Dharma Lessons

Chapter XXVI: The Brahmana (Brahmanavagga)

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Verse 421

XXVI (38) The Story of Theri Dhammadinna

While residing at the Veluvana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (421) of this book, with reference to Theri Dhammadinna.

Once, there was a lay-disciple of the Buddha named Visakha in Rajagaha. After hearing the Buddha's discourses again and again Visakha attained Anagami Fruition and he said to his wife, "Please accept all my property; from today, I'm not going to take part in any of the affairs of the house." His wife Dhammadinna retorted, "Who would swallow the spittle you have thrown up?" Then she asked permission from him to enter the Order and became a bhikkhuni. After becoming a bhikkhuni she went to a monastery in a small village in the company of other bhikkhunis to practise meditation. Within a short time, she attained arahatship and returned to Rajagaha.

Visakha, hearing that Dhammadinna had returned, went to see her and asked her some questions. When he asked her about the first three maggas she answered him; but when he asked her questions on the arahatta magga and phala she said, "O lay-disciple! This matter is out of your depth; if you want, you may go and ask the Buddha." When Visakha asked the Buddha, the Buddha said, "Dhammadinna has already answered your question. If you ask me I shall have to give the same answer." Saying this the Buddha confirmed the fact that Dhammadinna had attained arahatship.

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Verse 421. Him I call a brahmana, who does not cling to the past, future and present khandha aggregates and who is free from moral defilements and attachment.

Verse 421. He Yearns For Nothing

That one who’s free of everything
that’s past, that’s present, yet to be,
who nothing owns, who’s unattached,
that one I call a Brahmin True.

Explanation: Their path, neither gods, nor spirits, nor humans can fathom. Their taints are totally eradicated. They have attained the higher spiritual state. This person I declare a brahmana.

Verse 423

XXVI (40) The Story of Devahita the Brahmin

While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (423) of this book, with reference to Devahita, a brahmin.

On one occasion, the Buddha suffered from a gastric ailment and he sent Thera Upavana to get some hot water from Devahita the brahmin. The brahmin was very pleased to have this rare opportunity to offer something to the Buddha. So, in addition to hot water he also gave the thera some molasses for the Buddha. At the monastery Thera Upavana gave a warm bath to the Buddha; after the bath he offered the Buddha a mixture of molasses and hot water. After drinking the mixture there was instant relief. The brahmin then came and asked the Buddha, 'Venerable Sir! An offering made to whom gives one the greatest benefit?" To him the Buddha said, "Brahmin! An offering made to one who has given up all evil is the most beneficial."

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Verse 423. Him I call a brahmana, who knows past existences, who sees the celestial as well as the lower worlds, who has reached the end of rebirths, who, with Magga Insight, has become an arahat and has accomplished all that is to be accomplished for the eradication of moral defilements.

At the end of the discourse the brahmana became established in the faith in the Three Gems (the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Samgha) and became a lay-disciple of the Buddha.

Verse 423. The Giver And Receiver Of Alms

Who so does know of former lives
and sees the states of bliss and woe
and then who’s reached the end of births,
a sage supreme with wisdom keen,
complete in all accomplishments,
that one I call a Brahmin True.

Explanation: He knows his former existences. He has the capacity to see heaven and hell - states of ecstasy and states of woe. He has ended the cycle of existences. He has his higher awareness. He has reached the state of a sage. He has achieved the final perfection. Him I describe as a brahmana.

End of Chapter Twenty-six: The Brahmana.

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END OF THE DHAMMAPADA STORIES AND VERSES (The First and the Last Stories and Verses were re-published here by Nibbana.Com on 14th July 1998 and 5th May 1999, respectively)