VASALA SUTTA
The Discourse on The Outcastes
(from “The Chapter of the Serpent”, Sutta Nipāta)
Evaṃ me sutaṃ,
Ekaṃ samayaṃ Bhagavā Sāvatthiyaṃ viharati Jetavane Anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Atha
kho, Bhagavā pubbanhasamayaṃ, nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya Sāvatthiyaṃ piṇḍāya
pāvisi. Tena kho pana samayena, Aggikabhāradvājassa brāhmaṇassa nivesane aggi
pajjalito hoti āhuti paggahitā. Atha kho, Bhagavā, Sāvatthiyaṃ sapadānaṃ piṇḍāya
caramāno yena Aggikabhāradvājassa brāhmaṇassa nivesanaṃ, ten’upasaṅkami.
Thus it has been heard by me:
Once upon a time the Lord was sojourning in Sāvatthi at Jeta’s Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika park. Then indeed,
the Lord, in the forenoon, having dressed and taking his bowl and robe entered Sāvatthi for his meals. And
at that time, indeed, in the abode of the brāhmana Aggikabhāradvāja fire has been kindled (and) the
oblation started. Then indeed the Lord, while walking in Sāvatthi for his meals from house to house
approached where the abode of the brāhmana Aggikabhāradvāja was.
Addasā kho Aggikabhāradvājo brāhmaṇo Bhagavantaṃ dūrato va āgacchantaṃ.
Disvāna Bhagavantaṃ etadavoca. “Tatr’eva muṇḍaka, tatr’eva samaṇaka, tatr’eva
vasalaka, tiṭṭhāhī”ti. Evaṃ vutte, Bhagavā Aggikabhāradvājaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ etadavoca:
“Jānāsi pana tvaṃ brāhmaṇa vasalaṃ vā vasalakaraṇe vā dhamme?” ti. “Na khvāhaṃ
bho Gotama jānāmi, vasalaṃ vā vasalakaraṇe vā dhamme. Sādhu me bhavaṃ Gotamo
tathā dhammaṃ desetu yathāhaṃ jāneyyaṃ vasalaṃ vā vasalakaraṇe vā dhamme”ti.
Indeed, the brāhmana Aggikabhāradvāja saw the Lord coming from afar.
Having seen (he) spoke to the Lord thus: “Baldhead, stay there, recluse, (stay) there, outcase, (stay) there.”
When it was said thus, the Lord spoke to the brāhmana Aggikabhāradvāja thus: “O brāhmana do you
know who an outcaste is or what qualities make an outcaste?”
“I indeed do not know, venerable Gotama, who an outcaste is or the qualities that make an outcaste. It is
good that the venerable Gotama preach to me so that I could know who an outcaste is or what qualities
make an outcaste.”
“Tena hi brāhamaṇa suṇāhi Sādhukaṃ manasikarohi Bhāsissāmī’ti. “Evambho”ti kho
Aggikabhāradvājo brāhmaṇo Bhagavato paccassosi. Bhagavā etadavoca:
“Then indeed, O brāhmana listen (and) keep well in mind. I shall say.”
“Yes Sir,” replied the brāhmana Aggikabhāradvāja to the Lord. The Lord spoke thus:
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1. Kodhano upanāhī ca
Pāpamakkhī ca yo naro
Vipannadiṭṭhi māyāvi
Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti
Angry and hostile, evil and hypocritical in nature, if a man is failing in (right) vision, deceitful – know
him as an outcaste.
2. Ekajaṃ vā dvijaṃ vāpi
Yodha pāṇāni hiṃsati
Yassa pāṇe dayā natthi
Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti
Once born or twice born, here, living beings, (if) one hurts, in whom there is no love for living beings
– know him as an outcaste.
3. Yo hanti parirundhati
Gāmāni nigamāni ca
Niggāhako samaññāto
Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti
He who destroys and besieges villages and suburbs, is known as an agitator – know him as an outcaste.
4. Gāme vā yadi vāraññe
Yaṃ paresaṃ mamāyitaṃ
Theyyā adinnaṃ ādiyati
Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti
In the village or in the jungle, whatever belongs to others, through theft (one) takes what is not given
– know him as an outcaste.
5. Yo have iṇa mādāya
Cujjamāno palāyati
Na hi te iṇamatthiti
Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti
Who indeed, taking a loan, being blamed runs away, saying, “There is no loan (due) to you” know him
as an outcaste.
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6. Yo ve kiñcikkhakamyatā
Panthasmiṃ vajataṃ janaṃ
Hantvā kiñcikkhamādeti
Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti
He indeed, desirous of taking something (by force) on the road frequented by people, having killed
(people) takes whatever – know him as an outcaste.
7. Yo attahetu parahetu
Dhanahetu ca yo naro
Sakkhīpuṭṭho musā brūti
Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti
Who, for one’s gain or the gain of others or for the acquisition of wealth, that man, when called to
bear witness speaks untruth – know him as an outcaste.
8. Yo ñātinaṃ sakhānaṃ vā
Dāresu patidissati
Sahasā sampiyena vā
Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti
Who, either of relatives or of friends, among wives is seen (i.e. commits adultery), either by force or by
agreement of each other – know him as an outcaste.
9. Yo mātaraṃ vā pītaraṃ vā
Jiṇṇakaṃ gatayobbanaṃ
Pahu santo na bharati
Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti
Who, mother or father, old, youth-gone, having much (wealth) does not maintain – know him as an
outcaste.
10. Yo mātaraṃ vā pītaraṃ vā
Bhātaraṃ bhaginiṃ sasuṃ
Hanti roseti vācāya
Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti
Who, mother or father, brother, sister, (mother or father)-in-law, afflicts (or) scolds by word (of mouth)
– know him as an outcaste.
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11. Yo atthaṃ pucchito santo
Anattha manusāsati
Paṭicchannena manteti
Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti
Who, when questioned about (moral) good, advises on what is harmful, gives obscure advice – know
him as an outcaste.
12. Yo katvā pāpakaṃ kammaṃ
Mā maṃ jaññāti icchati
Yo paṭicchannakammanto
Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti
Who, having done an evil deed desires ‘Let me be not known’, who is of concealed action – know him
as an outcaste.
13. Yo ve parakulaṃ gantvā
Bhutvāna sucībhojanaṃ
Āgataṃ na paṭipūjeti
Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti
Who, having gone to another’s house and eaten clean food, does not return the favour to his host –
know him as an outcaste.
14. Yo brāhmaṇaṃ vā samaṇaṃ vā
Aññaṃ vāpi vaṇibbakaṃ
Musāvādena vañceti
Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti
Who, a brahmana or a recluse, or any other wayfarer, deceives with falsehood – know him as an
outcaste.
15. Yo brāhmaṇaṃ vā samaṇaṃ vā
Bhattakāle upaṭthite
Roseti vācā na ca deti
Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti
Who, a brahmana or a recluse when mealtime is at hand, scolds in (bad) language and does not give
(food) – know him as an outcaste.
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16. Asataṃ yodha pabrūti
Mohena paḷiguṇṭito
Kiñcikkhaṃ nijigiṃsāno
Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti
Who, speaks what is not genuine, encircled with infatuation, covets (even) a small thing – know him
as an outcaste.
17. Yo cattānaṃ Samukkaṃse
Paraṃ ca mavajānati
Nihīno sena mānena
Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti
Who praises his own self, despises others, and degraded because of his pride – know him as an
outcaste.
18. Rosako kadariyo ca
Pāpiccho maccharī saṭho
Ahiriko anottāpi
Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti
Angry and stingy, desirous of evil, avaricious, crafty, shameless, unscrupulous – know him as an
outcaste.
19. Yo Buddhaṃ paribhāsati
Atha vā tassa sāvakaṃ
Paribbājaṃ gahaṭṭhaṃ vā
Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti
Who reviles the Buddha or else his disciple, a wanderer or a householder – know him as an outcaste.
20. Yo ve anarahā santo
Arahaṃ paṭijānati
Coro sabrahmake loke
Esa kho vasalādhamo
Ete kho vasalā vuttā
Mayā vo ye pakāsitā
Who indeed, without being a worthy one (i.e. an Arahant) professes to be a Worthy One, he is the thief
in the world including the brahmas, he indeed, is the worst of outcastes. These indeed have been
spoken as outcastes; By me have they been declared to you.
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21. Na jaccā vasalo hoti
Na jaccā hoti brāhmaṇo
Kammanā vasalo hoti
Kammanā hoti brāhmaṇo
By birth is one not an outcaste, by birth is one not a brahmana, by action is one an outcaste, by action
is one a brahmana.
22. Tadaminā pi vijānātha
Yathā medaṃ nidassanaṃ
Caṇḍālaputto Sopāko
Mātaṅgo iti vissuto
Know that by this, just as this example (is given) by me – Sopaka the son of an outcaste was well
known as Matanga.
23. So yasaṃ paramaṃ patto
Mātaṅgo yaṃ sudullabhaṃ
Āgañchuṃ tassupaṭṭānaṃ
Khattiyā brāhmaṇā bahū
He reached the highest fame, this Matanga, (that fame) which was very rare. Came to him, for
attention, the Khattiyas (i.e. royalty) and brahmanas many.
24. So devayāna māruyha
Virajaṃ so mahāpathaṃ
Kāmarāgaṃ virājetvā
Brahmalokūpago ahu
He, ascending the divine chariot, He, (ascending that) which is free from passion, the great path, giving
up desire and passion, went to the world of the brahmas.
25. Na naṃ jāti nivāresi
Brahmalokūpapattiyā
Ajjhāyaka kule jātā
Brāhmaṇā mantabandhuno
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26. Te ca pāpesu kammesu
Abhiṇha mupadissare
Diṭṭheva dhamme gārayhā
Samparāye ca duggatiṃ
Na te jāti nivāreti
Duggaccā garahāya vā
Although born into a family of scholars (of the brahmanic texts) Brahmanas, the relatives of mantras
(i.e. incantations),they, in evil action, are constantly seen. In this world itself (as) blameworthy; beyond
this world (they attain) a suffering state. Birth does not hinder them from going to a suffering state or
blame.
27. Na jaccā vasalo hoti
Na jaccā hoti brāhmaṇo
Kammanā vasalo hoti
Kammanā hoti brāhmaṇo
By birth is one not an outcaste, by birth is one not a brahmana, by action is one an outcaste, by action
is one a brahmana.
Evaṃ vutte Aggikabhāradvājo brāhmano Bhagavantaṃ etadavoca: “Abhikkantaṃ bho
Gotama, Abhikkantaṃ bho Gotama, Seyyathāpi bho Gotama, nikkujjitaṃ vā
ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṃ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṃ ācikkheyya, andhakāre
vā telapajjotaṃ dhāreyya, Cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhiṇtīti, Evamevaṃ bhotā
Gotamena anekapariyāyena, dhammo pakāsito, Esāhaṃ bhavantaṃ Gotamaṃ Saranaṃ
gacchāmi, Dhammañca Bhikkhusaṅghañca, upāsakaṃ maṃ bhavaṃ Gotamo dhāretu
ajjatagge pāṇupetaṃ Saraṇam gatanti.
When it was said thus the brāhmana Aggikabhāradvāja spoke to the Lord thus: “Excellent, O Venerable
Gotama, Excellent O Venerable Gotama. Just as O Venerable Gotama, just as a (vessel) turned upside
down is turned up, or what is closed is made to open, or just as showing the way to one who has lost his
way, or as one who holds an oil lamp in the dark with the thought, ‘Let those who have eyes see forms,’ in
similar manner, by the Venerable Gotama, in various ways, the Dhamma has been declared. That I, take
refuge in the Venerable Gotama, the Dhamma and the multitude of monks. May the Venerable Gotama
accept me (i.e. admit) as a lay devotee who has taken refuge from today til the end of my life.
Etena sacca vajjena sotthi te (me) hotu sabbadā!
Etena sacca vajjena sabba rogo vinassatu!
Etena sacca vajjena hotu te (me) jayamangalaṃ!
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By the firm determination of this truth, may you (I) be well!
By the firm determination of this truth, may you (I) be healthy!
By the firm determination of this truth, may joyous victory be yours (mine)!
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