wisdomperception

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/33049926

The Buddha addresses a brahmin in verses who believes in purification through bathing in river.

At that time, the brahmin Sundarika Bhāradvāja was seated not far from the Blessed One. Then, the brahmin Sundarika Bhāradvāja said to the Blessed One: “But, does venerable Gotama go to the Bāhukā river to bathe?”

“Why brahmin, go to the Bāhukā river? What can the Bāhukā river do?”

“Venerable Gotama, the Bāhukā river is regarded as meritorious by many people. Venerable Gotama, many people go to the Bāhukā river to wash away the injurious actions [1] they have done.”

Then the Blessed One addressed the brahmin Sundarika Bhāradvāja in verse:

“Bāhukā and Adhikakka, Gayā and Sundarikā; Sarassatī and Payāga [2], and the Bāhumati river— Even if an immature [3] person were to plunge into them repeatedly, his dark deeds would not be purified.

What can the Sundarikā river do? What the Payāga or the Bāhukā do? For a person who is violent and has committed injurious actions, these rivers will not purify the evil-doer.

For the pure one, every day is a sacred festival [4], For the pure one, every day is an observance day [5]; For the pure one, whose actions are clean, His practice [6] always succeeds; Bathe here itself brahmin, establishing a refuge (safety, security [khematā]) for all beings.

If you speak no falsehood, if you do not harm living beings; If you do not take what is not given, having faith and are free from stinginess; What will going to Gayā do for you? for any well is your Gayā.”

When this was said, the brahmin Sundarika Bhāradvāja said to the Blessed One: “Excellent, venerable Gotama! Excellent, venerable Gotama! Just as if one might set upright what had been overturned, reveal (uncover [vivarati]) what had been concealed, point out the way to one who was lost, or hold up a lamp in the dark so that those with eyes could see forms, in the same way, venerable Gotama, the Dhamma [7] has been explained (illustrated [pakāsita]) by you in many ways. I go for refuge to the Blessed One Gotama, to the Dhamma, and to the Saṅgha [8] of bhikkhus. May I receive the going forth in the presence of the Blessed One Gotama, may I receive the full ordination.”

Then the brahmin Sundarika Bhāradvāja received the going forth in the presence of the Blessed One, he received the full ordination. Having recently received full ordination, the venerable Bhāradvāja, dwelling alone, secluded, diligent, with continuous effort, and resolutely, soon realized with direct knowledge, in this very life, the unsurpassed culmination of the spiritual life, for the purpose of which sons of good families rightly go forth from the household life to the homeless life, and having personally attained it, he dwelled in it.

He understood: “Birth is ended, the spiritual life has been lived, what had to be done has been done, there is no more coming to any state of existence.” And the venerable Bhāradvāja became one among the arahants [9].

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[1] injurious actions [pāpakamma] ≈ harmful, bad, potentially evil intention or action

[2] Payāga [payāga] ≈ name of a holy bathing place, modern day Allahabad

[3] immature [bāla] ≈ lacking in discernment or good sense, child-like in understanding

[4] sacred festival [phaggu] ≈ This refers to the Phagguna month in the traditional lunar calendar, which corresponds roughly to February-March in the modern calendar. This is a significant time for spiritual observances and other purification practices.

[5] observance day [uposatha] ≈ Occurring on specific lunar days such as the full moon, new moon, and quarter moons, this is a time for renewing virtue, deepening practice, and purifying the mind.

[6] practice [vata] ≈ spiritual practice, duty, vow

[7] Dhamma [dhamma] ≈ teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth

[8] Saṅgha [saṅgha] ≈ The community of monks and nuns practicing in line with the Buddha’s teachings. In the broader sense, this is the community of disciples who have realized the noble path and fruition through the Buddha’s teachings

[9] arahants [arahant] ≈ fully awakened ones, free from all mental defilements; worthy of offerings and veneration; also an epithet of the Buddha

Picture: People Bathing and Praying in the Holy River Ganga, 19th century

The Buddha addresses a brahmin in verses who believes in purification through bathing in river.

At that time, the brahmin Sundarika Bhāradvāja was seated not far from the Blessed One. Then, the brahmin Sundarika Bhāradvāja said to the Blessed One: “But, does venerable Gotama go to the Bāhukā river to bathe?”

“Why brahmin, go to the Bāhukā river? What can the Bāhukā river do?”

“Venerable Gotama, the Bāhukā river is regarded as meritorious by many people. Venerable Gotama, many people go to the Bāhukā river to wash away the injurious actions [1] they have done.”

Then the Blessed One addressed the brahmin Sundarika Bhāradvāja in verse:

“Bāhukā and Adhikakka, Gayā and Sundarikā; Sarassatī and Payāga [2], and the Bāhumati river— Even if an immature [3] person were to plunge into them repeatedly, his dark deeds would not be purified.

What can the Sundarikā river do? What the Payāga or the Bāhukā do? For a person who is violent and has committed injurious actions, these rivers will not purify the evil-doer.

For the pure one, every day is a sacred festival [4], For the pure one, every day is an observance day [5]; For the pure one, whose actions are clean, His practice [6] always succeeds; Bathe here itself brahmin, establishing a refuge (safety, security [khematā]) for all beings.

If you speak no falsehood, if you do not harm living beings; If you do not take what is not given, having faith and are free from stinginess; What will going to Gayā do for you? for any well is your Gayā.”

When this was said, the brahmin Sundarika Bhāradvāja said to the Blessed One: “Excellent, venerable Gotama! Excellent, venerable Gotama! Just as if one might set upright what had been overturned, reveal (uncover [vivarati]) what had been concealed, point out the way to one who was lost, or hold up a lamp in the dark so that those with eyes could see forms, in the same way, venerable Gotama, the Dhamma [7] has been explained (illustrated [pakāsita]) by you in many ways. I go for refuge to the Blessed One Gotama, to the Dhamma, and to the Saṅgha [8] of bhikkhus. May I receive the going forth in the presence of the Blessed One Gotama, may I receive the full ordination.”

Then the brahmin Sundarika Bhāradvāja received the going forth in the presence of the Blessed One, he received the full ordination. Having recently received full ordination, the venerable Bhāradvāja, dwelling alone, secluded, diligent, with continuous effort, and resolutely, soon realized with direct knowledge, in this very life, the unsurpassed culmination of the spiritual life, for the purpose of which sons of good families rightly go forth from the household life to the homeless life, and having personally attained it, he dwelled in it.

He understood: “Birth is ended, the spiritual life has been lived, what had to be done has been done, there is no more coming to any state of existence.” And the venerable Bhāradvāja became one among the arahants [9].

---

[1] injurious actions [pāpakamma] ≈ harmful, bad, potentially evil intention or action

[2] Payāga [payāga] ≈ name of a holy bathing place, modern day Allahabad

[3] immature [bāla] ≈ lacking in discernment or good sense, child-like in understanding

[4] sacred festival [phaggu] ≈ This refers to the Phagguna month in the traditional lunar calendar, which corresponds roughly to February-March in the modern calendar. This is a significant time for spiritual observances and other purification practices.

[5] observance day [uposatha] ≈ Occurring on specific lunar days such as the full moon, new moon, and quarter moons, this is a time for renewing virtue, deepening practice, and purifying the mind.

[6] practice [vata] ≈ spiritual practice, duty, vow

[7] Dhamma [dhamma] ≈ teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth

[8] Saṅgha [saṅgha] ≈ The community of monks and nuns practicing in line with the Buddha’s teachings. In the broader sense, this is the community of disciples who have realized the noble path and fruition through the Buddha’s teachings

[9] arahants [arahant] ≈ fully awakened ones, free from all mental defilements; worthy of offerings and veneration; also an epithet of the Buddha

Picture: People Bathing and Praying in the Holy River Ganga, 19th century

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/21587144

Ugga, the householder of Vesālī is endowed with eight wonderful and marvelous qualities.

Once, the Blessed One was staying at Vesālī in the Great Wood, in the Hall with the Peaked Roof. There, the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, remember Ugga the householder of Vesālī as being endowed with eight wonderful and marvelous qualities."

The Blessed One said this. Having spoken thus, the Well-Gone One rose from his seat and entered his dwelling.

Then, a certain bhikkhu, after dressing in the morning and taking his bowl and robe, approached the residence of Ugga the householder of Vesālī; having approached, he sat down on a prepared seat. Then, Ugga the householder of Vesālī approached that bhikkhu; having approached, he paid homage to the bhikkhu and sat down to one side. As Ugga the householder of Vesālī was seated to one side, the bhikkhu said to him:

"Householder, the Blessed One has declared that you are endowed with eight wonderful and marvelous qualities. What are they?"

"Venerable sir, I do not know what eight wonderful and marvelous qualities the Blessed One has declared that I possess. However, there are indeed eight wonderful and marvelous qualities found in me. Listen to it and pay close attention, I will speak."

"Yes, householder," the bhikkhu responded to Ugga the householder of Vesālī. Then Ugga the householder of Vesālī spoke thus:

1. "When I first saw the Blessed One from afar, with just that sight itself, venerable sir, my mind became inspired with confidence in the Blessed One. This, venerable sir, is the first wonderful and marvelous quality that is found in me.
2. Venerable sir, with a confident mind, I attended upon the Blessed One. The Blessed One gradually gave me a discourse, first on giving, then on virtue, and then on the heavens. He explained the dangers, degradation, and defilement of sensual pleasures and the benefit of renunciation. When the Blessed One knew that my mind was ready, receptive, free of hindrances, uplifted, and confident, he then expounded to me the distinctive teaching of the Buddhas: suffering, its arising, its cessation, and the path. Just as a clean cloth with no dark spots would perfectly absorb dye, so too, as I was sitting there, the stainless, immaculate Dhamma eye arose in me: 'Whatever is subject to arising, is subject to cessation.' Venerable sir, I then became one who has seen the Dhamma, who has attained the Dhamma, who has understood the Dhamma, who has deeply penetrated the Dhamma, having crossed beyond doubt, with no more uncertainty, self-assured, and independent of others in the Teacher's instruction. Right there, I went for refuge to the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha, and I undertook the training rules with celibacy as the fifth. This, venerable sir, is the second wonderful and marvelous quality that is found in me.
3. Venerable sir, I had four young wives. I approached them and said: 'Sisters, I have undertaken the training rules with celibacy as the fifth. Whoever wishes may stay here and enjoy the wealth and perform meritorious deeds, or you may return to your own family. Or if there is another man you prefer, I will give you to him.' When I said this, my eldest wife replied: 'Give me to such and such a man, dear husband.' So, venerable sir, I called that man, and with my left hand I gave my wife to him, and with my right hand, I presented him with a ceremonial offering. Yet, venerable sir, even while parting with my young wife, I did not notice any alteration in my mind. This, venerable sir, is the third wonderful and marvelous quality that is found in me.
4. Venerable sir, there is wealth in my family, and it is not withheld from those who are virtuous and of an upright nature. This, venerable sir, is the fourth wonderful and marvelous quality that is found in me.
5. Venerable sir, when I attend upon a bhikkhu, I do so with proper respect, not without respect. This, venerable sir, is the fifth wonderful and marvelous quality that is found in me.
6. Venerable sir, if that venerable one teaches me the Dhamma, I listen to it attentively, not carelessly. If he does not teach me the Dhamma, I teach him the Dhamma. This, venerable sir, is the sixth wonderful and marvelous quality that is found in me.
7. It is not unusual for deities to come to me and announce: 'The Dhamma is well-expounded by the Blessed One, householder.' When this is said, venerable sir, I reply to those deities: 'Whether you deities say this or not, the Dhamma is indeed well-expounded by the Blessed One. However, venerable sir, I do not perceive any elation of mind because of this, thinking: 'Deities approach me, and I converse with them.' This, venerable sir, is the seventh wonderful and marvelous quality that is found in me.
8. Venerable sir, regarding the five lower fetters taught by the Blessed One, I do not see anything within myself that has not been abandoned. This, venerable sir, is the eighth wonderful and marvelous quality that is found in me.

These, venerable sir, are the eight wonderful and marvelous qualities that are found in me. However, I do not know which eight wonderful and marvelous qualities the Blessed One declared that I am endowed with."

Then the bhikkhu, after taking alms food from the house of Ugga the householder of Vesālī, rose from his seat and departed. After his meal, the bhikkhu, having completed his alms round, approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. As he was sitting to one side, the bhikkhu reported to the Blessed One all of his conversation with Ugga the householder of Vesālī.

The Blessed One said, "Good, good, bhikkhu. As Ugga the householder of Vesālī rightly explained, in the same way, I declare that he is endowed with these eight wonderful and marvelous qualities. Bhikkhu, remember Ugga the householder of Vesālī as being endowed with these eight wonderful and marvelous qualities."