8.
The Discourse on the Firewood Gatherer
204.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling among the Kosalans in a certain jungle thicket.
Now at that time several pupils of a certain brahmin of the Bhāradvāja clan, young men who were firewood gatherers, approached that jungle thicket;
having approached, they saw the Blessed One seated in that jungle thicket, folding his legs crosswise, directing his body upright, having established mindfulness in front of him.
Having seen him, they approached the brahmin of the Bhāradvāja clan;
having approached, they said this to the brahmin of the Bhāradvāja clan -
"May you know, sir!
In such and such a jungle thicket an ascetic is seated, folding his legs crosswise, directing his body upright, having established mindfulness in front of him."
Then the brahmin of the Bhāradvāja clan together with those young men approached that jungle thicket.
He saw the Blessed One seated in that jungle thicket, folding his legs crosswise, directing his body upright, having established mindfulness in front of him.
Having seen him, he approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he addressed the Blessed One in verse -
Having entered an empty wilderness, deserted of people;
With unmoving, steady, lovely body,
How very beautifully indeed you meditate, monk.
Alone in the forest, the sage dwelling in the woods;
This appears wonderful to me,
That alone, with joyful mind, you dwell in the forest.
Longing for the unsurpassed celestial realm;
Why have you, sir, resorted to the deserted wilderness,
Practising austere asceticism here for attaining Brahmā?"
Various, always attached to the many elements;
Cravings arisen from the root of ignorance,
All have been made to end by me, together with their root.
With purified vision regarding all phenomena;
Having attained the unsurpassed, safe highest enlightenment,
I meditate, brahmin, in a secret place, confident."
When this was said, the brahmin of the Bhāradvāja clan said this to the Blessed One - "Excellent, Master Gotama, excellent, Master Gotama! Etc. From this day forth, may he remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life."