- 0.1Majjhima Nikāya 98Middle Discourses 98
0.2VāseṭṭhasuttaWith Vāseṭṭha
1.1Evaṁ me sutaṁ—So I have heard.11.2ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā icchānaṅgale viharati icchānaṅgalavanasaṇḍe.At one time the Buddha was staying in a forest near Icchānaṅgala.
2.1Tena kho pana samayena sambahulā abhiññātā abhiññātā brāhmaṇamahāsālā icchānaṅgale paṭivasanti, seyyathidaṁ—Now at that time several very well-known well-to-do brahmins were residing in Icchānaṅgala. They included2.2caṅkī brāhmaṇo, tārukkho brāhmaṇo, pokkharasāti brāhmaṇo, jāṇussoṇi brāhmaṇo, todeyyo brāhmaṇo, aññe ca abhiññātā abhiññātā brāhmaṇamahāsālā.the brahmins Caṅkī, Tārukkha, Pokkharasāti, Jānussoṇi, Todeyya, and others.2
3.1Atha kho vāseṭṭhabhāradvājānaṁ māṇavānaṁ jaṅghāvihāraṁ anucaṅkamantānaṁ anuvicarantānaṁ ayamantarākathā udapādi:Then as the students Vāseṭṭha and Bhāradvāja were going for a walk they began to discuss the question:33.2“kathaṁ, bho, brāhmaṇo hotī”ti?“How do you become a brahmin?”
3.3Bhāradvājo māṇavo evamāha:Bhāradvāja said this:3.4“yato kho, bho, ubhato sujāto mātito ca pitito ca saṁsuddhagahaṇiko yāva sattamā pitāmahayugā akkhitto anupakkuṭṭho jātivādena—“When you’re well born on both your mother’s and father’s side, stemming from a clean vessel, with irrefutable and impeccable genealogy back to the seventh paternal generation—43.5ettāvatā kho, bho, brāhmaṇo hotī”ti.then you’re a brahmin.”
3.6Vāseṭṭho māṇavo evamāha:Vāseṭṭha said this:3.7“yato kho, bho, sīlavā ca hoti vattasampanno ca—“When you’re ethical and accomplished in doing your duties—53.8ettāvatā kho, bho, brāhmaṇo hotī”ti.then you’re a brahmin.”
4.1Neva kho asakkhi bhāradvājo māṇavo vāseṭṭhaṁ māṇavaṁ saññāpetuṁ, na pana asakkhi vāseṭṭho māṇavo bhāradvājaṁ māṇavaṁ saññāpetuṁ.But neither was able to persuade the other.
5.1Atha kho vāseṭṭho māṇavo bhāradvājaṁ māṇavaṁ āmantesi:So Vāseṭṭha said to Bhāradvāja,5.2“ayaṁ kho, bho bhāradvāja, samaṇo gotamo sakyaputto sakyakulā pabbajito icchānaṅgale viharati icchānaṅgalavanasaṇḍe.“Worthy Bhāradvāja, the ascetic Gotama—a Sakyan, gone forth from a Sakyan family—is staying in a forest near Icchānaṅgala.5.3Taṁ kho pana bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato:He has this good reputation:5.4‘itipi so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho vijjācaraṇasampanno sugato lokavidū anuttaro purisadammasārathi satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā’ti.‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’5.5Āyāma, bho bhāradvāja, yena samaṇo gotamo tenupasaṅkamissāma; upasaṅkamitvā samaṇaṁ gotamaṁ etamatthaṁ pucchissāma.Come, let’s go to see him and ask him about this matter.5.6Yathā no samaṇo gotamo byākarissati tathā naṁ dhāressāmā”ti.As he answers, so we’ll remember it.”
5.7“Evaṁ, bho”ti kho bhāradvājo māṇavo vāseṭṭhassa māṇavassa paccassosi.“Yes, worthy sir,” replied Bhāradvāja.
6.1Atha kho vāseṭṭhabhāradvājā māṇavā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodiṁsu.So they went to the Buddha and exchanged greetings with him.6.2Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu.When the greetings and polite conversation were over, they sat down to one side,6.3Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho vāseṭṭho māṇavo bhagavantaṁ gāthāhi ajjhabhāsi:and Vāseṭṭha addressed the Buddha in verse:
7.1“Anuññātapaṭiññātā,“We’re both authorized masters7.2tevijjā mayamasmubho;of the three Vedas.7.3Ahaṁ pokkharasātissa,I’m a student of Pokkharasāti,67.4tārukkhassāyaṁ māṇavo.and he of Tārukkha.7
7.5Tevijjānaṁ yadakkhātaṁ,We’re fully qualified7.6tatra kevalinosmase;in all the Vedic experts teach.7.7Padakasmā veyyākaraṇā,As philologists and grammarians,7.8jappe ācariyasādisā;we match our tutors in recitation.7.9Tesaṁ no jātivādasmiṁ,We have a dispute7.10vivādo atthi gotama.regarding genealogy.
7.11Jātiyā brāhmaṇo hoti,For Bhāradvāja says that7.12bhāradvājo iti bhāsati;one is a brahmin due to birth,7.13Ahañca kammunā brūmi,but I declare it’s because of one’s deeds.7.14evaṁ jānāhi cakkhuma.Oh Clear-eyed One, know this as our debate.
7.15Te na sakkoma ñāpetuṁ,Since neither of us was able7.16aññamaññaṁ mayaṁ ubho;to convince the other,7.17Bhavantaṁ puṭṭhumāgamā,we’ve come to ask you, sir,7.18sambuddhaṁ iti vissutaṁ.renowned as the awakened one.
7.19Candaṁ yathā khayātītaṁ,As people honor with cupped palms7.20pecca pañjalikā janā;the moon on the cusp of waxing,7.21Vandamānā namassanti,bowing, they revere7.22lokasmiṁ gotamaṁ.Gotama in the world.
7.23Cakkhuṁ loke samuppannaṁ,We ask this of Gotama,7.24mayaṁ pucchāma gotamaṁ;the Eye arisen in the world:87.25Jātiyā brāhmaṇo hoti,is one a brahmin due to birth,7.26udāhu bhavati kammunā;or else because of deeds?7.27Ajānataṁ no pabrūhi,We don’t know, please tell us,7.28yathā jānemu brāhmaṇan”ti.so we can recognize a brahmin.”
8.1“Tesaṁ vo ahaṁ byakkhissaṁ,“I shall explain to you,”8.2(vāseṭṭhāti bhagavā)said the Buddha,8.3Anupubbaṁ yathātathaṁ;“accurately and in sequence,8.4Jātivibhaṅgaṁ pāṇānaṁ,the taxonomy of living creatures,8.5Aññamaññāhi jātiyo.for species are indeed diverse.
8.6Tiṇarukkhepi jānātha,Know the grass and trees,8.7na cāpi paṭijānare;though they lack self-awareness.8.8Liṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ tesaṁ,They’re defined by birth,8.9aññamaññā hi jātiyo.for species are indeed diverse.9
8.10Tato kīṭe paṭaṅge ca,Next there are bugs that crawl or fly,108.11yāva kunthakipillike;and so on, to ants and termites.8.12Liṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ tesaṁ,They’re defined by birth,8.13aññamaññā hi jātiyo.for species are indeed diverse.
8.14Catuppadepi jānātha,Know the quadrupeds, too,8.15khuddake ca mahallake;both small and large.8.16Liṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ tesaṁ,They’re defined by birth,8.17aññamaññā hi jātiyo.for species are indeed diverse.
8.18Pādudarepi jānātha,Know, too, the long-backed snakes,8.19urage dīghapiṭṭhike;crawling on their bellies.8.20Liṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ tesaṁ,They’re defined by birth,8.21aññamaññā hi jātiyo.for species are indeed diverse.
8.22Tato macchepi jānātha,Next know the fish,8.23udake vārigocare;whose habitat is the water.8.24Liṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ tesaṁ,They’re defined by birth,8.25aññamaññā hi jātiyo.for species are indeed diverse.
8.26Tato pakkhīpi jānātha,Next know the birds,8.27pattayāne vihaṅgame;winged chariots in flight.8.28Liṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ tesaṁ,They’re defined by birth,8.29aññamaññā hi jātiyo.for species are indeed diverse.
9.1Yathā etāsu jātīsu,While the differences between these species9.2liṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ puthu;are defined by birth,9.3Evaṁ natthi manussesu,the differences between humans9.4liṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ puthu.are not defined by birth.11
9.5Na kesehi na sīsehi,Not by hair nor by head,9.6na kaṇṇehi na akkhīhi;not by ear nor by eye,9.7Na mukhena na nāsāya,not by mouth nor by nose,9.8na oṭṭhehi bhamūhi vā.not by lips nor by eyebrow,
9.9Na gīvāya na aṁsehi,not by shoulder nor by neck,9.10na udarena na piṭṭhiyā;not by belly nor by back,9.11Na soṇiyā na urasā,not by buttocks nor by breast,9.12na sambādhe na methune.not by groin nor by genitals,
9.13Na hatthehi na pādehi,not by hands nor by feet,9.14naṅgulīhi nakhehi vā;not by fingers nor by nails,9.15Na jaṅghāhi na ūrūhi,not by knees nor by thighs,9.16na vaṇṇena sarena vā;not by color nor by voice:9.17Liṅgaṁ jātimayaṁ neva,none of these are defined by birth9.18yathā aññāsu jātisu.as it is for other species.
9.19Paccattañca sarīresu,In specific human bodies9.20manussesvetaṁ na vijjati;you can’t find such distinctions.9.21Vokārañca manussesu,The distinctions among humans9.22samaññāya pavuccati.are spoken of by convention.12
10.1Yo hi koci manussesu,Anyone among humans10.2gorakkhaṁ upajīvati;who lives off keeping cattle:10.3Evaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,know them, Vāseṭṭha,10.4kassako so na brāhmaṇo.as a farmer, not a brahmin.
10.5Yo hi koci manussesu,Anyone among humans10.6puthusippena jīvati;who lives off various professions:1310.7Evaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,know them, Vāseṭṭha,10.8sippiko so na brāhmaṇo.as a professional, not a brahmin.
10.9Yo hi koci manussesu,Anyone among humans10.10vohāraṁ upajīvati;who lives off trade:10.11Evaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,know them, Vāseṭṭha,10.12vāṇijo so na brāhmaṇo.as a trader, not a brahmin.
10.13Yo hi koci manussesu,Anyone among humans10.14parapessena jīvati;who lives off serving others:10.15Evaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,know them, Vāseṭṭha,10.16pessako so na brāhmaṇo.as a servant, not a brahmin.
10.17Yo hi koci manussesu,Anyone among humans10.18adinnaṁ upajīvati;who lives off stealing:10.19Evaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,know them, Vāseṭṭha,10.20coro eso na brāhmaṇo.as a bandit, not a brahmin.
10.21Yo hi koci manussesu,Anyone among humans10.22issatthaṁ upajīvati;who lives off archery:10.23Evaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,know them, Vāseṭṭha,10.24yodhājīvo na brāhmaṇo.as a warrior, not a brahmin.
10.25Yo hi koci manussesu,Anyone among humans10.26porohiccena jīvati;who lives off priesthood:10.27Evaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,know them, Vāseṭṭha,10.28yājako so na brāhmaṇo.as a sacrificer, not a brahmin.14
10.29Yo hi koci manussesu,Anyone among humans10.30gāmaṁ raṭṭhañca bhuñjati;who taxes village and nation,1510.31Evaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,know them, Vāseṭṭha,10.32rājā eso na brāhmaṇo.as a ruler, not a brahmin.
11.1Na cāhaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ brūmi,I don’t call someone a brahmin11.2yonijaṁ mattisambhavaṁ;after the mother’s womb they’re born from.11.3Bhovādi nāma so hoti,If they still have attachments,11.4sace hoti sakiñcano;they’re just someone who says ‘worthy’.1611.5Akiñcanaṁ anādānaṁ,Having nothing, taking nothing:11.6tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.17
11.7Sabbasaṁyojanaṁ chetvā,Having cut off all fetters11.8yo ve na paritassati;they have no anxiety;11.9Saṅgātigaṁ visaṁyuttaṁ,they’ve slipped their chains and are detached:11.10tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.11Chetvā naddhiṁ varattañca,They’ve cut the strap and harness,11.12sandānaṁ sahanukkamaṁ;the halter and bridle too;11.13Ukkhittapalighaṁ buddhaṁ,with cross-bar lifted, they’re awakened:1811.14tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.15Akkosaṁ vadhabandhañca,Abuse, killing, caging:11.16aduṭṭho yo titikkhati;they endure these without anger.11.17Khantībalaṁ balānīkaṁ,Patience is their powerful army:11.18tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.19Akkodhanaṁ vatavantaṁ,Not irritable or pretentious,11.20sīlavantaṁ anussadaṁ;dutiful in precepts and observances,11.21Dantaṁ antimasārīraṁ,tamed, bearing their final body:11.22tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.23Vāripokkharapatteva,Like water from a lotus leaf,11.24āraggeriva sāsapo;like a mustard seed off the point of a pin,11.25Yo na limpati kāmesu,sensual pleasures slip off them:11.26tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.27Yo dukkhassa pajānāti,They understand for themselves11.28idheva khayamattano;the end of suffering in this life;11.29Pannabhāraṁ visaṁyuttaṁ,with burden put down, detached:11.30tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.31Gambhīrapaññaṁ medhāviṁ,Deep in wisdom, intelligent,11.32maggāmaggassa kovidaṁ;expert in the path and what is not the path;1911.33Uttamatthamanuppattaṁ,arrived at the highest goal:11.34tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.35Asaṁsaṭṭhaṁ gahaṭṭhehi,Mixing with neither11.36anāgārehi cūbhayaṁ;householders nor the homeless;11.37Anokasārimappicchaṁ,a migrant with no bastion, few in wishes:2011.38tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.39Nidhāya daṇḍaṁ bhūtesu,They’ve laid aside violence11.40tasesu thāvaresu ca;against creatures firm and frail;11.41Yo na hanti na ghāteti,not killing or making others kill:11.42tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.21
11.43Aviruddhaṁ viruddhesu,Not fighting among those who fight,11.44attadaṇḍesu nibbutaṁ;quenched among those who have taken up arms,11.45Sādānesu anādānaṁ,not grasping among those who grasp:11.46tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.47Yassa rāgo ca doso ca,They’ve discarded greed and hate,11.48māno makkho ca ohito;along with conceit and contempt,11.49Sāsaporiva āraggā,like a mustard seed off the point of a pin:11.50tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.51Akakkasaṁ viññāpaniṁ,The words they utter11.52giraṁ saccaṁ udīraye;are polished, informative, and true,11.53Yāya nābhisajje kiñci,and don’t offend anyone:11.54tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.55Yo ca dīghaṁ va rassaṁ vā,They don’t steal anything in the world,11.56aṇuṁ thūlaṁ subhāsubhaṁ;long or short,11.57Loke adinnaṁ nādeti,tiny or huge, beautiful or ugly:11.58tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.59Āsā yassa na vijjanti,They have no hope2211.60asmiṁ loke paramhi ca;for this world or the next;11.61Nirāsāsaṁ visaṁyuttaṁ,with no need for hope, detached:11.62tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.63Yassālayā na vijjanti,They have no clinging,11.64aññāya akathaṅkathiṁ;knowledge has freed them of indecision,11.65Amatogadhaṁ anuppattaṁ,they’ve arrived at the objective of freedom from death:11.66tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.67Yodhapuññañca pāpañca,They’ve escaped the chain11.68ubho saṅgaṁ upaccagā;of both good and bad deeds;11.69Asokaṁ virajaṁ suddhaṁ,sorrowless, stainless, pure:11.70tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.71Candaṁ va vimalaṁ suddhaṁ,Pure as the spotless moon,11.72vippasannaṁ anāvilaṁ;clear and unclouded,11.73Nandībhavaparikkhīṇaṁ,they’ve ended relish for rebirth:11.74tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.75Yo imaṁ palipathaṁ duggaṁ,They’ve got past this grueling swamp11.76saṁsāraṁ mohamaccagā;of delusion, transmigration.11.77Tiṇṇo pāraṅgato jhāyī,Meditating in stillness, free of indecision,11.78anejo akathaṅkathī;they have crossed over to the far shore.11.79Anupādāya nibbuto,They’re quenched by not grasping:11.80tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.81Yodhakāme pahantvāna,They’ve given up sensual pleasures,11.82anāgāro paribbaje;and have gone forth from lay life;11.83Kāmabhavaparikkhīṇaṁ,they’ve ended rebirth in the sensual realm:11.84tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.85Yodhataṇhaṁ pahantvāna,They’ve given up craving,11.86anāgāro paribbaje;and have gone forth from lay life;11.87Taṇhābhavaparikkhīṇaṁ,they’ve ended craving to be reborn:11.88tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.89Hitvā mānusakaṁ yogaṁ,They’ve thrown off the human yoke,11.90dibbaṁ yogaṁ upaccagā;and slipped out of the heavenly yoke;11.91Sabbayogavisaṁyuttaṁ,unyoked from all yokes:11.92tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.93Hitvā ratiñca aratiṁ,Giving up desire and discontent,11.94sītībhūtaṁ nirūpadhiṁ;they’re cooled and free of attachments;11.95Sabbalokābhibhuṁ vīraṁ,a hero, master of the whole world:11.96tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.97Cutiṁ yo vedi sattānaṁ,They know the passing away11.98upapattiñca sabbaso;and rebirth of all beings;11.99Asattaṁ sugataṁ buddhaṁ,unattached, holy, awakened:11.100tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.101Yassa gatiṁ na jānanti,Gods, centaurs, and humans11.102devā gandhabbamānusā;don’t know their destiny;11.103Khīṇāsavaṁ arahantaṁ,the perfected ones with defilements ended:11.104tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.105Yassa pure ca pacchā ca,They have nothing before or after,11.106majjhe ca natthi kiñcanaṁ;or even in between.11.107Akiñcanaṁ anādānaṁ,Having nothing, taking nothing:11.108tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.109Usabhaṁ pavaraṁ vīraṁ,Captain of the herd, excellent hero,11.110mahesiṁ vijitāvinaṁ;great seer and victor;11.111Anejaṁ nhātakaṁ buddhaṁ,unstirred, washed, awakened:11.112tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
11.113Pubbenivāsaṁ yo vedi,They who know their past lives,11.114saggāpāyañca passati;see heaven and places of loss,11.115Atho jātikkhayaṁ patto,and have attained the end of rebirth:11.116tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.that’s who I declare a brahmin.
12.1Samaññā hesā lokasmiṁ,For name and clan are formulated12.2nāmagottaṁ pakappitaṁ;as mere convention in the world.12.3Sammuccā samudāgataṁ,Produced by mutual agreement,12.4tattha tattha pakappitaṁ.they’re formulated in each case.
12.5Dīgharattānusayitaṁ,For a long time this misconception12.6diṭṭhigatamajānataṁ;has prejudiced those who don’t understand.12.7Ajānantā no pabrunti,Ignorant, they declare12.8jātiyā hoti brāhmaṇo.that one is a brahmin by birth.
12.9Na jaccā brāhmaṇo hoti,You’re not a brahmin by birth,12.10na jaccā hoti abrāhmaṇo;nor by birth a non-brahmin.12.11Kammunā brāhmaṇo hoti,You’re a brahmin by your deeds,12.12kammunā hoti abrāhmaṇo.and by deeds a non-brahmin.23
12.13Kassako kammunā hoti,You’re a farmer by your deeds,12.14sippiko hoti kammunā;by deeds you’re a professional;12.15Vāṇijo kammunā hoti,you’re a trader by your deeds,12.16pessako hoti kammunā.by deeds are you a servant;
12.17Coropi kammunā hoti,you’re a bandit by your deeds,12.18yodhājīvopi kammunā;by deeds you’re a warrior;12.19Yājako kammunā hoti,you’re a sacrificer by your deeds,12.20rājāpi hoti kammunā.by deeds you’re a ruler.
13.1Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ,In this way the astute regard deeds13.2kammaṁ passanti paṇḍitā;in accord with truth.13.3Paṭiccasamuppādadassā,Seeing dependent origination,13.4kammavipākakovidā.they’re expert in deeds and their results.
13.5Kammunā vattati loko,Deeds make the world go on,13.6kammunā vattati pajā;deeds make people go on;13.7Kammanibandhanā sattā,sentient beings are bound by deeds,13.8rathassāṇīva yāyato.like a moving chariot’s linchpin.
13.9Tapena brahmacariyena,By fervor and spiritual practice,13.10saṁyamena damena ca;by restraint and by self-control:13.11Etena brāhmaṇo hoti,that’s how to become a brahmin,13.12etaṁ brāhmaṇamuttamaṁ.this is the supreme brahmin.24
13.13Tīhi vijjāhi sampanno,Accomplished in the three knowledges,13.14santo khīṇapunabbhavo;peaceful, with rebirth ended,13.15Evaṁ vāseṭṭha jānāhi,know them, Vāseṭṭha,13.16brahmā sakko vijānatan”ti.as the Divinity and Sakka to the wise.”25
14.1Evaṁ vutte, vāseṭṭhabhāradvājā māṇavā bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:When he had spoken, Vāseṭṭha and Bhāradvāja said to him,14.2“abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama, abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama.“Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent!14.3Seyyathāpi, bho gotama, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ bhotā gotamena anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito.As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with clear eyes can see what’s there, worthy Gotama has made the teaching clear in many ways.14.4Ete mayaṁ bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāma dhammañca bhikkhusaṅghañca.We go for refuge to the worthy Gotama, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha.14.5Upāsake no bhavaṁ gotamo dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gate”ti.From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember us as lay followers who have gone for refuge for life.”
14.6Vāseṭṭhasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ aṭṭhamaṁ.