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Chapter Sixty<br />
Lady Visakha’s Grief<br />
After Ambalatthika, the Buddha went to teach in Nalanda, and then to Campa, a large city in the state of Anga. Anga was a populous and<br />
fertile region under the jurisdiction of King Bimbisara. There the Buddha dwelled in a cool forest by Gaggara Lake, where many fragrant<br />
lotus flowers grew.<br />
People came in great numbers to listen to the Buddha teach. A young, wealthy brahman named Sonadanda also came to meet the<br />
Buddha. Sonadanda was known and admired in the region for his astute intelligence. Several of his friends discouraged him from paying a<br />
visit to the Buddha. They felt a visit by Sonadanda would grant too much prestige to the monk Gautama. Sonadanda smiled and said that<br />
he did not want to pass up an opportunity to meet a man like the Buddha, who was known to possess uncommon insight. Such a chance<br />
only presented itself once in a thousand years, he said.<br />
“I must go to deepen my own knowledge,” said Sonadanda. “I want to see in which areas Monk Gautama exceeds me and in which<br />
areas I exceed Monk Gautama.”<br />
Several hundred brahmans decided to join Sonadanda. They walked to Gaggara Lake, placing their faith in Sonadanda. They were sure<br />
he would show the teaching of their caste to be superior to that of the Buddha. They knew Sonadanda would not bring shame to the<br />
brahmans.<br />
When Sonadanda stood before the Buddha, who was already surrounded by dense crowds, he faltered for a moment, not knowing how<br />
to begin. The Buddha assisted him by speaking first. He said, “Sonadanda, can you tell us what characteristics are essential to be a true<br />
brahman? If necessary, please cite the Vedas as evidence.”<br />
Sonadanda was pleased. The Vedas were his particular field of specialty. He said, “Monk Gautama, an authentic brahman possesses<br />
five characteristics—an attractive appearance, skill in chanting and performing rituals, purity of blood that can be traced back seven<br />
generations, virtuous action, and wisdom.”<br />
The Buddha asked, “Of those five characteristics, which are the most essential? Can one still be a true brahman if any of the<br />
characteristics are absent?”<br />
Sonadanda reflected and responded that the last two characteristics were the only ones truly indispensable. Physical beauty, skill in<br />
chanting and performing rituals, and purity of blood were not absolutely essential. Hearing Sonadanda say this disturbed the five hundred<br />
brahmans that had accompanied him. They all stood and shook their arms to challenge Sonadanda’s statements. They felt he had been<br />
swayed by the Buddha’s questioning and that his responses were an embarrassment to their caste.<br />
The Buddha turned to them and said, “Honored guests! If you have faith in Sonadanda, please be quiet and allow him to continue<br />
speaking with me. If you no longer have faith in him, ask him to sit down, and I will speak with any one of you instead.”<br />
Everyone fell silent. Sonadanda looked at the Buddha and said, “Monk Gautama, please allow me to address a few words to my<br />
friends.”<br />
Sonadanda turned to his fellows and pointed to a young man sitting in the front row of their ranks. He said, “Do you see my cousin<br />
Angaka here? Angaka is a handsome and elegant youth. His demeanor is refined and noble. Few, except Monk Gautama, can compete<br />
with his handsome looks. Angaka is also well versed in the Vedas. He possesses skill in chanting and performing rituals. He can claim purity<br />
of blood traced back seven generations on both sides of his family. No one can deny that he possesses these three characteristics. But let<br />
us suppose that Angaka was a drunkard who murdered, robbed, raped, and lied. Of what value would his attractive looks, chanting skills,<br />
and purity of blood be then? Dear friends, we must admit that virtuous action and wisdom are the only two characteristics truly essential to<br />
be a true brahman. This is a truth for all, not just a private truth for Monk Gautama.”<br />
The crowds applauded with approval. When the applause died down, the Buddha asked Sonadanda, “Of these two characteristics,<br />
virtuous action and wisdom, is one more essential than the other?”<br />
Sonadanda answered, “Monk Gautama, virtuous action develops from wisdom, and wisdom increases thanks to virtuous action. They<br />
cannot be separated. It is like using one hand to wash the other, or using one foot to scratch the other. Virtuous action and wisdom assist<br />
and nurture each other. Virtuous action enables wisdom to shine forth. Wisdom enables action to grow ever more virtuous. These two<br />
qualities are the most precious things in life.”<br />
The Buddha responded, “Excellent, Sonadanda! You speak the truth. Virtuous action and wisdom are the two most precious things in<br />
life. Can you tell us more? How can one develop virtuous action and wisdom to the highest degree?”