Dhammapada Verse 386 - Annatarabrahmana Vatthu

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Source: Adapted from the original translation by Daw Mya Tin, M.A.

Dhammapada Verse 386 - Annatarabrahmana Vatthu
Jhayim viraja' masinam

katakicca' manasavam

uttamattha' manuppattam

tamaham brumi brahmanam.

Verse 386: Him I call a brahmana, who dwells in seclusion practising Tranquility and Insight Meditation and is free from taints (of moral defilements); who has performed his duties, and is free from moral intoxicants (asavas) and has reached the highest goal (arahatship).

The Story of a Certain Brahmin

While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (386) of this book, with reference to a brahmin.

One day, a brahmin thought to himself, "Gotama Buddha calls his disciples 'brahmana'. I also am a brahmin by caste. Shouldn't I also be called a brahmana?" So thinking, he went to the Buddha and posed this question. To him the Buddha replied, "I do not call one a brahmana simply because of his caste; I only call him a brahmana, who has attained arahatship."

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Verse 386: Him I call a brahmana, who dwells in seclusion practising Tranquility and Insight Meditation and is free from taints (of moral defilements); who has performed his duties, and is free from moral intoxicants (asavas) and has reached the highest goal (arahatship/nibbana/enlightenment).

At the end of the discourse the brahmin attained Sotapatti Fruition.

Credits
Translated by Daw Mya Tin, M.A.

Edited by Editorial Committee, Burma Tipitaka Association Rangoon, Burma, 1986

Courtesy of Nibbana.com

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