Chapter XXVI - BRAHMANA VAGGA - The Brahmana

A BRAHMANA IS HE WHO HAS LAID THE BURDEN ASIDE

Yo dukkhassa pajanati idh' eva khayam attano
Pannabharam visamyuttam tam aham brumi brahmanam [402]

XXVI: 19 The bond-servant who became an Arahant

Once there was a young bond-servant of a brahmin who fled from the house of his master and joined the Order of the bhikkhus. In due course, he attained Arahanthood. One day, while he went on an almsround with the Buddha, his former master, the brahmin, saw him and grabbed him firmly by the robe. When asked what the matter was, the brahmin explained that the bhikkhu had been his bond-servant at one time. The Buddha replied, 'This bhikkhu has laid down the burden of his life.' The brahmin took that to mean that his slave had become an Arahant. So to make sure, he asked whether it was true that the young bhikkhu had become an Arahant, and the Buddha confirmed his statement.