• Vassakára Sutta

1. Vassakára Sutta. Vassakára visits the Buddha at Veluvana and tells him that, among brahmins, a man is considered great and wise if

• he understands a thing as soon as uttered,
• has a good memory,
• is skilled and diligent in business,
• and resourceful and capable in investigation.

The Buddha mentions four other qualities of greatness:

• to be given up to the welfare of many,
• to be master of the mind in the domain of thought (cetovasippatta),
• to be able to enter into the four jhánas at will,
• to have comprehended Nibbána by the destruction of the ásavas.

The Buddha acknowledges, in answer to Vassakára's question, that he himself possesses these four qualities. A.ii.35f.

2. Vassakára Sutta. Vassakára visits the Buddha at Veluvana and asks him a series of questions. The Buddha, in answer, says that a bad man cannot, as a good man can, recognize either a good man or a bad man as such. Vassakára then relates how, once, the followers of the brahmin Todeyya spoke ill of Eleyya and his retinue for showing homage to Rámaputta; he now understands why they honour Rámaputta; it is because he is wiser than they. A.ii.179f.

3. Vassakára Sutta. Vassakára visits the Buddha at Gijjhakúta, at the request of Ajátasattu, and tells him of the latter’s desire to destroy the Vajjians. The Buddha tells him that as long as the Vajjians practise the seven conditions of welfare, taught by him at Sárandada, cetiya they will not decline, but rather prosper. Ajátasattu can achieve victory, not by battle, but by causing disunity. A.iv.17ff.; cf. D.ii.72f.