Episode
The Lowlife
- Podcast
- Dhamma Audio
- Published
- Jul 12, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 377
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Summary
The Lowlife So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthi in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthi for alms. Now at that time in the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper’s home the sacred flame had been kindled and the oblation prepared. Wandering indiscriminately for almsfood in Sāvatthi, the Buddha approached Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper’s house. Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper saw the Buddha coming off in the distance and said to him, “Stop right there, shaveling! Right there, fake ascetic! Right there, lowlife!” When he said this, the Buddha said to him, “But brahmin, do you know what is a lowlife or what are the qualities that makes one a lowlife?” “No I do not, worthy Gotama. Please, worthy Gotama, teach me this matter so I can understand what is a lowlife or what are the qualities that makes one a lowlife.” “Well then, brahmin, listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.” “Yes, worthy sir,” Bhāradvāja the Fire-Worshiper replied. The Buddha said this: “Irritable and acrimonious, wicked and offensive, a man deficient in view, deceitful: know him as a lowlife. He harms living creatures born of womb or of egg, and has no kindness for creatures: know him as a lowlife. He destroys and devastates villages and towns, a notorious oppressor: know him as a lowlife. Whether in village or wilderness, he steals what belongs to others, taking what has not been given: know him as a lowlife. Having fallen into debt, when pressed to pay up he flees, saying ‘I don’t owe you anything!’: know him as a lowlife. Wanting some item or other, he attacks a person in the street and takes it: know him as a lowlife. For his own sake or the sake of another, or for the sake of weal…