The Contraphile

Linked Discourses 7.16

2. Lay Followers

The Contraphile

At Sāvatthī.

Now at that time a brahmin named Contraphile, who loved contradiction, was residing in Sāvatthī.

Then Contraphile thought,

“Why don’t I go to the ascetic Gotama and

contradict everything he says?”

At that time the Buddha was walking mindfully in the open air.

Then the brahmin Contraphile went up to the Buddha, and said to him as he was walking,

“Ascetic, preach the Dhamma.”

“Fine words aren’t easy to understand

by a lover of contradiction,

whose mind is tainted

and full of aggression.

But when you’ve dispelled aggression,

and your suspicious mind,

and you’ve got rid of resentment,

then you’ll understand fine words.”

When he had spoken, the brahmin Contraphile said to the Buddha,

“Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent! …

From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”