Saṃyutta Nikāya
I. Sagātha Vagga
7. Brāhmana Saṃyutta
The Book of the Kindred Sayings
I. Kindred Sayings with Verses
7. The Brāhmana Suttas
Translated by Mrs. Rhys Davids
Assisted by Sūriyagoḍa Sumangala Thera
Public Domain
II: The Lay Adherents
Sutta 16
Paccanīka Suttaṃ
The Gainsayer
[16.1][than] THUS HAVE I HEARD:
On one occasion, at Sāvatthi,
a brahmin named The Gainsayer[1]
was living at Sāvatthi.
And he thought:
"What if I were to go to visit the Samana Gotama,
and to whatever he says,
I were to maintain the opposite?"
Now on that occasion the Exalted One
was walking to and fro in the open air.
And Gainsayer drew nigh
and followed the Exalted One
as he walked to and fro,
and said:
"Recite some doctrine, friar!"
[The Exalted One:—]
"Nay, not with thee, Gainsayer, with thine heart
Corrupt and full of animosity,
Sound thinking or sound speaking [shall I find].
[227] Whoso can strife and discord of the mind[2]
Suppress, and give up enmity, 't is he
In truth can apprehend what's soundly spoke."
When he had thus spoken, Gainsayer the brahmin said:
"Most excellent, Master Gotama, most excellent!
As if one raised up
that which had been overthrown,
or revealed
that which had been hidden,
or declared the way
to one who was bewildered,
or carried an oil-lamp into the dark,
so that they that had eyes could see,
even so is the Norm in many ways
made manifest by Master Gotama.
Lo! I go for refuge to Gotama the Exalted One,
to the Norm,
and to the Order.
May Master Gotama suffer me as a lay-adherent,
who from this day forth
as long as life endures
has taken in him refuge!"
[1] Lit. Happy-in-gainsaying, or opposing. If some one said: 'it's all white,' he would say: 'it's all black,' etc. Comy.
[2] Appasada, the opposite of that pleasure arising from satisfaction which is harmony.
