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Udana » Context of this sutta
- Udana VI.2
- Jatila Sutta
- Ascetics
- For free distribution only, as a gift of Dhamma
I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying in Savatthi
at the Eastern Monastery, the palace of Migara's mother. Now at
that time the Blessed One, having emerged from his seclusion in the late afternoon, was
sitting outside the doorway. Then King Pasenadi Kosala went to the
Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. Then seven
coiled-hair ascetics, seven Jain ascetics, seven naked ascetics, seven one-cloth ascetics,
and seven wanderers -- their nails grown long, their body-hair grown long -- walked past
not far from the Blessed One. King Pasenadi Kosala saw the seven coiled-hair ascetics,
seven Jain ascetics, seven naked ascetics, seven one-cloth ascetics, and seven wanderers
-- their nails grown long, their body-hair grown long -- walking past not far from the
Blessed One. On seeing them, he arranged his upper robe over one shoulder, knelt down with
his right knee on the ground, saluted the ascetics with his hands before his heart, and
announced his name to them three times: "I am the king, venerable sirs, Pasenadi
Kosala. I am the king, venerable sirs, Pasenadi Kosala. I am the king, venerable sirs,
Pasenadi Kosala." Then not long after the ascetics had passed, he returned to the
Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As he was sitting
there he said to the Blessed One, "Of those in the world who are arahants or on the
path to arahantship, are these among them?"
"Your majesty, as a layman enjoying sensual pleasures; living crowded with wives
and children; using Kasi fabrics and sandalwood; wearing garlands,
scents, and creams; handling gold and silver, it is hard for you to know whether these are
arahants or on the path to arahantship.
"It is through living together that a person's virtue may be known, and then only
after a long period, not a short period; by one who is attentive, not by one who is
inattentive; by one who is discerning, not by one who is not discerning.
"It is through dealing with a person that his purity may be known, and then only
after a long period, not a short period; by one who is attentive, not by one who is
inattentive; by one who is discerning, not by one who is not discerning.
"It is through adversity that a person's endurance may be known, and then only
after a long period, not a short period; by one who is attentive, not by one who is
inattentive; by one who is discerning, not by one who is not discerning.
"It is through discussion that a person's discernment may be known, and then only
after a long period, not a short period; by one who is attentive, not by one who is
inattentive; by one who is discerning, not by one who is not discerning."
"How amazing, lord! How awesome! How well that was put by the Blessed One! 'Your
majesty, as a layman enjoying sensual pleasures; living crowded with wives and children;
using Kasi fabrics and sandalwood; wearing garlands, scents, and creams; handling gold and
silver, it is hard for you to know whether these are arahants or on the path to
arahantship.
"'It is through living together that a person's virtue may be known, and then only
after a long period, not a short period; by one who is attentive, not by one who is
inattentive; by one who is discerning, not by one who is not discerning.
"'It is through dealing with a person that his purity may be known, and then only
after a long period, not a short period; by one who is attentive, not by one who is
inattentive; by one who is discerning, not by one who is not discerning.
"'It is through adversity that a person's endurance may be known, and then only
after a long period, not a short period; by one who is attentive, not by one who is
inattentive; by one who is discerning, not by one who is not discerning.
"'It is through discussion that a person's discernment may be known, and then only
after a long period, not a short period; by one who is attentive, not by one who is
inattentive; by one who is discerning, not by one who is not discerning.'
"These men, lord, are my spies, my scouts, returning after going out through the
countryside. They go out first, and then I go. Now, when they have scrubbed off the dirt
and mud, are well-bathed and well-perfumed, have trimmed their hair and beards, and have
put on white clothes, they will go about endowed and provided with the five cords of
sensuality."
Then, on realizing the significance of that, the Blessed One on that occasion
exclaimed:
One should not make an effort everywhere.
One should not be another's hireling.
One should not live dependent on another.
One should not make the Dhamma a trade.
Note: For another presentation of the same topic, see AN IV.192.