z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 04.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 307
WHAT IS SADDHAMMA ?
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“No, Gotama, I do not know who an outcast is. Nor indeed do I know what things make a man an outcast.”
The Lord pleaded that nothing would be lost in knowing who is an outcast. “Now that you insist on my knowing it,” the Brahmin Aggika said, “well go on and explain.”
The Brahmin having responded, the Blessed One spake as follows :
“The man who is irritable, rancorous, vicious, detractive, perverted in views, and deceitful— know ye that he is an outcast.
“Whosoever in this world harms living beings once-born or twice-born, in whom there is no compassion for living beings—know ye that he is an outcast.
“Whosoever destroys and besieges villages and hamlets, and is known as an oppressor—know ye that he is an outcast.
“Whether in the village or in the forest whosoever appropriates by theft what belongs to others, or what is not given—know ye that he is an outcast.
“Whosoever, having really taken a debt, flees, when pressed, saying, ‘There is no debt to you,’— know ye that he is an outcast.
“Whosoever, desiring some trifle, kills a man going alone on the road, and pillages him—know ye that he is an outcast.
“Whosoever for his own sake, or for the sake of others, or for the sake of wealth, utters lies when asked as a witness—know ye that he is an outcast.
“Whosoever by force or with consent is seen transgressing with the wives of relatives or friends— know ye that he is an outcast.
“Whosoever, being rich, does not support aged mother and father who have passed their youth— know ye that he is an outcast.
“Whosoever, when questioned about what is good, counsels what is wrong and teaches in a concealing way—know ye that he is an outcast.
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