4.
The Discourse on Vajjiyamāhita
94.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Campā on the bank of the Gaggarā pond.
Then the householder Vajjiyamāhita went out from Campā during the day to see the Blessed One.
Then the householder Vajjiyamāhita had this thought:
"It is not the right time yet to see the Blessed One.
The Blessed One is in seclusion.
It is also not the right time to see the monks who cultivate the mind.
The monks who cultivate the mind are also in seclusion.
What if I were to approach the park of the heterodox wandering ascetics?"
Then the householder Vajjiyamāhita approached the park of the heterodox wandering ascetics. Now at that time those heterodox wandering ascetics, having come together and assembled, were noisy, with loud noise and great noise, sitting engaged in various kinds of pointless talk.
Those heterodox wandering ascetics saw the householder Vajjiyamāhita coming from afar. Having seen him, they made an agreement among themselves: "Let the venerable ones be quiet. Let the venerable ones not make a sound. This householder Vajjiyamāhita is coming, a disciple of the ascetic Gotama. As far as the lay disciples of the ascetic Gotama who are clad in white dwell at Campā, this householder Vajjiyamāhita is one of them. These venerable ones desire quietness, are disciplined in quietness, and speak in praise of quietness. Perhaps, having noticed that the assembly is quiet, he might think it fit to approach."
Then those heterodox wandering ascetics became silent. Then the householder Vajjiyamāhita approached those heterodox wandering ascetics; having approached, he exchanged friendly greetings with those heterodox wandering ascetics. Having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, he sat down to one side. To the householder Vajjiyamāhita seated to one side, those heterodox wandering ascetics said this: "Is it true, householder, that the ascetic Gotama censures all austere asceticism, that he absolutely reproaches and blames every austere ascetic who leads a miserable life?" "No indeed, venerable sirs, the Blessed One does not censure all austere asceticism, nor does he absolutely reproach and blame every austere ascetic who leads a miserable life. The Blessed One, venerable sirs, censures what is blameworthy and praises what is praiseworthy. But, venerable sirs, the Blessed One, censuring what is blameworthy and praising what is praiseworthy, is an analyst. The Blessed One is not one who speaks absolutely in this matter."
When this was said, a certain wandering ascetic said this to the householder Vajjiyamāhita: "Wait, householder, this ascetic Gotama whose praises you speak, is he not a nihilist, one without a doctrine?" "Here, venerable sirs, I will tell you with reason: 'This is wholesome,' venerable sirs, has been laid down by the Blessed One; 'This is unwholesome,' venerable sirs, has been laid down by the Blessed One. Thus the Blessed One, declaring the wholesome and unwholesome, is one with a doctrine; the Blessed One is not a nihilist, not one without a doctrine."
When this was said, those wandering ascetics sat silent, downcast, with drooping shoulders, with faces cast down, pondering, bewildered. Then the householder Vajjiyamāhita, having understood that those wandering ascetics had become silent, downcast, with drooping shoulders, with faces cast down, pondering, bewildered, having risen from his seat, approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the householder Vajjiyamāhita reported to the Blessed One all the friendly conversation he had with those heterodox wandering ascetics.
"Good, good, householder! Thus indeed, householder, those foolish men should from time to time be thoroughly refuted with reason. I do not say, householder, that all austere asceticism should be practised; nor do I say, householder, that all austere asceticism should not be practised; I do not say, householder, that all observance should be undertaken; nor do I say, householder, that all observance should not be undertaken; I do not say, householder, that all striving should be striven; nor do I say, householder, that all striving should not be striven; I do not say, householder, that all relinquishment should be relinquished. Nor do I say, householder, that all relinquishment should not be relinquished; I do not say, householder, that all liberation should be liberated; nor do I say, householder, that all liberation should not be liberated.
For whatever austere asceticism, householder, when practising which unwholesome mental states increase and wholesome mental states decline, I say such austere asceticism should not be practised. But whatever austere asceticism, householder, when practising which unwholesome mental states decline and wholesome mental states increase, I say such austere asceticism should be practised.
For whatever observance, householder, when undertaking which unwholesome mental states increase and wholesome mental states decline, I say such observance should not be undertaken. But whatever observance, householder, when undertaking which unwholesome mental states decline and wholesome mental states increase, I say such observance should be undertaken.
For whatever striving, householder, when striving which unwholesome mental states increase and wholesome mental states decline, I say such striving should not be striven. But whatever striving, householder, when striving which unwholesome mental states decline and wholesome mental states increase, I say such striving should be striven.
For whatever relinquishment, householder, when relinquishing which unwholesome mental states increase and wholesome mental states decline, I say such relinquishment should not be relinquished. But whatever relinquishment, householder, when relinquishing which unwholesome mental states decline and wholesome mental states increase, I say such relinquishment should be relinquished.
For whatever liberation, householder, when liberating which unwholesome mental states increase and wholesome mental states decline, I say such liberation should not be liberated. But whatever liberation, householder, when liberating which unwholesome mental states decline and wholesome mental states increase, I say such liberation should be liberated."
Then the householder Vajjiyamāhita, having been instructed, encouraged, inspired, and gladdened by the Blessed One with a talk on the Teaching, rose from his seat, paid respect to the Blessed One, circumambulated him keeping him on his right, and departed.
Then the Blessed One, soon after the householder Vajjiyamāhita had departed, addressed the monks - "Even a monk, monks, who has for a long time had little dust in his eyes in this Teaching and discipline, should restrain heterodox wandering ascetics, having well restrained them with reason, just as they were restrained by the householder Vajjiyamāhita." The fourth.