{"collection":"Samyutta Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_sn7.11/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_sn7.11","id":"suttacentral_sn7.11","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/sn7.11/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Early Buddhist Texts","Samyutta Nikaya"],"text":"So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Magadhans in the Southern Hills near the brahmin village of Ekan\u0101\u1e37a. Now at that time the brahmin Bh\u0101radv\u0101ja the Farmer had harnessed around five hundred plows, it being the season for sowing. Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, went to where Bh\u0101radv\u0101ja the Farmer was working. Now at that time Bh\u0101radv\u0101ja the Farmer was distributing food. Then the Buddha went to where the distribution was taking place and stood to one side. Bh\u0101radv\u0101ja the Farmer saw him standing for alms and said to him, \u201cI plough and sow, ascetic, and then I eat. You too should plough and sow, then you may eat.\u201d \u201cI too plough and sow, brahmin, and then I eat.\u201d \u201cI don\u2019t see the worthy Gotama with a yoke or plow or plowshare or goad or oxen, yet he says: \u2018I too plough and sow, brahmin, and then I eat.\u2019\u201d Then Bh\u0101radv\u0101ja the Farmer addressed the Buddha in verse: \u201cYou claim to be a farmer, but I don\u2019t see you farming. Tell me how you\u2019re a farmer when asked: how am I to recognize your farming?\u201d \u201cFaith is my seed, fervor my rain, and wisdom is my yoke and plough. Conscience is my draft-pole, mind my strap, mindfulness my plowshare and goad. Guarded in body and speech, I restrict my intake of food. I use truth as my scythe, and gentleness is my release. Energy is my harnessed beast, transporting me to sanctuary from the yoke. Without turning back, it goes to where there is no sorrow. That\u2019s how to do the farming that has freedom from death as its fruit. When you finish this farming you\u2019re released from all suffering.\u201d \u201cMay the worthy Gotama eat! The worthy one is a farmer. For the worthy Gotama does the farming that has freedom from death as its fruit.\u201d \u201cFood enchanted by a verse isn\u2019t fit for me to eat. That\u2019s not the principle of those who see, brahmin. The Buddhas cast aside things enchanted with verses. Since there is such a principle, brahmin, <j>that\u2019s how they live. Serve with other food and drink the consummate one, the great seer, with defilements ended and remorse stilled. For he is the field for the seeker of merit.\u201d When he had spoken, the brahmin Bh\u0101radv\u0101ja the Farmer said to the Buddha, \u201cExcellent, worthy Gotama \u2026 From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.\u201d","title":"With Bh\u0101radv\u0101ja the Farmer","tradition":"Samyutta Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":429}