MN 93 With Assalāyana – Assalāyanasutta

Medium Discourses Collection 93 – Majjhima Nikāya 93

1.1

So I have heard.

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

1.2

At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

2.1

Now at that time around five hundred brahmins from abroad were residing in Sāvatthī on some business.

Tena kho pana samayena nānāverajjakānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ pañcamattāni brāhmaṇasatāni sāvatthiyaṁ paṭivasanti kenacideva karaṇīyena.

2.2

Then those brahmins thought,

Atha kho tesaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ etadahosi:

2.3

“This ascetic Gotama advocates purification for all four classes.

“ayaṁ kho samaṇo gotamo cātuvaṇṇiṁ suddhiṁ paññapeti.

2.4

Who is capable of having a dialogue with him about this?”

Ko nu kho pahoti samaṇena gotamena saddhiṁ asmiṁ vacane paṭimantetun”ti?

3.1

Now at that time the brahmin student Assalāyana was residing in Sāvatthī. He was young, newly tonsured; he was sixteen years old. He had mastered the three Vedas, together with their vocabularies, ritual, phonology and etymology, and the testament as fifth. He knew philology and grammar, and was well versed in cosmology and the marks of a great man.

Tena kho pana samayena assalāyano nāma māṇavo sāvatthiyaṁ paṭivasati daharo, vuttasiro, soḷasavassuddesiko jātiyā, tiṇṇaṁ vedānaṁ pāragū sanighaṇḍukeṭubhānaṁ sākkharappabhedānaṁ itihāsapañcamānaṁ, padako, veyyākaraṇo, lokāyatamahāpurisalakkhaṇesu anavayo.

3.2

Then those brahmins thought,

Atha kho tesaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ etadahosi:

3.3

“ayaṁ kho assalāyano māṇavo sāvatthiyaṁ paṭivasati daharo, vuttasiro, soḷasavassuddesiko jātiyā, tiṇṇaṁ vedānaṁ pāragū …pe… anavayo.

3.4

“This Assalāyana is capable of having a dialogue with the ascetic Gotama about this.”

So kho pahoti samaṇena gotamena saddhiṁ asmiṁ vacane paṭimantetun”ti.

4.1

So they approached Assalāyana and said to him,

Atha kho te brāhmaṇā yena assalāyano māṇavo tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā assalāyanaṁ māṇavaṁ etadavocuṁ:

4.2

“This ascetic Gotama advocates purification for all four classes.

“ayaṁ, bho assalāyana, samaṇo gotamo cātuvaṇṇiṁ suddhiṁ paññapeti.

4.3

Please, Mister Assalāyana, have a dialogue with the ascetic Gotama about this.”

Etu bhavaṁ assalāyano samaṇena gotamena saddhiṁ asmiṁ vacane paṭimantetū”ti.

4.4

When they said this, Assalāyana said to them,

Evaṁ vutte, assalāyano māṇavo te brāhmaṇe etadavoca:

4.5

“They say that the ascetic Gotama is a speaker of principle.

“samaṇo khalu, bho, gotamo dhammavādī;

4.6

But speakers of principle are hard to have a dialogue with.

dhammavādino ca pana duppaṭimantiyā bhavanti.

4.7

I’m not capable of having a dialogue with the ascetic Gotama about this.”

Nāhaṁ sakkomi samaṇena gotamena saddhiṁ asmiṁ vacane paṭimantetun”ti.

4.8

For a second time, those brahmins said to him

Dutiyampi kho te brāhmaṇā assalāyanaṁ māṇavaṁ etadavocuṁ:

4.9

“This ascetic Gotama advocates purification for all four classes.

“ayaṁ, bho assalāyana, samaṇo gotamo cātuvaṇṇiṁ suddhiṁ paññapeti.

4.10

Please, Mister Assalāyana, have a dialogue with the ascetic Gotama about this.

Etu bhavaṁ assalāyano samaṇena gotamena saddhiṁ asmiṁ vacane paṭimantetu.

4.11

For you have lived as a wanderer.”

Caritaṁ kho pana bhotā assalāyanena paribbājakan”ti.

4.12

And for a second time, Assalāyana refused.

Dutiyampi kho assalāyano māṇavo te brāhmaṇe etadavoca:

4.13

“samaṇo khalu, bho, gotamo dhammavādī;

4.14

dhammavādino ca pana duppaṭimantiyā bhavanti.

4.15

Nāhaṁ sakkomi samaṇena gotamena saddhiṁ asmiṁ vacane paṭimantetun”ti.

4.16

For a third time, those brahmins said to him,

Tatiyampi kho te brāhmaṇā assalāyanaṁ māṇavaṁ etadavocuṁ:

4.17

“This ascetic Gotama advocates purification for all four classes.

“ayaṁ, bho assalāyana, samaṇo gotamo cātuvaṇṇiṁ suddhiṁ paññapeti.

4.18

Please, Mister Assalāyana, have a dialogue with the ascetic Gotama about this.

Etu bhavaṁ assalāyano samaṇena gotamena saddhiṁ asmiṁ vacane paṭimantetu.

4.19

For you have lived as a wanderer.

Caritaṁ kho pana bhotā assalāyanena paribbājakaṁ.

4.20

Don’t admit defeat before going into battle!”

Mā bhavaṁ assalāyano ayuddhaparājitaṁ parājayī”ti.

4.21

When they said this, Assalāyana said to them,

Evaṁ vutte, assalāyano māṇavo te brāhmaṇe etadavoca:

4.22

“Clearly, gentlemen, I’m not getting through to you when I say:

“addhā kho ahaṁ bhavanto na labhāmi.

4.23

‘They say that the ascetic Gotama is a speaker of principle.

Samaṇo khalu, bho, gotamo dhammavādī;

4.24

But speakers of principle are hard to have a dialogue with.

dhammavādino ca pana duppaṭimantiyā bhavanti.

4.25

I’m not capable of having a dialogue with the ascetic Gotama about this.’

Nāhaṁ sakkomi samaṇena gotamena saddhiṁ asmiṁ vacane paṭimantetunti.

4.26

Nevertheless, I shall go at your bidding.”

Api cāhaṁ bhavantānaṁ vacanena gamissāmī”ti.

5.1

Then Assalāyana together with a large group of brahmins went to the Buddha and exchanged greetings with him.

Atha kho assalāyano māṇavo mahatā brāhmaṇagaṇena saddhiṁ yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi.

5.2

When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to the Buddha:

Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho assalāyano māṇavo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

5.3

“Master Gotama, the brahmins say:

“brāhmaṇā, bho gotama, evamāhaṁsu:

5.4

‘Only brahmins are the highest caste; other castes are inferior.

‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo;

5.5

Only brahmins are the light caste; other castes are dark.

brāhmaṇova sukko vaṇṇo, kaṇho añño vaṇṇo;

5.6

Only brahmins are purified, not others.

brāhmaṇova sujjhanti, no abrāhmaṇā;

5.7

Only brahmins are Brahmā’s rightful sons, born of his mouth, born of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, heirs of Brahmā.’

brāhmaṇāva brahmuno puttā orasā mukhato jātā brahmajā brahmanimmitā brahmadāyādā’ti.

5.8

What do you say about this?”

Idha bhavaṁ gotamo kimāhā”ti?

5.9

“But Assalāyana, brahmin women are seen menstruating, being pregnant, giving birth, and breastfeeding.

“Dissanti kho pana, assalāyana, brāhmaṇānaṁ brāhmaṇiyo utuniyopi gabbhiniyopi vijāyamānāpi pāyamānāpi.

5.10

Yet even though they’re born from a brahmin womb they say:

Te ca brāhmaṇiyonijāva samānā evamāhaṁsu:

5.11

‘Only brahmins are the highest caste; other castes are inferior.

‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo;

5.12

Only brahmins are the light caste; other castes are dark.

brāhmaṇova sukko vaṇṇo, kaṇho añño vaṇṇo;

5.13

Only brahmins are purified, not others.

brāhmaṇāva sujjhanti, no abrāhmaṇā;

5.14

Only brahmins are Brahmā’s rightful sons, born of his mouth, born of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, heirs of Brahmā.’”

brāhmaṇāva brahmuno puttā orasā mukhato jātā brahmajā brahmanimmitā brahmadāyādā’”ti.

6.1

“Even though you say this, still the brahmins maintain their belief.”

“Kiñcāpi bhavaṁ gotamo evamāha, atha khvettha brāhmaṇā evametaṁ maññanti:

6.2

‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …pe…

6.3

brahmadāyādā’”ti.

6.4

“What do you think, Assalāyana?

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, assalāyana,

6.5

Have you heard that in Greece and Persia and other foreign lands there are only two classes, masters and bonded servants; and that masters may become servants, and servants masters?”

sutaṁ te: ‘yonakambojesu aññesu ca paccantimesu janapadesu dveva vaṇṇā—ayyo ceva dāso ca; ayyo hutvā dāso hoti, dāso hutvā ayyo hotī’”ti?

6.6

“Yes, I have heard that.”

“Evaṁ, bho, sutaṁ taṁ me: ‘yonakambojesu aññesu ca paccantimesu janapadesu dveva vaṇṇā—ayyo ceva dāso ca; ayyo hutvā dāso hoti, dāso hutvā ayyo hotī’”ti.

6.7

“Then what is the source of the brahmins’ self-confidence and forcefulness in this matter that they make this claim?”

“Ettha, assalāyana, brāhmaṇānaṁ kiṁ balaṁ, ko assāso yadettha brāhmaṇā evamāhaṁsu:

6.8

‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …pe…

6.9

brahmadāyādā’”ti?

7.1

“Even though you say this, still the brahmins maintain their belief.”

“Kiñcāpi bhavaṁ gotamo evamāha, atha khvettha brāhmaṇā evametaṁ maññanti:

7.2

‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …pe…

7.3

brahmadāyādā’”ti.

7.4

“What do you think, Assalāyana?

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, assalāyana,

7.5

Suppose an aristocrat were to kill living creatures, steal, and commit sexual misconduct; to use speech that’s false, divisive, harsh, or nonsensical; and to be covetous, malicious, with wrong view. When their body breaks up, after death, they’d be reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell. Would this happen only to an aristocrat, and not to a brahmin?

khattiyova nu kho pāṇātipātī adinnādāyī kāmesumicchācārī musāvādī pisuṇavāco pharusavāco samphappalāpī abhijjhālu byāpannacitto micchādiṭṭhi kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjeyya, no brāhmaṇo?

7.6

Or suppose a merchant,

Vessova nu kho …pe…

7.7

or a worker were to act in the same way. Would that result befall only a merchant or a worker, and not to a brahmin?”

suddova nu kho pāṇātipātī adinnādāyī kāmesumicchācārī musāvādī pisuṇavāco pharusavāco samphappalāpī abhijjhālu byāpannacitto micchādiṭṭhi kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjeyya, no brāhmaṇo”ti?

7.8

“No, Master Gotama.

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama.

7.9

If they acted the same way, the same result would befall an aristocrat, a brahmin, a merchant, or a worker.

Khattiyopi hi, bho gotama, pāṇātipātī adinnādāyī kāmesumicchācārī musāvādī pisuṇavāco pharusavāco samphappalāpī abhijjhālu byāpannacitto micchādiṭṭhi kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjeyya.

7.10

Brāhmaṇopi hi, bho gotama …pe…

7.11

vessopi hi, bho gotama …pe…

7.12

suddopi hi, bho gotama …pe…

7.13

For if any of the four classes were to kill living creatures, steal, and commit sexual misconduct; to use speech that’s false, divisive, harsh, or nonsensical; and to be covetous, malicious, with wrong view, then, when their body breaks up, after death, they’d be reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.”

sabbepi hi, bho gotama, cattāro vaṇṇā pāṇātipātino adinnādāyino kāmesumicchācārino musāvādino pisuṇavācā pharusavācā samphappalāpino abhijjhālū byāpannacittā micchādiṭṭhī kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjeyyun”ti.

7.14

“Then what is the source of the brahmins’ self-confidence and forcefulness in this matter that they make this claim?”

“Ettha, assalāyana, brāhmaṇānaṁ kiṁ balaṁ, ko assāso yadettha brāhmaṇā evamāhaṁsu:

7.15

‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …pe…

7.16

brahmadāyādā’”ti?

8.1

“Even though you say this, still the brahmins maintain their belief.”

“Kiñcāpi bhavaṁ gotamo evamāha, atha khvettha brāhmaṇā evametaṁ maññanti:

8.2

‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …pe…

8.3

brahmadāyādā’”ti.

8.4

“What do you think, Assalāyana?

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, assalāyana,

8.5

Suppose a brahmin were to refrain from killing living creatures, stealing, and committing sexual misconduct; from using speech that’s false, divisive, harsh, or nonsensical; and from covetousness, malice, and wrong view. When their body breaks up, after death, they’d be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm. Would this happen only to an brahmin, and not to an aristocrat, a merchant, or a worker?”

brāhmaṇova nu kho pāṇātipātā paṭivirato adinnādānā paṭivirato kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato musāvādā paṭivirato pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato pharusāya vācāya paṭivirato samphappalāpā paṭivirato anabhijjhālu abyāpannacitto sammādiṭṭhi kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjeyya, no khattiyo, no vesso, no suddo”ti?

8.6

“No, Master Gotama.

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama.

8.7

If they acted the same way, the same result would befall an aristocrat, a brahmin, a merchant, or a worker.

Khattiyopi hi, bho gotama, pāṇātipātā paṭivirato adinnādānā paṭivirato kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato musāvādā paṭivirato pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato pharusāya vācāya paṭivirato samphappalāpā paṭivirato anabhijjhālu abyāpannacitto sammādiṭṭhi kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjeyya.

8.8

Brāhmaṇopi hi, bho gotama …pe…

8.9

vessopi hi, bho gotama …pe…

8.10

suddopi hi, bho gotama …pe…

8.11

For if any of the four classes were to refrain from killing living creatures, stealing, and committing sexual misconduct; from using speech that’s false, divisive, harsh, or nonsensical; and from covetousness, malice, and wrong view, then, when their body breaks up, after death, they’d be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.”

sabbepi hi, bho gotama, cattāro vaṇṇā pāṇātipātā paṭiviratā adinnādānā paṭiviratā kāmesumicchācārā paṭiviratā musāvādā paṭiviratā pisuṇāya vācāya paṭiviratā pharusāya vācāya paṭiviratā samphappalāpā paṭiviratā anabhijjhālū abyāpannacittā sammādiṭṭhī kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjeyyun”ti.

8.12

“Then what is the source of the brahmins’ self-confidence and forcefulness in this matter that they make this claim?”

“Ettha, assalāyana, brāhmaṇānaṁ kiṁ balaṁ, ko assāso yadettha brāhmaṇā evamāhaṁsu:

8.13

‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …pe…

8.14

brahmadāyādā’”ti?

9.1

“Even though you say this, still the brahmins maintain their belief.”

“Kiñcāpi bhavaṁ gotamo evamāha, atha khvettha brāhmaṇā evametaṁ maññanti:

9.2

‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …pe…

9.3

brahmadāyādā’”ti.

9.4

“What do you think, Assalāyana?

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, assalāyana,

9.5

Is only a brahmin capable of developing a heart of love, free of enmity and ill will for this region, and not an aristocrat, merchant, or worker?”

brāhmaṇova nu kho pahoti asmiṁ padese averaṁ abyābajjhaṁ mettacittaṁ bhāvetuṁ, no khattiyo, no vesso, no suddo”ti?

9.6

“No, Master Gotama.

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama.

9.7

Aristocrats, brahmins, merchants, and workers can all do so.

Khattiyopi hi, bho gotama, pahoti asmiṁ padese averaṁ abyābajjhaṁ mettacittaṁ bhāvetuṁ;

9.8

brāhmaṇopi hi, bho gotama …

9.9

vessopi hi, bho gotama …

9.10

suddopi hi, bho gotama …

9.11

For all four classes are capable of developing a heart of love, free of enmity and ill will for this region.”

sabbepi hi, bho gotama, cattāro vaṇṇā pahonti asmiṁ padese averaṁ abyābajjhaṁ mettacittaṁ bhāvetun”ti.

9.12

“Then what is the source of the brahmins’ self-confidence and forcefulness in this matter that they make this claim?”

“Ettha, assalāyana, brāhmaṇānaṁ kiṁ balaṁ, ko assāso yadettha brāhmaṇā evamāhaṁsu:

9.13

‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …pe…

9.14

brahmadāyādā’”ti?

10.1

“Even though you say this, still the brahmins maintain their belief.”

“Kiñcāpi bhavaṁ gotamo evamāha, atha khvettha brāhmaṇā evametaṁ maññanti:

10.2

‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …pe…

10.3

brahmadāyādā’”ti.

10.4

“What do you think, Assalāyana?

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, assalāyana,

10.5

Is only a brahmin capable of taking some bathing paste of powdered shell, going to the river, and washing off dust and dirt, and not an aristocrat, merchant, or worker?”

brāhmaṇova nu kho pahoti sottisināniṁ ādāya nadiṁ gantvā rajojallaṁ pavāhetuṁ, no khattiyo, no vesso, no suddo”ti?

10.6

“No, Master Gotama.

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama.

10.7

Khattiyopi hi, bho gotama, pahoti sottisināniṁ ādāya nadiṁ gantvā rajojallaṁ pavāhetuṁ, brāhmaṇopi hi, bho gotama …

10.8

vessopi hi, bho gotama …

10.9

suddopi hi, bho gotama …

10.10

All four classes are capable of doing this.”

sabbepi hi, bho gotama, cattāro vaṇṇā pahonti sottisināniṁ ādāya nadiṁ gantvā rajojallaṁ pavāhetun”ti.

10.11

“Then what is the source of the brahmins’ self-confidence and forcefulness in this matter that they make this claim?”

“Ettha, assalāyana, brāhmaṇānaṁ kiṁ balaṁ, ko assāso yadettha brāhmaṇā evamāhaṁsu:

10.12

‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …pe…

10.13

brahmadāyādā’”ti?

11.1

“Even though you say this, still the brahmins maintain their belief.”

“Kiñcāpi bhavaṁ gotamo evamāha, atha khvettha brāhmaṇā evametaṁ maññanti:

11.2

‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …pe…

11.3

brahmadāyādā’”ti.

11.4

“What do you think, Assalāyana?

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, assalāyana,

11.5

Suppose an anointed aristocratic king were to gather a hundred people born in different castes and say to them:

idha rājā khattiyo muddhāvasitto nānājaccānaṁ purisānaṁ purisasataṁ sannipāteyya:

11.6

‘Please gentlemen, let anyone here who was born in a family of aristocrats, brahmins, or chieftains take a drill-stick made of teak, sal, frankincense wood, sandalwood, or cherry wood, light a fire and produce heat.

‘āyantu bhonto ye tattha khattiyakulā brāhmaṇakulā rājaññakulā uppannā, sākassa vā sālassa vā salaḷassa vā candanassa vā padumakassa vā uttarāraṇiṁ ādāya, aggiṁ abhinibbattentu, tejo pātukarontu.

11.7

And let anyone here who was born in a family of outcastes, hunters, bamboo-workers, chariot-makers, or waste-collectors take a drill-stick made from a dog’s drinking trough, a pig’s trough, a dustbin, or castor-oil wood, light a fire and produce heat.’

Āyantu pana bhonto ye tattha caṇḍālakulā nesādakulā venakulā rathakārakulā pukkusakulā uppannā, sāpānadoṇiyā vā sūkaradoṇiyā vā rajakadoṇiyā vā eraṇḍakaṭṭhassa vā uttarāraṇiṁ ādāya, aggiṁ abhinibbattentu, tejo pātukarontū’ti.

11.8

What do you think, Assalāyana?

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, assalāyana,

11.9

Would only the fire produced by the high class people with good quality wood have flames, color, and radiance, and be usable as fire,

yo evaṁ nu kho so khattiyakulā brāhmaṇakulā rājaññakulā uppannehi sākassa vā sālassa vā salaḷassa vā candanassa vā padumakassa vā uttarāraṇiṁ ādāya aggi abhinibbatto, tejo pātukato, so eva nu khvāssa aggi accimā ceva vaṇṇavā ca pabhassaro ca, tena ca sakkā agginā aggikaraṇīyaṁ kātuṁ;

11.10

and not the fire produced by the low class people with poor quality wood?”

yo pana so caṇḍālakulā nesādakulā venakulā rathakārakulā pukkusakulā uppannehi sāpānadoṇiyā vā sūkaradoṇiyā vā rajakadoṇiyā vā eraṇḍakaṭṭhassa vā uttarāraṇiṁ ādāya aggi abhinibbatto, tejo pātukato svāssa aggi na ceva accimā na ca vaṇṇavā na ca pabhassaro, na ca tena sakkā agginā aggikaraṇīyaṁ kātun”ti?

11.11

“No, Master Gotama.

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama.

11.12

The fire produced by the high class people with good quality wood would have flames, color, and radiance, and be usable as fire,

Yopi hi so, bho gotama, khattiyakulā brāhmaṇakulā rājaññakulā uppannehi sākassa vā sālassa vā salaḷassa vā candanassa vā padumakassa vā uttarāraṇiṁ ādāya aggi abhinibbatto, tejo pātukato svāssa aggi accimā ceva vaṇṇavā ca pabhassaro ca, tena ca sakkā agginā aggikaraṇīyaṁ kātuṁ;

11.13

and so would the fire produced by the low class people with poor quality wood.

yopi so caṇḍālakulā nesādakulā venakulā rathakārakulā pukkusakulā uppannehi sāpānadoṇiyā vā sūkaradoṇiyā vā rajakadoṇiyā vā eraṇḍakaṭṭhassa vā uttarāraṇiṁ ādāya aggi abhinibbatto, tejo pātukato, svāssa aggi accimā ceva vaṇṇavā ca pabhassaro ca, tena ca sakkā agginā aggikaraṇīyaṁ kātuṁ.

11.14

For all fire has flames, color, and radiance, and is usable as fire.”

Sabbopi hi, bho gotama, aggi accimā ceva vaṇṇavā ca pabhassaro ca, sabbenapi sakkā agginā aggikaraṇīyaṁ kātun”ti.

11.15

“Then what is the source of the brahmins’ self-confidence and forcefulness in this matter that they make this claim?”

“Ettha, assalāyana, brāhmaṇānaṁ kiṁ balaṁ, ko assāso yadettha brāhmaṇā evamāhaṁsu:

11.16

‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo;

11.17

brāhmaṇova sukko vaṇṇo, kaṇho añño vaṇṇo;

11.18

brāhmaṇāva sujjhanti, no abrāhmaṇā;

11.19

brāhmaṇāva brahmuno puttā orasā mukhato jātā brahmajā brahmanimmitā brahmadāyādā’”ti?

12.1

“Even though you say this, still the brahmins maintain their belief.”

“Kiñcāpi bhavaṁ gotamo evamāha, atha khvettha brāhmaṇā evametaṁ maññanti:

12.2

‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …pe…

12.3

brahmadāyādā’”ti.

12.4

“What do you think, Assalāyana?

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, assalāyana,

12.5

Suppose an aristocrat boy was to sleep with a brahmin girl, and they had a child.

idha khattiyakumāro brāhmaṇakaññāya saddhiṁ saṁvāsaṁ kappeyya, tesaṁ saṁvāsamanvāya putto jāyetha;

12.6

Would that child be called an aristocrat after the father or a brahmin after the mother?”

yo so khattiyakumārena brāhmaṇakaññāya putto uppanno, siyā so mātupi sadiso pitupi sadiso, ‘khattiyo’tipi vattabbo ‘brāhmaṇo’tipi vattabbo”ti?

12.7

“They could be called either.”

“Yo so, bho gotama, khattiyakumārena brāhmaṇakaññāya putto uppanno, siyā so mātupi sadiso pitupi sadiso, ‘khattiyo’tipi vattabbo ‘brāhmaṇo’tipi vattabbo”ti.

13.1

“What do you think, Assalāyana?

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, assalāyana,

13.2

Suppose a brahmin boy was to sleep with an aristocrat girl, and they had a child.

idha brāhmaṇakumāro khattiyakaññāya saddhiṁ saṁvāsaṁ kappeyya, tesaṁ saṁvāsamanvāya putto jāyetha;

13.3

Would that child be called an aristocrat after the mother or a brahmin after the father?”

yo so brāhmaṇakumārena khattiyakaññāya putto uppanno, siyā so mātupi sadiso pitupi sadiso, ‘khattiyo’tipi vattabbo ‘brāhmaṇo’tipi vattabbo”ti?

13.4

“They could be called either.”

“Yo so, bho gotama, brāhmaṇakumārena khattiyakaññāya putto uppanno, siyā so mātupi sadiso pitupi sadiso, ‘khattiyo’tipi vattabbo ‘brāhmaṇo’tipi vattabbo”ti.

14.1

“What do you think, Assalāyana?

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, assalāyana,

14.2

Suppose a mare were to mate with a donkey, and she gave birth to a mule.

idha vaḷavaṁ gadrabhena sampayojeyyuṁ, tesaṁ sampayogamanvāya kisoro jāyetha;

14.3

Would that mule be called a horse after the mother or a donkey after the father?”

yo so vaḷavāya gadrabhena kisoro uppanno, siyā so mātupi sadiso pitupi sadiso, ‘asso’tipi vattabbo ‘gadrabho’tipi vattabbo”ti?

14.4

“It’s a mule, as it is a crossbreed.

“Kuṇḍañhi so, bho gotama, assataro hoti.

14.5

I see the difference in this case,

Idaṁ hissa, bho gotama, nānākaraṇaṁ passāmi;

14.6

but not in the previous cases.”

amutra ca panesānaṁ na kiñci nānākaraṇaṁ passāmī”ti.

15.1

“What do you think, Assalāyana?

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, assalāyana,

15.2

Suppose there were two brahmin students who were brothers who had shared a womb. One was an educated reciter, while the other was not an educated reciter.

idhāssu dve māṇavakā bhātaro sodariyā, eko ajjhāyako upanīto eko anajjhāyako anupanīto.

15.3

Who would the brahmins feed first at an offering of food for ancestors, an offering of a dish of milk-rice, a sacrifice, or a feast for guests?”

Kamettha brāhmaṇā paṭhamaṁ bhojeyyuṁ saddhe vā thālipāke vā yaññe vā pāhune vā”ti?

15.4

“They’d first feed the student who was an educated reciter.

“Yo so, bho gotama, māṇavako ajjhāyako upanīto tamettha brāhmaṇā paṭhamaṁ bhojeyyuṁ saddhe vā thālipāke vā yaññe vā pāhune vā.

15.5

For how could an offering to someone who not an educated reciter be very fruitful?”

Kiñhi, bho gotama, anajjhāyake anupanīte dinnaṁ mahapphalaṁ bhavissatī”ti?

16.1

“What do you think, Assalāyana?

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, assalāyana,

16.2

Suppose there were two brahmin students who were brothers who had shared a womb. One was an educated reciter, but was unethical, of bad character, while the other was not an educated reciter, but was ethical and of good character.

idhāssu dve māṇavakā bhātaro sodariyā, eko ajjhāyako upanīto dussīlo pāpadhammo, eko anajjhāyako anupanīto sīlavā kalyāṇadhammo.

16.3

Who would the brahmins feed first?”

Kamettha brāhmaṇā paṭhamaṁ bhojeyyuṁ saddhe vā thālipāke vā yaññe vā pāhune vā”ti?

16.4

“They’d first feed the student who was not an educated reciter, but was ethical and of good character.

“Yo so, bho gotama, māṇavako anajjhāyako anupanīto sīlavā kalyāṇadhammo tamettha brāhmaṇā paṭhamaṁ bhojeyyuṁ saddhe vā thālipāke vā yaññe vā pāhune vā.

16.5

For how could an offering to someone who is unethical and of bad character be very fruitful?”

Kiñhi, bho gotama, dussīle pāpadhamme dinnaṁ mahapphalaṁ bhavissatī”ti?

17.1

“Firstly you relied on birth, Assalāyana,

“Pubbe kho tvaṁ, assalāyana, jātiṁ agamāsi;

17.2

then you switched to education,

jātiṁ gantvā mante agamāsi;

17.3

then you switched to abstemious behavior.

mante gantvā tape agamāsi;

17.4

Now you’ve come around to believing in purification for the four classes, just as I advocate.”

tape gantvā cātuvaṇṇiṁ suddhiṁ paccāgato, yamahaṁ paññapemī”ti.

17.5

When he said this, Assalāyana sat silent, embarrassed, shoulders drooping, downcast, depressed, with nothing to say.

Evaṁ vutte, assalāyano māṇavo tuṇhībhūto maṅkubhūto pattakkhandho adhomukho pajjhāyanto appaṭibhāno nisīdi.

18.1

Knowing this, the Buddha said to him:

Atha kho bhagavā assalāyanaṁ māṇavaṁ tuṇhībhūtaṁ maṅkubhūtaṁ pattakkhandhaṁ adhomukhaṁ pajjhāyantaṁ appaṭibhānaṁ viditvā assalāyanaṁ māṇavaṁ etadavoca:

18.2

“Once upon a time, Assalāyana, seven brahmin hermits settled in leaf huts in a wilderness region. They had the following harmful misconception:

“bhūtapubbaṁ, assalāyana, sattannaṁ brāhmaṇisīnaṁ araññāyatane paṇṇakuṭīsu sammantānaṁ evarūpaṁ pāpakaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ uppannaṁ hoti:

18.3

‘Only brahmins are the highest caste; other castes are inferior.

‘brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo …

18.4

Only brahmins are the light caste; other castes are dark. Only brahmins are purified, not others.

pe…

18.5

Only brahmins are Brahmā’s rightful sons, born of his mouth, born of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, heirs of Brahmā.’

brahmadāyādā’ti.

18.6

The hermit Devala the Dark heard about this.

Assosi kho, assalāyana, asito devalo isi:

18.7

‘sattannaṁ kira brāhmaṇisīnaṁ araññāyatane paṇṇakuṭīsu sammantānaṁ evarūpaṁ pāpakaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ uppannaṁ—

18.8

brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo …pe…

18.9

brahmadāyādā’ti.

18.10

So he did up his hair and beard, dressed in magenta robes, put on his boots, grasped a golden staff, and appeared in the courtyard of the seven brahmin hermits.

Atha kho, assalāyana, asito devalo isi kesamassuṁ kappetvā mañjiṭṭhavaṇṇāni dussāni nivāsetvā paṭaliyo upāhanā āruhitvā jātarūpamayaṁ daṇḍaṁ gahetvā sattannaṁ brāhmaṇisīnaṁ patthaṇḍile pāturahosi.

18.11

Then he wandered about the yard saying,

Atha kho, assalāyana, asito devalo isi sattannaṁ brāhmaṇisīnaṁ patthaṇḍile caṅkamamāno evamāha:

18.12

‘Where, oh where have those brahmin hermits gone?

‘handa ko nu kho ime bhavanto brāhmaṇisayo gatā;

18.13

Where, oh where have those brahmin hermits gone?’

handa ko nu kho ime bhavanto brāhmaṇisayo gatā’ti?

18.14

Then those brahmin hermits said,

Atha kho, assalāyana, sattannaṁ brāhmaṇisīnaṁ etadahosi:

18.15

‘Who’s this wandering about our courtyard like a cowpoke?

‘ko nāyaṁ gāmaṇḍalarūpo viya sattannaṁ brāhmaṇisīnaṁ patthaṇḍile caṅkamamāno evamāha:

18.16

“handa ko nu kho ime bhavanto brāhmaṇisayo gatā;

18.17

handa ko nu kho ime bhavanto brāhmaṇisayo gatāti?

18.18

Let’s curse him!’

Handa naṁ abhisapāmā”’ti.

18.19

So they cursed Devala the Dark,

Atha kho, assalāyana, satta brāhmaṇisayo asitaṁ devalaṁ isiṁ abhisapiṁsu:

18.20

‘Be ashes, lowlife!

‘bhasmā, vasala, hohi;

18.21

Be ashes, lowlife!’

bhasmā, vasala, hohī’ti.

18.22

But the more the hermits cursed him, the more attractive, good-looking, and lovely Devala the Dark became.

Yathā yathā kho, assalāyana, satta brāhmaṇisayo asitaṁ devalaṁ isiṁ abhisapiṁsu tathā tathā asito devalo isi abhirūpataro ceva hoti dassanīyataro ca pāsādikataro ca.

18.23

Then those brahmin hermits said,

Atha kho, assalāyana, sattannaṁ brāhmaṇisīnaṁ etadahosi:

18.24

‘Our austerities are in vain! Our spiritual path is fruitless!

‘moghaṁ vata no tapo, aphalaṁ brahmacariyaṁ.

18.25

For when we used to curse someone

Mayañhi pubbe yaṁ abhisapāma—

18.26

to become ashes,

bhasmā, vasala, hohi;

18.27

ashes they became.

bhasmā, vasala, hohīti bhasmāva bhavati ekacco.

18.28

But the more we curse this one, the more attractive, good-looking, and lovely he becomes.’

Imaṁ pana mayaṁ yathā yathā abhisapāma tathā tathā abhirūpataro ceva hoti dassanīyataro ca pāsādikataro cā’ti.

18.29

‘Gentlemen, your austerities are not in vain; your spiritual path is not fruitless.

‘Na bhavantānaṁ moghaṁ tapo, nāphalaṁ brahmacariyaṁ.

18.30

Please let go of your malevolence towards me.’

Iṅgha bhavanto, yo mayi manopadoso taṁ pajahathā’ti.

18.31

‘We let go of our malevolence towards you.

‘Yo bhavati manopadoso taṁ pajahāma.

18.32

But who are you, sir?’

Ko nu bhavaṁ hotī’ti?

18.33

‘Have you heard of

‘Suto nu bhavataṁ—

18.34

the hermit Devala the Dark?’

asito devalo isī’ti?

18.35

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Evaṁ, bho’.

18.36

‘I am he, sirs.’

‘So khvāhaṁ, bho, homī’ti.

18.37

Then they approached Devala and bowed to him.

Atha kho, assalāyana, satta brāhmaṇisayo asitaṁ devalaṁ isiṁ abhivādetuṁ upakkamiṁsu.

18.38

Devala said to them,

Atha kho, assalāyana, asito devalo isi satta brāhmaṇisayo etadavoca:

18.39

‘I heard that when the seven brahmin hermits had settled in leaf huts in a wilderness region, they had the following harmful misconception:

‘sutaṁ metaṁ, bho, sattannaṁ kira brāhmaṇisīnaṁ araññāyatane paṇṇakuṭīsu sammantānaṁ evarūpaṁ pāpakaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ uppannaṁ—

18.40

“Only brahmins are the highest caste; other castes are inferior.

brāhmaṇova seṭṭho vaṇṇo, hīno añño vaṇṇo;

18.41

Only brahmins are the light caste; other castes are dark.

brāhmaṇova sukko vaṇṇo, kaṇho añño vaṇṇo;

18.42

Only brahmins are purified, not others.

brāhmaṇāva sujjhanti, no abrāhmaṇā;

18.43

Only brahmins are Brahmā’s rightful sons, born of his mouth, born of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, heirs of Brahmā.”’

brāhmaṇāva brahmuno puttā orasā mukhato jātā brahmajā brahmanimmitā brahmadāyādā’ti.

18.44

‘That’s right, sir.’

‘Evaṁ, bho’.

18.45

‘But do you know

‘Jānanti pana bhonto—

18.46

whether your birth mother only had relations with a brahmin and not with a non-brahmin?’

yā janikā mātā brāhmaṇaṁyeva agamāsi, no abrāhmaṇan’ti?

18.47

‘We don’t know that.’

‘No hidaṁ, bho’.

18.48

‘But do you know

‘Jānanti pana bhonto—

18.49

whether your birth mother’s mothers back to the seventh generation only had relations with brahmins and not with non-brahmins?’

yā janikāmātu mātā yāva sattamā mātumātāmahayugā brāhmaṇaṁyeva agamāsi, no abrāhmaṇan’ti?

18.50

‘We don’t know that.’

‘No hidaṁ, bho’.

18.51

‘But do you know

‘Jānanti pana bhonto—

18.52

whether your birth father only had relations with a brahmin woman and not with a non-brahmin?’

yo janako pitā brāhmaṇiṁyeva agamāsi, no abrāhmaṇin’ti?

18.53

‘We don’t know that.’

‘No hidaṁ, bho’.

18.54

‘But do you know

‘Jānanti pana bhonto—

18.55

whether your birth father’s fathers back to the seventh generation only had relations with brahmins and not with non-brahmins?’

yo janakapitu pitā yāva sattamā pitupitāmahayugā brāhmaṇiṁyeva agamāsi, no abrāhmaṇin’ti?

18.56

‘We don’t know that.’

‘No hidaṁ, bho’.

18.57

‘But do you know

‘Jānanti pana bhonto—

18.58

how an embryo is conceived?’

yathā gabbhassa avakkanti hotī’ti?

18.59

‘We do know that, sir.

‘Jānāma mayaṁ, bho—

18.60

yathā gabbhassa avakkanti hoti.

18.61

An embryo is conceived when these three things come together—the mother and father come together, the mother is in the fertile part of her menstrual cycle, and the spirit being reborn is present.’

Idha mātāpitaro ca sannipatitā honti, mātā ca utunī hoti, gandhabbo ca paccupaṭṭhito hoti; evaṁ tiṇṇaṁ sannipātā gabbhassa avakkanti hotī’ti.

18.62

‘But do you know

‘Jānanti pana bhonto—

18.63

for sure whether that spirit is an aristocrat, a brahmin, a merchant, or a worker?’

taggha, so gandhabbo khattiyo vā brāhmaṇo vā vesso vā suddo vā’ti?

18.64

‘We don’t know that.’

‘Na mayaṁ, bho, jānāma—

18.65

taggha so gandhabbo khattiyo vā brāhmaṇo vā vesso vā suddo vā’ti.

18.66

‘In that case, sirs, don’t you know

‘Evaṁ sante, bho, jānātha—

18.67

what you are?’

ke tumhe hothā’ti?

18.68

‘In that case, sir, we don’t know

‘Evaṁ sante, bho, na mayaṁ jānāma—

18.69

what we are.’

ke mayaṁ homā’ti.

18.70

So even those seven brahmin hermits were stumped when pursued, pressed, and grilled by the seer Devala on their own doctrine of ancestry.

Te hi nāma, assalāyana, satta brāhmaṇisayo asitena devalena isinā sake jātivāde samanuyuñjīyamānā samanuggāhīyamānā samanubhāsīyamānā na sampāyissanti;

18.71

So how could you succeed, being grilled by me now on your own doctrine of ancestry—you who have not even mastered your own tradition?”

kiṁ pana tvaṁ etarahi mayā sakasmiṁ jātivāde samanuyuñjīyamāno samanuggāhīyamāno samanubhāsīyamāno sampāyissasi, yesaṁ tvaṁ sācariyako na puṇṇo dabbigāho”ti.

19.1

When he had spoken, Assalāyana said to him,

Evaṁ vutte, assalāyano māṇavo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

19.2

“Excellent, Master Gotama! …

“abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama …pe…

19.3

From this day forth, may Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

upāsakaṁ maṁ bhavaṁ gotamo dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti.

19.4

Assalāyanasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ tatiyaṁ.