• Minor Collection Khuddakanikāya
  • Sayings of the Dhamma 383–423 Dhammapada

26. Brahmins Brāhmaṇavagga

Pasādabahulabrāhmaṇavatthu

Cut the stream, striving! Chinda sotaṁ parakkamma, Cast aside sensual pleasures, brahmin. kāme panuda brāhmaṇa; Knowing the ending of conditions, Saṅkhārānaṁ khayaṁ ñatvā, know the uncreated, brahmin. akataññūsi brāhmaṇa.

Sambahulabhikkhuvatthu

When a brahmin Yadā dvayesu dhammesu, has gone beyond two things, pāragū hoti brāhmaṇo; then they consciously Athassa sabbe saṁyogā, make an end of all fetters. atthaṁ gacchanti jānato.

Māravatthu

One for whom there is no crossing over Yassa pāraṁ apāraṁ vā, or crossing back, or crossing over and back; pārāpāraṁ na vijjati; stress-free, detached, Vītaddaraṁ visaṁyuttaṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Aññatarabrāhmaṇavatthu

Absorbed, rid of hopes, Jhāyiṁ virajamāsīnaṁ, their task completed, without defilements, katakiccamanāsavaṁ; arrived at the highest goal: Uttamatthamanuppattaṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Ānandattheravatthu

The sun blazes by day, Divā tapati ādicco, the moon radiates at night, rattimābhāti candimā; the aristocrat shines in armor, Sannaddho khattiyo tapati, and the brahmin shines in absorption. jhāyī tapati brāhmaṇo; But all day and all night, Atha sabbamahorattiṁ, the Buddha blazes with glory. buddho tapati tejasā.

Aññatarabrāhmaṇapabbajitavatthu

A brahmin’s so-called <j>since they’ve banished evil, Bāhitapāpoti brāhmaṇo, an ascetic’s so-called <j>since they live a serene life. Samacariyā samaṇoti vuccati; One who has renounced all stains Pabbājayamattano malaṁ, is said to be a “renunciant”. Tasmā “pabbajito”ti vuccati.

Sāriputtattheravatthu

One should never strike a brahmin, Na brāhmaṇassa pahareyya, nor should a brahmin retaliate. nāssa muñcetha brāhmaṇo; Woe to the one who hurts a brahmin, Dhī brāhmaṇassa hantāraṁ, and woe for the one who retaliates. tato dhī yassa muñcati.

Nothing is better for a brahmin Na brāhmaṇassetadakiñci seyyo, than to hold their mind back from attachment. Yadā nisedho manaso piyehi; From wherever a cruel wish recoils, Yato yato hiṁsamano nivattati, right there suffering subsides. Tato tato sammatimeva dukkhaṁ.

Mahāpajāpatigotamīvatthu

Who does nothing wrong Yassa kāyena vācāya, by body, speech or mind, manasā natthi dukkaṭaṁ; restrained in these three respects, Saṁvutaṁ tīhi ṭhānehi, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Sāriputtattheravatthu

You should graciously honor Yamhā dhammaṁ vijāneyya, the one from whom you learn the Dhamma sammāsambuddhadesitaṁ; taught by the awakened Buddha, Sakkaccaṁ taṁ namasseyya, as a brahmin honors the sacred flame. aggihuttaṁva brāhmaṇo.

Jaṭilabrāhmaṇavatthu

Not by matted hair or family, Na jaṭāhi na gottena, or birth is one a brahmin. na jaccā hoti brāhmaṇo; Those who are truthful and principled: Yamhi saccañca dhammo ca, they are pure, they are brahmins. so sucī so ca brāhmaṇo.

Kuhakabrāhmaṇavatthu

Why the matted hair, you simpleton, Kiṁ te jaṭāhi dummedha, and why the skin of deer? kiṁ te ajinasāṭiyā; The tangle is inside you, Abbhantaraṁ te gahanaṁ, yet you polish up your outsides. bāhiraṁ parimajjasi.

Kisāgotamīvatthu

A personage who wears robes of rags, Paṁsukūladharaṁ jantuṁ, lean, their limbs showing veins, kisaṁ dhamanisanthataṁ; meditating alone in the forest, Ekaṁ vanasmiṁ jhāyantaṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Ekabrāhmaṇavatthu

I don’t call someone a brahmin Na cāhaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ brūmi, after the mother’s womb they’re born from. yonijaṁ mattisambhavaṁ; If they still have attachments, Bhovādi nāma so hoti, they’re just someone who says “worthy”. sace hoti sakiñcano; Having nothing, taking nothing: Akiñcanaṁ anādānaṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Uggasenaseṭṭhiputtavatthu

Having cut off all fetters Sabbasaṁyojanaṁ chetvā, they have no anxiety. yo ve na paritassati; They’ve slipped their chains and are detached: Saṅgātigaṁ visaṁyuttaṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Dvebrāhmaṇavatthu

They’ve cut the strap and harness, Chetvā naddhiṁ varattañca, the halter and bridle too, sandānaṁ sahanukkamaṁ; with cross-bar lifted, they’re awakened: Ukkhittapalighaṁ buddhaṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Akkosakabhāradvājavatthu

Abuse, killing, caging: Akkosaṁ vadhabandhañca, they withstand these without anger. aduṭṭho yo titikkhati; Patience is their powerful army: Khantībalaṁ balānīkaṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Sāriputtattheravatthu

Not irritable or pretentious, Akkodhanaṁ vatavantaṁ, dutiful in precepts and observances, sīlavantaṁ anussadaṁ; tamed, bearing their final body: Dantaṁ antimasārīraṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Uppalavaṇṇāttherīvatthu

Like water from a lotus leaf, Vāri pokkharapatteva, like a mustard seed off a pin-point, āraggeriva sāsapo; sensual pleasures slip off them: Yo na limpati kāmesu, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Aññatarabrāhmaṇavatthu

They understand for themselves Yo dukkhassa pajānāti, the end of suffering in this life; idheva khayamattano; with burden put down, detached: Pannabhāraṁ visaṁyuttaṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Khemābhikkhunīvatthu

Deep in wisdom, intelligent, Gambhīrapaññaṁ medhāviṁ, expert in the path and what is not the path; maggāmaggassa kovidaṁ; arrived at the highest goal: Uttamatthamanuppattaṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Pabbhāravāsitissattheravatthu

Mixing with neither Asaṁsaṭṭhaṁ gahaṭṭhehi, householders nor the homeless; anāgārehi cūbhayaṁ; a migrant with no bastion, few in wishes: Anokasārimappicchaṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Aññatarabhikkhuvatthu

They’ve laid aside violence Nidhāya daṇḍaṁ bhūtesu, against creatures firm and frail; tasesu thāvaresu ca; not killing or making others kill: Yo na hanti na ghāteti, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Sāmaṇerānaṁvatthu

Not fighting among those who fight, Aviruddhaṁ viruddhesu, quenched among those who have taken up arms, attadaṇḍesu nibbutaṁ; not grasping among those who grasp: Sādānesu anādānaṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Mahāpanthakattheravatthu

They’ve discarded greed and hate, Yassa rāgo ca doso ca, along with conceit and contempt, māno makkho ca pātito; like a mustard seed off the point of a pin: Sāsaporiva āraggā, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Pilindavacchattheravatthu

The words they utter Akakkasaṁ viññāpaniṁ, are polished, informative, and true, giraṁ saccamudīraye; and don’t offend anyone: Yāya nābhisaje kañci, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Aññatarattheravatthu

They don’t steal anything in the world, Yodha dīghaṁ va rassaṁ vā, long or short, aṇuṁ thūlaṁ subhāsubhaṁ; fine or coarse, beautiful or ugly: Loke adinnaṁ nādiyati, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Sāriputtattheravatthu

They have no hope Āsā yassa na vijjanti, in this world or the next; asmiṁ loke paramhi ca; with no need for hope, detached: Nirāsāsaṁ visaṁyuttaṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Mahāmoggallānattheravatthu

They have no clinging, Yassālayā na vijjanti, knowledge has freed them of indecision, aññāya akathaṅkathī; they’ve plunged into freedom from death: Amatogadhamanuppattaṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Revatattheravatthu

They’ve escaped clinging Yodha puññañca pāpañca, to both good and bad deeds; ubho saṅgamupaccagā; sorrowless, stainless, pure: Asokaṁ virajaṁ suddhaṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Candābhattheravatthu

Pure as the spotless moon, Candaṁva vimalaṁ suddhaṁ, clear and undisturbed, vippasannamanāvilaṁ; they’ve ended relish for rebirth: Nandībhavaparikkhīṇaṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Sīvalittheravatthu

They’ve got past this grueling swamp Yomaṁ palipathaṁ duggaṁ, of delusion, transmigration. saṁsāraṁ mohamaccagā; Meditating in stillness, free of indecision, Tiṇṇo pāraṅgato jhāyī, they have crossed over to the far shore. anejo akathaṅkathī; They’re quenched by not grasping: Anupādāya nibbuto, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Sundarasamuddattheravatthu

They’ve given up sensual stimulations, Yodha kāme pahantvāna, and have gone forth from lay life; anāgāro paribbaje; they’ve ended rebirth in the sensual realm: Kāmabhavaparikkhīṇaṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Jaṭilattheravatthu

They’ve given up craving, Yodha taṇhaṁ pahantvāna, and have gone forth from lay life; anāgāro paribbaje; they’ve ended craving to be reborn: Taṇhābhavaparikkhīṇaṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Jotikattheravatthu

They’ve given up craving, Yodha taṇhaṁ pahantvāna, and have gone forth from lay life; anāgāro paribbaje; they’ve ended craving to be reborn: Taṇhābhavaparikkhīṇaṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Naṭaputtakattheravatthu

They’ve thrown off the human yoke, Hitvā mānusakaṁ yogaṁ, and slipped out of the heavenly yoke; dibbaṁ yogaṁ upaccagā; unyoked from all yokes: Sabbayogavisaṁyuttaṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Naṭaputtakattheravatthu

Giving up desire and discontent, Hitvā ratiñca aratiñca, they’re cooled and free of attachments; sītibhūtaṁ nirūpadhiṁ; a hero, master of the whole world: Sabbalokābhibhuṁ vīraṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Vaṅgīsattheravatthu

They know the passing away Cutiṁ yo vedi sattānaṁ, and rebirth of all beings; upapattiñca sabbaso; unattached, holy, awakened: Asattaṁ sugataṁ buddhaṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Gods, centaurs, and humans Yassa gatiṁ na jānanti, don’t know their destiny; devā gandhabbamānusā; the perfected ones with defilements ended: Khīṇāsavaṁ arahantaṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Dhammadinnāttherīvatthu

They have nothing before or after, Yassa pure ca pacchā ca, or even in between. majjhe ca natthi kiñcanaṁ; Having nothing, taking nothing: Akiñcanaṁ anādānaṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Aṅgulimālattheravatthu

Captain of the herd, excellent hero, Usabhaṁ pavaraṁ vīraṁ, great seer and victor; mahesiṁ vijitāvinaṁ; unstirred, washed, awakened: Anejaṁ nhātakaṁ buddhaṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Devahitabrāhmaṇavatthu

One who knows their past lives, Pubbenivāsaṁ yo vedi, sees heaven and places of loss, saggāpāyañca passati; and has attained the end of rebirth; Atho jātikkhayaṁ patto, a sage of perfect insight abhiññāvosito muni; at the summit of spiritual perfection: Sabbavositavosānaṁ, that’s who I declare a brahmin. tamahaṁ brūmi brāhmaṇaṁ.

Brāhmaṇavaggo chabbīsatimo.

Ettāvatā sabbapaṭhame yamakavagge cuddasa vatthūni, appamādavagge nava, cittavagge nava, pupphavagge dvādasa, bālavagge pannarasa, paṇḍitavagge ekādasa, arahantavagge dasa, sahassavagge cuddasa, pāpavagge dvādasa, daṇḍavagge ekādasa, jarāvagge nava, attavagge dasa, lokavagge ekādasa, buddhavagge nava, sukhavagge aṭṭha, piyavagge nava, kodhavagge aṭṭha, malavagge dvādasa, dhammaṭṭhavagge dasa, maggavagge dvādasa, pakiṇṇakavagge nava, nirayavagge nava, nāgavagge aṭṭha, taṇhāvagge dvādasa, bhikkhuvagge dvādasa, brāhmaṇavagge cattālīsāti pañcādhikāni tīṇi vatthusatāni.

Satevīsacatussatā, catusaccavibhāvinā; Satattayañca vatthūnaṁ, pañcādhikaṁ samuṭṭhitāti.

Dhammapade vaggānamuddānaṁ

Yamakappamādo cittaṁ, pupphaṁ bālena paṇḍito; Arahanto sahassañca, pāpaṁ daṇḍena te dasa.

Jarā attā ca loko ca, buddho sukhaṁ piyena ca; Kodho malañca dhammaṭṭho, maggavaggena vīsati.

Pakiṇṇaṁ nirayo nāgo, taṇhā bhikkhu ca brāhmaṇo; Ete chabbīsati vaggā, desitādiccabandhunā.

Gāthānamuddānaṁ

Yamake vīsati gāthā, appamādamhi dvādasa; Ekādasa cittavagge, pupphavaggamhi soḷasa.

Bāle ca soḷasa gāthā, paṇḍitamhi catuddasa; Arahante dasa gāthā, sahasse honti soḷasa.

Terasa pāpavaggamhi, daṇḍamhi dasa satta ca; Ekādasa jarā vagge, attavaggamhi tā dasa.

Dvādasa lokavaggamhi, buddhavaggamhi ṭhārasa; Sukhe ca piyavagge ca, gāthāyo honti dvādasa.

Cuddasa kodhavaggamhi, malavaggekavīsati; Sattarasa ca dhammaṭṭhe, maggavagge sattarasa.

Pakiṇṇe soḷasa gāthā, niraye nāge ca cuddasa; Chabbīsa taṇhāvaggamhi, tevīsa bhikkhuvaggikā.

Ekatālīsagāthāyo, brāhmaṇe vaggamuttame; Gāthāsatāni cattāri, tevīsa ca punāpare; Dhammapade nipātamhi, desitādiccabandhunāti.

The Sayings of the Dhamma are completed. Dhammapadapāḷi samattā.