The Story of a Brahmin Recluse

While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (388) of this book, with reference to a brahmin ascetic.

Once there was a brahmin ascetic in Savatthi. One day, it occurred to him that the Buddha called his disciples pabbajita bhikkhus and since he also was a recluse, he should also be called a pabbajita. So he went to the Buddha and posed the question why he should not be called a pabbajita. The Buddha's answer to him was this: "Just because one is a recluse one does not automatically become a pabbajita; a pabbajita must have other qualifications also."

Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:

Verse 388: Because he has discarded evil he is called a 'brahmana'; because he lives calmly he is called a 'samana'; and because he gets rid of his impurities he is called a 'pabbajita'.

At the end of the discourse the brahmin attained Sotapatti Fruition.

pabbajita: one who leaves the household life for the homeless life of a recluse; in Buddhism it means one who has given up the impurities of the household life to become a bhikkhu.