Saṁyutta Nikāya — Discursos Conectados — 7.7 — With Bhāradvāja the Pure

1At Sāvatthī.

2Then the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Pure went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him.

3When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side, and spoke this verse in his presence:

4“No brahmin in the world is ever purified
even though he’s ethical and mortifies himself.
But one accomplished in knowledge and conduct
is purified, not these other commoners.”

5“Even one who mutters many prayers
is no brahmin by birth
if they’re filthy and corrupt within,
supporting themselves by fawning.

6Regardless of whether you’re an aristocrat,
a brahmin, peasant, menial, <j>or a corpse-worker or scavenger—
if you’re energetic and resolute,
always staunchly vigorous,
you’ll attain ultimate purity.
Know that for a fact, brahmin.”

7When he had spoken, the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Pure said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama …” … And Venerable Bhāradvāja became one of the perfected.