Buddhist Dhammapadha the monk who liked to argue Hatthaka

Chapter XIX - DHAMMATTHA VAGGA - The Just or Righteous

A SHAVEN HEAD DOES NOT MAKE ONE A MONK

A SHAVEN HEAD DOES NOT MAKE ONE A MONK

Na mundakena samano abbato alikam bhanam
Iccha lobhasamapanno samano kim bhavissati. [264]

HE IS A MONK WHO HAS OVERCOME EVIL

Yo ca sameti papani anum thulani sabbaso
Samitatta hi papanam samano'ti pavuccati. [265]

Not by a shaven head does an undisciplined man,¹ who utters lies, become a monk. How can one who is full of desire and greed be a monk? [264]

He who wholly subdues evil deeds both small and great, is called a monk because he has overcome all evil. [265]

XIX: 06 The monk who liked to argue (Hatthaka)

Venerable Hatthaka used to argue with others. Whenever he was defeated in an argument he would challenge his opponents to meet again at a certain place and time to continue with the argument. He would then go to the appointed place before the appointed time and declare that the absence of the opponent meant acknowledgement of defeat. He would then boast, 'Look, those foolish people dare not meet me, they have been defeated by me!'. The Buddha on hearing about his behaviour admonished Hatthaka, 'Bhikkhu! Why do you behave in this way? One who says such things is not suitable to be a samana (monk) in spite of his shaven head. Only one who has rid himself of all evil and pride is to be called a samana.'

Notes:

He who does not practise higher morality (sila) and austerities (dhutanga).