This is as I heard from the Blessed One. At one time the Buddha was staying in the city of Sāvatthī in the Pubbarama Monastery built by Migāra’s mother. Then in the late afternoon, the Buddha came out of retreat and sat outside the gate. Then, King Pasenadi of Kosala went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side.
Now at that time, seven matted-hair ascetics, seven Jain ascetics, seven naked ascetics, seven one-cloth ascetics, and seven wanderers passed by not far from the Buddha. Their armpits and bodies were hairy, and their nails were long; and they carried their possessions with shoulder-poles.
King Pasenadi saw them passing by and got up from his seat, arranged his robe over one shoulder, knelt with his right knee on the ground, raised his joined palms toward those various ascetics, and pronounced his name three times: “Sirs, I am Pasenadi, king of Kosala! I am Pasenadi, king of Kosala! I am Pasenadi, king of Kosala!”
Then, soon after those ascetics had left, King Pasenadi went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him, “Sir, they are among those who are either Arahants or on the path to Arahantship”
The Buddha said, “Great king, as a layman enjoying sense pleasures, living at home with your children, using sandalwood imported from Kāsi, wearing garlands, perfumes, and makeup, and accepting gold and money, it’s hard for you to know who is an Arahant or on the path to Arahantship.
You can get to know a person’s virtue by living with them—but only after a long time, not after a short time; only when attentive, not when inattentive; and only by the wise, not by the unwise. You can get to know a person’s purity by dealing with them. … You can get to know a person’s resilience during times of trouble. … You can get to know a person’s wisdom through discussions – but only after a long time, not after a short time; only when attentive, not when inattentive; and only by the wise, not by the unwise.”
“It is incredible, bhante, it is amazing, how well said this was by the Buddha. …
Bhante, these are my spies, my undercover agents returning after spying on the provinces. First, they go undercover, then I have them report to me. And now—when they have washed off the dust and dirt, and are nicely bathed and decorated, with hair and beard combed, and dressed in white—they will amuse themselves, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sense pleasures.”
Then, understanding this, the Buddha spoke this inspired verse:
“A true monk does not engage
in any act of unrighteousness.
He is not the servant of anybody.
He does not live
depending on the likes
of politicians or businessmen.
He does not use the Dhamma
as a means of trading.”
