Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c35.912

v2.c35.912

1. Vāseṭṭha Sutta.—The young brahmins, Vāseṭṭha and Bhāradvāja, fell to discussing one day, at Icchānaṅkala, as to what makes a true brahmin. Bhāradvāja maintained that it was pure descent from seven generations of ancestors, with neither break nor blemish in the lineage, whereas Vāseṭṭha contended that virtue and moral behaviour made a true brahmin. As neither could convince the other, they agreed to refer the matter to the Buddha, who said it was not birth but deeds which made the true brahmin.¹