Verses in which the Buddha meets a brahmin during a fire sacrifice and teaches that true purity comes from ethical conduct and abandoning harmful deeds, not ritual offerings.

SNP 3.5 With Māgha

Evaṁ me sutaṁ ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati gijjhakūṭe pabbate. Atha kho māgho māṇavo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho māgho māṇavo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“Ahañhi, bho gotama, dāyako dānapati vadaññū yācayogo; dhammena bhoge pariyesāmi; dhammena bhoge pariyesitvā dhammaladdhehi bhogehi dhammādhigatehi ekassapi dadāmi dvinnampi tiṇṇampi catunnampi pañcannampi channampi sattannampi aṭṭhannampi navannampi dasannampi dadāmi, vīsāyapi tiṁsāyapi cattālīsāyapi paññāsāyapi dadāmi, satassapi dadāmi, bhiyyopi dadāmi. Kaccāhaṁ, bho gotama, evaṁ dadanto evaṁ yajanto bahuṁ puññaṁ pasavāmī”ti?

“Taggha tvaṁ, māṇava, evaṁ dadanto evaṁ yajanto bahuṁ puññaṁ pasavasi. Yo kho, māṇava, dāyako dānapati vadaññū yācayogo; dhammena bhoge pariyesati; dhammena bhoge pariyesitvā dhammaladdhehi bhogehi dhammādhigatehi ekassapi dadāti …pe… satassapi dadāti, bhiyyopi dadāti, bahuṁ so puññaṁ pasavatī”ti. Atha kho māgho māṇavo bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi

(iti māgho māṇavo)

Kāsāyavāsiṁ agahaṁ carantaṁ;
Yo yācayogo dānapati gahaṭṭho,
Puññatthiko yajati puññapekkho;
Dadaṁ paresaṁ idha annapānaṁ,
Kathaṁ hutaṁ yajamānassa sujjhe”.

(māghāti bhagavā)

Puññatthiko yajati puññapekkho;
Dadaṁ paresaṁ idha annapānaṁ,
Ārādhaye dakkhiṇeyyebhi tādi”.

(iti māgho māṇavo)

Puññatthiko yajati puññapekkho;
Dadaṁ paresaṁ idha annapānaṁ,
Akkhāhi me bhagavā dakkhiṇeyye”.

“Ye ve asattā vicaranti loke,
Akiñcanā kevalino yatattā;
Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,
Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Ye sabbasaṁyojanabandhanacchidā,
Dantā vimuttā anīghā nirāsā;
Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,
Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Ye sabbasaṁyojanavippamuttā,
Dantā vimuttā anīghā nirāsā;
Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,
Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Rāgañca dosañca pahāya mohaṁ,
Khīṇāsavā vūsitabrahmacariyā;
Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,
Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Yesu na māyā vasati na māno,
Khīṇāsavā vūsitabrahmacariyā;
Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,
Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Ye vītalobhā amamā nirāsā,
Khīṇāsavā vūsitabrahmacariyā;
Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,
Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Ye ve na taṇhāsu upātipannā,
Vitareyya oghaṁ amamā caranti;
Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,
Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Yesaṁ taṇhā natthi kuhiñci loke,
Bhavābhavāya idha huraṁ vā;
Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,
Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Ye kāme hitvā agahā caranti,
Susaññatattā tasaraṁva ujjuṁ;
Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,
Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Ye vītarāgā susamāhitindriyā,
Candova rāhuggahaṇā pamuttā;
Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,
Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Samitāvino vītarāgā akopā,
Yesaṁ gatī natthidha vippahāya;
Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,
Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Jahitvā jātimaraṇaṁ asesaṁ,
Kathaṅkathiṁ sabbamupātivattā;
Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,
Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Ye attadīpā vicaranti loke,
Akiñcanā sabbadhi vippamuttā;
Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,
Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Ye hettha jānanti yathā tathā idaṁ,
Ayamantimā natthi punabbhavoti;
Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,
Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

Yo vedagū jhānarato satīmā,
Sambodhipatto saraṇaṁ bahūnaṁ;
Kālena tamhi habyaṁ pavecche,
Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha”.

(iti māgho māṇavo)

Akkhāsi me bhagavā dakkhiṇeyye;
Tvañhettha jānāsi yathā tathā idaṁ,
Tathā hi te vidito esa dhammo.

Yo yācayogo dānapati gahaṭṭho,
Puññatthiko yajati puññapekkho;
Dadaṁ paresaṁ idha annapānaṁ,
Akkhāhi me bhagavā yaññasampadaṁ”.

(māghāti bhagavā)

Sabbattha ca vippasādehi cittaṁ;
Ārammaṇaṁ yajamānassa yañño,
Ettha patiṭṭhāya jahāti dosaṁ.

So vītarāgo pavineyya dosaṁ,
Mettaṁ cittaṁ bhāvayamappamāṇaṁ;
Rattindivaṁ satatamappamatto,
Sabbā disā pharati appamaññaṁ”.

“Ko sujjhati muccati bajjhatī ca,
Kenattanā gacchati brahmalokaṁ;
Ajānato me muni brūhi puṭṭho,
Bhagavā hi me sakkhi brahmajjadiṭṭho;
Tuvañhi no brahmasamosi saccaṁ,
Kathaṁ upapajjati brahmalokaṁ jutima”.

(māghāti bhagavā)

Ārādhaye dakkhiṇeyyebhi tādi;
Evaṁ yajitvā sammā yācayogo,
Upapajjati brahmalokanti brūmī”ti.

Evaṁ vutte, māgho māṇavo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama …pe… ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti.

Māghasuttaṁ pañcamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Evaṁ me sutaṁ

So I have heard.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati gijjhakūṭe pabbate.

At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, on the Vulture’s Peak Mountain.

Atha kho māgho māṇavo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi.

Then the student Māgha approached the Buddha and exchanged greetings with him.

Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi.

When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side,

Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho māgho māṇavo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

and said to the Buddha:

“Ahañhi, bho gotama, dāyako dānapati vadaññū yācayogo;

“I’m a giver, worthy Gotama, a donor; I am bountiful and committed to charity.

dhammena bhoge pariyesāmi;

I seek wealth in a principled manner,

dhammena bhoge pariyesitvā dhammaladdhehi bhogehi dhammādhigatehi ekassapi dadāmi dvinnampi tiṇṇampi catunnampi pañcannampi channampi sattannampi aṭṭhannampi navannampi dasannampi dadāmi, vīsāyapi tiṁsāyapi cattālīsāyapi paññāsāyapi dadāmi, satassapi dadāmi, bhiyyopi dadāmi.

and with that legitimate wealth I give to one person, to two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, a hundred people or even more.

Kaccāhaṁ, bho gotama, evaṁ dadanto evaṁ yajanto bahuṁ puññaṁ pasavāmī”ti?

Giving and sacrificing like this, worthy Gotama, do I brim with much merit?”

“Taggha tvaṁ, māṇava, evaṁ dadanto evaṁ yajanto bahuṁ puññaṁ pasavasi.

“Indeed you do, student.

Yo kho, māṇava, dāyako dānapati vadaññū yācayogo;

A giver or donor who is bountiful and committed to charity,

dhammena bhoge pariyesati;

who seeks wealth in a principled manner,

dhammena bhoge pariyesitvā dhammaladdhehi bhogehi dhammādhigatehi ekassapi dadāti …pe… satassapi dadāti, bhiyyopi dadāti, bahuṁ so puññaṁ pasavatī”ti.

and with that legitimate wealth gives to one person, or up to a hundred people or even more, brims with much merit.”

Atha kho māgho māṇavo bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi

Then Māgha addressed the Buddha in verse:

“Pucchāmahaṁ gotamaṁ vadaññuṁ,

“I ask the bountiful Gotama,”

(iti māgho māṇavo)

said Māgha,

Kāsāyavāsiṁ agahaṁ carantaṁ;

“wearing an ochre robe, wandering homeless.

Yo yācayogo dānapati gahaṭṭho,

Suppose a lay donor who is committed to charity

Puññatthiko yajati puññapekkho;

makes a sacrifice seeking merit, looking for merit,

Dadaṁ paresaṁ idha annapānaṁ,

giving food and drink to others here:

Kathaṁ hutaṁ yajamānassa sujjhe”.

how is their offering purified?”

“Yo yācayogo dānapati gahaṭṭho,

“Suppose a lay donor who is committed to charity,”

(māghāti bhagavā)

replied the Buddha,

Puññatthiko yajati puññapekkho;

“makes a sacrifice seeking merit, looking for merit,

Dadaṁ paresaṁ idha annapānaṁ,

giving food and drink to others here:

Ārādhaye dakkhiṇeyyebhi tādi”.

such a one would succeed due to those who are worthy of donations.”

“Yo yācayogo dānapati gahaṭṭho,

“Suppose a lay donor who is committed to charity,”

(iti māgho māṇavo)

said Māgha,

Puññatthiko yajati puññapekkho;

“makes a sacrifice seeking merit, looking for merit,

Dadaṁ paresaṁ idha annapānaṁ,

giving food and drink to others here:

Akkhāhi me bhagavā dakkhiṇeyye”.

explain to me who is worthy of donations.”

“Ye ve asattā vicaranti loke,

“Those who wander the world unattached,

Akiñcanā kevalino yatattā;

consummate, self-controlled, owning nothing:

Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,

that is where a brahmin seeking merit

Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

Ye sabbasaṁyojanabandhanacchidā,

Those who have cut off all fetters and bonds,

Dantā vimuttā anīghā nirāsā;

tamed, liberated, untroubled, with no need for hope:

Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,

that is where a brahmin seeking merit

Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

Ye sabbasaṁyojanavippamuttā,

Those who are released from all fetters,

Dantā vimuttā anīghā nirāsā;

tamed, liberated, untroubled, with no need for hope:

Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,

that is where a brahmin seeking merit

Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

Rāgañca dosañca pahāya mohaṁ,

Having given up greed, hate, and delusion,

Khīṇāsavā vūsitabrahmacariyā;

with defilements ended, the spiritual journey completed:

Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,

that is where a brahmin seeking merit

Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

Yesu na māyā vasati na māno,

Those in whom dwells no deceit or conceit,

Khīṇāsavā vūsitabrahmacariyā;

with defilements ended, the spiritual journey completed:

Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,

that is where a brahmin seeking merit

Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

Ye vītalobhā amamā nirāsā,

Those rid of greed, unselfish, with no need for hope,

Khīṇāsavā vūsitabrahmacariyā;

with defilements ended, the spiritual journey completed:

Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,

that is where a brahmin seeking merit

Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

Ye ve na taṇhāsu upātipannā,

Those not fallen prey to cravings,

Vitareyya oghaṁ amamā caranti;

who, having crossed the flood, live unselfishly:

Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,

that is where a brahmin seeking merit

Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

should bestow a timely offering as sacrifice.

Yesaṁ taṇhā natthi kuhiñci loke,

Those with no craving at all in the world

Bhavābhavāya idha huraṁ vā;

for any state of existence in this life or the next:

Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,

that is where a brahmin seeking merit

Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

Ye kāme hitvā agahā caranti,

Those who have left sensuality behind, wandering homeless,

Susaññatattā tasaraṁva ujjuṁ;

self-controlled, straight as a shuttle:

Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,

that is where a brahmin seeking merit

Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

Ye vītarāgā susamāhitindriyā,

Those freed of greed, with senses stilled,

Candova rāhuggahaṇā pamuttā;

like the moon released from the eclipse:

Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,

that is where a brahmin seeking merit

Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

Samitāvino vītarāgā akopā,

Those assuaged ones free of greed and anger,

Yesaṁ gatī natthidha vippahāya;

for whom there are no destinies, being rid of them in this life:

Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,

that is where a brahmin seeking merit

Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

Jahitvā jātimaraṇaṁ asesaṁ,

They’ve given up rebirth and death completely,

Kathaṅkathiṁ sabbamupātivattā;

and have gone beyond all indecision:

Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,

that is where a brahmin seeking merit

Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

Ye attadīpā vicaranti loke,

Those who live as their own island,

Akiñcanā sabbadhi vippamuttā;

everywhere free, owning nothing:

Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,

that is where a brahmin seeking merit

Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

Ye hettha jānanti yathā tathā idaṁ,

Those here who know this to be true:

Ayamantimā natthi punabbhavoti;

‘This is my last life, there are no future lives’:

Kālena tesu habyaṁ pavecche,

that is where a brahmin seeking merit

Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha.

should bestow a timely oblation as sacrifice.

Yo vedagū jhānarato satīmā,

A knowledge master, loving absorption, mindful,

Sambodhipatto saraṇaṁ bahūnaṁ;

who has reached awakening and is a refuge for many:

Kālena tamhi habyaṁ pavecche,

that is where a brahmin seeking merit

Yo brāhmaṇo puññapekkho yajetha”.

should bestow a timely offering as sacrifice.”

“Addhā amoghā mama pucchanā ahu,

“Clearly my questions were not in vain!”

(iti māgho māṇavo)

said Māgha,

Akkhāsi me bhagavā dakkhiṇeyye;

“The Buddha has explained to me who is worthy of donations.

Tvañhettha jānāsi yathā tathā idaṁ,

You are the one here who knows this to be true,

Tathā hi te vidito esa dhammo.

for truly you understand this matter.

Yo yācayogo dānapati gahaṭṭho,

Suppose a lay donor who is committed to charity

Puññatthiko yajati puññapekkho;

makes a sacrifice seeking merit, looking for merit,

Dadaṁ paresaṁ idha annapānaṁ,

giving food and drink to others here:

Akkhāhi me bhagavā yaññasampadaṁ”.

explain to me how to accomplish the sacrifice.”

“Yajassu yajamāno,

“Sacrifice, and while doing so,”

(māghāti bhagavā)

replied the Buddha,

Sabbattha ca vippasādehi cittaṁ;

“be clear and confident in every way.

Ārammaṇaṁ yajamānassa yañño,

Sacrifice is the ground standing upon which

Ettha patiṭṭhāya jahāti dosaṁ.

the sacrificer sheds their flaws.

So vītarāgo pavineyya dosaṁ,

One free of greed, rid of anger,

Mettaṁ cittaṁ bhāvayamappamāṇaṁ;

developing a heart of limitless love,

Rattindivaṁ satatamappamatto,

spreads that limitlessness in every direction,

Sabbā disā pharati appamaññaṁ”.

ever diligent day and night.”

“Ko sujjhati muccati bajjhatī ca,

“Who is purified, freed, awake?

Kenattanā gacchati brahmalokaṁ;

How can one go to the realm of divinity oneself?

Ajānato me muni brūhi puṭṭho,

I do not know, so please tell me when asked,

Bhagavā hi me sakkhi brahmajjadiṭṭho;

for the Buddha is the divinity I see in person today!

Tuvañhi no brahmasamosi saccaṁ,

To us you are truly the equal of divinity.

Kathaṁ upapajjati brahmalokaṁ jutima”.

Brilliant One, how is one reborn in the realm of divinity?”

“Yo yajati tividhaṁ yaññasampadaṁ,

“One who accomplishes the sacrifice with three modes,”

(māghāti bhagavā)

replied the Buddha,

Ārādhaye dakkhiṇeyyebhi tādi;

“such a one would succeed due to those who are worthy of donations.

Evaṁ yajitvā sammā yācayogo,

Sacrificing like this, one rightly committed to charity

Upapajjati brahmalokanti brūmī”ti.

is reborn in the realm of divinity, I say.”

Evaṁ vutte, māgho māṇavo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

When he had spoken, the student Māgha said to the Buddha,

“abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama …pe…

“Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent! …

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.”

Māghasuttaṁ pañcamaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Anger

Anger

A burning surge of aversion that erupts against people or situations, scorching clarity and kindness. It distorts perception and drives speech and action toward harm.

Also known as: rage, wrath, fury, indignation
Pāli: kodha, kopa
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Conceit

Conceit

Self-view expressed as comparison—seeing oneself as superior, inferior, or equal; the persistent “I am” conceit (asmimāna) that underlies identification and fuels rebirth

Also known as: arrogance, egotism, pride, self-importance, tendency of self-comparison
Pāli: māna, atimāna, unnaḷa
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Giving

Giving

The act of generosity, sharing, or offering to others without expecting anything in return. Giving is considered a foundational virtue in Buddhist practice, fostering selflessness and compassion.

Also known as: generosity, charity, donation, almsgiving, donating, philanthropy, providing with, gift with
Pāli: dāna
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Greed

Greed

A grasping mental quality of craving, possessiveness, or lustful wanting that clings to objects or experiences; it fuels attachment and obstructs renunciation and contentment

Also known as: acquisitiveness, avarice, covetousness, rapacity, money grabbing, grabbiness
Pāli: lobha, gedha
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Imperturbable

Imperturbable

A stable clarity of mind that does not react strongly to changing circumstances, remaining even and composed in both pleasant and difficult conditions.

Also known as: unagitated, unmoved, unruffled, unshaken, untroubled, unwavering, without mental unease
Pāli: aparitassa, anigha, aneja, avihaññamāna
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Merit

Merit

Wholesome result of good conduct, generosity, and right intention. Merit brightens the mind and supports happiness and favorable conditions for practice.

Also known as: good deeds, spiritual wealth
Pāli: puñña, kalyāṇa
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Last updated on July 27, 2026