Sutta Nipāta — Antologia de Discursos — 1.7 — The Lowlife

1So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. Now at that time in the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper’s home the sacred flame had been kindled and the oblation prepared. Wandering indiscriminately for almsfood in Sāvatthī, the Buddha approached Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper’s house.

2Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper saw the Buddha coming off in the distance and said to him, “Stop right there, shaveling! Right there, fake ascetic! Right there, lowlife!”

3When he said this, the Buddha said to him, “But brahmin, do you know what is a lowlife or what are the qualities that make you a lowlife?” “No I do not, worthy Gotama. Please, worthy Gotama, teach me this matter so I can understand what is a lowlife or what are the qualities that make you a lowlife.” “Well then, brahmin, listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.” “Yes, worthy sir,” Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper replied. The Buddha said this:

4“Irritable and acrimonious,
wicked and offensive,
a man deficient in view, deceitful:
know him as a lowlife.

5He harms living creatures
born of womb or of egg,
and has no kindness for creatures:
know him as a lowlife.

6He destroys and devastates
villages and towns,
a notorious oppressor:
know him as a lowlife.

7Whether in village or wilderness,
he steals what belongs to others,
taking what has not been given:
know him as a lowlife.

8Having fallen into debt,
when pressed to pay up he flees, saying
‘I don’t owe you anything!’:
know him as a lowlife.

9Wanting some item or other,
he attacks a person in the street
and takes it:
know him as a lowlife.

10For his own sake or the sake of another,
or for the sake of wealth, a man
tells a lie when asked to bear witness:
know him as a lowlife.

11He is spied among the partners
of relatives and friends,
by force or seduction:
know him as a lowlife.

12Though able, he does not look after
his mother and father
when elderly, past their prime:
know him as a lowlife.

13He hits or verbally abuses
his mother or father,
brother, sister, or mother-in-law:
know him as a lowlife.

14When asked about the good,
he teaches what is bad,
giving secretive advice:
know him as a lowlife.

15Having done a bad deed, he wishes,
‘May no one find me out!’
His deeds are underhand:
know him as a lowlife.

16When visiting another family
he eats their delicious food,
but does not return the honor:
know him as a lowlife.

17He deceives with lies
ascetics and brahmins
and other supplicants:
know him as a lowlife.

18When time comes to offer a meal
to brahmins or ascetics,
he abuses them and does not give:
know him as a lowlife.

19He talks about what never happened,
being wrapped up in delusion,
chasing after some item or other:
know him as a lowlife.

20He extols himself
and disparages others,
brought down by his pride:
know him as a lowlife.

21He’s a bully and a miser,
of corrupt wishes, stingy, and devious,
shameless, imprudent:
know him as a lowlife.

22He insults the Buddha
or his disciple,
whether lay or renunciate:
know him as a lowlife.

23He claims to be a perfected one,
when he really is no such thing.
In the world with its divinities,
that crook is truly the lowest lowlife.
These who are called lowlifes
I have revealed to you.

24You’re not a lowlife by birth,
nor by birth are you a brahmin.
You’re a lowlife by your deeds,
by deeds you’re a brahmin.

25And also you should know
according to this example.
A corpse-worker’s son of the dog-eating caste
became renowned as Mātaṅga.

26Mātaṅga achieved the highest fame
so very hard to find.
Lots of aristocrats and brahmins
came to serve him.

27He ascended the stainless highway
that leads to the heavens;
having discarded sensual desire,
he was reborn in a realm of divinity.
His birth did not prevent him
from rebirth in the realm of divinity.

28Those born in a brahmin family
who recite as kinsmen of the hymns,
are often discovered
in the midst of wicked deeds.

29Blameworthy in this very life,
and in lives to come, a bad destination.
Their birth does not prevent them
from blame or bad destiny.

30You’re not a lowlife by birth,
nor by birth are you a brahmin.
You’re a lowlife by your deeds,
by deeds you’re a brahmin.”

31When he had spoken, the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper 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.”