{"collection":"Khuddaka Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_ud8.7/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_ud8.7","id":"suttacentral_ud8.7","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/ud8.7/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Early Buddhist Texts","Khuddaka Nikaya"],"text":"So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was traveling along a road in the Kosalan lands with Venerable N\u0101gasam\u0101la as his second monk. N\u0101gasam\u0101la saw a fork in the road and said to the Buddha, \u201cSir, this is the road, let us go this way.\u201d But when he said this the Buddha responded, \u201cN\u0101gasam\u0101la, this is the road, let us go this way.\u201d For a second time \u2026 For a third time N\u0101gasam\u0101la said to the Buddha, \u201cSir, this is the road, let us go this way.\u201d And for a third time the Buddha responded, \u201cN\u0101gasam\u0101la, this is the road, let us go this way.\u201d Then N\u0101gasam\u0101la put the Buddha\u2019s bowl and robes down on the ground right there and left, saying, \u201cSir, here are your bowl and robes.\u201d Then as N\u0101gasam\u0101la was going down that road, he was set upon by bandits who struck him with fists and feet, broke his bowl, and tore up his outer robe. Then N\u0101gasam\u0101la\u2014with his bowl broken and his outer robe torn\u2014went to the Buddha and told him what had happened. Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment: \u201cWalking together, dwelling as one, the knowledge master mixes with foolish folk. Knowing this, they give up wickedness, like a milk-drinking heron the water.\u201d","title":"A Fork in the Road","tradition":"Khuddaka Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":217}