The Related Suttas Collection 7.17

2. Lay Followers

The Builder

At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Kosalans in a certain forest grove.

Now at that time the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Builder was doing some building work in that jungle thicket. He saw the Buddha sitting down cross-legged at the root of a certain sal tree, his body set straight, and mindfulness established in front of him.

Seeing this, it occurred to him, “I enjoy doing this building work here in the jungle. I wonder what the ascetic Gotama enjoys doing?”

Then Bhāradvāja the Builder went up to the Buddha and addressed him in verse:

“What kind of work do you do as a bhikkhu in the sal jungle? How do you find enjoyment alone in the wilderness, Gotama?”

“There’s nothing I need to do in the jungle; my jungle’s cut down at the root, it’s withered away. With jungle cleared and free of thorns, I enjoy being alone in the jungle, having given up discontent.”

When he had spoken, the brahmin Bhāradvāja the Builder said to the Buddha, “Excellent, Master Gotama … From this day forth, may Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”