4.
The Discourse on Bharaṇḍu the Kālāma
127.
On one occasion the Blessed One was wandering on a journey among the Kosalans and arrived at Kapilavatthu.
Mahānāma the Sakyan heard -
"The Blessed One, it is said, has arrived at Kapilavatthu."
Then Mahānāma the Sakyan approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and stood to one side.
To Mahānāma the Sakyan standing to one side, the Blessed One said this:
"Go, Mahānāma, find out in Kapilavatthu such a public rest-house where we might stay for one night today." "Yes, venerable sir," Mahānāma the Sakyan, having assented to the Blessed One, having entered Kapilavatthu, wandering about almost the whole of Kapilavatthu, did not see in Kapilavatthu such a public rest-house where the Blessed One might stay for one night today.
Then Mahānāma the Sakyan approached the Blessed One; having approached, he said this to the Blessed One - "There is not, venerable sir, in Kapilavatthu such a public rest-house where the Blessed One might stay for one night today. This Bharaṇḍu Kālāma, venerable sir, is a former fellow practitioner of the holy life of the Blessed One. Let the Blessed One stay for one night today in his hermitage." "Go, Mahānāma, prepare a mat." "Yes, venerable sir," Mahānāma the Sakyan, having assented to the Blessed One, approached the hermitage of Bharaṇḍu Kālāma; having approached, having prepared a mat, having set out water for washing the feet, he approached the Blessed One; having approached, he said this to the Blessed One - "The mat is spread, venerable sir, water is set out for washing the feet. Now let the Blessed One do as he thinks fit, venerable sir."
Then the Blessed One approached the hermitage of Bharaṇḍu Kālāma; having approached, he sat down on the prepared seat. Having sat down, the Blessed One washed his feet. Then this occurred to Mahānāma the Sakyan - "It is not the right time today to attend upon the Blessed One. The Blessed One is weary. Tomorrow I shall attend upon the Blessed One," and having paid respect to the Blessed One and circumambulated him keeping him on his right, he departed.
Then Mahānāma the Sakyan, after that night had passed, approached the Blessed One; having approached, he sat down to one side. To Mahānāma the Sakyan seated to one side, the Blessed One said this: "There are, Mahānāma, three teachers existing and found in the world. Which three? Here, Mahānāma, a certain teacher declares the full understanding of sensual pleasures; he does not declare the full understanding of material forms, he does not declare the full understanding of feelings. Here again, Mahānāma, a certain teacher declares the full understanding of sensual pleasures, he declares the full understanding of material forms; he does not declare the full understanding of feelings. Here again, Mahānāma, a certain teacher declares the full understanding of sensual pleasures, he declares the full understanding of material forms, he declares the full understanding of feelings. These, Mahānāma, are the three teachers existing and found in the world. Of these three teachers, Mahānāma, is there one goal or are there different goals?"
When this was said, Bharaṇḍu Kālāma said this to Mahānāma the Sakyan - "Say 'one', Mahānāma." When this was said, the Blessed One said this to Mahānāma the Sakyan - "Say 'different', Mahānāma." For the second time Bharaṇḍu Kālāma said this to Mahānāma the Sakyan - "Say 'one', Mahānāma." For the second time the Blessed One said this to Mahānāma the Sakyan - "Say 'different', Mahānāma." For the third time Bharaṇḍu Kālāma said this to Mahānāma the Sakyan - "Say 'one', Mahānāma." For the third time the Blessed One said this to Mahānāma the Sakyan - "Say 'different', Mahānāma."
Then this occurred to Bharaṇḍu Kālāma - "Indeed I have been disparaged by the ascetic Gotama up to the third time in the presence of the influential Mahānāma the Sakyan. What if I were to depart from Kapilavatthu?" Then Bharaṇḍu Kālāma departed from Kapilavatthu. Having departed from Kapilavatthu, he was gone just as he had departed, and did not return again. The fourth.