So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then several old and well-to-do brahmins of Kosala—elderly and senior, who were advanced in years and had reached the final stage of life—went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, they sat down to one side and said to the Buddha: “Worthy Gotama, are the ancient principles of the brahmins exhibited these days among brahmins?” “No, brahmins, they are not.” “If you wouldn’t mind, Worthy Gotama, please teach us the ancient principles of the brahmins.” “Well then, brahmins, listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.” “Yes, worthy sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this:

“The ancient seers used to be restrained and austere. Having given up the five sensual stimuli, they lived for their own true good.

Brahmins used to own no cattle, nor gold coin or grain. Chanting was their money and grain, which they guarded as a gift from god.