dn4:8.1 But as he reached the far side of the forest, this thought came to mind,
BAGIAN 8
dn4:8.2 “Suppose I was to ask the ascetic Gotama a question.
dn4:8.3 He might say to me:
dn4:8.4 ‘Brahmin, you shouldn’t ask your question like that. This is how you should ask it.’ And the assembly might disparage me for that:
dn4:8.5 ‘Soṇadaṇḍa is foolish and incompetent. He’s not able to ask the ascetic Gotama a rational question.’
dn4:8.6 And when you’re disparaged by the assembly, your reputation diminishes.
dn4:8.7 When your reputation diminishes, your wealth also diminishes.
dn4:8.8 But my wealth relies on my reputation.
dn4:8.9 Or if the ascetic Gotama asks me a question, I might not satisfy him with my answer.
dn4:8.10 He might say to me:
dn4:8.11 ‘Brahmin, you shouldn’t answer the question like that. This is how you should answer it.’ And the assembly might disparage me for that:
dn4:8.12 ‘Soṇadaṇḍa is foolish and incompetent. He’s not able to satisfy the ascetic Gotama’s mind with his answer.’
dn4:8.13 And when you’re disparaged by the assembly, your reputation diminishes.
dn4:8.14 When your reputation diminishes, your wealth also diminishes.
dn4:8.15 But my wealth relies on my reputation.
dn4:8.16 On the other hand, if I were to turn back after having come so far without having seen the ascetic Gotama, the assembly might disparage me for that:
dn4:8.17 ‘Soṇadaṇḍa is foolish and incompetent. He’s stuck-up and scared. He doesn’t dare to go and see the ascetic Gotama. For how on earth can he turn back after having come so far without having seen the ascetic Gotama!’
dn4:8.18 And when you’re disparaged by the assembly, your reputation diminishes.
dn4:8.19 When your reputation diminishes, your wealth also diminishes.
dn4:8.20 But my wealth relies on my reputation.”