1. The Perfected Ones

With Dhanañjānī

sn7.1:1 So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. Now at that time the wife of a certain brahmin of the Bhāradvāja clan, a brahmin lady named Dhanañjānī, was devoted to the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha. Once, while she was bringing her husband his meal, she tripped and expressed this heartfelt sentiment three times:

sn7.1:2 “Homage to him, the blessed one, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!

sn7.1:3 Homage to him, the blessed one, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!

sn7.1:4 Respect to him, the blessed one, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!”

sn7.1:5 When she said this, the brahmin said to Dhanañjānī: “That’d be right. For the slightest thing this lowlife woman praises that shaven ascetic. Right now, lowlife woman, I’m going to refute your teacher’s doctrine!” “Brahmin, I don’t see anyone in this world—with its angels, devils, and archangels, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, its angels and humans—who can refute the doctrine of the Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha. But anyway, you should go. When you’ve gone you’ll understand.”

sn7.1:6 Then the brahmin of the Bhāradvāja clan, angry and upset, went 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:

sn7.1:7 “When what is slain do you sleep at ease? When what is slain is there no sorrow? What is the one thing whose killing you approve?”

sn7.1:8 “When anger’s slain you sleep at ease. When anger’s slain there is no sorrow. Anger has a poisonous root and a sweet tip, O brahmin. The noble ones praise its killing, for when it’s slain there is no sorrow.”

sn7.1:9 When he said this, the brahmin 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. I go for refuge to the worthy Gotama, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha. May I receive the going forth, the ordination in the worthy Gotama’s presence?”

sn7.1:10 And the brahmin received the going forth, the ordination in the Buddha’s presence. Not long after his ordination, Venerable Bhāradvāja, living alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, soon realized the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life. He lived having achieved with his own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness. He understood: “Attachment to the world is ended; the spiritual journey has been completed; what had to be done has been done; there is nothing further for this place.” And Venerable Bhāradvāja became one of the perfected.

1. The Perfected Ones

With Bhāradvāja the Rude

sn7.2:1 At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. The brahmin Bhāradvāja the Rude heard a rumor that

sn7.2:2 a brahmin of the Bhāradvāja clan had gone forth from the lay life to homelessness in the presence of the ascetic Gotama. Angry and displeased he went to the Buddha and abused and insulted him with rude, harsh words. When he had spoken, the Buddha said to him: “What do you think, brahmin? Do friends and colleagues, relatives and kin, and guests still come to visit you?” “Sometimes they do, worthy Gotama.” “Do you then serve them with fresh and cooked foods and savories?” “Sometimes I do.” “But if they don’t accept it, brahmin, who does it belong to?” “In that case it still belongs to me.” “In the same way, brahmin, when you abuse, harass, and attack us who do not abuse, harass, and attack, we don’t accept it. It still belongs to you, brahmin, it still belongs to you!

sn7.2:3 Someone who, when abused, harassed, and attacked, abuses, harasses, and attacks in return is said to eat the food and have a reaction to it. But we neither eat your food nor do we have a reaction to it. It still belongs to you, brahmin, it still belongs to you!” “The king and his retinue believe of the worthy Gotama, ‘the ascetic Gotama is a perfected one’. And yet he still gets angry.”

sn7.2:4 “Whence anger for one free of anger, tamed, living justly, freed by right knowledge, peaceful and unaffected?

sn7.2:5 When you get angry at an angry person you just make things worse for yourself. When you don’t get angry at an angry person you win a battle hard to win.

sn7.2:6 When you know that the other is angry, you act for the good of both yourself and the other if you’re mindful and stay calm.

sn7.2:7 People inexpert in the teaching consider one who heals both oneself and the other to be a fool.”

sn7.2:8 When he had spoken, Bhāradvāja the Rude said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama! … I go for refuge to the worthy Gotama, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha. Sir, may I receive the going forth, the ordination in the worthy Gotama’s presence?”

sn7.2:9 And the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Rude received the going forth, the ordination in the Buddha’s presence. Not long after his ordination, Venerable Bhāradvāja the Rude, living alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, soon realized the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life. He lived having achieved with his own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness. He understood: “Attachment to the world is ended; the spiritual journey has been completed; what had to be done has been done; there is nothing further for this place.” And Venerable Bhāradvāja became one of the perfected.

1. The Perfected Ones

With Bhāradvāja the Fiend

sn7.3:1 At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. The brahmin Bhāradvāja the Fiend heard a rumor to the effect that a brahmin of the Bhāradvāja clan had gone forth from the lay life to homelessness in the presence of the ascetic Gotama. Angry and displeased he went to the Buddha and abused and insulted him with rude, harsh words. But when he said this, the Buddha kept silent. Then Bhāradvāja the Fiend said to the Buddha, “You’re beaten, ascetic, you’re beaten!”

sn7.3:2 “‘Ha! I won!’ thinks the fool, when speaking with harsh words. The victory for one who understands is that very endurance.

sn7.3:3 When you get angry at an angry person you just make things worse for yourself. When you don’t get angry at an angry person you win a battle hard to win.

sn7.3:4 When you know that the other is angry, you act for the good of both yourself and the other if you’re mindful and stay calm.

sn7.3:5 People inexpert in Dhamma consider one who heals both oneself and the other to be a fool.”

sn7.3:6 When he had spoken, Bhāradvāja the Fiend said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama! …” … And Venerable Bhāradvāja became one of the perfected.

1. The Perfected Ones

With Bhāradvāja the Bitter

sn7.4:1 At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. The brahmin Bhāradvāja the Bitter heard a rumor that a brahmin of the Bhāradvāja clan had gone forth from the lay life to homelessness in the presence of the ascetic Gotama. Angry and displeased he went to the Buddha and stood silently to one side. Then the Buddha, knowing Bhāradvāja the Bitter’s train of thought, addressed him in verse:

sn7.4:2 “Whoever wrongs a man who has done no wrong, a pure man who has not a blemish, the evil backfires on the fool, like fine dust thrown upwind.”

sn7.4:3 When he said this, the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Bitter said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama! …” … And Venerable Bhāradvāja became one of the perfected.

1. The Perfected Ones

Harmless

sn7.5:1 At Sāvatthī. Then the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Harmless 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, “I am Harmless, worthy Gotama, I am Harmless!”

sn7.5:2 “If you were really like your name, then you’d be Harmless. But a truly harmless person does no harm by way of body, speech, or mind; they don’t harm anyone else.”

sn7.5:3 When he had spoken, the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Harmless said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama! …” … And Venerable Bhāradvāja the Harmless became one of the perfected.

1. The Perfected Ones

With Bhāradvāja of the Matted Hair

sn7.6:1 At Sāvatthī. Then the brahmin Bhāradvāja of the Matted Hair 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:

sn7.6:2 “Tangled within, tangled without: these people are tangled in tangles. I ask you this, Gotama: who can untangle this tangle?”

sn7.6:3 “A wise person grounded in ethics, developing the mind and wisdom, a keen and alert mendicant— they can untangle this tangle.

sn7.6:4 Those in whom greed, hate, and ignorance have faded away; the perfected ones with defilements ended— they have untangled the tangle.

sn7.6:5 Where name and form cease with no residue left behind; as well as impingement and perception of form: it’s here this tangle is cut.”

sn7.6:6 When he had spoken, Bhāradvāja of the Matted Hair said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama! …” … And Venerable Bhāradvāja became one of the perfected.

1. The Perfected Ones

With Bhāradvāja the Pure

sn7.7:1 At Sāvatthī. Then the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Pure 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 spoke this verse in his presence:

sn7.7:2 “No brahmin in the world is ever purified even though he’s ethical and mortifies himself. But one accomplished in knowledge and conduct is purified, not these other commoners.”

sn7.7:3 “Even one who mutters many prayers is no brahmin by birth if they’re filthy and corrupt within, supporting themselves by fawning.

sn7.7:4 Regardless of whether you’re an aristocrat, a brahmin, peasant, menial, <j>or a corpse-worker or scavenger— if you’re energetic and resolute, always staunchly vigorous, you’ll attain ultimate purity. Know that for a fact, brahmin.”

sn7.7:5 When he had spoken, the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Pure said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama …” … And Venerable Bhāradvāja became one of the perfected.

1. The Perfected Ones

With Bhāradvāja the Sacrificer

sn7.8:1 At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. Now at that time ghee and milk-rice had been set out for the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Sacrificer, who thought, “I will make an offering in God’s name! I will perform the sacrifice!”

sn7.8:2 Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Rājagaha for alms. Wandering indiscriminately for almsfood in Rājagaha, he approached Bhāradvāja the Sacrificer’s home and stood to one side. Bhāradvāja the Sacrificer saw him standing for alms and addressed him in verse:

sn7.8:3 “One who’s accomplished in the three knowledges, of good birth and ample learning, accomplished in knowledge and conduct may enjoy this milk-rice.”

sn7.8:4 “Even one who mutters many prayers is no brahmin by birth if they’re filthy and corrupt within, with a following gained by fawning.

sn7.8:5 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.

sn7.8:6 Because of these three knowledges a brahmin is a master of the three knowledges. Accomplished in knowledge and conduct, they may enjoy this milk-rice.”

sn7.8:7 “May the worthy Gotama eat! The worthy one is a brahmin.”

sn7.8:8 “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.

sn7.8:9 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.”

sn7.8:10 When he had spoken, the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Sacrificer said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama! …” … And Venerable Bhāradvāja the Sacrificer became one of the perfected.

1. The Perfected Ones

With Bhāradvāja of Sundarikā

sn7.9:1 At one time the Buddha was staying in the Kosalan lands on the bank of the Sundarikā River. Now at that time the brahmin Bhāradvāja of Sundarikā was making sacrificial offerings on the bank of the Sundarikā. Then he rose from his seat and surveyed the four quarters, wondering, “Now who might eat the leftovers of this oblation?” He saw the Buddha meditating at the root of a certain tree with his robe pulled over his head. Taking the leftovers of the oblation in his left hand and a pitcher in the right he approached the Buddha. When he heard Bhāradvāja of Sundarikā’s footsteps the Buddha uncovered his head. Bhāradvāja of Sundarikā thought, “This man is shaven, he is shaven!” And he wanted to turn back. But he thought, “Even some brahmins are shaven. Why don’t I go to him and ask about his birth?”

sn7.9:2 Then the brahmin Bhāradvāja of Sundarikā went up to the Buddha, and said to him, “Sir, what are you by birth?”

sn7.9:3 “Don’t ask about birth, ask about conduct; for the fire of Jātaveda is born from sticks. A steadfast sage, even though from a low class family, is a thoroughbred checked by conscience.

sn7.9:4 Tamed by truth, fulfilled by taming, a complete knowledge master <j>who has completed the spiritual journey— that’s who a sacrificer should woo, and offer a timely oblation <j>to one worthy of a religious donation.”

sn7.9:5 “My sacrificial offering <j>must have been well performed, since I have met such a knowledge master! It’s because I’d never met anyone like you that others ate the leftover oblation.

sn7.9:6 May the worthy Gotama eat! The worthy one is a brahmin.”

sn7.9:7 “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.

sn7.9:8 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.”

sn7.9:9 “Then, Worthy Gotama, to whom should I give the leftovers of this oblation?” “Brahmin, I don’t see anyone in this world—with its angels, devils, and archangels, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, its angels and humans—who can properly digest these leftovers, except the Realized One or one of his disciples. Well then, brahmin, throw out those leftovers where there is little that grows, or drop them into water that has no living creatures.”

sn7.9:10 So Bhāradvāja of Sundarikā dropped the leftover oblation in water that had no living creatures. And when those leftovers were placed in the water, they sizzled and hissed, steaming and fuming. Suppose there was an iron cauldron that had been heated all day. If you placed it in the water, it would sizzle and hiss, steaming and fuming. In the same way, when those leftovers were placed in the water, they sizzled and hissed, steaming and fuming.

sn7.9:11 Then the brahmin Bhāradvāja of Sundarikā, shocked and awestruck, went up to the Buddha, and stood to one side. The Buddha addressed him in verse:

sn7.9:12 “When you’re kindling the wood, brahmin, don’t imagine this is purity, for it’s just external. For those who are skilled say this is no way to purity, when one seeks purity in externals.

sn7.9:13 I’ve given up kindling firewood, brahmin, now I light only the inner flame. Always blazing, always serene, I am a perfected one leading the spiritual life.

sn7.9:14 Conceit, brahmin, is the burden of your pack, anger your smoke, and lies your ashes. The tongue is the ladle, the heart the fireplace; a well-tamed self is a person’s light.

sn7.9:15 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.

sn7.9:16 Truth, principle, restraint, the spiritual life, attaining nearness to God based on the middle, brahmin— pay homage to the upright ones. I declare that man one who follows the teaching.”

sn7.9:17 When he had spoken, the brahmin Bhāradvāja of Sundarikā said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama …” … And Venerable Bhāradvāja became one of the perfected.

1. The Perfected Ones

Many Daughters

sn7.10:1 At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Kosalans in a certain forest grove. Now at that time one of the brahmins of the Bhāradvāja clan had lost fourteen oxen. While looking for them he 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 recited these verses in the Buddha’s presence:

sn7.10:2 “This ascetic mustn’t have fourteen oxen missing for the past six days: that’s why this ascetic is happy.

sn7.10:3 This ascetic mustn’t have a field of sesame ruined, with just one or two leaves: that’s why this ascetic is happy.

sn7.10:4 This ascetic mustn’t have rats in a vacant barn dancing merrily: that’s why this ascetic is happy.

sn7.10:5 This ascetic mustn’t have carpets that for seven months have been infested with fleas: that’s why this ascetic is happy.

sn7.10:6 This ascetic mustn’t have seven widowed daughters with one or two children each: that’s why this ascetic is happy.

sn7.10:7 This ascetic mustn’t have a wife with sallow, blotchy skin to wake him with a kick: that’s why this ascetic is happy.

sn7.10:8 This ascetic mustn’t have creditors knocking at dawn, demanding, ‘Pay up! Pay up!’: that’s why this ascetic is happy.”

sn7.10:9 “You’re right, brahmin, I don’t have fourteen oxen missing for the past six days: that’s why I’m happy, brahmin.

sn7.10:10 You’re right, brahmin, I don’t have a field of sesame ruined, with just one or two leaves: that’s why I’m happy, brahmin.

sn7.10:11 You’re right, brahmin, I don’t have rats in a vacant barn dancing merrily: that’s why I’m happy, brahmin.

sn7.10:12 You’re right, brahmin, I don’t have carpets that for seven months have been infested with fleas: that’s why I’m happy, brahmin.

sn7.10:13 You’re right, brahmin, I don’t have seven widowed daughters with one or two children each: that’s why I’m happy, brahmin.

sn7.10:14 You’re right, brahmin, I don’t have a wife with blotchy, pockmarked skin to wake me up with a kick: that’s why I’m happy, brahmin.

sn7.10:15 You’re right, brahmin, I don’t have creditors knocking at dawn, warning, ‘Pay up! Pay up!’: that’s why I’m happy, brahmin.”

sn7.10:16 When he had spoken, the brahmin 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. I go for refuge to the worthy Gotama, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha. May I receive the going forth, the ordination in the worthy Gotama’s presence?”

sn7.10:17 And the brahmin received the going forth, the ordination in the Buddha’s presence. Not long after his ordination, Venerable Bhāradvāja, living alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, soon realized the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life. He lived having achieved with his own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness. He understood: “Attachment to the world is ended; the spiritual journey has been completed; what had to be done has been done; there is nothing further for this place.” And Venerable Bhāradvāja became one of the perfected.

2. Lay Followers

With Bhāradvāja the Farmer

sn7.11:1 So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Magadhans in the Southern Hills near the brahmin village of Ekanāḷa. Now at that time the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Farmer had harnessed around five hundred plows, it being the season for sowing. Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, went to where Bhāradvāja the Farmer was working.