Thus have I heard:
At one time, the Bhagavaan was in the Nigrodh-arama near Kapilavastu, together with a great assembly of five hundred Bhikshus.
At that time, over five hundred noble and eminent Shakya elders in the kingdom wished to engage in a discussion and gathered at the Puurya Assembly Hall.
Then, the Brahmin Shrutavrtta approached the Shaakya assembly and said to them, “What do you think, noble ones?
Is there any Shramaṇa, Braahmana, or layperson here who is capable of debating with me?”
At that time, the many Shakya elders replied to the Brahmin Shrutavrtta:
“There are two individuals here who are highly talented and profoundly learned, residing in the land of Kapilavastu.
Who are these two?
One is the Bhikshu Cuulapanthaka, and the other is Gautama, the Shakya Tathaagata, Arhat, Samyak-Sambudha.
Among us, there are few who possess extensive knowledge;
most are unlearned and lack wisdom.
Some speak crudely, unable to distinguish between right and wrong—much like Cuulapanthaka, who is often ridiculed for his slow wit.
Similarly, there are those in Kapilavastu who, out of their own ignorance, fail to recognise true wisdom and virtue.
Some, in their delusion, even dismiss Gautama himself.
Now, you may engage in debate with them.
If the Brahmin is able to debate these two and emerges victorious, then we, the five hundred of us, shall provide offerings for all his needs and also bestow upon him a thousand gold coins.”
At that time, the Brahmin gave rise to this thought:
“These Shakyas of Kapilavastu are all intelligent and possess many skills and techniques.
They are deceitful, crafty, and lack true righteousness.
If I were to debate with these two individuals and win, it would not be
anything remarkable.
However, if they were to gain the upper hand over me, then I would be defeated by those whom I consider to be fools.”
Considering these two possibilities, he thought, “I am not capable of debating with them.”
Having spoken thus, he withdrew and left.
At that time, Cuulapanthaka took his alms bowl and entered Kapilavastu to beg for food.
At that moment, the Brahmin Shrutavrtta saw Cuulapanthaka from a distance and thought:
“I shall now go and question this man on the meaning (of the teachings).”
Then, the Brahmin Shrutavrtta approached the bhikshu and said to Cuulapanthaka:
“Shramana! What is your name?”
Cuulapanthaka replied: “Stop! Brahmin!
Why do you need to ask about my name?
If you have come here to inquire about the meaning (of the teachings), then ask at the appropriate time.”
The Brahmin said: “Shramana! Are you able to engage in a debate with me?”
Cuulapanthaka replied: “I am capable of debating even with Brahmaa, let alone with you, a blind and sightless man!”
The Brahmin said: “Is not a blind person simply one without sight?
And is one without sight not blind?
This is but a single concept—why make it so complicated?”
At that moment, Cuulapanthaka ascended into the sky and performed eighteen transformations.
Seeing this, the Brahmin thought to himself:
“This Shramana possesses only supernatural powers but does not understand debate.
However, if he is able to explain this concept to me, I shall take him as my teacher and become his disciple.”
At that time, the Venerable Shaariputra, using his divine ear, heard the discussion between Cuulapanthaka and the Brahmin Shrutavrtta. Then, Shaariputra transformed his form to appear as Cuulapanthaka, concealing the original form of Cuulapanthaka so that it was no longer visible.
He then spoke to the Brahmin: “O Brahmin! If you are thinking,
‘This Shramana possesses only supernatural powers and is not capable of debate,’ then listen carefully.
I shall now respond to your argument.
Based on the principles of debate, I shall further elaborate with analogies.
Now, O Brahmin! What is your name?”
Cuulapanthaka asked, “Are you a man?”
The Brahmin replied, “I am a man.”
He further asked, “Are you a human?”
The Brahmin responded, “Yes, I am a human.”
Cuulapanthaka asked, “What do you think, Brahmin?
A ‘man’ is also a ‘human being,’ and a ‘human being’ is also a ‘man.’
This too is a single concept—would you not consider it redundant?
However, Brahmin, ‘blind’ and ‘without eyes’ are not the same in meaning.”
The Brahmin asked, “What then, Shramana, is meant by ‘blind’?”
Cuulapanthaka replied, “It refers to one who does not see this world or the next, who does not perceive birth and death, good or evil forms, beauty or ugliness, and who fails to understand the wholesome and unwholesome actions performed by sentient beings as they truly are.
Such a person never perceives reality and is therefore called ‘blind.’”
The Brahmin then asked, “What, then, is meant by ‘one without eyes’?”
Cuulapanthaka replied, “The ‘eye’ refers to the supreme eye of wisdom. Those who lack this wisdom eye are thus called ‘without vision.’”
The Brahmin said, “Stop! Stop, Shramana!
Set aside this miscellaneous discussion.
I now wish to inquire about a profound matter.
Tell me, Shramana, is it possible to attain Nirvaana without relying on the Dharma?”
Cuulapanthaka replied, “One attains Nirvaana without relying on the five aggregates of clinging (panchaskandha).”
The Brahmin asked, “Shramana, are these panchaskandha of clinging produced by causes and conditions, or do they arise without cause?”
Cuulapanthakaanswered, “These panchaskandha of clinging arise due to causes and conditions; they do not arise without cause.”
The Brahmin then asked, “What are the causes and conditions for the panchaskandha of clinging?”
The Bhikshu said, “Craving (trishnaa) is the cause and condition.”
The Brahmin asked, “What is craving?”
The Bhikshu replied, “It is birth (janma).”
The Brahmin asked, “What is called birth?”
The Bhikshu answered, “It is precisely craving.”
The Brahmin then inquired, “What is the path leading to craving?”
The Shramana said, ”The Noble Eightfold Path (aarya-astaanga–maarga) is the way.
It consists of Right View, Right Thoughts, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Concentration, and Right Mindfulness. This is called the Noble Eightfold Path.”
At that time, Venerable Cuulapanthaka extensively expounded the Dharma to the Brahmin.
Having heard this teaching from the Bhikshu, the Brahmin’s defilements were completely extinguished, and he attained the purity of the Dharma Eye.
Right there, within his body, a fatal wind arose, and he passed away.
Then, Venerable Shaariputra restored his original form, ascended into the sky, and returned to his dwelling.
At that time, the Venerable Cuulapanthaka went to the great assembly hall where many Shakya elders were gathered.
Upon arrival, he addressed the Shakyas, saying,
“Prepare ghee and firewood quickly, and go to perform the funeral rites for the Brahmin Shrutavrtta.”
Then, the Shakya elders immediately gathered ghee and firewood and proceeded to the place of the Brahmin Shrutavrtta’s cremation.
At the four crossroads, they erected a funeral pyre, and together they made their way to the Venerable Cuulapanthaka.
Upon arrival, they prostrated, placing their heads at his feet, and then sat respectfully to one side.**
At that time, the Shakya elders recited this verse to the Venerable Cuulapanthaka:
“At Yavi, the funeral pyre was raised,
We did not disobey the Venerable’s command.
Great fortune has come upon us,
For we have encountered this sacred blessing.”
At that time, the Venerable Cuulapanthaka responded to the Shakya elders with this verse:
“Now the Noble Dharma Wheel turns,
Subduing all the heretics.
Wisdom vast as the great ocean,
Has now humbled the Brahmin.
All deeds, whether good or ill,
Past, future, and present remain.
Through countless eons, none are lost—
Therefore, one should cultivate merit.”
At that time, the Venerable Cuulapanthaka extensively expounded the Dharma to the Shakya elders.
After hearing his teachings, they respectfully addressed him:
“Venerable One, should you require robes, alms food, bedding, or medicinal remedies for illness, we shall provide everything without fail.
We sincerely request you to accept our offerings and not decline our humble devotion.”
At that moment, the Venerable Cuulapanthaka silently accepted their request.
At that time, the Shakya elders, having heard the teachings of the Venerable Cuulapanthaka, rejoiced and respectfully followed his words.