Agganna Sutta (On Knowledge of Beginnings)
Once upon a time, in the city of Savatthi, the Lord resided at the mansion of Migara’s mother in the East Park. During this time, two individuals named Vasettha and Bharadvaja, aspiring to become monks, were residing among the monastic community. One evening, as the Lord emerged from his meditation and walked in the mansion’s shade, Vasettha noticed and said to Bharadvaja, “Friend Bharadvaja, the Lord has come out. Let’s approach him; perhaps we’ll be fortunate to hear a Dhamma talk from the Lord himself.” Bharadvaja agreed, and they went to the Lord, saluted him, and walked beside him.
The Lord inquired, “Vasettha, both of you are Brahmins by birth, having renounced your household lives to become monks. Do the Brahmins not criticize and belittle you?”
Vasettha replied, “Indeed, Lord, the Brahmins revile us. They spare no words in their reproach.”
“What kind of accusations do they hurl at you?” the Lord asked.
Vasettha explained, “Lord, the Brahmins claim their caste is superior, labeling other castes as inferior. They assert Brahmins are fair, while others are dark-skinned. According to them, Brahmins alone are purified, while non-Brahmins are not. They declare Brahmins as the true offspring of Brahma, born from his mouth. They chastise us for abandoning the noble caste to join the ranks of ascetics, considering it improper for us to associate with such people. That’s how the Brahmins insult us, Lord.”
The Lord responded, “Vasettha, these Brahmins have strayed from their ancient traditions. Brahmin women, wives of Brahmins, menstruate, give birth, and nurse their infants. Yet these Brahmins falsely claim to be born from Brahma’s mouth. They distort the truth, earning demerit in the process.
“In reality, there are four castes: Kshatriyas, Brahmins, merchants, and artisans. Virtuous and immoral qualities can be found among individuals from all these castes. Immoral actions, censured by the wise, occur in all castes, while moral conduct, praised by the wise, is also present in all. The wise do not uphold the Brahmin caste as supreme, as dark and bright qualities are scattered across all castes.
“Anyone from these castes who becomes an Arahant, transcending the worldly limitations, is truly supreme through Dhamma, not by birth. Dhamma is the ultimate guide for people in this life and the next.
“Let me illustrate why Dhamma is paramount in both worlds. King Pasenadi of Kosala acknowledges the Sakyan ascetic Gotama. Just as the Sakyans venerate their king, King Pasenadi pays homage to the Tathagata, honoring the Dhamma. It is through their reverence for Dhamma that King Pasenadi humbly serves the Tathagata, acknowledging the supremacy of Dhamma.
“Vasettha, regardless of your birth, name, clan, or family, if asked, identify yourselves as ascetics, followers of the Sakyan. One whose faith in the Tathagata is unwavering can rightfully claim to be a true disciple of the Blessed Lord, born from his mouth, born of Dhamma, created by Dhamma, and an heir of Dhamma. This is because the Tathagata embodies the essence of Dhamma, the embodiment of Brahma.
“In the cosmic cycle, there are times when the world contracts, and beings reside in the Abhassara Brahma world. After a long period, the world expands again, and these beings are reborn here. Initially, there was only water and darkness. Moon, sun, stars, and days were yet to exist. Beings were undistinguished, and male and female identities did not exist. Eventually, earth appeared over the waters, akin to the skin forming on cooled milk. It had color, smell, and taste similar to ghee or honey.
“Beings savored this earth, and their luminous bodies diminished. Moon and sun arose, night and day were distinguished, and life progressed. As beings indulged excessively, distinctions in looks and genders emerged. Due to their arrogance, the savory earth vanished. Fungus, creepers, and rice followed, each marking a new stage of evolution.
“As they indulged, their bodies coarsened, and distinctions became more pronounced. Greed, lust, and sexual activity entered their lives. Punishment originated as immoral deeds surfaced. When humans formed societies, they introduced rules and punishments.
“Over time, societal structures emerged. Khattiya, Brahmin, Vessa, and Sudda classes came into being based on their occupations and actions. The class of ascetics was formed when individuals from these classes chose the path of renunciation.
“However, one’s birth doesn’t define their worth. A person’s actions and intentions determine their destiny. A virtuous life leads to a heavenly realm, while immoral conduct results in suffering. Those who balance good and bad experiences both pleasure and pain.
“Ultimately, one who achieves restraint in body, speech, and thought, and develops enlightenment’s requisites, attains enlightenment in this lifetime. Such a person transcends the cycle of rebirth and experiences ultimate liberation.
“It was Brahma Sanankumara who proclaimed:
The Khattiya’s best among those who value clan; He with knowledge and conduct is best of gods and men.
This verse holds true, Vasettha. Dhamma is the supreme guide for all beings, in this life and the next.”
Vasettha and Bharadvaja were delighted and inspired by the Lord’s words, recognizing the profound truth in his teachings.
Link: https://wisdomtea.org/2023/10/26/agganna-sutta-on-knowledge-of-beginnings/
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