Saṁyutta Nikāya — Discursos Conectados — 7.16 — The Contraphile

1At Sāvatthī.

2Now at that time a brahmin named Contraphile, who loved contradiction, was residing in Sāvatthī.

3Then Contraphile thought, “Why don’t I go to the ascetic Gotama and contradict everything he says?”

4At that time the Buddha was walking mindfully in the open air.

5Then the brahmin Contraphile went up to the Buddha, and said to him as he was walking, “Ascetic, preach the Dhamma.”

6“Fine words aren’t easy to understand
by a lover of contradiction,
whose mind is tainted
and full of aggression.

7But when you’ve dispelled aggression,
and your suspicious mind,
and you’ve got rid of resentment,
then you’ll understand fine words.”

8When he had spoken, the brahmin Contraphile said to the Buddha, “Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent! … From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”