31st May

151. At that time, the brahman Sundarika Bhāradvāja was sitting not far from the Lord and he said: “Does the good Gotama bathe in the Bāhukā River?”

“What is there in the Bāhukā River? Of what value is this river?”

“Good Gotama, many people believe that they can be purified by bathing in the river. They wash away their evil deeds in it.”

Then the Lord said:

    “In the Bāhukā and at Adhikakkā,

    At Gayā and in the Sundarikā,

    In the Sarassatī and at Payāga

    Or in the Bahumatī River,

    The fool, though entering constantly,

    Cannot wash away his evil deeds.

    What can these rivers do?

    They cannot purify the bad person

    Or one who is intent on evil.

    For the good person, every day is special.

    For the good person, every day is holy.

    The good practice good every day.

    Bathe in that and you will protect all beings.

    

    If you speak no lie, do no harm,

    Steal not, if you believe and are generous,

    What can be the good of going to Gayā?

    The water at Gayā is the same as the well water at home.”

M.I,39 (MN 7)