7.
The Discourse on Vassakāra
187.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels' Feeding Ground.
Then the brahmin Vassakāra, the chief minister of Magadha, approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he exchanged friendly greetings with the Blessed One.
Having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, he sat down to one side.
Seated to one side, the brahmin Vassakāra, the chief minister of Magadha, said this to the Blessed One -
"Would, Master Gotama, a bad person know a bad person - 'This person is a bad person'?" "This is impossible, brahmin, there is no chance that a bad person would know a bad person - 'This person is a bad person'." "But would, Master Gotama, a bad person know a good person - 'This person is a good person'?" "This too, brahmin, is impossible, there is no chance that a bad person would know a good person - 'This person is a good person'." "Would, Master Gotama, a good person know a good person - 'This person is a good person'?" "There is this possibility, brahmin, that a good person would know a good person - 'This person is a good person'." "But would, Master Gotama, a good person know a bad person - 'This person is a bad person'?" "This too indeed, brahmin, is a possibility that a good person would know a bad person - 'This person is a bad person'."
"It is wonderful, Master Gotama, it is marvellous, Master Gotama! How well spoken is this by Master Gotama - 'This is impossible, brahmin, there is no chance that a bad person would know a bad person - this person is a bad person. This too, brahmin, is impossible, there is no chance that a bad person would know a good person - this person is a good person. There is this possibility, brahmin, that a good person would know a good person - this person is a good person. This too indeed, brahmin, is a possibility that a good person would know a bad person - this person is a bad person'."
"On one occasion, Master Gotama, in the assembly of the brahmin Todeyya, they were speaking censure of others - 'This King Eḷeyya is foolish, he is devoted to the ascetic Rāmaputta, and he performs such supreme respect towards the ascetic Rāmaputta, namely paying respect, rising up in respect, salutation with joined palms, and doing the proper duties.' These attendants of King Eḷeyya are also foolish - Yamaka, Moggalla, Ugga, Nāvindakī, Gandhabba, and Aggivessa, who are devoted to the ascetic Rāmaputta, and they perform such supreme respect towards the ascetic Rāmaputta, namely paying respect, rising up in respect, salutation with joined palms, and doing the proper duties. The brahmin Todeyya leads them by this method. What do you think, sirs, is King Eḷeyya wise, in matters to be done and matters requiring extra attention, in matters to be spoken and matters requiring extra speech, more capable of seeing what is beneficial than those capable of seeing what is beneficial? 'Yes, sir, King Eḷeyya is wise, in matters to be done and matters requiring extra attention, in matters to be spoken and matters requiring extra speech, more capable of seeing what is beneficial than those capable of seeing what is beneficial.'
"Because, sir, the ascetic Rāmaputta is wiser than King Eḷeyya who is wise, in matters to be done and matters requiring extra attention, in matters to be spoken and matters requiring extra speech, more capable of seeing what is beneficial than one capable of seeing what is beneficial, therefore King Eḷeyya is devoted to the ascetic Rāmaputta, and he performs such supreme respect towards the ascetic Rāmaputta, namely paying respect, rising up in respect, salutation with joined palms, and doing the proper duties."
"What do you think, sirs, are the attendants of King Eḷeyya wise - Yamaka, Moggalla, Ugga, Nāvindakī, Gandhabba, and Aggivessa, in matters to be done and matters requiring extra attention, in matters to be spoken and matters requiring extra speech, more capable of seeing what is beneficial than those capable of seeing what is beneficial? 'Yes, sir, the attendants of King Eḷeyya are wise - Yamaka, Moggalla, Ugga, Nāvindakī, Gandhabba, and Aggivessa, in matters to be done and matters requiring extra attention, in matters to be spoken and matters requiring extra speech, more capable of seeing what is beneficial than those capable of seeing what is beneficial.'
"Because, sir, the ascetic Rāmaputta is wiser than the wise attendants of King Eḷeyya, in matters to be done and matters requiring extra attention, in matters to be spoken and matters requiring extra speech, more capable of seeing what is beneficial than those capable of seeing what is beneficial, therefore the attendants of King Eḷeyya are devoted to the ascetic Rāmaputta; and they perform such supreme respect towards the ascetic Rāmaputta, namely paying respect, rising up in respect, salutation with joined palms, and doing the proper duties."
"It is wonderful, Master Gotama, it is marvellous, Master Gotama! How well spoken is this by Master Gotama - 'This is impossible, brahmin, there is no chance that a bad person would know a bad person - this person is a bad person. This too, brahmin, is impossible, there is no chance that a bad person would know a good person - this person is a good person. There is this possibility, brahmin, that a good person would know a good person - this person is a good person. This too indeed, brahmin, is a possibility that a good person would know a bad person - "This person is a bad person."' Well then, Master Gotama, we will now go. We have much to do, we have many duties." "Now do as you think fit, brahmin." Then the brahmin Vassakāra, the chief minister of Magadha, having delighted in and given thanks for what the Blessed One had said, rose from his seat and departed. The seventh.