The Story of Bhikkhu Hatthaka

While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verses (264) and (265) of this book, with reference to a bhikkhu named Hatthaka.

Bhikkhu Hatthaka was in the habit of challenging ascetics of non-Buddhist faiths to meet him in a certain place to debate on religious matters. He would then go out by himself to the self-appointed place. When nobody appeared he would boast, "Look, those wandering ascetics dare not meet me, they have been beaten by me!", and such other things. The Buddha called Hatthaka to him and said, "Bhikkhu! Why do you behave in this way? One who says such things cannot become a samana in spite of his shaven head. Only one who has rid himself of all evil is to be called a samana."

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Verse 264: Not by a shaven head does a man become a samana, if he lacks morality and austere practices and tells lies. How could he who is full of covetousness and greed be a samana?

Verse 265: He who has totally subdued all evil, great and small, is called a samana because he has overcome all evil.