sn7.11:2 Now at that time Bhāradvāja the Farmer was distributing food. Then the Buddha went to where the distribution was taking place and stood to one side. Bhāradvāja the Farmer saw him standing for alms and said to him, “I plough and sow, ascetic, and then I eat. You too should plough and sow, then you may eat.” “I too plough and sow, brahmin, and then I eat.” “I don’t see the worthy Gotama with a yoke or plow or plowshare or goad or oxen, yet he says: ‘I too plough and sow, brahmin, and then I eat.’” Then Bhāradvāja the Farmer addressed the Buddha in verse:

sn7.11:3 “You claim to be a farmer, but I don’t see you farming. Tell me how you’re a farmer when asked: how am I to recognize your farming?”

sn7.11:4 “Faith is my seed, fervor my rain, and wisdom is my yoke and plough. Conscience is my draft-pole, mind my strap, mindfulness my plowshare and goad.

sn7.11:5 Guarded in body and speech, I restrict my intake of food. I use truth as my scythe, and gentleness is my release.

sn7.11:6 Energy is my harnessed beast, transporting me to sanctuary from the yoke. Without turning back, it goes to where there is no sorrow.

sn7.11:7 That’s how to do the farming that has freedom from death as its fruit. When you finish this farming you’re released from all suffering.”

sn7.11:8 “May the worthy Gotama eat! The worthy one is a farmer. For the worthy Gotama does the farming that has freedom from death as its fruit.”

sn7.11:9 “Food enchanted by a verse isn’t fit for me to eat. That’s not the principle of those who see, brahmin. The Buddhas cast aside things enchanted with verses. Since there is such a principle, brahmin, <j>that’s how they live.

sn7.11:10 Serve with other food and drink the consummate one, the great seer, with defilements ended and remorse stilled. For he is the field for the seeker of merit.”

sn7.11:11 When he had spoken, the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Farmer said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama … From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

2. Lay Followers

With Udaya

sn7.12:1 At Sāvatthī. Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, went to the home of the brahmin Udaya. Then Udaya filled the Buddha’s bowl with rice. The next day … Udaya again filled the Buddha’s bowl with rice. But when he had filled the Buddha’s bowl on the third day, he said to the Buddha, “This ascetic Gotama is such a drag! He keeps coming back again and again!”

sn7.12:2 “Again and again, they sow the seed; again and again, God sends rain from the heavens; again and again, farmers plough the field; again and again, grain is produced for the nation.

sn7.12:3 Again and again, the beggars beg; again and again, the donors give. Again and again, when the donors have given, again and again, they take their place in heaven.

sn7.12:4 Again and again, dairy farmers milk; again and again, a calf cleaves to its mother; again and again, oppressing and intimidating, that dullard sinks into heedlessness again and again.

sn7.12:5 Again and again, you live and die; again and again, you get carried to a charnel ground. But when they’ve gained the path <j>to freedom from craving, one of vast wisdom does not fall again and again.”

sn7.12:6 When he had spoken, the brahmin Udaya said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama … From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

2. Lay Followers

With Devahita

sn7.13:1 At Sāvatthī. Now at that time the Buddha was afflicted by winds. Venerable Upavāṇa was his carer. Then the Buddha said to Upavāṇa, “Go on then, Upavāṇa, find some hot water for me.” “Yes, sir,” replied Upavāṇa. He robed up, and, taking his bowl and robe, went to the home of the brahmin Devahita, and stood silently to one side. Devahita saw him standing there and addressed him in verse:

sn7.13:2 “Silent stands the worthy one, shaven, wrapped in his outer robe. What do you want? What are you looking for? What have you come here to ask for?”

sn7.13:3 “The perfected one, the Holy One in the world, the sage is afflicted by winds. If there’s hot water, give it to the sage, brahmin.

sn7.13:4 I wish to bring it to the one who is esteemed by the estimable, honored by the honorable, venerated by the venerable.”

sn7.13:5 Then Devahita had a man fetch a carrying-pole with hot water. He also presented Upavāṇa with a jar of molasses. Then Venerable Upavāṇa went up to the Buddha and bathed him with the hot water. Then he stirred molasses into hot water and presented it to the Buddha. Then the Buddha’s illness died down.

sn7.13:6 Then the brahmin Devahita went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side, and addressed the Buddha in verse:

sn7.13:7 “Where should you give an available gift? Where is a gift very fruitful? How does one who is donating ensure the success of their religious donation?”

sn7.13:8 “One who knows the stories of earlier peoples, sees heaven and places of loss, and has attained the ending of attachment, is a sage of perfect insight.

sn7.13:9 Here you should give an available gift; what’s given here is very fruitful. That’s how a sponsor of sacrifices ensures the success of their religious donation.”

sn7.13:10 When he had spoken, the brahmin Devahita said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama … From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

2. Lay Followers

A well-to-do brahmin

sn7.14:1 At Sāvatthī. Then a certain well-to-do brahmin, shabby, wearing a shabby cloak, went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him, “Brahmin, why are you so shabby, wearing a shabby cloak?” “Worthy Gotama, I have four sons. At their wives’ bidding they expelled me from my house.” “Well then, brahmin, memorize these verses and recite them to your sons when you are all seated in the council hall with a large crowd.

sn7.14:2 ‘I was overjoyed when they were born, and wished prosperity for them. But at their wives’ bidding they chased me out, like hounds after hogs.

sn7.14:3 It turns out they’re wicked, those nasty men, though they called me their dear old Dad. They’re monsters in the shape of sons, throwing me out as I’ve grown old.

sn7.14:4 Like an old, useless horse led away from its fodder, the elderly father of those kids begs for alms at others’ homes.

sn7.14:5 Even my staff is better than those disobedient sons, for it wards off a wild bull, and even a wild dog.

sn7.14:6 It goes before me in the dark; in deep waters it finds a footing. By the wonderful power of this staff, when I stumble, I stand firm again.’”

sn7.14:7 Having memorized those verses in the Buddha’s presence, the brahmin recited them to his sons when they were all seated in the council hall with a large crowd. …

sn7.14:13 Then the brahmin’s sons led him back home, bathed him, and each clothed him with a fine pair of garments. Then the brahmin, taking one pair of garments, went to the Buddha and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to the Buddha: “Worthy Gotama, we brahmins seek a fee for our tutor. May the worthy Gotama please accept my tutor’s fee!” So the Buddha accepted it out of sympathy. Then the well-to-do brahmin said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama … From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

2. Lay Followers

Stuck-Up

sn7.15:1 At Sāvatthī. Now at that time a brahmin named Stuck-Up was residing in Sāvatthī. He didn’t bow to his mother or father, his tutor, or his oldest brother. Now, at that time the Buddha was teaching Dhamma, surrounded by a large assembly. Then Stuck-Up thought, “The ascetic Gotama is teaching Dhamma, surrounded by a large assembly. Why don’t I approach him? If he speaks to me, I’ll speak to him. But if he doesn’t speak, neither will I.” Then the brahmin Stuck-Up went up to the Buddha, and stood silently to one side. But the Buddha didn’t speak to him. Then Stuck-Up thought, “This ascetic Gotama knows nothing!” And he wanted to go back from there right away. Then the Buddha, knowing Stuck-Up’s train of thought, addressed him in verse:

sn7.15:2 “It’s not good to foster conceit if you want what’s good for you, brahmin. You should foster the goal which brought you here.”

sn7.15:3 Then Stuck-Up thought, “The ascetic Gotama knows my mind!” He bowed with his head to the Buddha’s feet, caressing them and covering them with kisses, and pronounced his name: “Worthy Gotama, I am Stuck-Up! I am Stuck-Up!” Then that assembly was stunned: “Oh lord, how incredible, how amazing! This brahmin Stuck-Up doesn’t bow to his mother or father, his tutor, or his oldest brother. Yet he shows such utmost deference to the ascetic Gotama!” Then the Buddha said to the brahmin Stuck-Up, “Enough, brahmin. Get up, and take your own seat. For your mind has confidence in me.” Then Stuck-Up took his seat and said to the Buddha:

sn7.15:4 “Regarding whom should you not be conceited? Who should you respect? Who should you esteem? Who is it good to venerate properly?”

sn7.15:5 “Your mother and father, and also your oldest brother, with tutor as fourth. Regarding these you should not be conceited. They are who you should respect. They are who you should esteem. And they’re who it’s good to venerate properly.

sn7.15:6 And when with bent knee, not stiff with conceit, show supreme reverence for the perfected ones—cooled, their task complete, free of defilements.”

sn7.15:7 When he had spoken, the brahmin Stuck-Up said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama … From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

2. Lay Followers

The Contraphile

sn7.16:1 At Sāvatthī. Now at that time a brahmin named Contraphile, who loved contradiction, was residing in Sāvatthī. Then Contraphile thought, “Why don’t I go to the ascetic Gotama and contradict everything he says?” At that time the Buddha was walking mindfully in the open air. Then the brahmin Contraphile went up to the Buddha, and said to him as he was walking, “Ascetic, preach the Dhamma.”

sn7.16:2 “Fine words aren’t easy to understand by a lover of contradiction, whose mind is tainted and full of aggression.

sn7.16:3 But when you’ve dispelled aggression, and your suspicious mind, and you’ve got rid of resentment, then you’ll understand fine words.”

sn7.16:4 When he had spoken, the brahmin Contraphile said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent! … From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

2. Lay Followers

The Builder

sn7.17:1 At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Kosalans in a certain forest grove. Now at that time the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Builder was having some building work done in that jungle thicket. He saw the Buddha sitting down cross-legged at the root of a certain sal tree, his body set straight, and mindfulness brought to the present. Seeing this, it occurred to him, “I enjoy having this building work done here in the jungle. I wonder what the ascetic Gotama enjoys having done?” Then Bhāradvāja the Builder went up to the Buddha and addressed him in verse:

sn7.17:2 “What kind of works are done by you, a mendicant in the sal jungle? How do you find enjoyment alone in the wilderness, Gotama?”

sn7.17:3 “There’s nothing I need do in the jungle; my jungle’s cut at the root, it’s withered away. Free of snarls and thorns in the jungle, I enjoy solitude, having given up discontent.”

sn7.17:4 When he had spoken, the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Builder said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama … From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

2. Lay Followers

Collecting Firewood

sn7.18:1 At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Kosalans in a certain forest grove. Then several students, pupils of one of the Bhāradvāja brahmins, approached a forest grove while collecting firewood. They saw the Buddha sitting down cross-legged at the root of a certain sal tree, his body set straight, and mindfulness brought to the present. Seeing this, they went up to Bhāradvāja and said to him, “Please sir, you should know this. In such-and-such forest grove the ascetic Gotama is sitting down cross-legged, his body set straight, and mindfulness brought to the present.” Then Bhāradvāja together with those young students went to that forest grove where he saw the Buddha sitting down cross-legged, his body set straight, and mindfulness brought to the present. He went up to the Buddha and addressed him in verse:

sn7.18:2 “Deep in the jungle so full of terrors, you’ve plunged into the empty, desolate wilderness. Still, steady, and graceful: how beautifully you meditate, mendicant!

sn7.18:3 Where there is no song or music, a lonely sage resorts to the wilderness. This strikes me as an amazing thing, that you dwell so joyfully alone in the jungle.

sn7.18:4 I suppose you wish to be received in the company of the chief of the angels <j>of the Third Heaven. Is that why you resort to the desolate wilderness, to practice fervor for attaining a high station?”

sn7.18:5 “Any wishes and hopes that are always attached to the many and various realms— the prayers sprung from the root of unknowing— I’ve eliminated them all down to the root.

sn7.18:6 So I’m wishless, unattached, uninvolved; amongst all things, my vision is clear. I’ve attained the state of grace, <j>the supreme awakening; I meditate alone, brahmin, and self-assured.”

sn7.18:7 When he had spoken, Bhāradvāja said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent! … From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

2. Lay Followers

The Brahmin Who Provided for His Mother

sn7.19:1 At Sāvatthī. Then a brahmin who provided for his mother went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to the Buddha, “Worthy Gotama, I seek alms by legitimate means, which I use to provide for my mother and father. In doing so, am I doing my duty?” “Indeed, brahmin, in so doing you are doing your duty. Whoever seeks alms by legitimate means, and uses them to provide for their mother and father brims with much merit.

sn7.19:2 A mortal provides for their mother and father by legitimate means; because they serve their parents like this, they’re praised in this life by the astute, and they depart to rejoice in heaven.”

sn7.19:3 When he said this, the brahmin who provided for his mother said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent! … From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

2. Lay Followers

An Almsman

sn7.20:1 At Sāvatthī. Then a brahmin almsman went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to the Buddha, “Worthy Gotama, both you and I are almsmen. What, then, is the difference between us?”

sn7.20:2 “You don’t become an almsman just by begging alms from others. One who has undertaken domestic duties has not yet become a mendicant.

sn7.20:3 But one living a spiritual life who has banished both merit and evil, and wanders having appraised the world, is said to be a mendicant.”

sn7.20:4 When he had spoken, the brahmin almsman said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent! … From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

2. Lay Followers

With Saṅgārava

sn7.21:1 At Sāvatthī. Now at that time there was a brahmin named Saṅgārava staying in Sāvatthī. He practiced purification by water, believing in purification by water. He lived committed to the practice of immersing himself in water at daybreak and dusk. Then Venerable Ānanda robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. He wandered for alms in Sāvatthī. After the meal, on his return from almsround, he went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him, “Sir, there is a brahmin named Saṅgārava staying in Sāvatthī. He practices purification by water, believing in purification by water. He lives devoted to ritual bathing at daybreak and dusk. Please visit him at his home out of sympathy.” The Buddha consented with silence.

sn7.21:2 Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, went to the home of the brahmin Saṅgārava, and sat down on the seat spread out. Then the brahmin Saṅgārava went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him, “Is it really true, brahmin, that you practice purification by water, believing in purification by water; that you live committed to the practice of immersing yourself in water at daybreak and dusk?” “Yes, worthy Gotama.” “But brahmin, for what reason do you practice purification by water?” “It’s because, Worthy Gotama, whatever bad deeds I’ve done during the day I rinse off by bathing at dusk; and whatever bad deeds I’ve done during the night, I rinse off by bathing at dawn. That’s the reason why I practice purification by water.”

sn7.21:3 “The teaching is a lake, brahmin, <j>into which ethics are the stairs, unclouded, praised by the fine to the good. There the knowledge masters go to bathe, and cross to the far shore with dry limbs.”

sn7.21:4 When he had spoken, Saṅgārava said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent! … From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

2. Lay Followers

At Khomadussa

sn7.22:1 So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans, where they have a town named Khomadussa. Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Khomadussa for alms. Now at that time the brahmins and householders of Khomadussa were gathered in the council hall for some business, while a gentle rain drizzled down. Then the Buddha approached that council. The brahmins and householders saw the Buddha coming off in the distance, and said, “Who are these shavelings, these fake ascetics? Don’t they understand the council rules?” Then the Buddha addressed the brahmins and householders of Khomadussa in verse:

sn7.22:2 “If good people are not present it is no true council; and those whose speak against principle <j>are not good people. Having given up greed, hate, and delusion, speakers of principle are good people.”

sn7.22:3 When he had spoken, the brahmins and householders of Khomadussa said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent! As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with clear eyes can see what’s there, worthy Gotama has made the teaching clear in many ways. We go for refuge to the worthy Gotama, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha. From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember us as lay followers who have gone for refuge for life.”

sn7.22:4 The Linked Discourses with Brahmins are complete.