He who is thoughtful, blameless, settled, dutiful, without passions, and
who has attained the highest end, him I call indeed a Brahmana.
The sun is bright by day, the moon shines by night, the warrior is
bright in his armor, the Brahmana is bright in his meditation; but
Buddha, the Awakened, is bright with splendor day and night.
Because a man is rid of evil, therefore he is called Brahmana; because
he walks quietly, therefore he is called Samana; because he has sent
away his own impurities, therefore he is called Pravragita (Pabbagita, a
pilgrim).
No one should attack a Brahmana, but no Brahmana, if attacked, should
let himself fly at his aggressor! Woe to him who strikes a Brahmana,
more woe to him who flies at his aggressor!
It advantages a Brahmana not a little if he holds his mind back from the
pleasures of life; the more all wish to injure has vanished, the more
all pain will cease.
Him I call indeed a Brahmana who does not offend by body, word, or
thought, and is controlled on these three points.
He from whom he may learn the law, as taught by the Well-awakened
(Buddha), him let him worship assiduously, as the Brahmana worships the
sacrificial fire.
A man does not become a Brahmana by his plaited hair, by his family, or
by birth; in whom there is truth and righteousness, he is blessed, he is
a Brahmana.
What is the use of plaited hair, O fool! what of the raiment of
goat-skins? Within thee there is ravening, but the outside thou makest
clean.
Pages:
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202