4.
The Discourse to Kasibhāradvāja
Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling among the Magadhans in the Southern Hills at Ekanāḷā, a brahmin village. Now at that time about five hundred ploughs of the brahmin Kasibhāradvāja were yoked at sowing time. Then the Blessed One, having dressed in the earlier period of the day, taking his bowl and robe, approached the workplace of the brahmin Kasibhāradvāja. Now at that time the food distribution of the brahmin Kasibhāradvāja was taking place. Then the Blessed One approached where the food distribution was; having approached, he stood to one side.
The brahmin Kasibhāradvāja saw the Blessed One standing for almsfood. Having seen the Blessed One, he said this - "I, ascetic, plough and sow; and having ploughed and sown, I eat. You too, ascetic, plough and sow; and having ploughed and sown, eat."
"I too, brahmin, plough and sow; and having ploughed and sown, I eat." "But we do not see Master Gotama's yoke or plough or ploughshare or goad or oxen. And yet Master Gotama says thus - 'I too, brahmin, plough and sow; and having ploughed and sown, I eat.'"
Then the brahmin Kasibhāradvāja addressed the Blessed One in verse -
76.
Being asked, tell us about your ploughing, so that we may know your ploughing."
77.
Shame is the pole, mind is the strap, mindfulness is my ploughshare and goad.
78.
I make truth the weeding, meekness is my release.
79.
It goes without turning back, where having gone one does not grieve.
80.
Having ploughed this ploughing, one is freed from all suffering."
Then the brahmin Kasibhāradvāja, having served milk-rice in a large bronze dish, offered it to the Blessed One - "Let Master Gotama eat the milk-rice. Master is a farmer; For Master Gotama ploughs the ploughing that has the Deathless as its fruit."
81.
The Buddhas reject what is gained by reciting verses, brahmin, when the Teaching exists, this is the way of living.
82.
Attend upon him with food and drink, for that is the field for one seeking merit."
"Then to whom, Master Gotama, should I give this milk-rice?" "I do not see anyone, brahmin, in the world with its gods, with its Māras, with its Brahmās, among the generation with its ascetics and brahmins, with its gods and humans, by whom that milk-rice, when eaten, would be properly digested, except for the Truth-finder or a disciple of the Truth-finder. Well then, brahmin, throw that milk-rice where there is little green vegetation, or drop it in water without living creatures."
Then the brahmin Kasibhāradvāja dropped that milk-rice in water without living creatures. Then that milk-rice, thrown into the water, hissed, sizzled, emitted smoke, and sent forth steam. Just as a ploughshare heated all day, thrown into water, hisses, sizzles, emits smoke, and sends forth steam; so too that milk-rice, thrown into the water, hissed, sizzled, emitted smoke, and sent forth steam.
Then the brahmin Kasibhāradvāja, agitated, with hair standing on end, approached the Blessed One; having approached, having fallen at the Blessed One's feet with his head, he said this to the Blessed One - "Excellent, Master Gotama, excellent, Master Gotama! Just as, Master Gotama, one might set upright what had been overturned, or reveal what had been concealed, or point out the path to one who was lost, or hold up an oil lamp in the darkness so that those with good eyesight might see forms; so too, the Teaching has been made clear by Master Gotama in many ways. I go for refuge to Master Gotama, to the Teaching, and to the Community of monks. May I receive the going forth under Master Gotama, may I receive the full ordination."
Then the brahmin Kasibhāradvāja received the going forth under the Blessed One, he received the full ordination. And not long after being fully ordained, dwelling alone, withdrawn, diligent, ardent, and resolute, the Venerable Bhāradvāja soon realised for himself, with direct knowledge, in this very life, that unsurpassed consummation of the holy life or the sake of which sons of good family rightly go forth from home into homelessness; and, having entered upon it, he dwelt in it. He directly knew: "Birth is eliminated, the holy life has been lived, what had to be done has been done, there is no more coming back to any state of being." And the Venerable Bhāradvāja became one of the Worthy Ones.
The Discourse on Kasibhāradvāja is concluded as fourth.