Sangaravo Sutta

Translation by Bhikkhuni Uppalavanna

1. The origin is Sàvatthi.

2. At that time a Brahmin by the name Sangarava was living in Sàvatthi. He did water ablution, believing purity through water. He lived yoked to diving in the water at dawn and dusk.

3. Venerable ânanda putting on robes in the morning and taking bowl and robes entered Sàvatthi for alms. Going the alms round in Sàvatthi and after the meal approached the Blessed One, worshipped and sat on a side.

4. Seated, venerable ânanda said to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, a Brahmin by the name Sangarava living in Sàvatthi does water ablution, believing purity through water, he lives yoked to diving in the water at dawn and dusk. Venerable sir, it is good, if the Blessed One approaches him out of compassion."

5. The Blessed One accepted it in silence.

6. The Blessed One put on robes in the morning and taking bowl and robes approached the house of the Brahmin Sangarava and sat on the prepared seat.

7. Then the Brahmin Sangarava approached the Blessed One, exchanged friendly greetings and sat on a side.

8. To the Brahmin Sangarava, seated on a side the Blessed One said: "Brahmin, is it true that you do water ablution, believing purity through water. Do you live, with the habit of diving in the water at dawn and dusk?"

9. "Yes, good Gotama, I do it."

10. "Brahmin, seeing what benefit do you do the water ablution, believing purity through water and live yoked to diving in the water at dawn and dusk?"

11. "Good Gotama, whatever demerit, had been done by me during the day is washed off at dusk. And whatever demerit, had been done by me during the night is washed off at dawn. Seeing this good, I do the water ablution, believing purity through water and live yoked to diving in the water at dawn and dusk.

12. "Brahmin, the Teaching is a deep pond and virtues the ford.
 * When the water is undisturbed, it is constantly praised.
 * There, those who have attained knowledge take a bath,
 * And cross to the other shore with a not sticky body."

13. Then the Brahmin Sangarava said to the Blessed One: "Good Gotama, now I understand. It's like something overturned is put upright. Something covered is made manifest. It's like one who was lost was shown the path. It's like a lamp lighted for the darkness, for those who have sight to see forms. In this and other ways the Teaching is well explained. Now I take refuge in good Gotama, in the Teaching and the Community of bhikkhus. I am a lay disciple who has taken refuge from today until I die."