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### Mahavagga I.2.1-3

# Ajapalakatha

# The Conversation at the Goatherders' Banyan

Translated from the Pali by Sean Whittle.
For free distribution only.

Then the Blessed One, upon the ending of the seven days, emerged from that concentration, and from the foot of the tree of awakening he went to the goatherders' banyan; upon arrival, he sat at the foot of the goatherders' banyan for seven days in one session, experiencing the bliss of release. Then a certain arrogant brahman[1] came up to the Blessed One, and upon arrival, having exchanged friendly greetings and courtesies, he stood to one side. While standing there the brahman said this to the Blessed One: "To what extent, sir Gotama, is one a brahman? Which things make one a brahman?"

Then, upon realizing the significance of this, the Blessed One on that occasion exclaimed:

> That brahman who has banished evil mental qualities,
> leaving behind hum, free from unskillful states, restrained in self,
> having reached the end of knowledge, who has lived the holy life --
> that one rightly so could call himself a brahman,
> for whom there are no swellings[2] anywhere within the cosmos.

### Notes

1. hu"mhu"nkajaatika: The commentaries state that this type of brahman would go around uttering hu"m out of anger and pride as a sign of contempt toward any person who was dirty or disagreeable in some way. [Go back]

2. ussadaa: In Mahaniddesa 10 and 14 (PTS pp. 1.244 and 2.354) it cites this as lust (raaga), aversion (dosa), delusion (moha), conceit (maana), views (di.t.thi), defilements (kilesa), and intentional actions (kamma). This word is also used in this sense at Snp IV.10 and IV.14. [Go back]

See also: Ud I.3, which precedes this passage; Dhp XXVI.

Revised: Sun 24 June 2001