7.
The Discourse on the Outcast
Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Then the Blessed One, having dressed in the earlier period of the day, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for almsfood. Now at that time in the dwelling of the brahmin Aggikabhāradvāja, a fire was blazing and an oblation was held up. Then the Blessed One, walking for almsfood successively in Sāvatthī, approached the dwelling of the brahmin Aggikabhāradvāja.
The brahmin Aggikabhāradvāja saw the Blessed One coming from afar. Having seen the Blessed One, he said this - "Stay right there, shaveling; stay right there, petty ascetic; stay right there, outcast!"
When this was said, the Blessed One said this to the brahmin Aggikabhāradvāja - "But do you know, brahmin, an outcast or the qualities that make one an outcast?" "I do not know, Master Gotama, an outcast or the qualities that make one an outcast; it would be good if Master Gotama would expound to me the Teaching in such a way that I might know an outcast or the qualities that make one an outcast." "Well then, brahmin, listen, pay close attention; I will speak." "Yes, sir," the brahmin Aggikabhāradvāja assented to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this:
116.
One with wrong views and deceitful, one should know him as an outcast."
117.
One who has no compassion for living beings, one should know him as an outcast."
118.
Known as an oppressor, one should know him as an outcast."
119.
One who takes by theft what is not given, one should know him as an outcast."
120.
'There is no debt to you,' one should know him as an outcast."
121.
Having killed, takes a trifle, one should know him as an outcast."
122.
Being asked as a witness speaks falsely, one should know him as an outcast."
123.
Whether by force or by mutual desire, one should know him as an outcast.
124.
Though being able, one should know him as an outcast."
125.
One should know him as an outcast."
126.
Counsels with concealment, one should know him as an outcast."
127.
Whoever is of concealed actions, one should know him as an outcast."
128.
Does not honour in return one who has come, one should know him as an outcast."
129.
with lying, one should know him as an outcast."
130.
Irritates with speech and does not give, one should know him as an outcast."
131.
Seeking to gain some trifle, one should know him as an outcast."
132.
Low through that conceit, one should know him as an outcast."
133.
Shameless, without moral fear, one should know him as an outcast."
134.
Whether a wandering ascetic or a householder, one should know him as an outcast.
135.
He is a thief in the world including the Brahmās, he is the lowest of outcasts.
136.
Not by birth is one an outcast, not by birth is one a brahmin;
By action one is an outcast, by action one is a brahmin.
137.
The son of an outcast, a dog-eater, renowned as Mātaṅga.
138.
Many nobles and brahmins came to attend upon him.
139.
Having removed sensual lust, he was reborn in the Brahma world;
Birth did not prevent him from rebirth in the Brahma world.
140.
Yet they are repeatedly seen in evil deeds.
141.
Birth does not prevent them from an unfortunate realm or from blame.
142.
By action one is an outcast, by action one is a brahmin."
When this was said, the brahmin Aggikabhāradvāja said this to the Blessed One - "Excellent, Master Gotama! Etc. May Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge from this day forth for life."
The Discourse on the Outcast is concluded as seventh.