MN 96 With Esukārī – Esukārīsutta

Medium Discourses Collection 96 – Majjhima Nikāya 96

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

Then Esukārī the brahmin went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him.

Atha kho esukārī brāhmaṇo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi.

2.2

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 esukārī brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

3.1

“Master Gotama, the brahmins prescribe four kinds of service:

“brāhmaṇā, bho gotama, catasso pāricariyā paññapenti—

3.2

for a brahmin, an aristocrat, a merchant, and a worker.

brāhmaṇassa pāricariyaṁ paññapenti, khattiyassa pāricariyaṁ paññapenti, vessassa pāricariyaṁ paññapenti, suddassa pāricariyaṁ paññapenti.

3.3

This is the service they prescribe for a brahmin:

Tatridaṁ, bho gotama, brāhmaṇā brāhmaṇassa pāricariyaṁ paññapenti:

3.4

‘A brahmin, an aristocrat, a merchant, and a worker may all serve a brahmin.’

‘brāhmaṇo vā brāhmaṇaṁ paricareyya, khattiyo vā brāhmaṇaṁ paricareyya, vesso vā brāhmaṇaṁ paricareyya, suddo vā brāhmaṇaṁ paricareyyā’ti.

3.5

Idaṁ kho, bho gotama, brāhmaṇā brāhmaṇassa pāricariyaṁ paññapenti.

3.6

This is the service they prescribe for an aristocrat:

Tatridaṁ, bho gotama, brāhmaṇā khattiyassa pāricariyaṁ paññapenti:

3.7

‘An aristocrat, a merchant, and a worker may all serve an aristocrat.’

‘khattiyo vā khattiyaṁ paricareyya, vesso vā khattiyaṁ paricareyya, suddo vā khattiyaṁ paricareyyā’ti.

3.8

Idaṁ kho, bho gotama, brāhmaṇā khattiyassa pāricariyaṁ paññapenti.

3.9

This is the service they prescribe for a merchant:

Tatridaṁ, bho gotama, brāhmaṇā vessassa pāricariyaṁ paññapenti:

3.10

‘A merchant or a worker may serve a merchant.’

‘vesso vā vessaṁ paricareyya, suddo vā vessaṁ paricareyyā’ti.

3.11

Idaṁ kho, bho gotama, brāhmaṇā vessassa pāricariyaṁ paññapenti.

3.12

This is the service they prescribe for a worker:

Tatridaṁ, bho gotama, brāhmaṇā suddassa pāricariyaṁ paññapenti:

3.13

‘Only a worker may serve a worker.

‘suddova suddaṁ paricareyya.

3.14

For who else will serve a worker?’

Ko panañño suddaṁ paricarissatī’ti?

3.15

Idaṁ kho, bho gotama, brāhmaṇā suddassa pāricariyaṁ paññapenti.

3.16

These are the four kinds of service that the brahmins prescribe.

Brāhmaṇā, bho gotama, imā catasso pāricariyā paññapenti.

3.17

What do you say about this?”

Idha bhavaṁ gotamo kimāhā”ti?

4.1

“But brahmin, did the whole world authorize the brahmins to prescribe these four kinds of service?”

“Kiṁ pana, brāhmaṇa, sabbo loko brāhmaṇānaṁ etadabbhanujānāti: ‘imā catasso pāricariyā paññapentū’”ti?

4.2

“No, Master Gotama.”

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama”.

4.3

“It’s as if they were to force a steak on a poor, penniless person, telling them they must eat it and then pay for it.

“Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, puriso daliddo assako anāḷhiyo. Tassa akāmassa bilaṁ olaggeyyuṁ: ‘idaṁ te, ambho purisa, maṁsaṁ khāditabbaṁ, mūlañca anuppadātabban’ti.

4.4

In the same way, the brahmins have prescribed these four kinds of service without the consent of these ascetics and brahmins.

Evameva kho, brāhmaṇa, brāhmaṇā appaṭiññāya tesaṁ samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ, atha ca panimā catasso pāricariyā paññapenti.

5.1

Brahmin, I don’t say that you should serve everyone, nor do I say that you shouldn’t serve anyone.

Nāhaṁ, brāhmaṇa, ‘sabbaṁ paricaritabban’ti vadāmi; nāhaṁ, brāhmaṇa, ‘sabbaṁ na paricaritabban’ti vadāmi.

5.2

I say that you shouldn’t serve someone if serving them makes you worse, not better.

Yaṁ hissa, brāhmaṇa, paricarato pāricariyāhetu pāpiyo assa na seyyo, nāhaṁ taṁ ‘paricaritabban’ti vadāmi;

5.3

And I say that you should serve someone if serving them makes you better, not worse.

yañca khvāssa, brāhmaṇa, paricarato pāricariyāhetu seyyo assa na pāpiyo tamahaṁ ‘paricaritabban’ti vadāmi.

6.1

If they were to ask an aristocrat this,

Khattiyañcepi, brāhmaṇa, evaṁ puccheyyuṁ:

6.2

‘Who should you serve? Someone in whose service you get worse, or someone in whose service you get better?’

‘yaṁ vā te paricarato pāricariyāhetu pāpiyo assa na seyyo, yaṁ vā te paricarato pāricariyāhetu seyyo assa na pāpiyo;

6.3

Answering rightly, an aristocrat would say,

kamettha paricareyyāsī’ti, khattiyopi hi, brāhmaṇa, sammā byākaramāno evaṁ byākareyya:

6.4

‘Someone in whose service I get better.’

‘yañhi me paricarato pāricariyāhetu pāpiyo assa na seyyo, nāhaṁ taṁ paricareyyaṁ; yañca kho me paricarato pāricariyāhetu seyyo assa na pāpiyo tamahaṁ paricareyyan’ti.

7.1

If they were to ask a brahmin …

Brāhmaṇañcepi, brāhmaṇa …pe…

7.2

a merchant …

vessañcepi, brāhmaṇa …pe…

7.3

or a worker this,

suddañcepi, brāhmaṇa, evaṁ puccheyyuṁ:

7.4

‘Who should you serve? Someone in whose service you get worse, or someone in whose service you get better?’

‘yaṁ vā te paricarato pāricariyāhetu pāpiyo assa na seyyo, yaṁ vā te paricarato pāricariyāhetu seyyo assa na pāpiyo;

7.5

Answering rightly, a worker would say,

kamettha paricareyyāsī’ti, suddopi hi, brāhmaṇa, sammā byākaramāno evaṁ byākareyya:

7.6

‘Someone in whose service I get better.’

‘yañhi me paricarato pāricariyāhetu pāpiyo assa na seyyo, nāhaṁ taṁ paricareyyaṁ; yañca kho me paricarato pāricariyāhetu seyyo assa na pāpiyo tamahaṁ paricareyyan’ti.

7.7

Brahmin, I don’t say that coming from an eminent family makes you a better or worse person.

Nāhaṁ, brāhmaṇa, ‘uccākulīnatā seyyaṁso’ti vadāmi, na panāhaṁ, brāhmaṇa, ‘uccākulīnatā pāpiyaṁso’ti vadāmi;

7.8

I don’t say that being very beautiful makes you a better or worse person.

nāhaṁ, brāhmaṇa, ‘uḷāravaṇṇatā seyyaṁso’ti vadāmi, na panāhaṁ, brāhmaṇa, ‘uḷāravaṇṇatā pāpiyaṁso’ti vadāmi;

7.9

I don’t say that being very wealthy makes you a better or worse person.

nāhaṁ, brāhmaṇa, ‘uḷārabhogatā seyyaṁso’ti vadāmi, na panāhaṁ, brāhmaṇa, ‘uḷārabhogatā pāpiyaṁso’ti vadāmi.

8.1

For some people from eminent families kill living creatures, steal, and commit sexual misconduct. They use speech that’s false, divisive, harsh, or nonsensical. And they’re covetous, malicious, with wrong view.

Uccākulīnopi hi, brāhmaṇa, idhekacco pāṇātipātī hoti, adinnādāyī hoti, kāmesumicchācārī hoti, musāvādī hoti, pisuṇāvāco hoti, pharusāvāco hoti, samphappalāpī hoti, abhijjhālu hoti, byāpannacitto hoti, micchādiṭṭhi hoti.

8.2

That’s why I don’t say that coming from an eminent family makes you a better person.

Tasmā ‘na uccākulīnatā seyyaṁso’ti vadāmi.

8.3

But some people from eminent families also refrain from killing living creatures, stealing, and committing sexual misconduct. They refrain from using speech that’s false, divisive, harsh, or nonsensical. And they’re not covetous or malicious, and they have right view.

Uccākulīnopi hi, brāhmaṇa, idhekacco pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti, adinnādānā paṭivirato hoti, kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato hoti, musāvādā paṭivirato hoti, pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato hoti, pharusāya vācāya paṭivirato hoti, samphappalāpā paṭivirato hoti, anabhijjhālu hoti, abyāpannacitto hoti, sammādiṭṭhi hoti.

8.4

That’s why I don’t say that coming from an eminent family makes you a worse person.

Tasmā ‘na uccākulīnatā pāpiyaṁso’ti vadāmi.

8.5

People who are very beautiful,

Uḷāravaṇṇopi hi, brāhmaṇa …

8.6

or not very beautiful,

pe…

8.7

who are very wealthy,

uḷārabhogopi hi, brāhmaṇa, idhekacco pāṇātipātī hoti …

8.8

or not very wealthy,

pe…

8.9

may also behave in the same ways.

micchādiṭṭhi hoti.

8.10

That’s why I don’t say that any of these things makes you a better or worse person.

Tasmā ‘na uḷārabhogatā seyyaṁso’ti vadāmi.

8.11

Uḷārabhogopi hi, brāhmaṇa, idhekacco pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti …pe… sammādiṭṭhi hoti.

8.12

Tasmā ‘na uḷārabhogatā pāpiyaṁso’ti vadāmi.

9.1

Brahmin, I don’t say that you should serve everyone, nor do I say that you shouldn’t serve anyone.

Nāhaṁ, brāhmaṇa, ‘sabbaṁ paricaritabban’ti vadāmi, na panāhaṁ, brāhmaṇa, ‘sabbaṁ na paricaritabban’ti vadāmi.

9.2

And I say that you should serve someone if serving them makes you grow in faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom.

Yaṁ hissa, brāhmaṇa, paricarato pāricariyāhetu saddhā vaḍḍhati, sīlaṁ vaḍḍhati, sutaṁ vaḍḍhati, cāgo vaḍḍhati, paññā vaḍḍhati, tamahaṁ ‘paricaritabban’ti vadāmi.

9.3

I say that you shouldn’t serve someone if serving them doesn’t make you grow in faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom.”

Yaṁ hissa, brāhmaṇa, paricarato pāricariyāhetu na saddhā vaḍḍhati, na sīlaṁ vaḍḍhati, na sutaṁ vaḍḍhati, na cāgo vaḍḍhati, na paññā vaḍḍhati, nāhaṁ taṁ ‘paricaritabban’ti vadāmī”ti.

10.1

When he had spoken, Esukārī said to him:

Evaṁ vutte, esukārī brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

10.2

“Master Gotama, the brahmins prescribe four kinds of wealth:

“brāhmaṇā, bho gotama, cattāri dhanāni paññapenti—

10.3

for a brahmin, an aristocrat, a merchant, and a worker.

brāhmaṇassa sandhanaṁ paññapenti, khattiyassa sandhanaṁ paññapenti, vessassa sandhanaṁ paññapenti, suddassa sandhanaṁ paññapenti.

10.4

The wealth they prescribe for a brahmin is living on alms.

Tatridaṁ, bho gotama, brāhmaṇā brāhmaṇassa sandhanaṁ paññapenti bhikkhācariyaṁ;

10.5

A brahmin who scorns his own wealth, living on alms, fails in his duty like a guard who steals.

bhikkhācariyañca pana brāhmaṇo sandhanaṁ atimaññamāno akiccakārī hoti gopova adinnaṁ ādiyamānoti.

10.6

Idaṁ kho, bho gotama, brāhmaṇā brāhmaṇassa sandhanaṁ paññapenti.

10.7

The wealth they prescribe for an aristocrat is the bow and quiver.

Tatridaṁ, bho gotama, brāhmaṇā khattiyassa sandhanaṁ paññapenti dhanukalāpaṁ;

10.8

An aristocrat who scorns his own wealth, the bow and quiver, fails in his duty like a guard who steals.

dhanukalāpañca pana khattiyo sandhanaṁ atimaññamāno akiccakārī hoti gopova adinnaṁ ādiyamānoti.

10.9

Idaṁ kho, bho gotama, brāhmaṇā khattiyassa sandhanaṁ paññapenti.

10.10

The wealth they prescribe for a merchant is farming and animal husbandry.

Tatridaṁ, bho gotama, brāhmaṇā vessassa sandhanaṁ paññapenti kasigorakkhaṁ;

10.11

A merchant who scorns his own wealth, farming and animal husbandry, fails in his duty like a guard who steals.

kasigorakkhañca pana vesso sandhanaṁ atimaññamāno akiccakārī hoti gopova adinnaṁ ādiyamānoti.

10.12

Idaṁ kho, bho gotama, brāhmaṇā vessassa sandhanaṁ paññapenti.

10.13

The wealth they prescribe for a worker is the scythe and flail.

Tatridaṁ, bho gotama, brāhmaṇā suddassa sandhanaṁ paññapenti asitabyābhaṅgiṁ;

10.14

A worker who scorns his own wealth, the scythe and flail, fails in his duty like a guard who steals.

asitabyābhaṅgiñca pana suddo sandhanaṁ atimaññamāno akiccakārī hoti gopova adinnaṁ ādiyamānoti.

10.15

Idaṁ kho, bho gotama, brāhmaṇā suddassa sandhanaṁ paññapenti.

10.16

These are the four kinds of wealth that the brahmins prescribe.

Brāhmaṇā, bho gotama, imāni cattāri dhanāni paññapenti.

10.17

What do you say about this?”

Idha bhavaṁ gotamo kimāhā”ti?

11.1

“But brahmin, did the whole world authorize the brahmins to prescribe these four kinds of wealth?”

“Kiṁ pana, brāhmaṇa, sabbo loko brāhmaṇānaṁ etadabbhanujānāti: ‘imāni cattāri dhanāni paññapentū’”ti?

11.2

“No, Master Gotama.”

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama”.

11.3

“It’s as if they were to force a steak on a poor, penniless person, telling them they must eat it and then pay for it.

“Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, puriso daliddo assako anāḷhiyo. Tassa akāmassa bilaṁ olaggeyyuṁ: ‘idaṁ te, ambho purisa, maṁsaṁ khāditabbaṁ, mūlañca anuppadātabban’ti.

11.4

In the same way, the brahmins have prescribed these four kinds of wealth without the consent of these ascetics and brahmins.

Evameva kho, brāhmaṇa, brāhmaṇā appaṭiññāya tesaṁ samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ, atha ca panimāni cattāri dhanāni paññapenti.

12.1

I declare that a person’s own wealth is the noble, transcendent teaching.

Ariyaṁ kho ahaṁ, brāhmaṇa, lokuttaraṁ dhammaṁ purisassa sandhanaṁ paññapemi.

12.2

But they are reckoned by recollecting the traditional family lineage of their mother and father wherever they are incarnated.

Porāṇaṁ kho panassa mātāpettikaṁ kulavaṁsaṁ anussarato yattha yattheva attabhāvassa abhinibbatti hoti tena teneva saṅkhyaṁ gacchati.

12.3

If they incarnate in a family of aristocrats they are reckoned as an aristocrat.

Khattiyakule ce attabhāvassa abhinibbatti hoti ‘khattiyo’tveva saṅkhyaṁ gacchati;

12.4

If they incarnate in a family of brahmins they are reckoned as a brahmin.

brāhmaṇakule ce attabhāvassa abhinibbatti hoti ‘brāhmaṇo’tveva saṅkhyaṁ gacchati;

12.5

If they incarnate in a family of merchants they are reckoned as a merchant.

vessakule ce attabhāvassa abhinibbatti hoti ‘vesso’tveva saṅkhyaṁ gacchati;

12.6

If they incarnate in a family of workers they are reckoned as a worker.

suddakule ce attabhāvassa abhinibbatti hoti ‘suddo’tveva saṅkhyaṁ gacchati.

12.7

It’s like fire, which is reckoned according to the specific conditions dependent upon which it burns.

Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, yaṁyadeva paccayaṁ paṭicca aggi jalati tena teneva saṅkhyaṁ gacchati.

12.8

A fire that burns dependent on logs is reckoned as a log fire.

Kaṭṭhañce paṭicca aggi jalati ‘kaṭṭhaggi’tveva saṅkhyaṁ gacchati;

12.9

A fire that burns dependent on twigs is reckoned as a twig fire.

sakalikañce paṭicca aggi jalati ‘sakalikaggi’tveva saṅkhyaṁ gacchati;

12.10

A fire that burns dependent on grass is reckoned as a grass fire.

tiṇañce paṭicca aggi jalati ‘tiṇaggi’tveva saṅkhyaṁ gacchati;

12.11

A fire that burns dependent on cow-dung is reckoned as a cow-dung fire.

gomayañce paṭicca aggi jalati ‘gomayaggi’tveva saṅkhyaṁ gacchati.

12.12

In the same way, I declare that a person’s own wealth is the noble, transcendent teaching.

Evameva kho ahaṁ, brāhmaṇa, ariyaṁ lokuttaraṁ dhammaṁ purisassa sandhanaṁ paññapemi.

12.13

But they are reckoned by recollecting the traditional family lineage of their mother and father wherever they are incarnated.

Porāṇaṁ kho panassa mātāpettikaṁ kulavaṁsaṁ anussarato yattha yattheva attabhāvassa abhinibbatti hoti tena teneva saṅkhyaṁ gacchati.

12.14

Khattiyakule ce attabhāvassa abhinibbatti hoti ‘khattiyo’tveva saṅkhyaṁ gacchati;

12.15

brāhmaṇakule ce attabhāvassa abhinibbatti hoti ‘brāhmaṇo’tveva saṅkhyaṁ gacchati;

12.16

vessakule ce attabhāvassa abhinibbatti hoti ‘vesso’tveva saṅkhyaṁ gacchati;

12.17

suddakule ce attabhāvassa abhinibbatti hoti ‘suddo’tveva saṅkhyaṁ gacchati.

13.1

Suppose someone from a family of aristocrats goes forth from the lay life to homelessness. Relying on the teaching and training proclaimed by the Realized One they refrain from killing living creatures, stealing, and sex. They refrain from using speech that’s false, divisive, harsh, or nonsensical. And they’re not covetous or malicious, and they have right view. They succeed in the procedure of the skillful teaching.

Khattiyakulā cepi, brāhmaṇa, agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito hoti, so ca tathāgatappaveditaṁ dhammavinayaṁ āgamma pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti, adinnādānā paṭivirato hoti, abrahmacariyā paṭivirato hoti, musāvādā paṭivirato hoti, pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato hoti, pharusāya vācāya paṭivirato hoti, samphappalāpā paṭivirato hoti, anabhijjhālu hoti, abyāpannacitto hoti, sammādiṭṭhi hoti, ārādhako hoti ñāyaṁ dhammaṁ kusalaṁ.

13.2

Suppose someone from a family of brahmins …

Brāhmaṇakulā cepi, brāhmaṇa, agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito hoti, so ca tathāgatappaveditaṁ dhammavinayaṁ āgamma pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti …pe… sammādiṭṭhi hoti, ārādhako hoti ñāyaṁ dhammaṁ kusalaṁ.

13.3

merchants …

Vessakulā cepi, brāhmaṇa, agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito hoti, so ca tathāgatappaveditaṁ dhammavinayaṁ āgamma pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti …pe… sammādiṭṭhi hoti, ārādhako hoti ñāyaṁ dhammaṁ kusalaṁ.

13.4

workers goes forth from the lay life to homelessness. Relying on the teaching and training proclaimed by the Realized One … they succeed in the procedure of the skillful teaching.

Suddakulā cepi, brāhmaṇa, agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito hoti, so ca tathāgatappaveditaṁ dhammavinayaṁ āgamma pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti …pe… sammādiṭṭhi hoti, ārādhako hoti ñāyaṁ dhammaṁ kusalaṁ.

14.1

What do you think, brahmin?

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, brāhmaṇa,

14.2

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?

14.3

“No, Master Gotama.

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama.

14.4

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

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

14.5

brāhmaṇopi hi, bho gotama …

14.6

vessopi hi, bho gotama …

14.7

suddopi hi, bho gotama …

14.8

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.

14.9

“In the same way, suppose someone from a family of aristocrats,

“Evameva kho, brāhmaṇa, khattiyakulā cepi agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito hoti, so ca tathāgatappaveditaṁ dhammavinayaṁ āgamma pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti …pe… sammādiṭṭhi hoti, ārādhako hoti ñāyaṁ dhammaṁ kusalaṁ.

14.10

brahmins,

Brāhmaṇakulā cepi, brāhmaṇa …

14.11

merchants,

vessakulā cepi, brāhmaṇa …

14.12

or workers goes forth from the lay life to homelessness. Relying on the teaching and training proclaimed by the Realized One … they succeed in the procedure of the skillful teaching.

suddakulā cepi, brāhmaṇa, agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito hoti, so ca tathāgatappaveditaṁ dhammavinayaṁ āgamma pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti …pe… sammādiṭṭhi hoti, ārādhako hoti ñāyaṁ dhammaṁ kusalaṁ.

15.1

What do you think, brahmin?

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, brāhmaṇa,

15.2

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?

15.3

“No, Master Gotama.

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama.

15.4

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

15.5

brāhmaṇopi hi, bho gotama …

15.6

vessopi hi, bho gotama …

15.7

suddopi hi, bho gotama …

15.8

All four classes are capable of doing this.”

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

15.9

“In the same way, suppose someone from a family of aristocrats,

15.10

brahmins,

Brāhmaṇakulā cepi, brāhmaṇa …

15.11

merchants,

vessakulā cepi, brāhmaṇa …

15.12

or workers goes forth from the lay life to homelessness. Relying on the teaching and training proclaimed by the Realized One … they succeed in the procedure of the skillful teaching.

16.1

What do you think, brahmin?

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, brāhmaṇa,

16.2

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:

16.3

‘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;

16.4

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?

16.5

What do you think, brahmin?

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, brāhmaṇa,

16.6

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;

16.7

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?

16.8

“No, Master Gotama.

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama.

16.9

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;

16.10

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.

16.11

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.

16.12

“In the same way, suppose someone from a family of aristocrats,

16.13

brahmins,

Brāhmaṇakulā cepi, brāhmaṇa …

16.14

merchants,

vessakulā cepi, brāhmaṇa …

16.15

or workers goes forth from the lay life to homelessness. Relying on the teaching and training proclaimed by the Realized One they refrain from killing living creatures, stealing, and sex. They refrain from using speech that’s false, divisive, harsh, or nonsensical. And they’re not covetous or malicious, and they have right view. They succeed in the procedure of the skillful teaching.”

suddakulā cepi, brāhmaṇa, agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito hoti, so ca tathāgatappaveditaṁ dhammavinayaṁ āgamma pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti, adinnādānā paṭivirato hoti, abrahmacariyā paṭivirato hoti, musāvādā paṭivirato hoti, pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato hoti, pharusāya vācāya paṭivirato hoti, samphappalāpā paṭivirato hoti, anabhijjhālu hoti, abyāpannacitto hoti, sammādiṭṭhi hoti, ārādhako hoti ñāyaṁ dhammaṁ kusalan”ti.

17.1

When he had spoken, Esukārī said to him,

Evaṁ vutte, esukārī brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

17.2

“Excellent, Master Gotama! Excellent! …

“abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama, abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama …pe…

17.3

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.

17.4

Esukārīsuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ chaṭṭhaṁ.