ལས་བརྒྱ་ཐམ་པ་པ 35.11

35.11

The city brahmins told the country brahmins, “You make your livelihood by working in the fields, so you are not worthy of these offerings. We are qualified to receive offerings. It is we who are worthy of them.”

“You serve to glorify the king,” retorted the country brahmins. “Therefore, you are not qualified to receive offerings. We, however, are qualified. It is we who are worthy of them.”

As they sat there and proceeded to quarrel, argue, and debate each other, one of the brahmins absconded from the ritual offering site carrying a great deal of gold, silver, food, and drink. The other brahmins caught him, pummeled and kicked him brutally, and then left.

Terrified of dying from the beating, that brahmin entered the garden of Prince Jeta. Upon entering he saw the Buddha and the rest of the saṅgha of monks sitting without chattering, comporting themselves with elegance and restraint. As soon as he saw them, he felt joy toward the doctrine of the Blessed One. In his joy he thought, “I have had enough of being a brahmin. I will go forth in the doctrine of the Blessed One.”

He approached the Blessed One, touched his head to the Blessed One’s feet, drew down the right shoulder of his upper garment, and made this request of the Blessed One: “Lord, if permitted I wish to go forth in the Dharma and Vinaya so well spoken, complete my novitiate, and achieve full ordination. In the presence of the Blessed One, I too wish to practice the holy life.”

With the words “Come, join me, monk! Practice the holy life,” the Blessed One led him to go forth as a novice, conferred on him full ordination, and instructed him. He cast away all afflictive emotions through diligence, practice, and effort,