Snp, part 7 · Pali Canon (Tipiṭaka) – English & Pāli · Verses Across
Buddhism · Sutta Pitaka · Minor Collection (Khuddaka)
Snp, part 7
The Lowlife · Vasalasutta
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So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. Now at that time in the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper’s home the sacred flame had been kindled and the oblation prepared. Wandering indiscriminately for almsfood in Sāvatthī, the Buddha approached Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper’s house.
Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper saw the Buddha coming off in the distance and said to him, “Stop right there, shaveling! Right there, fake ascetic! Right there, lowlife!”
When he said this, the Buddha said to him, “But brahmin, do you know what is a lowlife or what are the qualities that make you a lowlife?” “No I do not, worthy Gotama. Please, worthy Gotama, teach me this matter so I can understand what is a lowlife or what are the qualities that make you a lowlife.” “Well then, brahmin, listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.” “Yes, worthy sir,” Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper replied. The Buddha said this:
He claims to be a perfected one, when he really is no such thing. In the world with its divinities, that crook is truly the lowest lowlife. These who are called lowlifes I have revealed to you.
Yo ve anarahaṁ santo, Arahaṁ paṭijānāti; Coro sabrahmake loke, Eso kho vasalādhamo; Ete kho vasalā vuttā, Mayā yete pakāsitā.
You’re not a lowlife by birth, nor by birth are you a brahmin. You’re a lowlife by your deeds, by deeds you’re a brahmin.
Na jaccā vasalo hoti, Na jaccā hoti brāhmaṇo; Kammunā vasalo hoti, Kammunā hoti brāhmaṇo.
And also you should know according to this example. A corpse-worker’s son of the dog-eating caste became renowned as Mātaṅga.
He ascended the stainless highway that leads to the heavens; having discarded sensual desire, he was reborn in a realm of divinity. His birth did not prevent him from rebirth in the realm of divinity.
Devayānaṁ abhiruyha, Virajaṁ so mahāpathaṁ; Kāmarāgaṁ virājetvā, Brahmalokūpago ahu; Na naṁ jāti nivāresi, Brahmalokūpapattiyā.
Those born in a brahmin family who recite as kinsmen of the hymns, are often discovered in the midst of wicked deeds.
Ajjhāyakakule jātā, Brāhmaṇā mantabandhavā; Te ca pāpesu kammesu, Abhiṇhamupadissare.
Blameworthy in this very life, and in lives to come, a bad destination. Their birth does not prevent them from blame or bad destiny.
Diṭṭheva dhamme gārayhā, Samparāye ca duggati; Na ne jāti nivāreti, Duggatyā garahāya vā.
You’re not a lowlife by birth, nor by birth are you a brahmin. You’re a lowlife by your deeds, by deeds you’re a brahmin.”
Na jaccā vasalo hoti, Na jaccā hoti brāhmaṇo; Kammunā vasalo hoti, Kammunā hoti brāhmaṇo”ti.
When he had spoken, the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent! … From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”
