5 - The discourse on what is primary (Aggañña Sutta)

Summary

[For Introduction and notes see Collins 1993c.]

1. Thus I have heard. At one time the Blessed One was living in the palatial monastery built by Migāra's mother in the Eastern Park outside Sāvatthi. At that time Vāsettha and Bhāradvāja, aspiring to become monks, were living with the monks there. One evening the Blessed One rose from his solitary meditation, went outside the monastery, and was walking back and forth in its shade, in the open air.

2. Vāsettha saw that the Blessed One … was walking back and forth … in the open air, and said to Bhāradvāja:

“Friend Bhāradvāja, here is the Blessed One … walking back and forth … in the open air. Come, friend, let's go to him: perhaps we may get a chance to hear a Dhamma-talk from the Blessed One himself.”

“Alright, friend,” agreed Bhāradvāja; and so Vāsettha and Bhāradvāja went up to the Blessed One, greeted him, and walked back and forth together with him.

3. Then the Blessed One addressed Vāsettha (and Bhāradvāja):

“Monks, you were (both) born Brahmins, in Brahmin families, (but) you have gone forth from home to homelessness, (leaving your) Brahmin family. Surely Brahmins (must) revile and abuse you?”

“Indeed, sir, Brahmins revile and abuse us fully, completely, with the (sort of) abuse one would expect (from them).”