Dhammapada Commentary ( Dhammapada Atthakatha )
Edited by
Bhikkhu Pesala
26 — Brāhmana Vagga
The Saint1
A Saint Knows the Uncreated
1. Chinda sotaṃ parakkamma, kāme panuda Brāhmaṇa
Saṅkhārānaṃ khayaṃ ñatvā, akataññū’si Brāhmaṇa.383
1. Strive and cut off the stream. O Saint, discard sense-desires. Having
known the destruction of the conditioned, be a knower of the uncreated.
The Brahmin with Strong Faith
A Brahmin with strong faith offered alms in his house regularly to sixteen
monks. Whenever he spoke to them he addressed them as Arahants. The modest
monks resented this form of address and discontinued their visits to his house.
The Brahmin was disappointed and he went to the Buddha to ask why the monks
had ceased to come to his house for alms. The monks explained their reasons to
the Buddha. The Buddha said that the Brahmin used that form of address only out
of respect and that they should try to become Arahants by cutting off the stream
of craving.
Cultivate Concentration and Insight
2. Yadā dvayesu dhammesu, pāragū hoti brāhmaṇo
Atha’ssa sabbe saṃyogā, atthaṃ gacchanti jānato.384
2. When in two states a Saint goes to the Farther Shore,
then all the fetters of that “one who knows” pass away.
The Visiting Monks
Knowing that some monks visiting from far away were ready to realise
nibbāna, the Elder Sāriputta approached the Buddha, and questioned him about
1
A Brahmā is a deity who is endowed with boundless loving-kindness, compassion,
sympathetic-joy, and equanimity. The Brahmāvihāra Dhamma are the meditations on
those four sublime states. The Brahmācariya is the holy life of chastity. A Brāhmaṇa is
therefore a holy person or sage who lives an exemplary life — a … contd. on p.222
these two states, which the Buddha always used to commend. In reply the Buddha
uttered this verse.
A Saint is Fearless and Liberated
3. Yassa pāraṃ apāraṃ vā, pārāpāraṃ na vijjati
Vītaddaraṃ visaṃyuttaṃ, tam ahaṃ brūmi Brāhmaṇaṃ.385
3. For whom there exists neither this shore nor the farther shore, nor both
this shore and the farther shore, who is fearless and liberated — I call a
Saint.
Māra’s Question About the Farther Shore
Disguised as a man, Māra approached the Buddha and questioned him about
the farther shore. The Buddha, recognising him, dismissed him saying that he
had nothing to do with the farther shore and uttered the above verse.
Therein, “This shore,” means one’s own six senses; “The farther shore,”
means the six external sense objects. One who does not grasp at either with ideas
of “I” or “mine” is fearless and liberated from all defilements and is therefore
called a Saint.
On the conclusion of the discourse many attained Stream-winning.
A Saint is Meditative and Stainless
4. Jhāyiṃ virajam āsīnaṃ, katakiccaṃ anāsavaṃ
Uttamatthaṃ anuppattaṃ, tam ahaṃ brūmi Brāhmaṇaṃ.386
4. Who is meditative, stainless and secluded, who has done his duty and is
free from corruptions, who has attained the highest goal — I call a Saint.
A Certain Brahmin
A Brahmin noted that the Buddha used to address his monks as “Brāhmaṇa”,
and he thought that he too was entitled to the same form of address as he was a
Brahmin by birth. He questioned the Buddha about the matter. The Buddha
replied that one did not become a Saint by birth but by attaining the highest goal.
On the conclusion of the above verse the Brahmin became a Stream-winner.
contd. from p.221 Saint. In spite of the connotations of this word, it is the most suitable
gender neutral term.
The Buddha Shines by Day and Night
5. Divā tapati ādicco, rattimābhāti
1 candimā
Sannaddho khattiyo tapati, jhāyī tapati brāhmaṇo
Atha sabbam ahorattiṃ, buddho tapati tejasā.387
5. The sun shines by day; the moon is radiant by night. Armoured shines
the warrior king. Meditating the Saint shines. But all day and night the
Buddha shines in glory.
The Elder Ānanda’s Praise of the Buddha
At the end of the Rains, just before the Invitation Ceremony, King Pasenadi
arrived at the Vihāra dressed in his finest garments and jewellery bearing gifts. At
that moment the sun was setting and the moon rising. The Elder Kāḷudāyī was
sitting in jhāna. Looking at the king in all his glory, the radiant golden body of
the Elder Kāḷudāyī, the setting sun, the rising moon, then at the Buddha, the
Elder Ānanda remarked that the Buddha was the most radiant of all. The Buddha
uttered the above verse, to acknowledge the Elder Ānanda’s observation. On the
conclusion of the discourse, many in the audience attained Stream-winning.
A Saint Has Discarded All Evil
6. Bāhitapāpo’ti brāhmaṇo, samacariyā samaṇo’ti vuccati
Pabbājay’attano malaṃ, tasmā “pabbajito”ti vuccati.388
6. Because he has discarded evil, he is called a Saint; because he lives in
peace, he is called a recluse; because he has given up stains, he is called
one-gone-forth.
A Certain Wanderer’s Story
A certain wanderer approached the Buddha and requested him to address
him as one gone-forth (pabbajita). The Buddha uttered the above verse, saying
that he called someone “gone-forth” who had left behind passion and other
stains.
Do Not Harm A Saint
7. Na Brāhmaṇassa pahareyya, n’āssa muñcetha brāhmaṇo
Dhī Brāhmaṇassa hantāraṃ, tato dhī yassa muñcati.389
1
rattiṃ obhāti
7. One should not strike a Saint, nor should a Saint vent (his wrath) on one
who has struck him. Shame on him who strikes a Saint! More shame on
him who gives vent (to his wrath)!
A Saint Does Not Retaliate
8. Na Brāhmaṇass’etadakiñci seyyo,
yadā nisedho manaso piyehi
Yato yato hiṃsamano nivattatim
tato tato sammatimeva dukkhaṃ.390
8. To a Saint that (non-retaliation) is of no small advantage. When the
mind is weaned from things dear, whenever the intent to harm ceases,
then and then only doth sorrow subside.
A Brahmin Strikes the Elder Sāriputta
Some lay disciples of the Elder Sāriputta praised his great patience, saying
that he never got angry. A certain Brahmin who was a non-believer, hearing their
conversation, said that he would make the Elder angry. While the Elder was
walking for alms, the Brahmin struck the Elder Sāriputta a hard blow on the back
with his fist. The Elder did not get angry at all, but just said, “What was that?” and
continued on his way, without so much as looking round. At once, the Brahmin
felt remorseful at what he had done and, prostrating himself at the elder’s feet,
begged for forgiveness. The Elder pardoned him and accepted his offer to receive
almsfood in his house. Some bystanders, outraged at what the Brahmin had done,
took sticks and clods of earth, and went to the door of his house, determined to
kill him. The elder gave his almsbowl to the Brahmin and left his house with him
following behind, confronting the hostile crowd that had gathered there. They
asked the elder to take his bowl and tell the Brahmin to turn back, as they would
know what to do with him. The elder asked them if he had hit them or himself.
He said that he had pardoned the Brahmin, and told them to go away. When the
monks heard what had happened, they talked about it, and worried that anyone
who wished could now hit any monk with impunity. The Buddha asked about
their conversation, and praised the Elder Sāriputta for his outstanding patience.
Uttering the above verse, the Buddha extolled the attitude of a true Saint.
A Saint is Well-restrained
9. Yassa kāyena vācāya, manasā natthi dukkataṃ
Saṃvutaṃ tīhi ṭhānehi, tam ahaṃ brūmi Brāhmaṇaṃ.391
9. Who does no evil through body, speech or mind,
who is restrained in these three respects — I call a Saint.
Mahā Pajāpati Gotamī’s Story
Some nuns would not observe the Uposatha or Invitation Ceremony with the
Elder Mahā Pajāpati Gotamī because they doubted whether she had been ordained
as a nun. The Buddha explained that when she accepted the eight serious rules,
that was her ordination, and he was her teacher and preceptor. Therefore, no
doubts should be entertained with regard to one like her who had destroyed all
defilements. On conclusion of the discourse many attained Stream-winning.
Honour the Worthy
10. Yamhā dhammaṃ vijāneyya,
sammāsambuddhadesitaṃ
Sakkaccaṃ taṃ namasseyya,
aggihuttaṃ ’va brāhmaṇo.392
10. If one should understand the doctrine preached by the Fully Enlightened
Buddha from another, one should revere that person devoutly, as a
Brahmin reveres the sacrificial fire.
The Elder Sāriputta’s Teacher
The Elder Sāriputta, first heard the Dhamma from the Elder Assaji, and from
that day, having attained Stream-winning, he used to worship with clasped hands,
before laying down to sleep with his head in whichever direction the Elder Assaji
was currently dwelling. Some monks misinterpreted his behaviour and reported
to the Buddha that the Elder Sāriputta had not given up his former wrong views,
and was paying reverence to the cardinal points. The Buddha defended his
actions, and explained the right attitude of a pupil towards his teacher. On the
conclusion of the discourse, many attained to Stream-winning.
A Saint is Truthful and Righteous
11. Na jaṭāhi na gottena, na jaccā hoti brāhmaṇo
Yamhi saccañca dhammo ca, so sucī so ca brāhmaṇo.393
11. Not by matted hair, nor by family, nor by birth does one become a Saint.
In whom are both truth and righteousness, is a pure-hearted Saint.
A Matted Hair Ascetic
A Brahmin who was a matted-hair ascetic approached the Buddha and asked
him to address him as “Brāhmaṇa” just as the monks were addressed. Thereupon
the Buddha uttered the above verse. On the conclusion of the discourse, many
attained Stream-winning.
Be Pure Within
12. Kiṃ te jaṭāhi dummedha, kiṃ te ajinasāṭiyā
Abbhantaraṃ te gahaṇaṃ, bāhiraṃ parimajjasi.394
12. What is the use of your matted hair, O witless man? What is the use of
your antelope skin garment? Within, you are full of passions; without,
you embellish yourself.
The Fraudulent Ascetic
An ascetic hung himself upside down from the branch of a tree near the city
gate of Vesālī, threatening that he would drop on his head and kill himself, which
would reduce the city of Vesālī to ashes, unless the people donated what he asked
for. When the monks left the city after their almsround he was still hanging
there. Some people gave him what he wanted, fearing that he might do some
harm to their city. Later in the day the monks saw the same ascetic again in the
vicinity of the monastery and asked him if he got what he wanted. When they
told the Blessed One about this, he said that not only in this life, but in a previous
life too, the ascetic had been fraudulent. Then the Buddha related the Godhā
Jātaka (Jā 138).
At one time the Bodhisatta took rebirth as a lizard who lived in an ant-hill.
Every day he paid respects to a virtuous ascetic who lived nearby. When the
ascetic moved on and another came to stay in his place, the Bodhisatta continued
his daily visits as before, thinking that he might also be virtuous. One day, the
ascetic received lizard meat for alms, and pleased at the sweet taste, asked what
kind of meat it was. On being told that it was lizard, he planned to kill the lizard
that visited him daily by hiding a stick under his robe, However, the lizard
became suspicious of his odd behaviour, and escaped.
A Saint Meditates Alone in the Forest
13. Paṃsukūladharaṃ jantuṃ, kisaṃ dhamanisanthataṃ
Ekaṃ vanasmiṃ jhāyantaṃ, tam ahaṃ brūmi Brāhmaṇaṃ.395
13. Who wears dust-heap robes, who is lean, whose veins stand out,
who meditates alone in the forest — I call a Saint.
The Elder Nun Kisāgotamī
At one time Sakka, the king of the gods, visited the Buddha at the end of the
first watch of the night, accompanied by a large following of deities, to listen to
the Dhamma. The Elder nun Kisāgotamī, who was meditating alone in the forest,
wearing dust-heap robes, came through the air to visit the Buddha. Seeing Sakka,
she returned after paying homage to the Buddha. Sakka asked who she was. The
Buddha replied that she was his daughter Kisāgotamī, the foremost of those nuns
who wore rag robes. Then he uttered the above verse, on the conclusion of which
many deities attained Stream-winning.
A Saint is Unattached
14. Na c’āhaṃ Brāhmaṇaṃ brūmi, yonijaṃ mattisambhavaṃ
Bhovādi nāma so hoti, sa ce hoti sakiñcano
Akiñcanaṃ anādānaṃ, tam ahaṃ brūmi Brāhmaṇaṃ.396
14. I do not call him a Saint merely because he is born of a (Brahmin) womb
or sprung from a (Brahmin) mother. He is merely a “Dear-addresser”, if
he has impediments. Who is free from impediments, free from clinging
— I call a Saint.
A Certain Brahmin
A Brahmin by birth wished the Buddha to address him as “Brāhmaṇa.” The
Buddha uttered the above verse in reply.
A Saint Has Destroyed All Fetters
15. Sabbasaṃyojanaṃ chetvā, yo ve na paritassati
Saṅgātigaṃ visaṃyuttaṃ, tam ahaṃ brūmi Brāhmaṇaṃ.397
15. Who has cut off all fetters, who trembles not,
who has gone beyond ties, who is unbound — I call a Saint.
The Fearlessness of Uggasena
The story of Uggasena is told in the commentary to verse 348. The Buddha
uttered this verse when the monks reported that the Elder Uggasena claimed that
he had no fear.
A Saint Has Broken the Straps
16. Chetvā naddhiṃ varattañca, sandānaṃ1 sahanukkamaṃ
Ukkhittapaḷighaṃ buddhaṃ, tam ahaṃ brūmi Brāhmaṇaṃ.398
16. Who has broken the strap,
2 the thong,
3 the rope and the fetters,
4 who has
thrown off the cross-bar,
5 who is enlightened — I call a Saint.
The Ox Competition
Two farmers argued about whose ox was stronger. They tested them by
loading their carts with sand and urging the oxen to pull them. The carts would
not budge, but the thongs and straps broke. The monks saw this while they were
bathing in the river, and mentioned it to the Buddha. The Buddha advised the
monks to break the thongs and straps in their own minds.
A Saint is Patient
17. Akkosaṃ vadhabandhañca, aduṭṭho yo titikkhati
Khantibalaṃ balānīkaṃ, tam ahaṃ brūmi Brāhmaṇaṃ.399
17. Who, without anger, endures reproach, flogging and punishments,
Whose power and potent army is patience — I call a Saint.
The Abusers
Dhanañjānī was a Stream-winner who used to utter words of praise to the
Buddha whenever she sneezed, coughed, or stumbled. One day she stumbled
while serving some Brahmins and as usual exclaimed “Namo Tassa Bhagavato
Arahato Sammāsambuddhassa.” Her husband was angry, and scolded her. Then
he went to the Buddha, and without so much as a polite greeting, stood at one
side, asking in verse:
1
sandāmaṃ
2
Anger;
3
craving;
4
latent tendency to the sixty-two wrong views;
5
ignorance.
“What having cut off does one dwell at ease?
Cutting off what does one sorrow no more?
What one thing do you recommend destroying, Gotama?"
The Buddha replied:
"Having cut off anger one dwells at ease.
Cutting of anger one sorrows no more.
The root of anger is poisonous, its tip is sweet.
The noble praise the destruction of anger,
When that is destroyed one sorrows no more."
Hearing his reply, which was marked by great patience, the irate husband
became a convert, entered the Saṅgha, and became an Arahant. His three
younger brothers came in turn and abused the Buddha for converting him. The
Buddha patiently endured their reproach and taught them the Dhamma. They
were also converted, when forth, and became Arahants. When the monks were
talking about the Buddha’s great patience in converting the four brothers, the
Buddha came there, asked them what they were talking about, and uttered the
above verse: “He who, without anger, endures reproach...”
A Saint is Not Wrathful
18. Akkodhanaṃ vatavantaṃ, sīlavantaṃ anussadaṃ1
Dantaṃ antimasārīraṃ, tam ahaṃ brūmi Brāhmaṇaṃ.400
18. Who is not wrathful, but is dutiful, virtuous, free from craving,
Self-controlled and who bears his final body — I call a Saint.
The Elder Sāriputta’s Mother
The Elder Sāriputta went for alms in the village of Nālaka and came to the
door of his mother’s house. She provided him with a seat and offered almsfood,
but scolded him for renouncing great wealth to become a monk, living on the
left-overs of strangers. She served the other monks too, and scolded them for
making her son their own personal attendant. The Elder Sāriputta and the other
monks patiently tolerated all this abuse, and taking the food, returned to the
monastery. The Buddha asked Rāhula where he went for alms, and Rāhula said
that he went to the house of his preceptor’s mother. Then the Buddha asked what
1
anussutaṃ
she had said, and Rāhula replied that she had scolded his preceptor, but he had
said nothing at all in reply. When the monks heard about this they began to talk
about the elder’s remarkable patience. The Buddha inquired about their
conversation, and uttered the above verse in praise of Sāriputta.
A Saint Does Not Enjoy Sensual Pleasures
19. Vāripokkharapatt’eva, āragger’iva sāsapo
Yo na limpati kāmesu, tam ahaṃ brūmi Brāhmaṇaṃ.401
19. Like water on a lotus leaf, like a mustard seed on a needle's point,
one who clings not to sensual pleasures, I call a Saint.
The Rape of Uppalavaṇṇa
The story of Uppalavaṇṇa is told in the Commentary to verse 69. When she
was raped by a former suitor the monks began wondering whether Arahants
enjoy sensual pleasures. The Buddha explained that the minds of Arahants do not
adhere to sensual pleasures and are not affected by them, as a lotus leaf is not
wetted by water, and water does not adhere to a lotus leaf.
A Saint Has Laid Aside the Burden
20. Yo dukkhassa pajānāti, idh’eva khayam attano
Pannabhāraṃ visaṃyuttaṃ, tam ahaṃ brūmi Brāhmaṇaṃ.402
20. Who realises here in this world the destruction of his sorrow,
Who has laid the burden aside and is emancipated — I call a Saint.
The Emancipated Slave
Before the laying down of the rule proscribing the ordination of slaves, a
slave belonging to a Brahmin ran away and joined the Saṅgha. He soon attained
Arahantship. Seeing him when he walked for alms, his former owner held him by
the hem of his robe. The Buddha turned round and asked what the matter was.
The Brahmin said, “He is my slave.” The Buddha said that he had laid the burden
aside and was a Saint, uttering the above verse. The Brahmin gained Stream-
winning.
A Saint Has Reached the Goal
21. Gambhīrapaññaṃ medhāviṃ, maggāmaggassa kovidaṃ
Uttamatthaṃ anuppattaṃ, tam ahaṃ brūmi Brāhmaṇaṃ.403
21. Whose knowledge is deep, who is wise, who is skilled in the right and
wrong way, who has reached the highest goal — I call a Saint.
The Elder Nun Khemā
At one time, during the night, Sakka the king of the gods, came to see the
Buddha with a large following to listen to the Dhamma. The Elder Khemā came
to pay her respects to the Buddha, but seeing Sakka King of the gods, she just
worshipped the Buddha and turned back. Sakka asked the Buddha who she was.
The Buddha answered that she was his daughter Khemā who was wise and skilled
in knowledge of the path and non path.
A Saint Has No Intimacy with Any
22. Asaṃsaṭṭhaṃ gahaṭṭhehi, anāgārehi c’ūbhayaṃ
Anokasāriṃ appicchaṃ, tam ahaṃ brūmi Brāhmaṇaṃ.404
22. Who is not intimate with householders nor the homeless,
Who wanders without an abode, without desires — I call a Saint.
The Cave Dwelling Elder
Having obtained a meditation object from the Teacher, a certain monk took
up residence in a cave. A goddess dwelt in the cave had to leave to make way for
him. When the elder stayed for the Rains, she reflected on his virtue, and not
seeing the slightest fault, she contrived some pretext to drive him away. The deity
possessed the son of the elder’s lay supporter, and told her to sprinkle her son’s
head with the water used to wash the elder’s feet. When the lady did this, her son
was cured. Back at the cave, the deity told the elder not to enter as he had defiled
his moral purity by practising medicine. The monk was not angry, but instead
reflected on his moral purity, concluded that it was spotless, and gained
Arahantship. Then he admonished the deity and told her to leave. Later, he
reported the whole incident to the other monks. When they asked if he was angry
with the deity, he replied that he was not. The monks reported this to the
Buddha, thinking that the elder was speaking falsehood. The Buddha uttered the
above verse, to confirm the elder’s attainment of Arahantship. On the conclusion
of the discourse many attained Stream-winning.
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