z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 04.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 292
292 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
- It may be said that the Brahmins also made a distinction between Pradnya and Vidya.
III
That may be true. But there is a vast difference between the Pradnya of the Buddha and the Pradnya of the Brahmins.
This distinction has been well brought out by the Buddha in his sermon reported in Anguttara Nikaya.
On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Rajagraha, in the bamboo grove at the squirrels’ feeding ground.
Now on that occasion Vassakara the Brahmin, a great official of Magadha, came to visit the Exalted One, and on coming to him greeted him courteously, and after exchange of greetings and courtesies sat down at one side. As he sat thus Vassakara the Brahmin said this to the Exalted One :
“Master Gotama, we Brahmins proclaim a man, if he possesses four qualities, as one of great wisdom, as a great man. What are the four qualities ?
“Herein, Master Gotama, he is learned. Of whatsoever he hears he understands the meaning as soon as it is uttered, saying: ‘This is the meaning of that saying !’ Moreover, he has a good memory, he can remember and recall a thing done long ago, and said long ago.
“Again, in all the business of a householder he is skilled and diligent, and therein he is resourceful and capable of investigating what is proper to be done, what should be arranged.
“Now, master Gotama, if a man possesses these qualities, we proclaim him as one of great wisdom, as a great man. If the worthy Gotama thinks me worthy of commendation herein, let him commend me. On the contrary, if he thinks me blameworthy, let him blame me therefor.”
“Well, Brahmin I neither commend you nor blame you herein. I myself proclaim a man to be one of great wisdom, if he possesses the following four qualities which are quite different from those mentioned by you,