Brahmanical Traditions

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:

“Isayo pubbakā āsuṁ,

saññatattā tapassino;

Pañca kāmaguṇe hitvā,

attadatthamacārisuṁ.

Na pasū brāhmaṇānāsuṁ,

na hiraññaṁ na dhāniyaṁ;

Sajjhāyadhanadhaññāsuṁ,

brahmaṁ nidhimapālayuṁ.

Yaṁ nesaṁ pakataṁ āsi,

dvārabhattaṁ upaṭṭhitaṁ;

Saddhāpakatamesānaṁ,

dātave tadamaññisuṁ.

Nānārattehi vatthehi,

sayanehāvasathehi ca;

Phītā janapadā raṭṭhā,

te namassiṁsu brāhmaṇe.

Avajjhā brāhmaṇā āsuṁ,

ajeyyā dhammarakkhitā;

Na ne koci nivāresi,

kuladvāresu sabbaso.

Aṭṭhacattālīsaṁ vassāni,

(komāra) Brahmacariyaṁ cariṁsu te;

Vijjācaraṇapariyeṭṭhiṁ,

Acaruṁ brāhmaṇā pure.

Na brāhmaṇā aññamagamuṁ,

napi bhariyaṁ kiṇiṁsu te;

Sampiyeneva saṁvāsaṁ,

saṅgantvā samarocayuṁ.

Aññatra tamhā samayā,

utuveramaṇiṁ pati;

Antarā methunaṁ dhammaṁ,

nāssu gacchanti brāhmaṇā.

Brahmacariyañca sīlañca,

ajjavaṁ maddavaṁ tapaṁ;

Soraccaṁ avihiṁsañca,

khantiñcāpi avaṇṇayuṁ.

Yo nesaṁ paramo āsi,

Brahmā daḷhaparakkamo;

Sa vāpi methunaṁ dhammaṁ,

Supinantepi nāgamā.

Tassa vattamanusikkhantā,

Idheke viññujātikā;

Brahmacariyañca sīlañca,

Khantiñcāpi avaṇṇayuṁ.

Taṇḍulaṁ sayanaṁ vatthaṁ,

Sappitelañca yāciya;

Dhammena samodhānetvā,

Tato yaññamakappayuṁ.

Upaṭṭhitasmiṁ yaññasmiṁ,

Nāssu gāvo haniṁsu te;

Yathā mātā pitā bhātā,

Aññe vāpi ca ñātakā;

Gāvo no paramā mittā,

Yāsu jāyanti osadhā.

Annadā baladā cetā,

Vaṇṇadā sukhadā tathā;

Etamatthavasaṁ ñatvā,

Nāssu gāvo haniṁsu te.

Sukhumālā mahākāyā,

Vaṇṇavanto yasassino;

Brāhmaṇā sehi dhammehi,

Kiccākiccesu ussukā;

Yāva loke avattiṁsu,

Sukhamedhitthayaṁ pajā.

Tesaṁ āsi vipallāso,

Disvāna aṇuto aṇuṁ;

Rājino ca viyākāraṁ,

Nāriyo samalaṅkatā.

Rathe cājaññasaṁyutte,

Sukate cittasibbane;

Nivesane nivese ca,

Vibhatte bhāgaso mite.

Gomaṇḍalaparibyūḷhaṁ,

Nārīvaragaṇāyutaṁ;

Uḷāraṁ mānusaṁ bhogaṁ,

Abhijjhāyiṁsu brāhmaṇā.

Te tattha mante ganthetvā,

Okkākaṁ tadupāgamuṁ;

Pahūtadhanadhaññosi,

Yajassu bahu te vittaṁ;

Yajassu bahu te dhanaṁ.

Tato ca rājā saññatto,

Brāhmaṇehi rathesabho;

Assamedhaṁ purisamedhaṁ,

Sammāpāsaṁ vājapeyyaṁ niraggaḷaṁ;

Ete yāge yajitvāna,

Brāhmaṇānamadā dhanaṁ.

Gāvo sayanañca vatthañca,

Nāriyo samalaṅkatā;

Rathe cājaññasaṁyutte,

Sukate cittasibbane.

Nivesanāni rammāni,

Suvibhattāni bhāgaso;

Nānādhaññassa pūretvā,

Brāhmaṇānamadā dhanaṁ.

Te ca tattha dhanaṁ laddhā,

Sannidhiṁ samarocayuṁ;

Tesaṁ icchāvatiṇṇānaṁ,

Bhiyyo taṇhā pavaḍḍhatha;

Te tattha mante ganthetvā,

Okkākaṁ puna mupāgamuṁ.

Yathā āpo ca pathavī ca,

Hiraññaṁ dhanadhāniyaṁ;

Evaṁ gāvo manussānaṁ,

Parikkhāro so hi pāṇinaṁ;

Yajassu bahu te vittaṁ,

Yajassu bahu te dhanaṁ.

Tato ca rājā saññatto,

Brāhmaṇehi rathesabho;

Nekā satasahassiyo,

Gāvo yaññe aghātayi.

Na pādā na visāṇena,

Nāssu hiṁsanti kenaci;

Gāvo eḷakasamānā,

Soratā kumbhadūhanā;

Tā visāṇe gahetvāna,

Rājā satthena ghātayi.

Tato devā pitaro ca,

Indo asurarakkhasā;

Adhammo iti pakkanduṁ,

Yaṁ satthaṁ nipatī gave.

Tayo rogā pure āsuṁ,

Icchā anasanaṁ jarā;

Pasūnañca samārambhā,

Aṭṭhānavutimāgamuṁ.

Eso adhammo daṇḍānaṁ,

Okkanto purāṇo ahu;

Adūsikāyo haññanti,

Dhammā dhaṁsanti yājakā.

Evameso aṇudhammo,

Porāṇo viññugarahito;

Yattha edisakaṁ passati,

Yājakaṁ garahatī jano.

Evaṁ dhamme viyāpanne,

Vibhinnā suddavessikā;

Puthū vibhinnā khattiyā,

Patiṁ bhariyāvamaññatha.

Khattiyā brahmabandhū ca,

Ye caññe gottarakkhitā;

Jātivādaṁ nirākatvā,

Kāmānaṁ vasamanvagun”ti.

Evaṁ vutte, te brāhmaṇamahāsālā bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:

“abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama …pe…

upāsake no bhavaṁ gotamo dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupete saraṇaṁ gate”ti.

Brāhmaṇadhammikasuttaṁ sattamaṁ.

SC 1Thus have I heard:

SC 2At one time the Radiant One dwelt at Sāvatthī, in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s park. Then many decrepit old Kosalan brahmins, aged, elderly, advanced in years, attained to old age, those indeed of palatial abodes, went to the Radiant One and exchanged greeting with him. When this courteous and amiable talk was finished they sat down to one side. Sitting there these brahmins of palatial abodes said, “Master Gotama, are there now to be seen any brahmins who practise the Brahmin Dharma of the brahmins of old?”

SC 3“No, brahmins, there are no brahmins now to be seen who practise the Brahmin Dharma of the brahmins of old.”

SC 4“It would be excellent if the good Gotama would speak to us upon the Dharma of the brahmins of old if it would not be too much trouble.”

SC 5“Then brahmins, listen well and bear in mind what I shall say”.

SC 6“Indeed, venerable” said those brahmins of palatial abodes to the Radiant One. He spoke as follows:

SC 7SC Verse 287In ancient times the sages then
austerely lived, were self-restrained,
let go five bases of desire
to fare for their own benefit.

SC 8SC Verse 288Brahmins then no cattle had,
no gold, no grain they hoarded up,
their grain, their wealth was Vedic lore—
this the treasure they guarded well.

SC 9SC Verse 289For them, whatever food prepared
was by the doorway placed
from faith prepared for those who sought,
for (donors) thought it should be given.

SC 10SC Verse 290Then in various states and provinces
rich in colourful cloths well-dyed
with furniture and dwellings too
with these to brahmins they paid respect.

SC 11SC Verse 291Unbeaten were brahmins and inviolate—
guarded by Dharma-goodness then,
none hindered or obstructed them
when they arrived at household doors.

SC 12SC Verse 292Until the age of eight-and-forty
they practised celibate student life—
the brahmins of those ancient times
fared seeking knowledge and conduct good.

SC 13SC Verse 293Those brahmins went not to others’ wives
nor bought a wife from other clans;
by mutual consent together they came,
being happy with each other.

SC 14SC Verse 294Brahmins then did not indulge
in sexual intercourse out of time,
during menstruation,
but only when wives were free from this.

SC 15SC Verse 295The celibate life was praised by them
with virtue and uprightness,
friendliness, penance and gentleness,
harming none and patient too.

SC 16SC Verse 296Whoso ’mong them strong efforts made
resembling Brahma, best,
he never did engage in sex
not even in a dream.

SC 17SC Verse 297Then some of them with wisdom blest
followed his practice path
praising the celibate life, as well
as virtue and as patience too.

SC 18SC Verse 298Having begged rice, butter and oil,
with cloths and bedding too,
they sought and stored these righteously,
and from them made a sacrifice:
during that sacrificial rite
cattle they never killed.

SC 19SC Verse 299Like mother (they thought), father, brother
or any other kind of kin,
cows are our kin most excellent
from whom come many remedies.

SC 20SC Verse 300Givers of good and strength, of good
complexion and the happiness of health,
having seen the truth of this
cattle they never killed.

SC 21SC Verse 301Those brahmins then by Dharma did
what should be done, not what should not,
and so aware they graceful were,
well-built, fair-skinned, of high renown.
While in the world this lore was found
these people happily prospered.

SC 22SC Verse 302But then in them corruption came
for little by little they observed
how rajahs had to splendours won
with women adorned and elegant,

SC 23SC Verse 303and chariot, yoked to thoroughbreds,
caparisoned, embroideries finely sewn,
and houses well-designed with walls—
insides divided into rooms,

SC 24SC Verse 304filled with crowds of women fair
and ringed by herds of increasing cows—
all this the eminent wealth of men
the brahmins coveted in their hearts.

SC 25SC Verse 305Then they composed some Vedic hymns
and went chanting to Okkāka king:
“Great your wealth and great your grain,
make sacrifice to us with grain and wealth”.

SC 26SC Verse 306That rajah, Lord of chariots,
by brahmins was persuaded so
he offered all these sacrifices:
of horses, men, the peg well-thrown,
the sacrifice of soma drink
the one of rich results—
while to the brahmins wealth he gave:

SC 27SC Verse 307of cattle, bedding and of cloth
with women adorned and elegant
and chariots yoked to thoroughbreds
caparisoned, embroideries finely sewn,

SC 28SC Verse 308dwelling in which one would delight,
these well-divided into rooms
and many different kinds of grain,
this wealth he to the brahmins gave.

SC 29SC Verse 309When they had all this wealth received
to hoard it up was their desire
for they were overwhelmed by greed—
their craving thus increased—
so they composed more Vedic hymns
and chanting went to Okkāka king.

SC 30SC Verse 310“As water is, and earth, as well
as gold, as grain as well as wealth,
in the same way for human beings,
and cattle are necessities;
Great your wealth and great your grain,
make sacrifice to us with grain and wealth”.

SC 31SC Verse 311That rajah, lord of chariots,
by brahmins was persuaded—so
in sacrifice, he caused to kill
cattle in hundreds, thousands too.

SC 32SC Verse 312But neither with hooves nor horns
do cows cause harm to anyone,
gentle they are as sheep
yielding us pails of milk;
in spite of this the rajah seized
their horns, slew them by the sword.

SC 33SC Verse 313Then devas, antigods, demons, led
by Indra, even the ancestors,
cried out “Against the Dharma is all this!”
while fell the sword upon the cows.

SC 34SC Verse 314In former times three ills were found:
desire and hunger and decay;
but due to the killing of cattle,
ninety-eight diseases came.

SC 35SC Verse 315This adharmic wielding of weapons,
descended from times of old:
in this are the innocents slain,
while ritual priests from Dharma fell.

SC 36SC Verse 316So this ancient practice, base,
is censured by the wise;
where similar things are seen,
people blame the ritual priests.

SC 37SC Verse 317When Dharma was perverted thus,
merchants and workers split apart,
and warrior-nobles split as well,
while wife her husband did despise.

SC 38SC Verse 318Then nobles and those of Brahmā “kin”
and others restrained by love of caste,
neglected then their laws on “birth”
and under the sway of pleasures came.

SC 39When this was said the brahmins of palatial abodes exclaimed to the Radiant One: “Magnificent, Master Gotama! The Dharma has been clarified by Master Gotama in many ways, as though he was righting what had been overturned, revealing what was hidden, showing the way to one who was lost, or holding a lamp in the dark so that those with eyes could see forms. We go for refuge to Master Gotama, to the Dharma and to the Saṅgha. May Master Gotama remember us as upāsakas who from today have Gone for Refuge for life.”