The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha - Bhikkhu Nanamoli [383]
6. Then the two brahmin students, Vāseṭṭha and Bhāradvāja, went to the Blessed One and exchanged greetings with him. When this courteous and amiable talk was finished, they sat down at one side and the brahmin student Vāseṭṭha addressed the Blessed One in stanzas thus:
7. Vāseṭṭha
1. “We are both acknowledged to possess
The knowledge we claim of the Triple Veda,
For I am Pokkharasāti’s pupil
And he a pupil of Tārukkha.
2. We have attained full mastery
Over all that the Vedic experts teach;
Skilled in philology and grammar
We match our teachers in recitation. [117]
3. A dispute has arisen between us, Gotama,
Concerning the question of birth and class:
Bhāradvāja says one is a brahmin by birth,
While I hold one is a brahmin by action.901
Know this, O Seer, as our debate.
4. Since neither of us could convince the other,
Or make him see his point of view,
We have come to ask you, sir,
Widely famed to be a Buddha.
5. As people turn with palms upraised
Towards the moon when it starts to wax,
So in the world do they venerate you
And pay homage to you, Gotama.
6. So now we ask of you, Gotama,
The eye uprisen in the world:
Is one a brahmin by birth or action?
Explain to us who do not know
How we should recognise a brahmin.”
8. Buddha
7. “I teach you in order as they really are,
Vāseṭṭha,” said the Blessed One,
“The generic divisions of living beings;
For many are the kinds of birth.
8. Know first the grass and trees:
Though they lack self-awareness,
Their birth is their distinctive mark;
For many are the kinds of birth. [118]
9. Next come the moths and butterflies
And so on through to ants and termites:
Their birth is their distinctive mark;
For many are the kinds of birth.
10. Then know the kinds of quadrupeds
[Of varied sorts] both small and large:
Their birth is their distinctive mark;
For many are the kinds of birth.
11. Know those whose bellies are their feet,
To wit, the long-backed class of snakes:
Their birth is their distinctive mark;
For many are the kinds of birth.
12. Know too the water-dwelling fish
That pasture in the liquid world:
Their birth is their distinctive mark;
For many are the kinds of birth.
13. Next know the birds that wing their way
As they range in open skies:
Their birth is their distinctive mark;
For many are the kinds of birth.
9.
14. “While in these births the differences
Of birth make their distinctive mark,
With humans no differences of birth
Make a distinctive mark in them.
15. Nor in the hairs nor in the head
Nor in the ears nor in the eyes
Nor in the mouth nor in the nose
Nor in the lips nor in the brows;
16. Nor in the shoulders or the neck
Nor in the belly or the back
Nor in the buttocks or the breast
Nor in the genitals or ways of mating;
17. Nor in the hands nor in the feet
Nor in the fingers or the nails
Nor in the knees nor in the thighs
Nor in their colour or in voice:
Here birth makes no distinctive mark
As with the other kinds of birth. [119]
18. In human bodies in themselves
Nothing distinctive can be found.
Distinction among human beings
Is purely verbal designation.902
10.
19. “Who makes his living among men903
By agriculture, you should know
Is called a farmer, Vāseṭṭha;
He is not a brahmin.
20. Who makes his living among men
By varied crafts, you should know
Is called a craftsman, Vāseṭṭha;
He is not a brahmin.
21. Who makes his living among men
By merchandise, you should know
Is called a merchant, Vāseṭṭha;
He is not a brahmin.
22. Who makes his living among men
By serving others, you should know
Is called a servant, Vāseṭṭha;
He is not a brahmin.
23. Who makes his living among men
By stealing, you should know
Is called a robber, Vāseṭṭha;
He is not a brahmin.
24. Who makes his living among men
By archery, you should know
Is called a soldier, Vāseṭṭha;
He is not a brahmin.
25. Who