Lakuntaka Bhaddiya Sutta: About Bhaddiya the Dwarf

SN 21.6

CDB i 718

translated from the Pali by

K. Nizamis

Dwelling in Sāvatthi. And then, there where the Blessed One was, there, Venerable Bhaddiya the Dwarf approached. The Blessed One saw Venerable Bhaddiya the Dwarf approaching even from afar. Having seen him, he addressed the monks:

"Do you see, monks, that monk approaching, of bad complexion, of bad appearance, dwarfish, of such a form as to be despised by the monks?"

"Just so, Venerable Sir."

"Monks, that monk is of great power, of great eminence. There is no well-gained attainment that has not already been attained by that monk. For that benefit for which sons of good lineage rightly go forth from home into homelessness, that ultimate conclusion of the holy life: even in this very life, by himself having seen with his own eyes the higher knowledge, and having attained, he abides."

This was said by the Blessed One. Having said that, the Fortunate One, the Teacher, also said this:

Swans, herons, and peacocks, elephants and spotted deer, All fear the lion, although their bodies are not equal. Just so, amongst humans, if a small one is wisdom-endowed, There, certainly, he is great, and not the fool endowed with a large body.

See also: Ud 7.5 .

You may copy, reformat, reprint, republish, and redistribute this work in any medium whatsoever, provided that: (1) you only make such copies, etc. available free of charge ; (2) you clearly indicate that any derivatives of this work (including translations) are derived from this source document; and (3) you include the full text of this license in any copies or derivatives of this work. Otherwise, all rights reserved. Documents linked from this page may be subject to other restrictions. Transcribed from a file provided by the translator. Last revised for Access to Insight on 2 November 2013.

How to cite this document (a suggested style): "Lakuntaka Bhaddiya Sutta: About Bhaddiya the Dwarf" (SN 21.6), translated from the Pali by K. Nizamis. Access to Insight (BCBS Edition) , 2 November 2013, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn21/sn21.006.niza.html .