SN 7.11 With Bhāradvāja the Farmer

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

So I have heard.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā magadhesu viharati dakkhiṇāgirismiṁ ekanāḷāyaṁ brāhmaṇagāme.

At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Magadhans in the Southern Hills near the brahmin village of Ekanāḷa.

Tena kho pana samayena kasibhāradvājassa brāhmaṇassa pañcamattāni naṅgalasatāni payuttāni honti vappakāle.

Now at that time the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Farmer had harnessed around five hundred plows, it being the season for sowing.

Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena kasibhāradvājassa brāhmaṇassa kammanto tenupasaṅkami.

Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, went to where Bhāradvāja the Farmer was working.

Tena kho pana samayena kasibhāradvājassa brāhmaṇassa parivesanā vattati.

Now at that time Bhāradvāja the Farmer was distributing food.

Atha kho bhagavā yena parivesanā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi.

Then the Buddha went to where the distribution was taking place and stood to one side.

Addasā kho kasibhāradvājo brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ piṇḍāya ṭhitaṁ.

Bhāradvāja the Farmer saw him standing for alms

Disvā bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

and said to him,

“ahaṁ kho, samaṇa, kasāmi ca vapāmi ca, kasitvā ca vapitvā ca bhuñjāmi.

“I plough and sow, ascetic, and then I eat.

Tvampi, samaṇa, kasassu ca vapassu ca, kasitvā ca vapitvā ca bhuñjassū”ti.

You too should plough and sow, then you may eat.”

“Ahampi kho, brāhmaṇa, kasāmi ca vapāmi ca, kasitvā ca vapitvā ca bhuñjāmī”ti.

“I too plough and sow, brahmin, and then I eat.”

“Na kho mayaṁ passāma bhoto gotamassa yugaṁ vā naṅgalaṁ vā phālaṁ vā pācanaṁ vā balībadde vā, atha ca pana bhavaṁ gotamo evamāha:

“I don’t see the worthy Gotama with a yoke or plow or plowshare or goad or oxen, yet he says:

‘ahampi kho, brāhmaṇa, kasāmi ca vapāmi ca, kasitvā ca vapitvā ca bhuñjāmī’”ti.

‘I too plough and sow, brahmin, and then I eat.’”

Atha kho kasibhāradvājo brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

Then Bhāradvāja the Farmer addressed the Buddha in verse:

“Kassako paṭijānāsi,

“You claim to be a farmer,

na ca passāmi te kasiṁ;

but I don’t see you farming.

Kassako pucchito brūhi,

Tell me how you’re a farmer when asked:

kathaṁ jānemu taṁ kasin”ti.

how am I to recognize your farming?”

“Saddhā bījaṁ tapo vuṭṭhi,

“Faith is my seed, fervor my rain,

paññā me yuganaṅgalaṁ;

and wisdom is my yoke and plough.

Hirī īsā mano yottaṁ,

Conscience is my draft-pole, mind my strap,

sati me phālapācanaṁ.

mindfulness my plowshare and goad.

Kāyagutto vacīgutto,

Guarded in body and speech,

āhāre udare yato;

I restrict my intake of food.

Saccaṁ karomi niddānaṁ,

I use truth as my scythe,

soraccaṁ me pamocanaṁ.

and gentleness is my release.

Vīriyaṁ me dhuradhorayhaṁ,

Energy is my harnessed beast,

yogakkhemādhivāhanaṁ;

transporting me to sanctuary from the yoke.

Gacchati anivattantaṁ,

It goes without turning back

yattha gantvā na socati.

to where there is no sorrow.

Evamesā kasī kaṭṭhā,

That’s how to do the farming

sā hoti amatapphalā;

that has freedom from death as its fruit.

Etaṁ kasiṁ kasitvāna,

When you finish this farming

sabbadukkhā pamuccatī”ti.

you’re released from all suffering.”

“Bhuñjatu bhavaṁ gotamo.

“May the worthy Gotama eat!

Kassako bhavaṁ.

The worthy one is a farmer.

Yañhi bhavaṁ gotamo amatapphalampi kasiṁ kasatī”ti.

For the worthy Gotama does the farming that has freedom from death as its fruit.”

“Gāthābhigītaṁ me abhojaneyyaṁ,

“Food enchanted by a verse isn’t fit for me to eat.

Sampassataṁ brāhmaṇa nesa dhammo;

That’s not the principle of those who see, brahmin.

Gāthābhigītaṁ panudanti buddhā,

The Buddhas cast aside things enchanted with verses.

Dhamme sati brāhmaṇa vuttiresā.

Since there is such a principle, brahmin, that’s how they live.

Aññena ca kevalinaṁ mahesiṁ,

Serve with other food and drink

Khīṇāsavaṁ kukkuccavūpasantaṁ;

the consummate one, the great seer,

Annena pānena upaṭṭhahassu,

with defilements ended and remorse stilled.

Khettañhi taṁ puññapekkhassa hotī”ti.

For he is the field for the seeker of merit.”

Evaṁ vutte, kasibhāradvājo brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

When he had spoken, the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Farmer said to the Buddha,

“abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama …pe…

“Excellent, worthy Gotama …

ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti.

From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”