Thig 12 Puṃṃikṅ & the Brahman

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# Right single quote

('â', One, through water ablution, is from evil kamma set freeâ? In that case, theyâd all go to heaven: all the frogs, turtles, serpents,1 crocodiles, & anything else that lives in the water. Sheep-butchers, pork-butchers, fishermen, trappers, thieves, executioners, & any other evil doers, would, through water ablution, be from evil kamma set free. If these rivers could carry off the evil kamma youâve done in the past, theyâd carry off your merit as well, and then youâd be completely deprived. Whatever it is that you fear, that youâre always going down to the water, donât do it. Donât let the cold hurt your skin." The Brahman: Iâve been following the miserable path, good lady, and now youâve brought me back to the noble. I give you this robe for water-ablution. Puṃṃikṅ: Let the robe be yours. I donât need it. If youâre afraid of pain, if you dislike pain, then donât do any evil kamma, in open, in secret. But if you do or will do any evil kamma, youâll gain no freedom from pain, even if you fly up & hurry away. If youâre afraid of pain, if you dislike pain, go to the Awakened One for refuge, go to the Dhamma & Saṃgha. Take on the precepts: That will lead to your liberation.2 The Brahman: I go to the Awakened One for refuge; I go to the Dhamma & Saṃgha. I take on the precepts: That will lead to my liberation.3 * * * Before, I was a kinsman to Brahmṅ; now, truly a brahman. Iâm a three-knowledge man & safe, consummate in knowledge, washed clean. Notes 1. Reading nṅgṅ with the Thai, Burmese, and PTS editions. The Sinhalese edition has nakkṅ, another word for "crocodile." 2. Reading mokkhṅya with the Thai edition. The other editions have atthṅya, "benefit." 3. This stanza is missing in the Thai edition. - --> - - - -