The Two Brahmans...

At one time when the Blessed One was journeying through Kosala
he came to the Brahman village which is called Manasakata.
There he stayed in a mango grove. [1]

And two young Brahmans came to him who were of different schools.
One was named Vasettha and the other Bharadvaja.
And Vasettha said to the Blessed One: [2]

"We have a dispute as to the true path.
I say the straight path which leads into a union with Brahma
is that which has been announced by the Brahman Pokkharasati,
while my friend says the straight path which leads unto a union with Brahma
is that which has been announced by the Brahman Tarukkha. [3]

"Now, regarding thy high reputation, O samana,
and knowing that thou art called the Enlightened One,
the teacher of men and gods, the Blessed Buddha,
we have come to ask thee,
are all these paths paths of salvation?
There are many roads all around our village, and all lead to Manasakata.
Is it just so with the paths of the sages?
Are all paths paths to salvation,
and do they all lead to a union with Brahma?" [4]

And the Blessed One proposed these questions to the two Brahmans:
"Do you think that all paths are right?" [5]

Both answered and said:
"Yes, Gotama, we think so." [6]

"But tell me," continued the Buddha,
"has any one of the Brahmans, versed in the Vedas,
seen Brahma face to face?" [7]

"No, sir!" was the reply. [8]

"But, then," said the Blessed One,
"has any teacher of the Brahmans, versed in the Vedas,
seen Brahma face to face?" [9]

The two Brahmans said: "No, sir." [10]

"But, then," said the Blessed One,
"has any one of the authors of the Vedas
seen Brahma face to face?" [11]

Again the two Brahmans answered in the negative and exclaimed:
"How can any one see Brahma or understand him,
for the mortal cannot understand the immortal."
And the Blessed One proposed an illustration, saying: [12]

"It is as if a man should make a staircase
in the place where four roads cross,
to mount up into a mansion.
And people should ask him,
'Where, good friend, is this mansion,
to mount up into which you are making this staircase?
Knowest thou whether it is in the east,
or in the south, or in the west, or in the north?
Whether it is high, or low, or of medium size?'
And when so asked he should answer, 'I know not.'
And people should say to him,
'But, then, good friend, thou art making a staircase
to mount up into something - taking it for a mansion -
which all the while thou knowest not,
neither hast thou seen it.'
And when so asked he should answer,
'That is exactly what I do;
yea I know that I cannot know it.'
What would you think of him?
Would you not say that the talk of that man was foolish talk?" [13]

"In sooth, Gotama," said the two Brahmans,
"it would be foolish talk!" [14]

The Blessed One continued:
"Then the Brahmans should say,
'We show you the way unto a union
of what we know not and what we have not seen'.
This being the subtance of Brahman lore,
does it not follow that their task is vain?" [15]

"It does follow," replied Bharadvaja. [16]

Said the Blessed One:
"Thus it is impossible that Brahmans versed in the three Vedas
should be able to show the way to a state of union
with that which they neither know nor have seen.
Just as when a string of blind men are clinging one to the other.
Neither can the foremost see, nor can those in the middle see, nor can the hindmost see.
Even so, methinks, the talk of the Bhramans versed in the three Vedas is but blind talk;
it is ridiculous, consists or mere words, and is a vain and empty thing." [17]

"Now suppose," added the Blessed One,
"that a man should come hither to the bank of the river,
and, having some business on the other side, should want to cross.
Do you suppose that if he were to invoke the other bank of the river
to come over to him on this side, the bank would come on account of his praying?" [18]

"Certainly not, Gotama." [19]

"Yet this is the way of the Brahmans.
They omit the practice of those qualities
which really make a man a Brahman, and say,
'Indra, we call upon thee; Soma, we call upon thee;
Varuna, we call upon thee; Brahma, we call upon thee.'
Verily, it is not possible that these Brahmans,
on account of their invocation, prayers, and praises,
should after death be united with Brahma." [20]