Vatthūpama Sutta
Thus have I heard:
At one time the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Park. There the Blessed One addressed the monks: “Monks.” — “Venerable Sir,” they replied.
The Blessed One said:
“Monks, if a cloth is dirty and stained, then when a dyer dips it into any dye — whether blue, yellow, red, or crimson — the cloth will turn out impure in color, poorly dyed. Why? Because the cloth is impure. Even so, when the mind is defiled, a bad destination is to be expected.
But if a cloth is clean and pure, and a dyer dips it into any dye — whether blue, yellow, red, or crimson — it will turn out pure in color, well dyed. Why? Because the cloth is pure. Even so, when the mind is undefiled, a good destination is to be expected.”
The 16 Mental Defilements
“Monks, what are the defilements of the mind?
Covetousness, ill will, anger, hostility, contempt, domineering, envy, stinginess, deceit, hypocrisy, obstinacy, competitiveness, arrogance, conceit, vanity, negligence — these are the defilements of the mind.
A monk understands clearly that these states are defilements of the mind. Having understood them, he abandons them.”
Purification and Unshakable Confidence
“When a monk knows and sees these defilements as they are, and abandons them, then at that time he possesses unshakable confidence in the Buddha, in the Dhamma, and in the Saṅgha.
Because these defilements have been abandoned, removed, cut off, relinquished, and brought to an end, he gains joy connected with the Dhamma. When he is joyful, rapture arises. With rapture present, the body becomes tranquil. When the body is tranquil, he feels happiness. With happiness, the mind becomes concentrated.”
Similes of Purification
“Monks, just as a dirty cloth becomes clean by washing in clear water, or as gold becomes pure through proper refining, even so a monk endowed with such virtue, such qualities, such wisdom — even if he eats fine meals of pure wheat and delicious sauces — incurs no blame.”
The Four Brahmavihāras
“He pervades one direction with a mind of loving-kindness, then the second, the third, the fourth; likewise above, below, and all around — everywhere, to all as to himself — with a mind of loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity: abundant, exalted, immeasurable, without hostility, without ill will.
He clearly knows: ‘There is this state, there is the inferior, there is the superior, there is an escape beyond the sphere of perception of these.’ Knowing this, the mind is liberated from the taint of sensual desire, from the taint of becoming, from the taint of ignorance. When liberated, he understands: ‘Liberated.’ He knows: ‘Birth is destroyed; the holy life has been lived; what had to be done has been done; there is nothing further for this state of being.’”
Dialogue with Sundarika Bhāradvāja
At that time, Sundarika Bhāradvāja the brahmin was sitting close by and asked:
“Master Gotama, are you going to bathe in the river Bāhuka?”
The Blessed One replied:
“What can the Bāhuka River do, brahmin? What benefit can it bring?”
The brahmin said:
“Master Gotama, many people believe the Bāhuka purifies. Many go there to wash away their sins.”
Then the Blessed One addressed him in verses:
“Though a foolish man may bathe In Bāhuka, Adhikakkā, In Gayā, Sundarikā, In Sarassati or Payāga, In the great river Bāhumati— He is not cleansed of evil deeds.
What can Sundarikā or Payāga do? What can the Bāhuka River do? They cannot purify a violent man Who has done cruel and wicked deeds.
But for one who is pure within, Who lives the pure life always, Whose conduct is stainless— Every day is an auspicious day.
Therefore, brahmin, bathe in this teaching. Spread safety to all beings. If you do no evil, speak no lies, Take nothing not given, And are faithful and not stingy— Why go to Gayā? What can the waters of Gayā do for you?”
Sundarika Bhāradvāja Attains Arahantship
When the Blessed One had spoken thus, Sundarika Bhāradvāja said:
“Excellent, Master Gotama! Just as one might set upright what was overturned, Reveal what was hidden, Show the way to one who was lost, Or bring a lamp into the darkness— So has Master Gotama made the Dhamma clear.”
He declared himself a lay follower, requested ordination, and the Blessed One admitted him into the monastic order. Soon after his ordination, dwelling secluded, ardent, resolute, he realized the supreme goal of the holy life and became an arahant.
End of the Vatthūpama Sutta