Dhammapada Verse 396
Eka Brahmana Vatthu
Na caham brahmanam brumi
yonijam mattisambhavam,
bhovadi1 nama so hoti
sace hoti sakincano
akincanam anadanam
tamaham brumi brahmanam.
Verse 396: I do not call him a brahmana just
because he is born from the womb of a brahmana mother. He is just a bhovadi
brahmin if he is not free from moral defilements. Him I call a brahmana, who is
free from moral defilements and from attachment.
1. bhovadi: 'Bho' is a familiar term of address
used to inferiors and equals. The epithet 'bhovadi', therefore, implies
arrogance. Brahmins usually addressed the Buddha as 'Bho Gotama!' The term 'bhovadi'
is applied reproachfully by the Buddhists to the brahmins.
The Story of a Brahmin
While residing at the Jetavana
monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (396) of this book, with reference to a
brahmin.
Once, a brahmin from Savatthi
thought that since the Buddha called his disciples 'brahmanas', he should also
be called a 'brahmana' because he was born of brahmin parents. When he told the
Buddha about this, the Buddha replied to him, "O brahmin! I do not call
him a brahmana just because he is born of brahmin parents. I call him a brahmana
only if he is free from moral defilements and cut off all clinging to
existence."
Then the Buddha spoke in verse as
follows:
Verse 396: I do not
call him a brahmana just because he is born from the womb of a
brahmana mother. He is just a bhovadi brahmin if he is not free from
moral defilements. Him I call a brahmana, who is free from moral
defilements and from attachment. |
At the end of the discourse that brahmin attained Sotapatti Fruition.