6.
The Discourse to Esukārī
436. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Then the brahmin Esukārī approached the Blessed One; having approached, he exchanged friendly greetings with the Blessed One. Having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, he sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the brahmin Esukārī said this to the Blessed One - "Brahmins, Master Gotama, declare four kinds of service - they declare service for a brahmin, they declare service for a noble, they declare service for a merchant, they declare service for a worker. Herein, Master Gotama, brahmins declare service for a brahmin - 'A brahmin or a noble or a merchant or a worker should serve a brahmin.' This, Master Gotama, brahmins declare as service for a brahmin. Herein, Master Gotama, brahmins declare service for a noble - 'A noble or a merchant or a worker should serve a noble.' This, Master Gotama, brahmins declare as service for a noble. Herein, Master Gotama, brahmins declare service for a merchant - 'A merchant or a worker should serve a merchant.' This, Master Gotama, brahmins declare as service for a merchant. Herein, Master Gotama, brahmins declare service for a worker - 'Only a worker should serve a worker. Who else would serve a worker?' This, Master Gotama, brahmins declare as service for a worker. Brahmins, Master Gotama, declare these four kinds of service. What does Master Gotama say about this?"
437. "But, brahmin, does the whole world allow this to the brahmins - 'Let them declare these four kinds of service'?" "No indeed, Master Gotama." "Just as, brahmin, a man who is poor, penniless, destitute. They might attach a portion to him against his will - 'This meat, hey man, is to be eaten by you, and the price is to be paid.' Just so, brahmin, brahmins, without the acknowledgment of those ascetics and brahmins, and yet they declare these four kinds of service. I do not, brahmin, say 'all should be served'; I do not, brahmin, say 'all should not be served'. For if, brahmin, for one serving, because of the service it would be worse, not better, I do not say that 'it should be served'; but if, brahmin, for one serving, because of the service it would be better, not worse, that I say 'should be served'. If, brahmin, they were to ask a noble thus - 'Whether for you serving, because of the service it would be worse, not better, or whether for you serving, because of the service it would be better, not worse; which of these would you serve?' - a noble too indeed, brahmin, answering rightly would answer thus - 'For whatever for me serving, because of the service it would be worse, not better, I would not serve that; but whatever for me serving, because of the service it would be better, not worse, that I would serve.' If a brahmin, brahmin, etc. If a merchant, brahmin, etc. If, brahmin, they were to ask a worker thus - 'Whether for you serving, because of the service it would be worse, not better, or whether for you serving, because of the service it would be better, not worse; which of these would you serve?' - a worker too indeed, brahmin, answering rightly would answer thus - 'For whatever for me serving, because of the service it would be worse, not better, I would not serve that; but whatever for me serving, because of the service it would be better, not worse, that I would serve.' I do not, brahmin, say 'being of noble birth is the better part', nor do I, brahmin, say 'being of noble birth is the worse part'; I do not, brahmin, say 'having eminent beauty is the better part', nor do I, brahmin, say 'having eminent beauty is the worse part'; I do not, brahmin, say 'having eminent wealth is the better part', nor do I, brahmin, say 'having eminent wealth is the worse part'.
438. "For, brahmin, here a certain one of noble birth is one who kills living beings, takes what is not given, engages in sexual misconduct, is a liar, speaks divisive speech, speaks harsh speech, engages in idle chatter, is covetous, has a mind of ill-will, and holds wrong view. Therefore I say 'being of noble birth is not the better part'. For, brahmin, here a certain one of noble birth abstains from killing living beings, abstains from taking what is not given, abstains from sexual misconduct, abstains from lying, abstains from divisive speech, abstains from harsh speech, abstains from idle chatter, is non-covetous, has a mind without ill-will, and holds right view. Therefore I say 'being of noble birth is not the worse part'.
439. "For one of eminent beauty too, brahmin, etc. For one of eminent wealth too, brahmin, here a certain one kills living beings, etc. holds wrong view. Therefore I say 'having eminent wealth is not the better part'. For one of eminent wealth too, brahmin, here a certain one abstains from killing living beings, etc. holds right view. Therefore I say 'having eminent wealth is not the worse part'. I do not, brahmin, say 'all should be served', nor do I, brahmin, say 'all should not be served'. For if, brahmin, for one serving, because of the service faith grows, morality grows, learning grows, generosity grows, wisdom grows, that I say 'should be served'."
440. When this was said, the brahmin Esukārī said this to the Blessed One - "Brahmins, Master Gotama, declare four kinds of wealth - they declare one's own property for a brahmin, they declare one's own property for a noble, they declare one's own property for a merchant, they declare one's own property for a worker. Herein, Master Gotama, brahmins declare going about for alms as one's own property for a brahmin; but a brahmin who despises going about for alms as his own property is one who fails in his duty, like a cowherd taking what is not given. This, Master Gotama, brahmins declare as one's own property for a brahmin. Herein, Master Gotama, brahmins declare bow and quiver as one's own property for a noble; but a noble who despises bow and quiver as his own property is one who fails in his duty, like a cowherd taking what is not given. This, Master Gotama, brahmins declare as one's own property for a noble. Herein, Master Gotama, brahmins declare farming and cow-keeping as one's own property for a merchant; but a merchant who despises farming and cow-keeping as his own property is one who fails in his duty, like a cowherd taking what is not given. This, Master Gotama, brahmins declare as one's own property for a merchant. Herein, Master Gotama, brahmins declare sickle and carrying-pole as one's own property for a worker; but a worker who despises sickle and carrying-pole as his own property is one who fails in his duty, like a cowherd taking what is not given. This, Master Gotama, brahmins declare as one's own property for a worker. Brahmins, Master Gotama, declare these four kinds of wealth. What does Master Gotama say about this?"
441. "But, brahmin, does the whole world allow this to the brahmins - 'Let them declare these four kinds of wealth'?" "No indeed, Master Gotama." "Just as, brahmin, a man who is poor, penniless, destitute. They might attach a portion to him against his will - 'This meat, hey man, is to be eaten by you, and the price is to be paid.' Just so, brahmin, brahmins, without the acknowledgment of those ascetics and brahmins, and yet they declare these four kinds of wealth. I declare, brahmin, the noble supramundane teaching as a person's own property. But when one traces back his ancient maternal and paternal family lineage, wherever there is the production of individual existence, by that very thing he is reckoned. If there is the production of individual existence in a family of the warrior caste, he is reckoned simply as 'a noble'; if there is the production of individual existence in a brahmin family, he is reckoned simply as 'a brahmin'; if there is the production of individual existence in a merchant family, he is reckoned simply as 'a merchant'; if there is the production of individual existence in a worker family, he is reckoned simply as 'a worker'. Just as, brahmin, whatever condition dependent on which fire burns, by that very condition it is reckoned. If fire burns dependent on wood, it is reckoned simply as 'a wood fire'; if fire burns dependent on splinters, it is reckoned simply as 'a splinter fire'; if fire burns dependent on grass, it is reckoned simply as 'a grass fire'; if fire burns dependent on cow-dung, it is reckoned simply as 'a cow-dung fire'. Just so, brahmin, I declare the noble supramundane teaching as a person's own property. But when one traces back his ancient maternal and paternal family lineage, wherever there is the production of individual existence, by that very thing he is reckoned.
"If there is the production of individual existence in a family of the warrior caste, he is reckoned simply as 'a noble'; if there is the production of individual existence in a brahmin family, he is reckoned simply as 'a brahmin'; if there is the production of individual existence in a merchant family, he is reckoned simply as 'a merchant'; if there is the production of individual existence in a worker family, he is reckoned simply as 'a worker'.
"If even from a family of the warrior caste, brahmin, one has gone forth from home into homelessness, and having come to the Teaching and discipline proclaimed by the Truth-finder, he abstains from killing living beings, abstains from taking what is not given, abstains from not practising the holy life, abstains from lying, abstains from divisive speech, abstains from harsh speech, abstains from idle chatter, is non-covetous, has a mind without ill-will, holds right view, he is one who fulfils the true method, the wholesome teaching.
"If even from a brahmin family, brahmin, one has gone forth from home into homelessness, and having come to the Teaching and discipline proclaimed by the Truth-finder, he abstains from killing living beings, etc. he holds right view, he is one who fulfils the true method, the wholesome teaching.
"If even from a merchant family, brahmin, one has gone forth from home into homelessness, and having come to the Teaching and discipline proclaimed by the Truth-finder, he abstains from killing living beings, etc. he holds right view, he is one who fulfils the true method, the wholesome teaching.
"If from a worker family, brahmin, one has gone forth from home into homelessness, and having come to the Teaching and discipline proclaimed by the Truth-finder, he abstains from killing living beings, etc. he holds right view, he is one who fulfils the true method, the wholesome teaching.
442. "What do you think, brahmin, is it only a brahmin who is able to develop a mind of friendliness, free from enmity, free from ill-will, in this place, and not a noble, not a merchant, not a worker?" "No indeed, Master Gotama. A noble too indeed, Master Gotama, is able to develop a mind of friendliness, free from enmity, free from ill-will, in this place; a brahmin too indeed, Master Gotama, etc. a merchant too indeed, Master Gotama, etc. a worker too indeed, Master Gotama, etc. all four castes indeed, Master Gotama, are able to develop a mind of friendliness, free from enmity, free from ill-will, in this place." "Just so, brahmin, if even from a family of the warrior caste one has gone forth from home into homelessness, and having come to the Teaching and discipline proclaimed by the Truth-finder, he abstains from killing living beings, etc. he holds right view, he is one who fulfils the true method, the wholesome teaching.
"If even from a brahmin family, brahmin, etc. If even from a merchant family, brahmin, etc. If from a worker family, brahmin, one has gone forth from home into homelessness, and having come to the Teaching and discipline proclaimed by the Truth-finder, he abstains from killing living beings, etc. he holds right view, he is one who fulfils the true method, the wholesome teaching.
443. "What do you think, brahmin, is it only a brahmin who is able, having taken bathing paste, having gone to the river, to wash off dust and dirt, and not a noble, not a merchant, not a worker?" "No indeed, Master Gotama. A noble too indeed, Master Gotama, is able, having taken bathing paste, having gone to the river, to wash off dust and dirt; a brahmin too indeed, Master Gotama, etc. a merchant too indeed, Master Gotama, etc. a worker too indeed, Master Gotama, etc. all four castes indeed, Master Gotama, are able, having taken bathing paste, having gone to the river, to wash off dust and dirt." "Just so, brahmin, if even from a family of the warrior caste one has gone forth from home into homelessness, and having come to the Teaching and discipline proclaimed by the Truth-finder, he abstains from killing living beings, etc. he holds right view, he is one who fulfils the true method, the wholesome teaching.
"If even from a brahmin family, brahmin, etc. If even from a merchant family, brahmin, etc. If from a worker family, brahmin, one has gone forth from home into homelessness, and having come to the Teaching and discipline proclaimed by the Truth-finder, he abstains from killing living beings, etc. he holds right view, he is one who fulfils the true method, the wholesome teaching.
444. "What do you think, brahmin, suppose here a king of the warrior caste, anointed on the head, were to convoke a hundred men of various births - 'Let those sirs come who are arisen from families of the warrior caste, from brahmin families, from royal families, having taken an upper fire-stick of teak or sal or salaḷa or sandal or padumaka wood, let them produce fire, let them manifest heat; and let those sirs come who are arisen from outcast families, from hunter families, from basket-maker families, from chariot-maker families, from refuse-remover families, having taken an upper fire-stick from a dog's drinking trough or a pig's trough or a washerman's trough or castor-oil wood, let them produce fire, let them manifest heat.'
"What do you think, brahmin, would that fire produced by those arisen from families of the warrior caste, from brahmin families, from royal families, having taken an upper fire-stick of teak or sal or salaḷa or sandal or padumaka wood, that fire having heat manifested, would that fire alone be with flame and colourful and luminous, and would it be possible with that fire to do what should be done with fire; but that fire produced by those arisen from outcast families, from hunter families, from basket-maker families, from chariot-maker families, from refuse-remover families, having taken an upper fire-stick from a dog's drinking trough or a pig's trough or a washerman's trough or castor-oil wood, that fire having heat manifested, would that fire be without flame and without colour and without luminosity, and would it not be possible with that fire to do what should be done with fire?" "No indeed, Master Gotama. For that fire, Master Gotama, produced by those arisen from families of the warrior caste, from brahmin families, from royal families, having taken an upper fire-stick of teak or sal or salaḷa or sandal or padumaka wood, that fire having heat manifested, that fire would be with flame and colourful and luminous, and it would be possible with that fire to do what should be done with fire; and that fire produced by those arisen from outcast families, from hunter families, from basket-maker families, from chariot-maker families, from refuse-remover families, having taken an upper fire-stick from a dog's drinking trough or a pig's trough or a washerman's trough or castor-oil wood, that fire having heat manifested, that fire too would be with flame and colourful and luminous, and it would be possible with that fire to do what should be done with fire. For all fire, Master Gotama, is with flame and colourful and luminous, and with all fire it is possible to do what should be done with fire."
"Just so, brahmin, if even from a family of the warrior caste one has gone forth from home into homelessness, and having come to the Teaching and discipline proclaimed by the Truth-finder, he abstains from killing living beings, etc. he holds right view, he is one who fulfils the true method, the wholesome teaching. If even from a brahmin family, brahmin, etc. If even from a merchant family, brahmin, etc. If even from a worker family, brahmin, one has gone forth from home into homelessness, and having come to the Teaching and discipline proclaimed by the Truth-finder, he abstains from killing living beings, abstains from taking what is not given, abstains from not practising the holy life, abstains from lying, abstains from divisive speech, abstains from harsh speech, abstains from idle chatter, is non-covetous, has a mind without ill-will, holds right view, he is one who fulfils the true method, the wholesome teaching."
When this was said, the brahmin Esukārī said this to the Blessed One - "Excellent, Master Gotama, excellent, Master Gotama! Etc. May Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge from this day forth for life."
The Discourse on Esukārī is concluded as sixth.