The History of Buddhist Thought c14.4

c14.4

The views of the six heretics are stated in their most picturesque form in the *Sāmaññaphala-sutta*, the “discourse on the fruit of being an ascetic (*samaṇa* )” in the sense of a Buddhist monk.¹ It consists of a legend recording king Ajātasattu’s visit to Buddha. The king points out that there are all sorts of trades and occupations, and those who follow them have evident “fruit” therefrom. They live with their families and friends in comfort, give gifts to brahmins, and the result is happiness with the prospect of rebirth in heaven. Can Buddha show any such visible fruit for one who is an ascetic? The king admits that he has put the same question to other ascetics and brahmins, and proceeds to give the answers which he has received.