Wa~settah Suthraya

Wa~settah

I am a student of Pokkarasa~thi Brahmana, and this young man is a student of Tharukkha Brahmana. Both of us have completed the learning and practising the ‘Thriveda’.

By studying all the grammar and stanzas well that are necessary to complete that particular ‘Triveda’, I can now recite them well, just like that teacher.
I am not going to debate with you about their views on caste differences, Gautama.

Bharadwaja says, “One becomes a Brahmin by birth”, but as far as I know, it is due to actions.

Neither of us is skilled enough to know or comprehend it properly.
Therefore, we came to the Noble, who is fully enlightened and blessed to get to know by inquiring.

We worship honourable Gautama, the greatest to the worlds, who is worshipped by even the beings of other worlds and dispels the darkness of ignorance in the world like the shining moon dispels the darkness.

We do not know whether one becomes a Brahmana by birth or through karma because we have not properly understood it.
So, we are asking the honourable Gauthama, who appeared as an eye to the world, “How does one become a Brahmana?”

Buddha

Then, I will explain properly in order how the various castes and tribes were actually divided.

Consider the class of plants such as grasses, trees, vines, etc.
No similarities can be seen in the nature or appearance of such grasses-plants-trees-vines despite belonging to the same class of plants.
Even though the grass-plants-trees-vines, etc., are members of the same class of plants, their inherited distinct characteristics and behaviours allow us to distinguish them: this is grass, this is Kalanduru, this is a palm tree, this is Banyan, this is Jasmin, and so on.

I have added the names of some trees and animals that have not been mentioned in the Pali stanzas here to help readers get the correct understanding of this Suthra for anyone who has not even a basic understanding of the Buddha’s teaching.

Again, consider the smaller insects such as Ants, Bees, beetles, spiders, Snails, mosquitoes, etc.
No similarity can be seen in the nature or appearance of such Ant, Bee, Beetle, Spider, Snail, and Mosquito.

Despite belonging to the same class of insects, the Ant, Bee, Beetle, Spider, Snail, and Mosquito, their inherited distinct characteristics and behaviours allow us to distinguish them as an ant, a bee, a spider, a snail, a beetle, and so on.
Similarly, think of various big and small four-legged animals.
Although they belong to the same class of four-legged animals, no similarity can be seen in the nature or appearance of such dogs, cats, elephants, monkeys, etc.
Although they belong to the same class of four-legged animals, their inherited distinct characteristics and behaviours allow us to distinguish them as a dog, a cat, an elephant, a monkey, etc.

Think of the many types of reptiles that crawl. Even though they belong to the same class of reptiles, no similarity can be seen in the nature or appearance of such snakes, crocodiles, rat snakes, mapila (Boiga barnesii), thalagoya (Monitor lizard) etc.
Even though they belong to the same class of reptiles, their inherited distinct characteristics and behaviours allow us to distinguish them, such as a snake, a crocodile, a rat snake, a mapila, a thalagoya, etc.

Furthermore, think of the different genera of fish that behave in the water.
Although they belong to the same class of fish, no similarity can be seen in the nature or appearance of such squids, shrimps, Balaya (Skipjack tuna), Tunas, sharks (Mora moro), Thora (Spanish mackerel), etc.
Even though they belong to the same class of fish, their inherited distinct characteristics and behaviours allow us to distinguish them, such as squid, shrimp, tuna, balaya, and Thora.

Think of birds that fly, flapping their wings in the sky.
Although they belong to the same class of birds, no similarity can be seen in the nature or appearance of such parrots, mynas, peacocks, cuckoos, eagles, etc.
Despite belonging to the same class of birds, their inherited distinct characteristics and behaviours allow us to distinguish them as a parrot, a myna, a peacock, a cock, an eagle, etc.

As such, even though we are able to recognise those different plant species individually based on their inherited distinct characteristics and behaviours that belong to the class called ‘plant’,
even though we are able to recognise those different insect species individually based on their inherited distinct characteristics and behaviours that belong to the class called ‘insects’,
even though we are able to recognise those different animal species individually based on their inherited distinct characteristics and behaviours that belong to the class called ‘four-legged animals’,
even though we are able to recognise those different reptile species individually based on their inherited distinct characteristics and behaviours that belong to the class called ‘reptile’,
even though we are able to recognise those different bird species individually based on their inherited distinct characteristics and behaviours that belong to the class called ‘bird’,
even though we are able to recognise those different fish species individually based on their inherited distinct characteristics and behaviours that belong to the class called ‘fish’, etc.,
no different inherited distinct characteristics and behaviours can be seen in the genera of humans.

Neither the head, nor the hair, nor the ear, nor the eye, nor the mouth, nor the nose, nor the lips, nor the eyelids show any difference.

Furthermore, there is no difference in the neck, shoulder, stomach, back, or vagina, or the female breast, hidden organs, or sexual behaviour.

Also, no difference can be seen in the arms, legs, fingers, nails, thighs, tendons, appearance or behaviour like in other classes of species.

There is no way to categorise the genera of humans from their inherited distinct characteristics and behaviours.
He is recognised based on the work he does or how he behaves in society.

Wa~settah, if a person makes a living by doing something like cattle rearing-agriculture, he is referred to as a “farmer” but not a “Brahmana”.

Wa~settah, if a person makes a living by painting or archery or other crafts or something similar, he is referred to as a “craftman” but not a “Brahmana”.

Wa~settah, if a person makes a living by doing something like Cattle rearing- agriculture industry, he is referred to as a “farmer”, not a “Brahmana”.

Wa~settah, if a person makes a living by trading, he is referred to as a “merchant” but not a “Brahmana”.

Wa~settah, if a person makes a living by serving others, he is referred to as a “servant” but not a “Brahmana”.

Wa~settah, if a person makes a living by stealing, he is referred to as a “thief” but not a “Brahmana”.

Wa~settah, if a person makes a living by engaging in security forces taking up arms, he is referred to as a “soldier” but not a “Brahmana”.

Wa~settah, if a person makes a living by performing rituals, he is referred to as a “priest” but not a “Brahmana”.

Wa~settah, if a person makes a living by ruling a village or country, he is referred to as the “king” but not a “Brahmana”.

I do not refer as a “Brahmana” to one who is conceived in a mother’s womb, born through the vagina and is attached to the defilements of ‘Greed- Hatred- Delusion’.

I refer a “Brahmana” to the one who has banished all defilements and does not grasp as ‘I or Mine’.

I refer to one who got rid of all grasping without being oppressed by lust, got rid of all attachments, and has been separated from all in the material world as a “Brahmana”.

Like an ostler has controlled an undisciplined horse, one who has successfully managed to steer his mind to eliminate the defilements of ‘Greed-Hatred-Delusion’ and attained ‘Nirwana’, completely by freeing himself from all sufferings, I call him a “Brahmana”.

I refer to one who has trained the power of patience like an army for not being furious in the face of scolding, scorn, slander, and harassment as a “Brahmana”.

I refer to one who is compassionate, virtuous and disciplined without pride and bears the final body in his life cycle as a “Brahmana”.

I refer to one who does not tolerate lust, like the lotus leaf does not retain water or like the tip of a needle does not hold a mustard seed as a “Brahmana”.

I refer to one who has understood what suffering is concretely and tries to eliminate all attachments as a “Brahmana”.

I refer to one who is skilled in choosing the right path that should be followed and avoiding the wrong approach and is wise enough to reach the fruition of ‘Nirwana’ respectively with his profound wisdom as a “Brahmana”.

I refer to one who does not own an abode as his own lives a meagre life contented with what he gets as a “Brahmana”.

I refer to one who does not cause any harm, suffering or death to all living beings, whether they are impure beings or nobles because of relinquishing the mind that prompts him to take up arms as a “Brahmana”.

I refer to one who can remain calm and non-hostile towards those who are hostile towards them, can tolerate and stay composed even when facing persecution, and has conquered his inner impurities as a “Brahmana”.

I refer to one who does not tolerate lust, hate, arrogance, and ingratitude like the tip of a needle does not hold a mustard seed as a “Brahmana”.

I refer to one who has no arbitrary thoughts, is easy to give understanding, Truthful-Speaks, is flexible, listens wisely, and is not subject to blame in any way, as a “Brahmana”.

I refer to one who does not steal or take by force anything belonging to others that produces good or bad effects for the long-term or short-term, for gaining a small profit or a large profit as a “Brahmana”.

I refer to one who is freed from both likes and dislikes and has no greed for himself or anything else as a “Brahmana”.

There is no reason to doubt that there is any desire for others in him who has eliminated the desire for ‘I-mine’.
I refer to one who has attained ‘Nirwana’ respectively as a “Brahmana”.

I refer to one who became purified by eliminating impurities, has surpassed the desire to accumulate merits and sins, and does not mourn, as a “Brahmana”.

Like the most pleasant full moon shining in the clear sky,
who Purified himself by banishing the lust for his existence,
I call him “Brahmana”.

What should be said about a wise man who has attained ‘Nirwana’ by freeing evil desires and transcending the birth and death cycle, wisely realising that he had been wandering in a harsh and bitter ‘Sansara’ because of his delusion?
Having thus attainment of ‘Nirwana’ by freeing from the Craving of ‘I-Mine-My soul’, to him I call “Brahmana”.
I refer to anyone who has eliminated the Existence of Sensual Pleasure by overcoming evil sensual pleasure and lives a celibate-ordained life as a “Brahmana”.

I refer to anyone who has eliminated the Existence of becoming or possessing worldly things by overcoming evil Cravings and lives a celibate ordained life as a “Brahmana”.

I refer to anyone who has eliminated the desire for the human world, even exceeded the desire for the heavens and freed the mind from all the worlds as a “Brahmana”.

I refer to anyone who abandoned lust, eliminated defilements with the frustration of all that held delusionally as ‘I’ and ‘Mine’ and suppressed all forms of worldly impurity with great vigour as a “Brahmana”.

I refer to anyone who has successfully gotten rid of the birth-death cycle by acquiring the knowledge that every being is bound to be reborn after dying as a “Brahmana”.

I refer to the ‘Arahath’, who has eliminated ‘Greed – Hatred – Delusion’ for the sake of not being born again, even as a god or a Gandhabba or a human being, as a “Brahmana”.

I refer to anyone who is not clinging to or clashing with anything, as ‘I was’, ‘I am’, or ‘I will be’, with ‘Craving-Obstinacy-Arrogance’, as a ‘Brahmana’.

I refer to anyone who has conquered craving with great vigour like a bullock pulling a load, has attained great understanding and adorned his mouth with a smile as a “Brahmana”.

I refer to anyone who had seen their past lives, heaven, and hell with his cultivated wisdom and eliminated the cycle of rebirth as a “Brahmana”.

In ancient times, names prepared to address each other have been used to indicate high-low-sameness in later times.

Thus, the misconception that has been believed and said for a long time “that one becomes a Brahmin by birth’, should not be known and should not be said.
Neither one does become a Brahmin by birth, nor one does not become a Brahmin by birth.
By disciplining the Word- Body and Mind, one becomes a Brahmin.
By not disciplining the Word- Body and Mind, one does not become a Brahmin.

A farmer is called according to what he does,
A craftsman is called according to what he does,
A merchant is called according to what he does,
A servant is called according to what he does,

A thief is called according to what he does,
A soldier is called according to the work he does,
A priest is called according to what he does,
A king is called according to what he does,

In this way, the wise person who becomes skilled at comparing each person’s actions and the consequences of that action according to the doctrine of ‘Cause and Effect’ by seeing the true nature of someone’s actions understands how he should or should not act.

The repercussions related to the actions done by one’s ‘Word- Body and Mind’ follow him without giving up, just like the cartwheel turns according to the peg to which it is attached.

The wise man who is disciplined in the virtue of celibacy by disciplining the mind-body-word, is called the great “Brahmana”.

Wa~settah, you should be skilled to understand the ‘Triveda’ that enables the cessation of rebirth and attainment of ‘Nirwana’ by well-disciplining your ‘Word-Body-Mind’.

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