mn91:1.1So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was wandering in the land of the Videhans together with a large Saṅgha of five hundred mendicants.Videha was famous as the site of philosophical conversations in the Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad, especially between Yājñavalkya and King Janaka. In my view, this sutta is constructed to show the Buddha’s conversion of a senior brahmin in Yājñavalkya’s tradition, possibly even a direct student.

mn91:2.1Now at that time the brahmin Brahmāyu was residing in Mithilā. He was old, elderly, and senior, advanced in years, having reached the final stage of life; he was a hundred and twenty years old. He had mastered the three Vedas, together with their vocabularies and ritual performance, their phonology and word classification, and the testaments as fifth. He knew them word-by-word, and their grammar. He was well versed in cosmology and the marks of a great man.This brahmin seems to only be known from this sutta.
A few other people are said to have reached the advanced age of 120: Pasenadi’s grandmother (SN3.22), some brahmins (AN3.51, AN3.52), and Dhammasavapitu who went forth at 120 (Theragatha 1 verse 108).
“Vocabularies” is nighaṇḍu (Sanskrit nighaṇṭu), known from the Nirukta of Yāska.
Keṭubha lacks an obvious Sanskrit form. The commentary explains, “The study of proper and improper actions for the assistance of poets.” This suggests a connection with ritual performance, which is the special area of the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa. There we often find phrases such as kṛtam bhavati, “it is performed”, of which keṭubha is perhaps a contraction.
Akkhara (literally “syllable”) is explained by the commentary as sikkhā (Sanskrit śikṣā), which is the study of pronunciation. This can be traced back to Pāṇinī, and is sometimes referred to as akṣara-samāmnāya, “collation of syllables”.
Pabheda is found in Buddhist Sanskrit texts as padaprabheda, “classification of words”, such as into the different parts of speech. The commentary identifies it with nirutti.
Padaka is one skilled in the padapāṭha recitation of Vedas, which separates the individual words.
For “testaments” (itihāsa) see itihāsa-purāṇa in Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa 11.5.6.8, explained by the commentator there as legends of creation and olden times.
“Cosmology” (lokāyata) here is a branch of Vedic learning, not the heterodox school known by this name in later times (AN9.38, SN12.48).

---

mn91:3.1He heard: “It seems the ascetic Gotama—a Sakyan, gone forth from a Sakyan family—is wandering in the land of the Videhans, together with a large Saṅgha of five hundred mendicants. He has this good reputation: ‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those who wish to train, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’ He has realized with his own insight this world—with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, gods and humans—and he makes it known to others. He proclaims a teaching that is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And he reveals a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. It’s good to see such perfected ones.”

---

mn91:4.1Now at that time the brahmin Brahmāyu had a pupil named Uttara. He too had mastered the Vedic curriculum.Uttara is a common name and it is unclear if this is the same person as any of the other Uttaras. Brahmāyu told Uttara of the Buddha’s presence in the land of the Videhans, and added: “Please, dear Uttara, go to the ascetic Gotama and find out whether or not he lives up to his reputation.Similar quests were enjoined by Pokkharasāti on Ambaṭṭha (DN3:1.4.1), and by the elderly brahmin Bāvari on his sixteen students Snp5.1. Through you I shall learn about the worthy Gotama.”Following PTS and BJT editions, which read tayā for tathā.

mn91:5.1“But sir, how shall I find out whether or not the ascetic Gotama lives up to his reputation?”

---

mn91:5.3“Dear Uttara, the thirty-two marks of a great man have been handed down in our hymns. A great man who possesses these has only two possible destinies, no other.In Buddhist texts the marks are presented as the fulfillment of Brahmanical prophecy, but they are not found in any Brahmanical texts of the Buddha’s time. However, later astrological texts such as the Gārgīyajyotiṣa (1st century BCE?) and Bṛhatsaṁhitā (6th century CE?) contain references to many of these marks, albeit in a different context, so it seems likely the Buddhist texts are drawing on now-lost Brahmanical scriptures.
The notion of a two-fold course for a great hero—worldly success or spiritual—can be traced back as far as the epic of Gilgamesh. If he stays at home he becomes a king, a wheel-turning monarch, a just and principled king. His dominion extends to all four sides, he achieves stability in the country, and he possesses the seven treasures.The idea of the wheel-turning monarch draws from the Vedic horse sacrifice, which establishes the authority of a king from sea to sea. The Buddhist telling is divested of all coarse and violent elements. The wheeled chariot gave military supremacy to the ancient Indo-Europeans, allowing them to spread from their ancient homeland north of the Black Sea. In Buddhism, the wheel, which also has solar connotations, symbolizes unstoppable power. For a legendary account of such a king, see the Mahāsudassanasutta (DN17). Rig Veda 8.63.8 speaks of Indra as the “wheel turner”. He has the following seven treasures:Various “treasures” (ratana) or “gems” of a king are discussed in such texts as Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa 5.3.1. They are described in detail at MN129:34.1 ff. the wheel, the elephant, the horse, the jewel, the woman, the householder, and the commander as the seventh treasure. He has over a thousand sons who are valiant and heroic, crushing the armies of his enemies.The sacrificial horse on its journey across the land is protected by a hundred sons. After conquering this land girt by sea, he reigns by principle, without rod or sword. But if he goes forth from the lay life to homelessness, he becomes a perfected one, a fully awakened Buddha, who draws back the veil from the world. But, dear Uttara, I am the one who gives the hymns, and you are the one who receives them.”

mn91:6.1“Yes, worthy sir,” replied Uttara. He got up from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled Brahmāyu before setting out for the land of the Videhans where the Buddha was wandering. Traveling stage by stage, he came to the Buddha and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side, and scrutinized his body for the thirty-two marks of a great man. He saw all of them except for two, which he had doubts about: whether the private parts are covered in a foreskin, and the largeness of the tongue.

mn91:6.8Then it occurred to the Buddha, “This student Uttara sees all the marks except for two, which he has doubts about: whether the private parts are covered in a foreskin, and the largeness of the tongue.”

mn91:7.1So the Buddha used his psychic power to will that Uttara would see his private parts covered in a foreskin. And he stuck out his tongue and stroked back and forth on his ear holes and nostrils, and covered his entire forehead with his tongue.

mn91:8.1Then Uttara thought, “The ascetic Gotama possesses the thirty-two marks. Why don’t I follow him and observe his deportment?”

So Uttara followed the Buddha like a shadow for seven months.In AN4.192 the Buddha says it is only possible to really know a person’s character by living with them for a long time.

---

mn91:8.5When seven months had passed he set out wandering towards Mithilā. There he approached the brahmin Brahmāyu, bowed, and sat down to one side. Brahmāyu said to him, “Well, dear Uttara, does the worthy Gotama live up to his reputation or not?”

---

mn91:8.9“He does, sir. The worthy Gotama possesses the thirty-two marks.The marks are also listed at DN14:1.32.7 and analyzed in kammic terms at DN30. Here I list the related marks in the Bṛhatsaṁhitā as identified by Nathan McGovern (On the Origins of the 32 Marks of a Great Man, Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies, 2016, vol. 39, pp. 207–247).

mn91:9.1He has well-planted feet.This echoes the posture of the newborn bodhisatta, and has the same meaning: that he will become awakened by “standing on his own two feet”.

---

mn91:9.3On the soles of his feet there are thousand-spoked wheels, with rims and hubs, complete in every detail.These leave marks that were seen by Doṇa (AN4.36). They are often depicted in Buddhist art, signifying the perfection and completeness of the traces that the Buddha leaves behind in his teachings and practice. Bṛhatsaṁhitā 69.17 lists several auspicious marks, including the wheel.

mn91:9.4He has stretched heels.Described as “abundantly long” at DN30:1.12.6.

mn91:9.5He has long fingers.Same at Bṛhatsaṁhitā 68.36.

---

mn91:9.6His hands and feet are tender.Tender feet at Bṛhatsaṁhitā 68.2.

mn91:9.7He has serried hands and feet.Bṛhatsaṁhitā 68.2 has śliṣtāṅgulī (“compact or sticky fingers”). The commentary denies that the Pali jāla means a physical web. I think it means that the fingers and toes were usually held together rather than splayed, hence not letting things slip through the fingers.

mn91:9.8The tops of his feet are arched.Ussaṅkha means “(curved) up like a shell”, while Bṛhatsaṁhitā 68.2 says “curved up like a tortoise”. The descriptive verse at DN30:1.21.10 shows that it refers to the tops of the feet.

mn91:9.9His calves are like those of an antelope.These are presumably the long, elegant rear calves of the Indian Blackbuck.

---

mn91:9.10When standing upright and not bending over, the palms of both hands touch the knees.This agrees with Bṛhatsaṁhitā 68.35.

mn91:9.11His private parts are covered in a foreskin.Same at Bṛhatsaṁhitā 68.8.

mn91:9.12He is golden colored; his skin shines like lustrous gold.Bṛhatsaṁhitā 68.102 says kings have a shining complexion.

mn91:9.13He has delicate skin, so delicate that dust and dirt don’t stick to his body.Bṛhatsaṁhitā 68.102 mentions a “clean complexion” (śuddha).

mn91:9.14His hairs grow one per pore.Same at Bṛhatsaṁhitā 68.5.

mn91:9.15His hairs stand up; they’re blue-black and curl clockwise.Bṛhatsaṁhitā 68.26 says those with hairs turning right become kings.

---

mn91:9.16His body is tall and straight-limbed.Here brahm- is an adjective from √brah + ma, equivalent to the Sanskrit bṛṁh, having the sense “grown, extended”. The Sanskrit form here is bṛhadṛjugātra

mn91:9.17He has bulging muscles in seven places.Hands, feet, shoulders, and chest (DN30:1.13.1).

mn91:9.18His chest is like that of a lion.Bṛhatsaṁhitā 68.18 compares not the chest but the hips with a lion.

mn91:9.19He is filled out between the shoulders.Bṛhatsaṁhitā 68.27 says the heart is raised and muscular.

---

mn91:9.20He has the proportional circumference of a banyan tree: the span of his arms equals the height of his body.Bṛhatsaṁhitā 69.13 has the same proportions without the simile. These are the normal human proportions, yet we cannot touch our knees without bending. The only way these marks could be reconciled is if the arms were extra long and the length of the legs below the knees was extra long as well. And this is exactly what we are told: the ankles are stretched and long, and the calves are like those of an antelope, whose rear calves are long proportionate to the thigh. Thus in this regard the marks appear to be internally consistent, though not describing normal human anatomy.

mn91:9.21His torso is cylindrical.

mn91:9.22He has ridged taste buds.“Ridged taste buds” is rasaggasaggī. Rasa can mean either “taste” or “nutrition”, but the use of ojā in DN30:2.9.6 confirms the latter. Gasa is “swallow” and per DN30:2.7.1 it is the “conveyance of savor” (rasaharaṇīyo). Agga often means “best”, but this is derived from the primary sense of “peak”. The descriptors uddhagga (“raised”) at DN30:2.7.1 and susaṇṭhitā (“prominent”) at DN30:2.9.6 confirm that the latter is meant. The mark refers to taste buds raised in noticeable ridges on the tongue that absorb nutrition and aid digestion. It has often been interpreted as “excellent (aggī) sense (gasa) of taste (rasa)”, but this, being imperceptible to others, is rather a secondary consequence of the mark.

mn91:9.23His jaw is like that of a lion.

mn91:9.24He has forty teeth.

mn91:9.25His teeth are even.Even, gapless, and white teeth are at Bṛhatsaṁhitā 68.52.

mn91:9.26His teeth have no gaps.

mn91:9.27His teeth are perfectly white.

mn91:9.28He has a large tongue.Same at Bṛhatsaṁhitā 68.53.

mn91:9.29He has the voice of the Divinity, like a cuckoo’s call.

---

mn91:9.30His eyes are indigo.At Therigatha 13 verse 257 Ambapālī describes her eyes as abhinīla. While some Indians do indeed have blue eyes, this probably describes a black so deep it appears blue.

mn91:9.31He has eyelashes like a cow’s.Cows have long and elegant eyelashes.

mn91:9.32Between his eyebrows there grows a tuft, soft and white like cotton-wool.

mn91:9.33The crown of his head is like a turban.The uṇhīsa is depicted as a bulge on the Buddha’s crown.

---

mn91:9.34These are the thirty-two marks of a great man possessed by the worthy Gotama.

---

mn91:10.1When he’s walking he takes the first step with the right foot.From here Uttara describes the Buddha’s conduct, showing his keen observation of details. He doesn’t lift his foot too far or place it too near. He doesn’t walk too slow or too fast. He walks without knocking his knees or ankles together.Adduva means “knee” according to the commentary. When he’s walking he keeps his thighs neither too straight nor too bent, neither too tight nor too loose. When he walks, only the lower half of his body moves, and he walks effortlessly. When he turns to look he does so with the whole body.This is the so-called “elephant look” (DN16:4.1.1). He doesn’t look directly up or down. He doesn’t look all around while walking, but focuses a plough’s length in front. Beyond that he has unhindered knowledge and vision.As at Snp3.1 verse 409-10.

mn91:11.1When entering an inhabited area he keeps his body neither too straight nor too bent, neither too tight nor too loose.

mn91:12.1He turns around neither too far nor too close to the seat. He doesn’t lean on his hand when sitting down. And he doesn’t just plonk his body down on the seat. When sitting in inhabited areas he doesn’t fidget with his hands or feet. He doesn’t sit with his knees or ankles crossed. He doesn’t sit with his hand holding his chin. When sitting in inhabited areas he doesn’t shake, tremble, quake, or get nervous, and so he is not nervous at all. When sitting in inhabited areas he still practices seclusion.

---

mn91:13.1When receiving water for rinsing the bowl, he holds the bowl neither too straight nor too bent, neither too tight nor too loose.

mn91:14.1He receives neither too little nor too much water. He rinses the bowl without making a sloshing noise, or spinning it around. He doesn’t put the bowl on the ground to rinse his hands; his hands and bowl are rinsed at the same time. He doesn’t throw the bowl rinsing water away too far or too near, or splash it about. When receiving rice, he holds the bowl neither too straight nor too bent, neither too close nor too loose. He receives neither too little nor too much rice. He eats sauce in a moderate proportion, and doesn’t put too much sauce on his portions. He chews over each portion two or three times before swallowing. But no grain of rice enters his body unchewed, and none remain in his mouth. Only then does he raise another portion to his lips. He eats experiencing the taste, but without experiencing greed for the taste.

---

mn91:14.11He eats food thinking of eight reasons: ‘Not for fun, indulgence, adornment, or decoration, but only to sustain this body, to avoid harm, and to support spiritual practice. In this way, I shall put an end to old discomfort and not give rise to new discomfort, and I will have the means to keep going, blamelessness, and a comfortable abiding.’This is the traditional reflection on the meal (MN2:14.1).

mn91:15.1After eating, when receiving water for washing the bowl, he holds the bowl neither too straight nor too bent, neither too tight nor too loose. He receives neither too little nor too much water. He washes the bowl without making a sloshing noise, or spinning it around. He doesn’t put the bowl on the ground to wash his hands; his hands and bowl are washed at the same time. He doesn’t throw the bowl washing water away too far or too near, or splash it about.

---

mn91:16.1After eating he doesn’t put the bowl on the ground too far away or too close.

---

He’s not careless with his bowl, nor does he spend too much time on it.

---

mn91:17.1After eating he sits a while in silence, but doesn’t wait too long to give the verses of appreciation. After eating he expresses appreciation without criticizing the meal or expecting another one.This is the anumodanā recited for the meal offering. Examples are found at DN16:1.31.1, Snp3.7 verses 568 - = MN92:25.3 and SN55.26 verses 20 - etc.
It is worth noting that no early anomodanā uses the imperative verb form -tu signifying giving a blessing (eg. bhavatu sabbamaṅgalaṁ, “may all blessings be”). They strictly use the indicative -ti to teach cause and effect: if you do this, that happens. Invariably, he educates, encourages, fires up, and inspires that assembly with a Dhamma talk. Then he gets up from his seat and leaves.

mn91:18.1He walks neither too fast nor too slow, without wanting to get out of there.

mn91:19.1He wears his robe on his body neither too high nor too low, neither too clinging nor too loose. The wind doesn’t blow his robe off his body. And dust and dirt don’t stick to his body.

---

mn91:20.1When he has gone to the monastery he sits on a seat spread out and washes his feet. But he doesn’t waste time with pedicures. When he has washed his feet, he sits down cross-legged, sets his body straight, and establishes mindfulness in his presence. He has no intention to hurt himself, hurt others, or hurt both. He only wishes for the welfare of himself, of others, of both, and of the whole world. In the monastery when he teaches Dhamma to an assembly, he neither flatters them nor rebukes them. Invariably, he educates, encourages, fires up, and inspires that assembly with a Dhamma talk.

---

mn91:21.3The sound of his voice has eight qualities: it is clear, comprehensible, charming, audible, lucid, undistorted, deep, and resonant. He makes sure his voice is intelligible as far as the assembly goes, but the sound doesn’t extend outside the assembly. And when they’ve been inspired with a Dhamma talk by the worthy Gotama they get up from their seats and leave looking back at him alone, and not forgetting their lesson.

mn91:22.1I have seen the worthy Gotama walking and standing; entering inhabited areas, and sitting and eating there; sitting silently after eating, and expressing appreciation; going to the monastery, sitting silently there, and teaching Dhamma to an assembly there. Such is the worthy Gotama; such he is and more than that.”

---

mn91:23.1When he had spoken, the brahmin Brahmāyu got up from his seat, arranged his robe over one shoulder, raised his joined palms toward the Buddha, and uttered this aphorism three times:

---

mn91:23.2“Homage to that Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!

mn91:23.3Homage to that Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!

mn91:23.4Homage to that Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!

---

mn91:23.5Hopefully, some time or other I’ll get to meet him, and we can have a discussion.”

mn91:24.1And then the Buddha, traveling stage by stage in the Videhan lands, arrived at Mithilā, where he stayed in the Maghadeva Mango Grove.The story of Maghadeva is told in MN83.

mn91:24.3The brahmins and householders of Mithilā heard: “It seems the ascetic Gotama—a Sakyan, gone forth from a Sakyan family—has arrived at Mithilā, where he is staying in the Maghadeva Mango Grove. He has this good reputation: ‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those who wish to train, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’ He has realized with his own insight this world—with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, gods and humans—and he makes it known to others. He proclaims a teaching that is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And he reveals a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. It’s good to see such perfected ones.”

mn91:25.1Then the brahmins and householders of Mithilā went up to the Buddha. Before sitting down to one side, some bowed, some exchanged greetings and polite conversation, some held up their joined palms toward the Buddha, some announced their name and clan, while some kept silent.

---

mn91:26.1The brahmin Brahmāyu also heard that the Buddha had arrived.

So he went to the Maghadeva Mango Grove together with several disciples.

---

mn91:26.3Not far from the grove he thought, “It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to go to see the ascetic Gotama without letting him know beforehand.”This shows his deep respect and politeness.

mn91:26.5So he addressed one of his young students: “Here, young student, go to the ascetic Gotama and in my name bow with your head to his feet. Ask him if he is healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably. And then say: ‘Worthy Gotama, , the brahmin Brahmāyu is old, elderly, and senior, advanced in years, having reached the final stage of life; he is a hundred and twenty years old. He has mastered the three Vedas, together with their vocabularies and ritual performance, their phonology and word classification, and the testaments as fifth. He knows them word-by-word, and their grammar. He is well versed in cosmology and the marks of a great man. Of all the brahmins and householders residing in Mithilā, Brahmāyu is said to be the foremost in wealth, hymns, lifespan, and fame. He wants to see the worthy Gotama.’”

---

mn91:26.17“Yes, worthy sir,” that young student replied. He did as he was asked, and the Buddha said, “Please, student, let Brahmāyu come when he’s ready.”

---

mn91:27.1The young student went back to Brahmāyu and said to him, “Your request for an audience with the ascetic Gotama has been granted. Please go at your convenience.”

---

mn91:28.1Then the brahmin Brahmāyu went up to the Buddha. The assembly saw him coming off in the distance, and made way for him, as he was well-known and famous.

mn91:28.4Brahmāyu said to that retinue, “Enough, gentlemen. Please sit on your own seats. I shall sit here by the ascetic Gotama.”

---

mn91:29.1Then the brahmin Brahmāyu went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side, and scrutinized the Buddha’s body for the thirty-two marks of a great man. He saw all of them except for two, which he had doubts about: whether the private parts are covered in a foreskin, and the largeness of the tongue.

Then Brahmāyu addressed the Buddha in verse:

---

---

mn91:30.1Then the Buddha thought, “Brahmāyu sees all the marks except for two, which he has doubts about: whether the private parts are covered in a foreskin, and the largeness of the tongue.”

mn91:30.5So the Buddha used his psychic power to will that Divinityyu would see his private parts covered in a foreskin. And he stuck out his tongue and stroked back and forth on his ear holes and nostrils, and covered his entire forehead with his tongue.

mn91:30.7Then the Buddha replied to Brahmāyu in verse:

---

---

mn91:32.1Then Brahmāyu thought:

mn91:32.2“My request has been granted. Should I ask him about what is beneficial in this life or the next?” Then he thought, “I’m well versed in the benefits that apply to this life, and others ask me about this. Why don’t I ask the ascetic Gotama about the benefit that specifically applies to lives to come?”

mn91:32.9So Brahmāyu addressed the Buddha in verse:

---

---

mn91:33.1Then the Buddha replied to Brahmāyu in verse:

---

---

mn91:34.1When he said this, Brahmāyu got up from his seat and arranged his robe on one shoulder. He bowed with his head at the Buddha’s feet, caressing them and covering them with kisses, and pronounced his name: “I am the brahmin Brahmāyu, worthy Gotama! I am the brahmin Brahmāyu!”

mn91:35.1Then that assembly, their minds full of wonder and amazement, thought, “Oh lord, how incredible, how amazing, that Divinityyu, who is so well-known and famous, should show the Buddha such utmost deference.”

Then the Buddha said to Brahmāyu, “Enough, brahmin. Get up, and sit in your own seat, since your mind has such confidence in me.”

So Brahmāyu got up and sat in his own seat.

mn91:36.1Then the Buddha taught him step by step, with a talk on giving, ethical conduct, and heaven. He explained the drawbacks of sensual pleasures, so sordid and corrupt, and the benefit of renunciation. And when the Buddha knew that Divinityyu’s mind was ready, pliable, rid of hindrances, elated, and confident he explained the special teaching of the Buddhas: suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path. Just as a clean cloth rid of stains would properly absorb dye, in that very seat the stainless, immaculate vision of the Dhamma arose in the brahmin Brahmāyu: “Everything that has a beginning has an end.”

mn91:36.9Then Brahmāyu saw, attained, understood, and fathomed the Dhamma. He went beyond doubt, got rid of indecision, and became self-assured and independent of others regarding the Teacher’s instructions. He said to the Buddha:

mn91:37.1“Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent! As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with clear eyes can see what’s there, worthy Gotama has made the teaching clear in many ways. I go for refuge to the worthy Gotama, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha. From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life. Would you and the mendicant Saṅgha please accept a meal from me tomorrow?”

The Buddha consented with silence. Then, knowing that the Buddha had consented, Brahmāyu got up from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before leaving.

mn91:38.1And when the night had passed Brahmāyu had delicious fresh and cooked foods prepared in his own home. Then he had the Buddha informed of the time, saying, “It’s time, worthy Gotama, the meal is ready.”

mn91:38.3Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, went to the home of the brahmin Brahmāyu, where he sat on the seat spread out, together with the Saṅgha of mendicants. For seven days, Brahmāyu served and satisfied the mendicant Saṅgha headed by the Buddha with his own hands with delicious fresh and cooked foods.

mn91:39.1When the seven days had passed, the Buddha left to wander in the Videhan lands. Not long after the Buddha left, Brahmāyu passed away.

mn91:39.3Then several mendicants went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him, “Sir, Brahmāyu has passed away. Where has he been reborn in his next life?”

mn91:39.6“Mendicants, the brahmin Brahmāyu was astute. He practiced in line with the teachings, and did not trouble me about the teachings. With the ending of the five lower fetters, he’s been reborn spontaneously and will become extinguished there, not liable to return from that world.”

mn91:39.8That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, the mendicants approved what the Buddha said.

1Evaṁ me sutaṁ — ​ ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā videhesu cārikaṁ carati mahatā bhikkhusaṁghena saddhiṁ pañcamattehi bhikkhusatehi.

Tena kho pana samayena brahmāyu brāhmaṇo mithilāyaṁ paṭivasati jiṇṇo vuḍḍho mahallako addhagato vayoanuppatto, vīsavassasatiko jātiyā, tiṇṇaṁ vedānaṁ pāragū sanighaṇḍukeṭubhānaṁ sākkharappabhedānaṁ itihāsapañcamānaṁ, padako, veyyākaraṇo, lokāyatamahāpurisalakkhaṇesu anavayo.

---

Assosi kho brahmāyu brāhmaṇo: "Samaṇo khalu bho, gotamo sakyaputto sakyakulā pabbajito videhesu cārikaṁ carati mahatā bhikkhusaṁghena saddhiṁ pañcamattehi bhikkhusatehi. Taṁ kho pana bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato: ‘itipi so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho vijjācaraṇasampanno sugato lokavidū anuttaro purisadammasārathi satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā’ti. So imaṁ lokaṁ sadevakaṁ samārakaṁ sabrahmakaṁ sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiṁ pajaṁ sadevamanussaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā pavedeti. So dhammaṁ deseti ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ, kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāseti. Sādhu kho pana tathārūpānaṁ arahataṁ dassanaṁ hotī"ti.

---

2Tena kho pana samayena brahmāyussa brāhmaṇassa uttaro nāma māṇavo antevāsī hoti tiṇṇaṁ vedānaṁ pāragū sanighaṇḍukeṭubhānaṁ sākkharappabhedānaṁ itihāsapañcamānaṁ, padako, veyyākaraṇo, lokāyatamahāpurisalakkhaṇesu anavayo. Atha kho brahmāyu brāhmaṇo uttaraṁ māṇavaṁ āmantesi: "Ayaṁ, tāta uttara, samaṇo gotamo sakyaputto sakyakulā pabbajito videhesu cārikaṁ carati mahatā bhikkhusaṁghena saddhiṁ pañcamattehi bhikkhusatehi. Taṁ kho pana bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato: ‘itipi so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho … pe … sādhu kho pana tathārūpānaṁ arahataṁ dassanaṁ hotī’ti. Ehi tvaṁ, tāta uttara, yena samaṇo gotamo tenupasaṅkama; upasaṅkamitvā samaṇaṁ gotamaṁ jānāhi, yadi vā taṁ bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ tathā santaṁyeva saddo abbhuggato, yadi vā no tathā; yadi vā so bhavaṁ gotamo tādiso, yadi vā na tādiso. Tathā mayaṁ taṁ bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ vedissāmā"ti.

"Yathā kathaṁ panāhaṁ, bho, taṁ bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ jānissāmi yadi vā taṁ bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ tathā santaṁyeva saddo abbhuggato, yadi vā no tathā; yadi vā so bhavaṁ gotamo tādiso, yadi vā na tādiso"ti.

---

"Āgatāni kho, tāta uttara, amhākaṁ mantesu dvattiṁsamahāpurisalakkhaṇāni, yehi samannāgatassa mahāpurisassa dveyeva gatiyo bhavanti anaññā. Sace agāraṁ ajjhāvasati, rājā hoti cakkavattī dhammiko dhammarājā cāturanto vijitāvī janapadatthāvariyappatto sattaratanasamannāgato. Tassimāni satta ratanāni bhavanti, seyyathidaṁ — cakkaratanaṁ, hatthiratanaṁ, assaratanaṁ, maṇiratanaṁ, itthiratanaṁ, gahapatiratanaṁ, pariṇāyakaratanameva sattamaṁ. Parosahassaṁ kho panassa puttā bhavanti sūrā vīraṅgarūpā parasenappamaddanā. So imaṁ pathaviṁ sāgarapariyantaṁ adaṇḍena asatthena dhammena abhivijiya ajjhāvasati. Sace kho pana agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajati, arahaṁ hoti sammāsambuddho loke vivaṭṭacchado. Ahaṁ kho pana, tāta uttara, mantānaṁ dātā; tvaṁ mantānaṁ paṭiggahetā"ti.

3"Evaṁ, bho"ti kho uttaro māṇavo brahmāyussa brāhmaṇassa paṭissutvā uṭṭhāyāsanā brahmāyuṁ brāhmaṇaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā videhesu yena bhagavā tena cārikaṁ pakkāmi. Anupubbena cārikaṁ caramāno yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho uttaro māṇavo bhagavato kāye dvattiṁsamahāpurisalakkhaṇāni samannesi. Addasā kho uttaro māṇavo bhagavato kāye dvattiṁsamahāpurisalakkhaṇāni, yebhuyyena thapetvā dve. Dvīsu mahāpurisalakkhaṇesu kaṅkhati vicikicchati nādhimuccati na sampasīdati – kosohite ca vatthaguyhe pahūtajivhatāya ca.

Atha kho bhagavato etadahosi: "passati kho me ayaṁ uttaro māṇavo dvattiṁsamahāpurisalakkhaṇāni, yebhuyyena thapetvā dve. Dvīsu mahāpurisalakkhaṇesu kaṅkhati vicikicchati nādhimuccati na sampasīdati — kosohite ca vatthaguyhe pahūtajivhatāya cā"ti.

Atha kho bhagavā tathārūpaṁ iddhābhisaṅkhāraṁ abhisaṅkhāsi yathā addasa uttaro māṇavo bhagavato kosohitaṁ vatthaguyhaṁ. Atha kho bhagavā jivhaṁ ninnāmetvā ubhopi kaṇṇasotāni anumasi paṭimasi; ubhopi nāsikasotāni anumasi paṭimasi; kevalampi nalāṭamaṇḍalaṁ jivhāya chādesi.

Atha kho uttarassa māṇavassa etadahosi: "samannāgato kho samaṇo gotamo dvattiṁsamahāpurisalakkhaṇehi. Yannūnāhaṁ samaṇaṁ gotamaṁ anubandheyyaṁ, iriyāpathamassa passeyyan"ti.

Atha kho uttaro māṇavo sattamāsāni bhagavantaṁ anubandhi chāyāva anapāyinī.

---

4Atha kho uttaro māṇavo sattannaṁ māsānaṁ accayena videhesu yena mithilā tena cārikaṁ pakkāmi. Anupubbena cārikaṁ caramāno yena mithilā yena brahmāyu brāhmaṇo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā brahmāyuṁ brāhmaṇaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho uttaraṁ māṇavaṁ brahmāyu brāhmaṇo etadavoca: "Kacci, tāta uttara, taṁ bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ tathā santaṁyeva saddo abbhuggato, no aññathā? Kacci pana so bhavaṁ gotamo tādiso, no aññādiso"ti?

---

"Tathā santaṁyeva, bho, taṁ bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ saddo abbhuggato, no aññathā; tādisova so bhavaṁ gotamo, no aññādiso. Samannāgato ca so bhavaṁ gotamo dvattiṁsamahāpurisalakkhaṇehi.

5Suppatiṭṭhitapādo kho pana bho bhavaṁ gotamo; idampi tassa bhoto gotamassa mahāpurisassa mahāpurisalakkhaṇaṁ bhavati. (1)

---

6Heṭṭhā kho pana tassa bhoto gotamassa pādatalesu cakkāni jātāni sahassārāni sanemikāni sanābhikāni sabbākāraparipūrāni … (2)

7Āyatapaṇhi kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo … (3)

8Dīghaṅguli kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo … (4)

---

9Mudutalunahatthapādo kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo … (5)

10Jālahatthapādo kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo … (6)

11Ussaṅkhapādo kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo … (7)

12Eṇijaṅgho kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo … (8)

---

13Ṭhitako kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo anonamanto ubhohi pāṇitalehi jaṇṇukāni parimasati parimajjati … (9)

14Kosohitavatthaguyho kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo … (10)

15Suvaṇṇavaṇṇo kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo kañcanasannibhattaco … (11)

16Sukhumacchavi kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo. Sukhumattā chaviyā rajojallaṁ kāye na upalimpati … (12)

17Ekekalomo kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo; ekekāni lomāni lomakūpesu jātāni … (13)

18Uddhaggalomo kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo; uddhaggāni lomāni jātāni nīlāni añjanavaṇṇāni kuṇḍalāvaṭṭāni dakkhiṇāvaṭṭakajātāni … (14)

---

19Brahmujugatto kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo … (15)

20Sattussado kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo … (16)

21Sīhapubbaddhakāyo kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo … (17)

22Citantaraṁso kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo … (18)

---

23Nigrodhaparimaṇḍalo kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo; yāvatakvassa kāyo tāvatakvassa byāmo, yāvatakvassa byāmo tāvatakvassa kāyo … (19)

24Samavaṭṭakkhandho kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo … (20)

25Rasaggasaggī kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo … (21)

26Sīhahanu kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo … (22)

27Cattālīsadanto kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo … (23)

28Samadanto kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo … (24)

29Aviraḷadanto kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo … (25)

30Susukkadāṭho kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo … (26)

31Pahūtajivho kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo … (27)

32Brahmassaro kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo karavikabhāṇī … (28)

---

33Abhinīlanetto kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo … (29)

34Gopakhumo kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo … (30)

35Uṇṇā kho panassa bhoto gotamassa bhamukantare jātā odātā mudutūlasannibhā … (31)

36Uṇhīsasīso kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo; idampi tassa bhoto gotamassa mahāpurisassa mahāpurisalakkhaṇaṁ bhavati. (32)

---

37Imehi kho, bho, so bhavaṁ gotamo dvattiṁsamahāpurisalakkhaṇehi samannāgato.

---

38Gacchanto kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo dakkhiṇeneva pādena paṭhamaṁ pakkamati. So nātidūre pādaṁ uddharati, nāccāsanne pādaṁ nikkhipati; so nātisīghaṁ gacchati, nātisaṇikaṁ gacchati; na ca adduvena adduvaṁ saṅghaṭṭento gacchati, na ca gopphakena gopphakaṁ saṅghaṭṭento gacchati. So gacchanto na satthiṁ unnāmeti, na satthiṁ onāmeti; na satthiṁ sannāmeti, na satthiṁ vināmeti. Gacchato kho pana tassa bhoto gotamassa adharakāyova iñjati, na ca kāyabalena gacchati. Apalokento kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo sabbakāyeneva apaloketi; so na uddhaṁ ulloketi, na adho oloketi; na ca vipekkhamāno gacchati, yugamattañca pekkhati; tato cassa uttari anāvaṭaṁ ñāṇadassanaṁ bhavati.

So antaragharaṁ pavisanto na kāyaṁ unnāmeti, na kāyaṁ onāmeti; na kāyaṁ sannāmeti, na kāyaṁ vināmeti. So nātidūre nāccāsanne āsanassa parivattati, na ca pāṇinā ālambitvā āsane nisīdati, na ca āsanasmiṁ kāyaṁ pakkhipati.

So antaraghare nisinno samāno na hatthakukkuccaṁ āpajjati, na pādakukkuccaṁ āpajjati; na adduvena adduvaṁ āropetvā nisīdati; na ca gopphakena gopphakaṁ āropetvā nisīdati; na ca pāṇinā hanukaṁ upadahitvā nisīdati. So antaraghare nisinno samāno na chambhati na kampati na vedhati na paritassati. So achambhī akampī avedhī aparitassī vigatalomahaṁso. Vivekavatto ca so bhavaṁ gotamo antaraghare nisinno hoti.

---

So pattodakaṁ paṭiggaṇhanto na pattaṁ unnāmeti, na pattaṁ onāmeti; na pattaṁ sannāmeti, na pattaṁ vināmeti.

So pattodakaṁ paṭiggaṇhāti nātithokaṁ nātibahuṁ. So na khulukhulukārakaṁ pattaṁ dhovati, na samparivattakaṁ pattaṁ dhovati, na pattaṁ bhūmiyaṁ nikkhipitvā hatthe dhovati; hatthesu dhotesu patto dhoto hoti, patte dhote hatthā dhotā honti. So pattodakaṁ chaḍḍeti nātidūre nāccāsanne, na ca vicchaḍḍayamāno. So odanaṁ paṭiggaṇhanto na pattaṁ unnāmeti, na pattaṁ onāmeti; na pattaṁ sannāmeti, na pattaṁ vināmeti.

---

So odanaṁ paṭiggaṇhāti nātithokaṁ nātibahuṁ. Byañjanaṁ kho pana bhavaṁ gotamo byañjanamattāya āhāreti, na ca byañjanena ālopaṁ atināmeti. Dvattikkhattuṁ kho bhavaṁ gotamo mukhe ālopaṁ samparivattetvā ajjhoharati; na cassa kāci odanamiñjā asambhinnā kāyaṁ pavisati, na cassa kāci odanamiñjā mukhe avasiṭṭhā hoti; athāparaṁ ālopaṁ upanāmeti. Rasapaṭisaṁvedī kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo āhāraṁ āhāreti, no ca rasarāgapaṭisaṁvedī.

39Aṭṭhaṅgasamannāgataṁ kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo āhāraṁ āhāreti — neva davāya, na madāya na maṇḍanāya na vibhūsanāya, yāvadeva imassa kāyassa ṭhitiyā yāpanāya, vihiṁsūparatiyā brahmacariyānuggahāya: ‘iti purāṇañca vedanaṁ paṭihaṅkhāmi navañca vedanaṁ na uppādessāmi, yātrā ca me bhavissati anavajjatā ca phāsuvihāro cā’ti.

---

So bhuttāvī pattodakaṁ paṭiggaṇhanto na pattaṁ unnāmeti, na pattaṁ onāmeti; na pattaṁ sannāmeti, na pattaṁ vināmeti. So pattodakaṁ paṭiggaṇhāti nātithokaṁ nātibahuṁ. So na khulukhulukārakaṁ pattaṁ dhovati, na samparivattakaṁ pattaṁ dhovati, na pattaṁ bhūmiyaṁ nikkhipitvā hatthe dhovati; hatthesu dhotesu patto dhoto hoti, patte dhote hatthā dhotā honti. So pattodakaṁ chaḍḍeti nātidūre nāccāsanne, na ca vicchaḍḍayamāno.

---

So bhuttāvī na pattaṁ bhūmiyaṁ nikkhipati nātidūre nāccāsanne, na ca anatthiko pattena hoti, na ca ativelānurakkhī pattasmiṁ.

---

So bhuttāvī muhuttaṁ tuṇhī nisīdati, na ca anumodanassa kālamatināmeti. So bhuttāvī anumodati, na taṁ bhattaṁ garahati, na aññaṁ bhattaṁ paṭikaṅkhati; aññadatthu dhammiyā kathāya taṁ parisaṁ sandasseti samādapeti samuttejeti sampahaṁseti. So taṁ parisaṁ dhammiyā kathāya sandassetvā samādapetvā samuttejetvā sampahaṁsetvā uṭṭhāyāsanā pakkamati.

So nātisīghaṁ gacchati, nātisaṇikaṁ gacchati, na ca muccitukāmo gacchati;

na ca tassa bhoto gotamassa kāye cīvaraṁ accukkaṭṭhaṁ hoti na ca accokkaṭṭhaṁ, na ca kāyasmiṁ allīnaṁ na ca kāyasmā apakaṭṭhaṁ; na ca tassa bhoto gotamassa kāyamhā vāto cīvaraṁ apavahati; na ca tassa bhoto gotamassa kāye rajojallaṁ upalimpati.

---

So ārāmagato nisīdati paññatte āsane. Nisajja pāde pakkhāleti; na ca so bhavaṁ gotamo pādamaṇḍanānuyogamanuyutto viharati. So pāde pakkhāletvā nisīdati pallaṅkaṁ ābhujitvā ujuṁ kāyaṁ paṇidhāya parimukhaṁ satiṁ upaṭṭhapetvā. So neva attabyābādhāya ceteti, na parabyābādhāya ceteti, na ubhayabyābādhāya ceteti; attahitaparahitaubhayahitasabbalokahitameva so bhavaṁ gotamo cintento nisinno hoti. So ārāmagato parisati dhammaṁ deseti, na taṁ parisaṁ ussādeti, na taṁ parisaṁ apasādeti; aññadatthu dhammiyā kathāya taṁ parisaṁ sandasseti samādapeti samuttejeti sampahaṁseti.

---

40Aṭṭhaṅgasamannāgato kho panassa bhoto gotamassa mukhato ghoso niccharati – vissaṭṭho ca, viññeyyo ca, mañju ca, savanīyo ca, bindu ca, avisārī ca, gambhīro ca, ninnādī ca. Yathāparisaṁ kho pana so bhavaṁ gotamo sarena viññāpeti, na cassa bahiddhā parisāya ghoso niccharati. Te tena bhotā gotamena dhammiyā kathāya sandassitā samādapitā samuttejitā sampahaṁsitā uṭṭhāyāsanā pakkamanti avalokayamānāyeva avijahitattā.

Addasāma kho mayaṁ, bho, taṁ bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ gacchantaṁ, addasāma ṭhitaṁ, addasāma antaragharaṁ pavisantaṁ, addasāma antaraghare nisinnaṁ tuṇhībhūtaṁ, addasāma antaraghare bhuñjantaṁ, addasāma bhuttāviṁ nisinnaṁ tuṇhībhūtaṁ, addasāma bhuttāviṁ anumodantaṁ, addasāma ārāmaṁ gacchantaṁ, addasāma ārāmagataṁ nisinnaṁ tuṇhībhūtaṁ, addasāma ārāmagataṁ parisati dhammaṁ desentaṁ. Ediso ca ediso ca so bhavaṁ gotamo, tato ca bhiyyo"ti.

---

41Evaṁ vutte, brahmāyu brāhmaṇo uṭṭhāyāsanā ekaṁsaṁ uttarāsaṅgaṁ karitvā yena bhagavā tenañjaliṁ paṇāmetvā tikkhattuṁ udānaṁ udāneti:

---

42"Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa.

43Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa.

44Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassāti.

---

45Appeva nāma mayaṁ kadāci karahaci tena bhotā gotamena samāgaccheyyāma? Appeva nāma siyā kocideva kathāsallāpo"ti.

46Atha kho bhagavā videhesu anupubbena cārikaṁ caramāno yena mithilā tadavasari. Tatra sudaṁ bhagavā mithilāyaṁ viharati maghadevaambavane.

Assosuṁ kho mithileyyakā brāhmaṇagahapatikā: "Samaṇo khalu, bho, gotamo sakyaputto sakyakulā pabbajito videhesu cārikaṁ caramāno mahatā bhikkhusaṁghena saddhiṁ pañcamattehi bhikkhusatehi mithilaṁ anuppatto, mithilāyaṁ viharati maghadevaambavane. Taṁ kho pana bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato: ‘itipi so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho vijjācaraṇasampanno sugato lokavidū anuttaro purisadammasārathi satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā’ti. So imaṁ lokaṁ sadevakaṁ samārakaṁ sabrahmakaṁ sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiṁ pajaṁ sadevamanussaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā pavedeti. So dhammaṁ deseti ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ, kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāseti. Sādhu kho pana tathārūpānaṁ arahataṁ dassanaṁ hotī"ti.

47Atha kho mithileyyakā brāhmaṇagahapatikā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā appekacce bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu; appekacce bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodiṁsu, sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu; appekacce yena bhagavā tenañjaliṁ paṇāmetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu; appekacce bhagavato santike nāmagottaṁ sāvetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu; appekacce tuṇhībhūtā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu.

---

48Assosi kho brahmāyu brāhmaṇo: "Samaṇo khalu, bho, gotamo sakyaputto sakyakulā pabbajito mithilaṁ anuppatto, mithilāyaṁ viharati maghadevaambavane"ti.

Atha kho brahmāyu brāhmaṇo sambahulehi sāvakehi saddhiṁ yena maghadevaambavanaṁ tenupasaṅkami.

---

Atha kho brahmāyuno brāhmaṇassa avidūre ambavanassa etadahosi: "na kho metaṁ patirūpaṁ yohaṁ pubbe appaṭisaṁvidito samaṇaṁ gotamaṁ dassanāya upasaṅkameyyan"ti.

Atha kho brahmāyu brāhmaṇo aññataraṁ māṇavakaṁ āmantesi: "ehi tvaṁ, māṇavaka, yena samaṇo gotamo tenupasaṅkama; upasaṅkamitvā mama vacanena samaṇaṁ gotamaṁ appābādhaṁ appātaṅkaṁ lahuṭṭhānaṁ balaṁ phāsuvihāraṁ puccha: ‘brahmāyu, bho gotama, brāhmaṇo bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ appābādhaṁ appātaṅkaṁ lahuṭṭhānaṁ balaṁ phāsuvihāraṁ pucchatī’ti. Evañca vadehi: ‘brahmāyu, bho gotama, brāhmaṇo jiṇṇo vuḍḍho mahallako addhagato vayoanuppatto, vīsavassasatiko jātiyā, tiṇṇaṁ vedānaṁ pāragū sanighaṇḍukeṭubhānaṁ sākkharappabhedānaṁ itihāsapañcamānaṁ, padako, veyyākaraṇo, lokāyatamahāpurisalakkhaṇesu anavayo. Yāvatā, bho, brāhmaṇagahapatikā mithilāyaṁ paṭivasanti, brahmāyu tesaṁ brāhmaṇo aggamakkhāyati — yadidaṁ bhogehi; brahmāyu tesaṁ brāhmaṇo aggamakkhāyati — yadidaṁ mantehi; brahmāyu tesaṁ brāhmaṇo aggamakkhāyati — yadidaṁ āyunā ceva yasasā ca. So bhoto gotamassa dassanakāmo’"ti.

---

49"Evaṁ, bho"ti kho so māṇavako brahmāyussa brāhmaṇassa paṭissutvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho so māṇavako bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: "brahmāyu, bho gotama, brāhmaṇo bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ appābādhaṁ appātaṅkaṁ lahuṭṭhānaṁ balaṁ phāsuvihāraṁ pucchati; evañca vadeti: ‘brahmāyu, bho gotama, brāhmaṇo jiṇṇo vuḍḍho mahallako addhagato vayoanuppatto, vīsavassasatiko jātiyā, tiṇṇaṁ vedānaṁ pāragū sanighaṇḍukeṭubhānaṁ sākkharappabhedānaṁ itihāsapañcamānaṁ, padako, veyyākaraṇo, lokāyatamahāpurisalakkhaṇesu anavayo. Yāvatā, bho, brāhmaṇagahapatikā mithilāyaṁ paṭivasanti, brahmāyu tesaṁ brāhmaṇo aggamakkhāyati — yadidaṁ bhogehi; brahmāyu tesaṁ brāhmaṇo aggamakkhāyati — yadidaṁ mantehi; brahmāyu tesaṁ brāhmaṇo aggamakkhāyati — yadidaṁ āyunā ceva yasasā ca.

So bhoto gotamassa dassanakāmo’"ti. "Yassadāni, māṇava, brahmāyu brāhmaṇo kālaṁ maññatī"ti.

---

Atha kho so māṇavako yena brahmāyu brāhmaṇo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā brahmāyuṁ brāhmaṇaṁ etadavoca: "katāvakāso khomhi bhavatā samaṇena gotamena. Yassadāni bhavaṁ kālaṁ maññatī"ti.

---

50Atha kho brahmāyu brāhmaṇo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami. Addasā kho sā parisā brahmāyuṁ brāhmaṇaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ. Disvāna oramiya okāsamakāsi yathā taṁ ñātassa yasassino.

Atha kho brahmāyu brāhmaṇo taṁ parisaṁ etadavoca: "Alaṁ, bho. Nisīdatha tumhe sake āsane. Idhāhaṁ samaṇassa gotamassa santike nisīdissāmī"ti.

---

51Atha kho brahmāyu brāhmaṇo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho brahmāyu brāhmaṇo bhagavato kāye dvattiṁsamahāpurisalakkhaṇāni samannesi. Addasā kho brahmāyu brāhmaṇo bhagavato kāye dvattiṁsamahāpurisalakkhaṇāni, yebhuyyena ṭhapetvā dve. Dvīsu mahāpurisalakkhaṇesu kaṅkhati vicikicchati nādhimuccati na sampasīdati — kosohite ca vatthaguyhe pahūtajivhatāya ca.

Atha kho brahmāyu brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ gāthāhi ajjhabhāsi:

---

---

56Atha kho bhagavato etadahosi: "passati kho me ayaṁ brahmāyu brāhmaṇo dvattiṁsamahāpurisalakkhaṇāni, yebhuyyena ṭhapetvā dve. Dvīsu mahāpurisalakkhaṇesu kaṅkhati vicikicchati nādhimuccati na sampasīdati – kosohite ca vatthaguyhe pahūtajivhatāya cā"ti.

Atha kho bhagavā tathārūpaṁ iddhābhisaṅkhāraṁ abhisaṅkhāsi yathā addasa brahmāyu brāhmaṇo bhagavato kosohitaṁ vatthaguyhaṁ. Atha kho bhagavā jivhaṁ ninnāmetvā ubhopi kaṇṇasotāni anumasi paṭimasi; ubhopi nāsikasotāni anumasi paṭimasi; kevalampi nalāṭamaṇḍalaṁ jivhāya chādesi.

Atha kho bhagavā brahmāyuṁ brāhmaṇaṁ gāthāhi paccabhāsi:

---

---

60Atha kho brahmāyussa brāhmaṇassa etadahosi:

"katāvakāso khomhi samaṇena gotamena. Kiṁ nu kho ahaṁ samaṇaṁ gotamaṁ puccheyyaṁ: ‘diṭṭhadhammikaṁ vā atthaṁ samparāyikaṁ vā’"ti. Atha kho brahmāyussa brāhmaṇassa etadahosi: "kusalo kho ahaṁ diṭṭhadhammikānaṁ atthānaṁ. Aññepi maṁ diṭṭhadhammikaṁ atthaṁ pucchanti. Yannūnāhaṁ samaṇaṁ gotamaṁ samparāyikaṁyeva atthaṁ puccheyyan"ti.

Atha kho brahmāyu brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ gāthāhi ajjhabhāsi:

---

---

63Atha kho bhagavā brahmāyuṁ brāhmaṇaṁ gāthāhi paccabhāsi:

---

---

66Evaṁ vutte, brahmāyu brāhmaṇo uṭṭhāyāsanā ekaṁsaṁ uttarāsaṅgaṁ karitvā bhagavato pādesu sirasā nipatitvā bhagavato pādāni mukhena ca paricumbati, pāṇīhi ca parisambāhati, nāmañca sāveti: "brahmāyu ahaṁ, bho gotama, brāhmaṇo; brahmāyu ahaṁ, bho gotama, brāhmaṇo"ti.

Atha kho sā parisā acchariyabbhutacittajātā ahosi: "acchariyaṁ vata bho, abbhutaṁ vata bho. Yatra hi nāmāyaṁ brahmāyu brāhmaṇo ñāto yasassī evarūpaṁ paramanipaccakāraṁ karissatī"ti.

Atha kho bhagavā brahmāyuṁ brāhmaṇaṁ etadavoca: "Alaṁ, brāhmaṇa, uṭṭhaha nisīda tvaṁ sake āsane yato te mayi cittaṁ pasannan"ti.

Atha kho brahmāyu brāhmaṇo uṭṭhahitvā sake āsane nisīdi.

67Atha kho bhagavā brahmāyussa brāhmaṇassa anupubbiṁ kathaṁ kathesi, seyyathidaṁ — dānakathaṁ, sīlakathaṁ, saggakathaṁ; kāmānaṁ ādīnavaṁ okāraṁ saṅkilesaṁ nekkhamme ānisaṁsaṁ pakāsesi. Yadā bhagavā aññāsi brahmāyuṁ brāhmaṇaṁ kallacittaṁ muducittaṁ vinīvaraṇacittaṁ udaggacittaṁ pasannacittaṁ, atha yā buddhānaṁ sāmukkaṁsikā dhammadesanā taṁ pakāsesi — dukkhaṁ, samudayaṁ, nirodhaṁ, maggaṁ. Seyyathāpi nāma suddhaṁ vatthaṁ apagatakāḷakaṁ sammadeva rajanaṁ paṭiggaṇheyya; evameva brahmāyussa brāhmaṇassa tasmiṁyeva āsane virajaṁ vītamalaṁ dhammacakkhuṁ udapādi: "yaṁ kiñci samudayadhammaṁ sabbaṁ taṁ nirodhadhamman"ti.

68Atha kho brahmāyu brāhmaṇo diṭṭhadhammo pattadhammo viditadhammo pariyogāḷhadhammo tiṇṇavicikiccho vigatakathaṅkatho vesārajjappatto aparappaccayo satthusāsane bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

"Abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama, abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama. Seyyathāpi, bho gotama, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ bhotā gotamena anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito. Esāhaṁ bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi dhammañca bhikkhusaṅghañca. Upāsakaṁ maṁ bhavaṁ gotamo dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gataṁ. Adhivāsetu ca me bhavaṁ gotamo svātanāya bhattaṁ saddhiṁ bhikkhusaṅghenā"ti.

Adhivāsesi bhagavā tuṇhībhāvena. Atha kho brahmāyu brāhmaṇo bhagavato adhivāsanaṁ viditvā uṭṭhāyāsanā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā pakkāmi.

Atha kho brahmāyu brāhmaṇo tassā rattiyā accayena sake nivesane paṇītaṁ khādanīyaṁ bhojanīyaṁ paṭiyādāpetvā bhagavato kālaṁ ārocāpesi: "kālo, bho gotama, niṭṭhitaṁ bhattan"ti.

69Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena brahmāyussa brāhmaṇassa nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi saddhiṁ bhikkhusaṅghena. Atha kho brahmāyu brāhmaṇo sattāhaṁ buddhappamukhaṁ bhikkhusaṅghaṁ paṇītena khādanīyena bhojanīyena sahatthā santappesi sampavāresi.

Atha kho bhagavā tassa sattāhassa accayena videhesu cārikaṁ pakkāmi. Atha kho brahmāyu brāhmaṇo acirapakkantassa bhagavato kālamakāsi.

Atha kho sambahulā bhikkhū yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho te bhikkhū bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ: "brahmāyu, bhante, brāhmaṇo kālaṅkato. Tassa kā gati, ko abhisamparāyo"ti?

"Paṇḍito, bhikkhave, brahmāyu brāhmaṇo paccapādi dhammassānudhammaṁ, na ca maṁ dhammādhikaraṇaṁ vihesesi. Brahmāyu, bhikkhave, brāhmaṇo pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā opapātiko hoti, tattha parinibbāyī, anāvattidhammo tasmā lokā"ti.

70Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.

Brahmāyusuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ paṭhamaṁ.