[51] Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Eastern Park (Pubbārāma), in the mansion of Migāra's mother. Now on that occasion Vāseṭṭha and Bhāradvāja were living on probation among the bhikkhus, aspiring to the state of a bhikkhu. Then in the evening the Blessed One, having emerged from seclusion (paṭisallāna), came down from the mansion and was walking up and down in the open air in the shade of the mansion.
Vāseṭṭha saw the Blessed One, who had emerged from seclusion in the evening and come down from the mansion, walking up and down in the open air in the shade of the mansion. Having seen him, he addressed Bhāradvāja: "Friend Bhāradvāja, here is the Blessed One, who has emerged from seclusion in the evening and come down from the mansion, walking up and down in the open air in the shade of the mansion. Come, friend Bhāradvāja, let us approach the Blessed One; perhaps we may get to hear a talk on the Dhamma in the presence of the Blessed One."
"Yes, friend," Bhāradvāja replied to Vāseṭṭha. Then Vāseṭṭha and Bhāradvāja approached the Blessed One; having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, they walked up and down along with the Blessed One as he walked.
Then the Blessed One addressed Vāseṭṭha: "Vāseṭṭhas, you are brahmins by birth, brahmins by family, gone forth from the household life into homelessness from a brahmin family. Vāseṭṭhas, do the brahmins not abuse and revile you?"
"Indeed, venerable sir, the brahmins abuse and revile us with insults suited to themselves, in full measure, not incompletely."
"But in what way, Vāseṭṭhas, do the brahmins abuse and revile you with insults suited to themselves, in full measure, not incompletely?"
"Venerable sir, the brahmins say this: 'Only the brahmin is the highest class (vaṇṇa); the other classes are inferior. Only the brahmin is the white class; the other classes are dark. Only brahmins are purified, not non-brahmins. Brahmins are Brahmā's true-born sons, born from his mouth, born of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, heirs of Brahmā. You two have abandoned the highest class and gone over to an inferior class—namely, these shaveling little ascetics, menials, dark ones, offspring of the Kinsman's feet. This is not good, this is not proper, that you have abandoned the highest class and gone over to an inferior class—namely, these shaveling little ascetics, menials, dark ones, offspring of the Kinsman's feet.' It is in this way, venerable sir, that the brahmins abuse and revile us with insults suited to themselves, in full measure, not incompletely."
"Assuredly, Vāseṭṭhas, the brahmins, not remembering their ancient tradition, say this: 'Only the brahmin is the highest class; the other classes are inferior. Only the brahmin is the white class; the other classes are dark. Only brahmins are purified, not non-brahmins. Brahmins are Brahmā's true-born sons, born from his mouth, born of Brahmā, created by Brahmā, heirs of Brahmā.' But, Vāseṭṭhas, the brahmin women of the brahmins are seen having their season, being pregnant, giving birth, and giving suck; and yet those brahmins, being themselves born from the womb, say this: 'Only the brahmin is the highest class … heirs of Brahmā.' They misrepresent Brahmā, they speak falsehood, and they generate much demerit."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.