So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Pāvā in Cunda the smith’s mango grove. Then Cunda the smith went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him, “Cunda, whose purity do you believe in?” “Sir, I believe in the purity advocated by the western brahmins garlanded with aquatic flowers who carry pitchers, serve the sacred flame, and immerse themselves in water.”

“But Cunda, what kind of purity do these western brahmins advocate?” “The western brahmins encourage their disciple like this: ‘Please, my man, rising early you should stroke the earth from your bed. If you don’t stroke the earth, stroke fresh cow dung. If you don’t stroke fresh cow dung, stroke green grass. If you don’t stroke green grass, serve the sacred flame. If you don’t serve the sacred flame, revere the sun with cupped palms. If you don’t revere the sun with cupped palms, immerse yourself in water three times, including at dusk.’ The western brahmins advocate this kind of purity.”

“The purity advocated by the western brahmins is quite different from that in the training of the Noble One.” “But what, sir, is purity in the training of the Noble One? Sir, please teach me this.”