{"id":"snp1.7","title":"The Lowlife","languageCodes":["en","pi"],"languageNotes":{"en":"Bhikkhu Sujato · CC0","pi":"Mahāsaṅgīti edition · SuttaCentral"},"chapters":[{"id":"snp1.7","title":"The Lowlife","units":[{"id":"snp1.7:0","sourceIds":["snp1.7:0.1","snp1.7:0.2"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Sutta Nipāta 1.7\nVasalasutta","en":"Anthology of Discourses 1.7\nThe Lowlife"}},{"id":"snp1.7:1","sourceIds":["snp1.7:1.1","snp1.7:1.2","snp1.7:1.3","snp1.7:1.4","snp1.7:1.5"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Evaṁ me sutaṁ—\nekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.\nAtha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi.\nTena kho pana samayena aggikabhāradvājassa brāhmaṇassa nivesane aggi pajjalito hoti āhuti paggahitā.\nAtha kho bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ sapadānaṁ piṇḍāya caramāno yena aggikabhāradvājassa brāhmaṇassa nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkami.","en":"So I have heard.\nAt one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.\nThen the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms.\nNow at that time in the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper’s home the sacred flame had been kindled and the oblation prepared.\nWandering indiscriminately for almsfood in Sāvatthī, the Buddha approached Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper’s house."}},{"id":"snp1.7:2","sourceIds":["snp1.7:2.1","snp1.7:2.2","snp1.7:2.3","snp1.7:2.4","snp1.7:2.5"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Addasā kho aggikabhāradvājo brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ.\nDisvāna bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:\n“tatreva, muṇḍaka;\ntatreva, samaṇaka;\ntatreva, vasalaka, tiṭṭhāhī”ti.","en":"Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper saw the Buddha coming off in the distance\nand said to him,\n“Stop right there, shaveling!\nRight there, fake ascetic!\nRight there, lowlife!”"}},{"id":"snp1.7:3","sourceIds":["snp1.7:3.1","snp1.7:3.2","snp1.7:3.3","snp1.7:3.4","snp1.7:3.5","snp1.7:3.6","snp1.7:3.7"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Evaṁ vutte, bhagavā aggikabhāradvājaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ etadavoca:\n“jānāsi pana tvaṁ, brāhmaṇa, vasalaṁ vā vasalakaraṇe vā dhamme”ti?\n“Na khvāhaṁ, bho gotama, jānāmi vasalaṁ vā vasalakaraṇe vā dhamme;\nsādhu me bhavaṁ gotamo tathā dhammaṁ desetu, yathāhaṁ jāneyyaṁ vasalaṁ vā vasalakaraṇe vā dhamme”ti.\n“Tena hi, brāhmaṇa, suṇāhi, sādhukaṁ manasi karohi; bhāsissāmī”ti.\n“Evaṁ, bho”ti kho aggikabhāradvājo brāhmaṇo bhagavato paccassosi.\nBhagavā etadavoca:","en":"When he said this, the Buddha said to him,\n“But brahmin, do you know what is a lowlife or what are the qualities that make you a lowlife?”\n“No I do not, worthy Gotama.\nPlease, worthy Gotama, teach me this matter so I can understand what is a lowlife or what are the qualities that make you a lowlife.”\n“Well then, brahmin, listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”\n“Yes, worthy sir,” Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper replied.\nThe Buddha said this:"}},{"id":"snp1.7:4","sourceIds":["snp1.7:4.1","snp1.7:4.2","snp1.7:4.3","snp1.7:4.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"“Kodhano upanāhī ca,\npāpamakkhī ca yo naro;\nVipannadiṭṭhi māyāvī,\ntaṁ jaññā vasalo iti.","en":"“Irritable and acrimonious,\nwicked and offensive,\na man deficient in view, deceitful:\nknow him as a lowlife."}},{"id":"snp1.7:5","sourceIds":["snp1.7:5.1","snp1.7:5.2","snp1.7:5.3","snp1.7:5.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Ekajaṁ vā dvijaṁ vāpi,\nyodha pāṇaṁ vihiṁsati;\nYassa pāṇe dayā natthi,\ntaṁ jaññā vasalo iti.","en":"He harms living creatures\nborn of womb or of egg,\nand has no kindness for creatures:\nknow him as a lowlife."}},{"id":"snp1.7:6","sourceIds":["snp1.7:6.1","snp1.7:6.2","snp1.7:6.3","snp1.7:6.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Yo hanti parirundhati,\ngāmāni nigamāni ca;\nNiggāhako samaññāto,\ntaṁ jaññā vasalo iti.","en":"He destroys and devastates\nvillages and towns,\na notorious oppressor:\nknow him as a lowlife."}},{"id":"snp1.7:7","sourceIds":["snp1.7:7.1","snp1.7:7.2","snp1.7:7.3","snp1.7:7.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Gāme vā yadi vā raññe,\nyaṁ paresaṁ mamāyitaṁ;\nTheyyā adinnamādeti,\ntaṁ jaññā vasalo iti.","en":"Whether in village or wilderness,\nhe steals what belongs to others,\ntaking what has not been given:\nknow him as a lowlife."}},{"id":"snp1.7:8","sourceIds":["snp1.7:8.1","snp1.7:8.2","snp1.7:8.3","snp1.7:8.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Yo have iṇamādāya,\ncujjamāno palāyati;\nNa hi te iṇamatthīti,\ntaṁ jaññā vasalo iti.","en":"Having fallen into debt,\nwhen pressed to pay up he flees, saying\n‘I don’t owe you anything!’:\nknow him as a lowlife."}},{"id":"snp1.7:9","sourceIds":["snp1.7:9.1","snp1.7:9.2","snp1.7:9.3","snp1.7:9.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Yo ve kiñcikkhakamyatā,\npanthasmiṁ vajantaṁ janaṁ;\nHantvā kiñcikkhamādeti,\ntaṁ jaññā vasalo iti.","en":"Wanting some item or other,\nhe attacks a person in the street\nand takes it:\nknow him as a lowlife."}},{"id":"snp1.7:10","sourceIds":["snp1.7:10.1","snp1.7:10.2","snp1.7:10.3","snp1.7:10.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Attahetu parahetu,\ndhanahetu ca yo naro;\nSakkhipuṭṭho musā brūti,\ntaṁ jaññā vasalo iti.","en":"For his own sake or the sake of another,\nor for the sake of wealth, a man\ntells a lie when asked to bear witness:\nknow him as a lowlife."}},{"id":"snp1.7:11","sourceIds":["snp1.7:11.1","snp1.7:11.2","snp1.7:11.3","snp1.7:11.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Yo ñātīnaṁ sakhīnaṁ vā,\ndāresu paṭidissati;\nSāhasā sampiyena vā,\ntaṁ jaññā vasalo iti.","en":"He is spied among the partners\nof relatives and friends,\nby force or seduction:\nknow him as a lowlife."}},{"id":"snp1.7:12","sourceIds":["snp1.7:12.1","snp1.7:12.2","snp1.7:12.3","snp1.7:12.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Yo mātaraṁ pitaraṁ vā,\njiṇṇakaṁ gatayobbanaṁ;\nPahu santo na bharati,\ntaṁ jaññā vasalo iti.","en":"Though able, he does not look after\nhis mother and father\nwhen elderly, past their prime:\nknow him as a lowlife."}},{"id":"snp1.7:13","sourceIds":["snp1.7:13.1","snp1.7:13.2","snp1.7:13.3","snp1.7:13.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Yo mātaraṁ pitaraṁ vā,\nBhātaraṁ bhaginiṁ sasuṁ;\nHanti roseti vācāya,\nTaṁ jaññā vasalo iti.","en":"He hits or verbally abuses\nhis mother or father,\nbrother, sister, or mother-in-law:\nknow him as a lowlife."}},{"id":"snp1.7:14","sourceIds":["snp1.7:14.1","snp1.7:14.2","snp1.7:14.3","snp1.7:14.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Yo atthaṁ pucchito santo,\nAnatthamanusāsati;\nPaṭicchannena manteti,\nTaṁ jaññā vasalo iti.","en":"When asked about the good,\nhe teaches what is bad,\ngiving secretive advice:\nknow him as a lowlife."}},{"id":"snp1.7:15","sourceIds":["snp1.7:15.1","snp1.7:15.2","snp1.7:15.3","snp1.7:15.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Yo katvā pāpakaṁ kammaṁ,\nMā maṁ jaññāti icchati;\nYo paṭicchannakammanto,\nTaṁ jaññā vasalo iti.","en":"Having done a bad deed, he wishes,\n‘May no one find me out!’\nHis deeds are underhand:\nknow him as a lowlife."}},{"id":"snp1.7:16","sourceIds":["snp1.7:16.1","snp1.7:16.2","snp1.7:16.3","snp1.7:16.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Yo ve parakulaṁ gantvā,\nBhutvāna sucibhojanaṁ;\nĀgataṁ nappaṭipūjeti,\nTaṁ jaññā vasalo iti.","en":"When visiting another family\nhe eats their delicious food,\nbut does not return the honor:\nknow him as a lowlife."}},{"id":"snp1.7:17","sourceIds":["snp1.7:17.1","snp1.7:17.2","snp1.7:17.3","snp1.7:17.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Yo brāhmaṇaṁ samaṇaṁ vā,\nAññaṁ vāpi vanibbakaṁ;\nMusāvādena vañceti,\nTaṁ jaññā vasalo iti.","en":"He deceives with lies\nascetics and brahmins\nand other supplicants:\nknow him as a lowlife."}},{"id":"snp1.7:18","sourceIds":["snp1.7:18.1","snp1.7:18.2","snp1.7:18.3","snp1.7:18.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Yo brāhmaṇaṁ samaṇaṁ vā,\nBhattakāle upaṭṭhite;\nRoseti vācā na ca deti,\nTaṁ jaññā vasalo iti.","en":"When time comes to offer a meal\nto brahmins or ascetics,\nhe abuses them and does not give:\nknow him as a lowlife."}},{"id":"snp1.7:19","sourceIds":["snp1.7:19.1","snp1.7:19.2","snp1.7:19.3","snp1.7:19.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Asataṁ yodha pabrūti,\nMohena paliguṇṭhito;\nKiñcikkhaṁ nijigīsāno,\nTaṁ jaññā vasalo iti.","en":"He talks about what never happened,\nbeing wrapped up in delusion,\nchasing after some item or other:\nknow him as a lowlife."}},{"id":"snp1.7:20","sourceIds":["snp1.7:20.1","snp1.7:20.2","snp1.7:20.3","snp1.7:20.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Yo cattānaṁ samukkaṁse,\nPare ca mavajānāti;\nNihīno sena mānena,\nTaṁ jaññā vasalo iti.","en":"He extols himself\nand disparages others,\nbrought down by his pride:\nknow him as a lowlife."}},{"id":"snp1.7:21","sourceIds":["snp1.7:21.1","snp1.7:21.2","snp1.7:21.3","snp1.7:21.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Rosako kadariyo ca,\nPāpiccho maccharī saṭho;\nAhiriko anottappī,\nTaṁ jaññā vasalo iti.","en":"He’s a bully and a miser,\nof corrupt wishes, stingy, and devious,\nshameless, imprudent:\nknow him as a lowlife."}},{"id":"snp1.7:22","sourceIds":["snp1.7:22.1","snp1.7:22.2","snp1.7:22.3","snp1.7:22.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Yo buddhaṁ paribhāsati,\nAtha vā tassa sāvakaṁ;\nParibbājaṁ gahaṭṭhaṁ vā,\nTaṁ jaññā vasalo iti.","en":"He insults the Buddha\nor his disciple,\nwhether lay or renunciate:\nknow him as a lowlife."}},{"id":"snp1.7:23","sourceIds":["snp1.7:23.1","snp1.7:23.2","snp1.7:23.3","snp1.7:23.4","snp1.7:23.5","snp1.7:23.6"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Yo ve anarahaṁ santo,\nArahaṁ paṭijānāti;\nCoro sabrahmake loke,\nEso kho vasalādhamo;\nEte kho vasalā vuttā,\nMayā yete pakāsitā.","en":"He claims to be a perfected one,\nwhen he really is no such thing.\nIn the world with its divinities,\nthat crook is truly the lowest lowlife.\nThese who are called lowlifes\nI have revealed to you."}},{"id":"snp1.7:24","sourceIds":["snp1.7:24.1","snp1.7:24.2","snp1.7:24.3","snp1.7:24.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Na jaccā vasalo hoti,\nNa jaccā hoti brāhmaṇo;\nKammunā vasalo hoti,\nKammunā hoti brāhmaṇo.","en":"You’re not a lowlife by birth,\nnor by birth are you a brahmin.\nYou’re a lowlife by your deeds,\nby deeds you’re a brahmin."}},{"id":"snp1.7:25","sourceIds":["snp1.7:25.1","snp1.7:25.2","snp1.7:25.3","snp1.7:25.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Tadamināpi jānātha,\nYathāmedaṁ nidassanaṁ;\nCaṇḍālaputto sopāko,\nMātaṅgo iti vissuto.","en":"And also you should know\naccording to this example.\nA corpse-worker’s son of the dog-eating caste\nbecame renowned as Mātaṅga."}},{"id":"snp1.7:26","sourceIds":["snp1.7:26.1","snp1.7:26.2","snp1.7:26.3","snp1.7:26.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"So yasaṁ paramaṁ patto,\nMātaṅgo yaṁ sudullabhaṁ;\nĀgacchuṁ tassupaṭṭhānaṁ,\nKhattiyā brāhmaṇā bahū.","en":"Mātaṅga achieved the highest fame\nso very hard to find.\nLots of aristocrats and brahmins\ncame to serve him."}},{"id":"snp1.7:27","sourceIds":["snp1.7:27.1","snp1.7:27.2","snp1.7:27.3","snp1.7:27.4","snp1.7:27.5","snp1.7:27.6"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Devayānaṁ abhiruyha,\nVirajaṁ so mahāpathaṁ;\nKāmarāgaṁ virājetvā,\nBrahmalokūpago ahu;\nNa naṁ jāti nivāresi,\nBrahmalokūpapattiyā.","en":"He ascended the stainless highway\nthat leads to the heavens;\nhaving discarded sensual desire,\nhe was reborn in a realm of divinity.\nHis birth did not prevent him\nfrom rebirth in the realm of divinity."}},{"id":"snp1.7:28","sourceIds":["snp1.7:28.1","snp1.7:28.2","snp1.7:28.3","snp1.7:28.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Ajjhāyakakule jātā,\nBrāhmaṇā mantabandhavā;\nTe ca pāpesu kammesu,\nAbhiṇhamupadissare.","en":"Those born in a brahmin family\nwho recite as kinsmen of the hymns,\nare often discovered\nin the midst of wicked deeds."}},{"id":"snp1.7:29","sourceIds":["snp1.7:29.1","snp1.7:29.2","snp1.7:29.3","snp1.7:29.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Diṭṭheva dhamme gārayhā,\nSamparāye ca duggati;\nNa ne jāti nivāreti,\nDuggatyā garahāya vā.","en":"Blameworthy in this very life,\nand in lives to come, a bad destination.\nTheir birth does not prevent them\nfrom blame or bad destiny."}},{"id":"snp1.7:30","sourceIds":["snp1.7:30.1","snp1.7:30.2","snp1.7:30.3","snp1.7:30.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Na jaccā vasalo hoti,\nNa jaccā hoti brāhmaṇo;\nKammunā vasalo hoti,\nKammunā hoti brāhmaṇo”ti.","en":"You’re not a lowlife by birth,\nnor by birth are you a brahmin.\nYou’re a lowlife by your deeds,\nby deeds you’re a brahmin.”"}},{"id":"snp1.7:31","sourceIds":["snp1.7:31.1","snp1.7:31.2","snp1.7:31.3","snp1.7:31.4"],"kind":"text","text":{"pi":"Evaṁ vutte, aggikabhāradvājo brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:\n“abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama …pe…\nupāsakaṁ maṁ bhavaṁ gotamo dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti.\nVasalasuttaṁ sattamaṁ.","en":"When he had spoken, the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper said to the Buddha,\n“Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent! …\nFrom this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”"}}]}],"sourceRevision":"afdafa92450cfe7573b280da50382888323666d2","sourceUrl":"https://suttacentral.net/snp1.7/en/sujato","licence":"CC0 1.0","licenceUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/","editionNote":"Full supplied source file; inherited abbreviations are preserved. Not a reconstructed expansion of every repetition. No Malay or Mandarin translation is implied."}