← Saṃyutta NikāyaSN7.7Connected Discourses 7.7SuttaCentral (Bhikkhu Sujato translation)Select any verse to keep it — saved passages go to your Dhamma Deck, the same one the app uses.Linked Discourses 7.71. The Perfected OnesWith Bhāradvāja the PureAt Sāvatthī.Then the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Pure went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him.When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side,and recited this verse in his presence:“No brahmin in the world is ever purifiedeven though he’s ethical and mortifies himself.But one accomplished in knowledge and conductis purified, not these other commoners.”“Even one who mutters many prayersis no brahmin by birthif they’re filthy and corrupt within,supporting themselves by fraud.Regardless of whether you’re an aristocrat,a brahmin, peasant, menial,or a corpse-worker or scavenger—if you’re energetic and resolute,always staunchly vigorous,you’ll attain ultimate purity.Know that for a fact, brahmin.”When he had spoken, the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Pure said to the Buddha,“Excellent, worthy Gotama …” …And Venerable Bhāradvāja became one of the perfected.