2. Upāsakavagga
2. Lay Followers
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Tena kho pana samayena mānatthaddho nāma brāhmaṇo sāvatthiyaṁ paṭivasati.
Now at that time a brahmin named Stuck-Up was residing in Sāvatthī.
So neva mātaraṁ abhivādeti, na pitaraṁ abhivādeti, na ācariyaṁ abhivādeti, na jeṭṭhabhātaraṁ abhivādeti.
He didn’t bow to his mother or father, his tutor, or his oldest brother.
Tena kho pana samayena bhagavā mahatiyā parisāya parivuto dhammaṁ deseti.
Now, at that time the Buddha was teaching Dhamma, surrounded by a large assembly.
“ayaṁ kho samaṇo gotamo mahatiyā parisāya parivuto dhammaṁ deseti.
“The ascetic Gotama is teaching Dhamma, surrounded by a large assembly.
Sace maṁ samaṇo gotamo ālapissati, ahampi taṁ ālapissāmi.
If he speaks to me, I’ll speak to him.
No ce maṁ samaṇo gotamo ālapissati, ahampi nālapissāmī”ti.
But if he doesn’t speak, neither will I.”
Atha kho mānatthaddho brāhmaṇo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā tuṇhībhūto ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi.
Then the brahmin Stuck-Up went up to the Buddha, and stood silently to one side.
“nāyaṁ samaṇo gotamo kiñci jānātī”ti tatova puna nivattitukāmo ahosi.
“This ascetic Gotama knows nothing!” And he wanted to go back from there right away.
Atha kho bhagavā mānatthaddhassa brāhmaṇassa cetasā cetoparivitakkamaññāya mānatthaddhaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:
Then the Buddha, knowing Stuck-Up’s train of thought, addressed him in verse:
“cittaṁ me samaṇo gotamo jānātī”ti tattheva bhagavato pādesu sirasā nipatitvā bhagavato pādāni mukhena ca paricumbati pāṇīhi ca parisambāhati, nāmañca sāveti:
“The ascetic Gotama knows my mind!” He bowed with his head at the Buddha’s feet, caressing them and covering them with kisses, and pronounced his name:
“mānatthaddhāhaṁ, bho gotama, mānatthaddhāhaṁ, bho gotamā”ti.
“Worthy Gotama, I am Stuck-Up! I am Stuck-Up!”
Ayañhi mānatthaddho brāhmaṇo neva mātaraṁ abhivādeti, na pitaraṁ abhivādeti, na ācariyaṁ abhivādeti, na jeṭṭhabhātaraṁ abhivādeti;
This brahmin Stuck-Up doesn’t bow to his mother or father, his tutor, or his oldest brother.
atha ca pana samaṇe gotame evarūpaṁ paramanipaccakāraṁ karotī”ti.
Yet he shows such utmost deference to the ascetic Gotama!”
Atha kho bhagavā mānatthaddhaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ etadavoca:
Then the Buddha said to the brahmin Stuck-Up,
Atha kho mānatthaddho brāhmaṇo sake āsane nisīditvā bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:
Then Stuck-Up took his seat and said to the Buddha:
Evaṁ vutte, mānatthaddho brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
When he had spoken, the brahmin Stuck-Up said to the Buddha,
upāsakaṁ maṁ bhavaṁ gotamo dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti.
From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”