Dhammapada Verse 398
Dve Brahmana Vatthu
Chetva naddhim varattanca
sandanam sahanukkamam
ukkhittapaligham buddham
tamaham brumi brahamanam.
Verse 398: Him I call a brahmana, who has cut
the strap (of ill will), the thong (of craving) and the cord (of wrong views
together with latent defilements), who has lifted the bar that fastens the door
(of ignorance), and who knows the Truth.
The Story of Two Brahmins
While residing at the Jetavana
monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (398) of this book, with reference to two
brahmins.
Once there lived in Savatthi two
brahmins, each of whom owned a bullock. Each claimed that his bullock was better
and stronger. At last, they agreed to put their animals to a test. So they went
to the bank of the Aciravati River and there they filled up a cart with sand.
One after the other, the bullocks pulled the cart, but they only pulled in vain,
because the cart, did not move and only the ropes broke off. The bhikkhus seeing
this reported to the Buddha and the Buddha said to them, "Bhikkhus! It
is easy to break off the straps which you can see with your eyes; anyone can
break them or cut them. But my sons, a bhikkhu should cut the strap of ill will
and the thong of craving which are within you and which bind you."
Verse 398: Him I call
a brahmana, who has cut the strap (of ill will), the thong (of
craving) and the cord (of wrong views together with latent
defilements), who has lifted the bar that fastens the door (of
ignorance), and who knows the Truth. |
At the end of the discourse five hundred bhikkhus attained arahatship.