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ud.1.4 Udana

The Discourse about the Banyan Tree

Thus I heard: At one time the Gracious One was dwelling near Uruvelā, on the bank of the river Nerañjarā, at the root of the Goatherds’ Banyan tree, in the first period after attaining Awakening. Then at that time the Gracious One was sitting in one cross-legged posture for seven days experiencing the happiness of freedom. Then with the passing of those seven days, the Gracious One arose from that concentration.

Then a certain brāhmaṇa who was by nature a grumbler went to the Gracious One, and after going, he exchanged greetings with the Gracious One. After exchanging courteous talk and greetings, he stood on one side. While stood on one side that brāhmaṇa said this to the Gracious One:

“To what extent, dear Gotama, is one a brāhmaṇa? And again what things make one a brāhmaṇa?”

Then the Gracious One, having understood the significance of it, on that occasion uttered this exalted utterance:

“That brāhmaṇa who has removed bad things,
Not grumbling, free from blemish, self-restrained,
With perfect understanding, and the spiritual life accomplished,
Righteously he might speak a word about the Brahman,
For him there is no arrogance anywhere in the world.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Ānandajoti

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato


Whiny

So I have heard.
At one time, when he was first awakened, the Buddha was staying near Uruvelā at the goatherd’s banyan tree on the bank of the Nerañjarā River.
There the Buddha sat cross-legged for seven days without moving, experiencing the bliss of freedom.
When seven days had passed, the Buddha emerged from that state of immersion.
Then a certain brahmin of the whiny sort went up to the Buddha and exchanged greetings with him.
When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he stood to one side, and said,
“Master Gotama, how do you define a brahmin? And what are the things that make one a brahmin?”
Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:
“A brahmin who has banished bad qualities,
—not whiny, not stained, but self-controlled,
a complete knowledge master who has completed the spiritual journey—
may rightly proclaim the brahmin doctrine,
not proud of anything in the world.”