z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 05.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 318
318 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
§ 3. The Purpose of Religion and the Purpose of Dhamma
IV
What is the purpose of Religion ? What is the purpose of Dhamma ? Are they one and the same ? Or are they different ?
The answer to these questions are to be found in two dialogues—one between the Buddha and Sunakkhatta and the other between the Buddha and the Brahmin Potthapada.
The Exalted One was once staying among the Mallas at Anupiya, one of their towns.
Now the Exalted One having robed himself in the early morning, put on his cloak and took his bowl and entered the town for alms.
On the way he thought it was too early to go for alms. Therefore he went to the pleasance where Bhaggava the wanderer dwelt and called on him.
On seeing the Blessed One Bhaggava got up, saluted him and said, “May it please you, sire, to be seated ; here is a seat made ready for you.”
The Exalted One sat down thereon, and Bhaggava taking a certain low stool sat down beside him. So seated, Bhaggava, the wanderer, spake thus to the Exalted One :
8 “Some days ago, Lord, a good many days ago, Sunakkhatta of the Licchavis called on me and spake thus: ‘I have now given up the Exalted One, Bhaggava. I am remaining no longer under him (as my teacher).’ Is the fact really so, just as he said ?”
“It is just so Bhaggava, as Sunakkhatta of the Licchavis said,” replied the Blessed One.
“Some days ago, Bhaggava, a good many days ago, Sunakkhatta, the Licchavi, came to call on me, and spake thus : ‘Sir, I now give up the Exalted One. I will henceforth remain no longer under him (as my teacher).’ When he told me this, I said to him : ‘But now, Sunakkhatta, have I ever said to you, Come, Sunakkhatta, live under me (as my pupil) ?’
“ ‘No, sir, you have not.’