāhmaṇass’etadakiñci seyyo, yadā nisedho manaso piyehi
Yato yato hiṃsamano nivattatim tato tato sammatimeva dukkhaṃ
One should not strike a brahmana; a brahmana should not get angry with his assailant; it is shameful to strike a brahmana; it is more shameful to get angry with one's assailant.
For a brahmana there is no benefit at all if he does not restrain from anger to which his mind is prone. Inasmuch as one desists from the intention to harm, to that extent dukkha ceases.
Story related to Dhammapada verse 389-390: Thera Sariputta
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses 389 and 390 with reference to the Venerable Sariputta.
The Venerable Sariputta was often praised by many people for his patience and forbearance. His pupils usually said of him thus: "Our teacher is a man of great patience and extreme endurance. If he is abused or even beaten by others, he does not lose his temper but remains calm and composed."
As this was often said of the Venerable Sariputta, a brahmin holding wrong views declared to the admirers of Sariputta that he would provoke the Venerable Sariputta into anger. At that moment, the Venerable Sariputta, who was on his alms-round, appeared on the scene; the brahmin went after him and hit him hard on his back with his hand. The thera did not even look round to see who was the person that attacked him, but proceeded on his way as if nothing had happened. Seeing the magnanimity and great fortitude of the noble thera, the brahmin was very much shaken. He got down on his knees at the feet of the Venerable Sariputta, admitted that he had wrongfully hit the thera, and asked for pardon. The brahmin then continued, "Venerable Sir, should you forgive me, kindly come to my house for alms-food."
In the evening, other bhikkhus reported to the Buddha that the Venerable Sariputta had gone for alms-food to the house of a brahmin who had beaten him. Further, they observed that the brahmin was sure to get bolder and he would soon be assaulting other bhikkhus also. To those bhikkhus, the Buddha replied, "Bhikkhus, a true brahmana does not beat another true brahmana; only an ordinary man or an ordinary brahmin would beat an arahant in anger and ill will. This ill will should be eradicated by Anagami Magga."
