Buddha on Who He Likes to Call a Brahmana (Brahmin)

Selections from Dhammapada, Chapter 26

I do not call a brahmana, 
just because he is born of a brahmin mother, 
he is brahmin only by name 
if he is full of defilements, 
who is free from defilements and is un-attached, 
him I call a brahmana.

Not because of matted hair, family or birth, 
one becomes a brahmana, 
one who realises the truth and the Dhamma, 
is pure and is indeed a brahmana.

O fool, what use is your matted hair, 
or your garment of antelope skin, 
within you there is a forest, 
you clean only your outside.

One who does no evil bodily, verbally or mentally, 
who is restrained in these three respects, 
him I call a brahmana.

One whose speech is gentle, informed and truthful, 
and causes offence to no one, 
him I call a brahmana.

One who is free from anger, observes rules, 
who is virtuous and free from greed, 
well trained and in his last body, 
him I call a brahmana.

Who in this world takes nothing, that is not given, 
long or short, big or small, valuable or valueless, 
him I call a brahmana.

Who being pure, endures without anger, 
punishment, abuse, bondage, 
whose power and army is patience, 
him I call a brahmana.

Like water on a lotus leaf, 
like a mustard seed on the point of a needle, 
he who does not cling to passions, 
him I call a brahmana.

From whom passion, hatred, 
pride and envy have fallen off, 
like a mustard seed from a needle, 
him I call a brahmana.

One who has laid down the stick, 
against fearful and fearless beings, 
who does not kill nor cause to kill, 
him I call a brahmana.

One who is not hostile to who are hostile, 
peaceful to those holding a stick, 
unattached among the attached, 
him I call a brahmana.

One who does not cling, 
to the past, future or the present, 
who is free from defilements and is un-attached, 
him I call a brahmana.

One who has cut off all fetters, and remains fearless, 
who has eliminated desires and is detached, 
him I call a brahmana.

One who has no desire for this world, 
or for the next world, 
who is free from fetters and is detached, 
him I call a brahmana.

One who has given up attachment 
to human world, and to the worlds of gods, 
who is free from all attachments, 
him I call a brahmana.

One who has given up sensual desires, 
renounced worldly life to become homeless, 
who has eradicated sensual desires and rebirth, 
him I call a brahmana.

One who does not associate, 
with either householders or homeless, 
who is homeless with few desires, 
him I call a brahmana.

One who has cut the strap, the thong, 
the rope together with the bridle, 
who has thrown off the obstacle and enlightened, 
him I call a brahmana.

One who is bold, fearless, noble, 
the sage, the diligent, the conqueror, 
free from craving, cleansed and awakened, 
him I call a brahmana.

Whoever in this existence, 
realises the end of suffering, 
who has laid down the aggregates and detached, 
him I call a brahmana.

One whose knowledge is deep and profound, 
who knows the right way and the wrong way, 
who has reached the highest goal, 
him I call a brahmana.

One who has no craving, 
has no doubt through right knowledge, 
who has reached Nibbana the deathless, 
him I call a brahmana.

Whoever in this world, 
is above both good and evil, 
who is sorrowless, stainless and pure, 
him I call a brahmana.

Who like the moon is stainless, 
pure, clear and unperturbed, 
in whom desire for existence is extinct, 
him I call a brahmana.

He who has crossed this difficult path, 
the samsara full of defilements and delusion, 
who has reached the other shore, 
free from craving and doubt, 
unfettered and serene, 
him I call a brahmana.

(Source: https://drarisworld.wordpress.com/2023/03/23/brahmana-vagga-of-dhammapada-chapter-on-the-brahmana/)