By birth one is no brahmin,
by family, austerity.
In whom are truth and Dhamma too
pure is he, a Brahmin’s he.
Explanation: One does not become a brahmin by one’s matted hair. Nor does one become a brahmin by one’s clan. Even one’s birth will not make a brahmin. If one has realized the Truth., has acquired the knowledge of the Teaching, if he is also pure, it is such a person that I describe as a brahmin. Continue reading “Verse 393. One Does Not Become A Brahmin Merely By Birth”
From whom one knows the Dhamma
by Perfect Buddha taught
devoutly one should honour them
as brahmin sacred fire.
Explanation: If a seeker after truth were to learn the Word of the Enlightened One from a teacher, that pupil must pay the Teacher due respect, like a brahmin paying homage assiduously and with respect to the sacrificial fire. Continue reading “Verse 392. Honour To Whom Honour Is Due”
In whom there is no wrong-doing
by body, speech or mind,
in these three ways restrained,
that one I call a Brahmin True.
Explanation: If an individual is well guarded in body, speech and in mind, and has done no wrong in these three areas, who is well restrained, I call that person a true brahmana – the noble saint. Continue reading “Verse 391. The Well-Restrained Is Truly A Brahmin”
For brahmin no small benefit
when mind’s aloof from what is dear.
As much he turns away from harm
so much indeed does dukkha die.
Explanation: To the brahmana, the act of not returning hate is not a minor asset – it is a great asset, indeed. If, there is in a mind which usually takes delight in hateful acts, there is a change for the better, it is not a minor victory. Each time the violent mind ceases, suffering, too, subsides. Continue reading “Verse 390. An Arahat Does Not Retaliate”
One should not a brahmin beat
nor for that should He react.
Shame! Who would a Brahmin beat,
more shame for any should they react.
Explanation: No one should strike a brahmana – the pure saint. The brahmana who has become a victim must refrain from attacking the attacker in return, or show anger in return. Shame on him who attacks a brahmana; greater shame on him who displays retaliatory anger. Continue reading “Verse 389. Harm Not An Arahat”
By barring-out badness a ‘brahmin’ one’s
called
and one is a monk by conduct serene,
banishing blemishes out of oneself
therefore one’s known as ‘one who has left home’.
Explanation: One who has got rid of sinful action is called brahmana. One of serene senses is called samana. A person is called pabbajita because he has done away with all his faults. Continue reading “Verse 388. He Who Had Discarded All Evil Is Holy”
The sun is bright by day,
the moon enlights the night,
armoured shines the warrior,
contemplative the Brahmin True.
But all day and night-time too
resplendent does the Buddha shine.
Explanation: The sun shines during the day. The moon beams at night. The warrior glows only when he has his armour on. The brahmana shines when he is concentrated on contemplation. All these people have various times to shine. But the Buddha is radiant all day and all night through his Enlightenment. Continue reading “Verse 387. The Buddha Shines Day And Night”
Seated stainless, concentrated,
who’s work is done, who’s free of taints,
having attained the highest aim,
that one I call a Brahmin True.
Explanation: He is given to concentrated contemplation. He is free of all blemishes – the dust that defiles a being. He sits in solitude. All his spiritual tasks and obligations are done. He has reached the highest goal. That person I describe as a brahmana. Continue reading “Verse 386. Who Is Contemplative And Pure Is A Brahmin”
For whom is found no near or far,
for whom’s no near or far,
free of fear and fetter-free,
that one I call a Brahmin True.
Explanation: To him there is no further shore. To him there is no near shore. To him both these shores are non-existent. He is free of anxiety and is freed of bonds. That person I describe as a Brahmana. Continue reading “Verse 385. The Unfettered Person Is A Brahmana”
When by the twofold Dhamma
a Brahmin’s gone beyond
all the bonds of One-who-Knows
have wholly disappeared.
Explanation: When the brahmana – the seeker after the truth – has understood the two states of concentration and insight through and through, then in that person who knows these, all fetters wane, diminish and fade away. Continue reading “Verse 384. Cultivate Concentration”
