Pāli Dictionary

Cūḷasaccaka Sutta

Sutta

A discourse describing how the boastful debater Saccaka, confident no one could match him in argument, is drawn into a public debate with the Buddha over the nature of the Self, is gradually forced to concede every point until he is drenched in sweat while the Buddha remains composed, and ends by inviting the Buddha and his disciples to a meal.

Saccaka Nigaṇṭhīputta goes about Vesāli saying that he is unable to find his match in discussion. He meets Assaji and, after a preliminary debate with him, goes with a large company of Licchavis to seek the Buddha in the Mahāvana. He questions the Buddha on his method of training, and the Buddha explains this to him. The talk then turns on Self, and the Buddha points out the emptiness of Saccaka’s contentions. Saccaka (here referred to as Aggivessana) refuses to acknowledge defeat until the yakkha Vajirapāṇi threatens to smite him. Saccaka is driven to yield point after point until the sweat streams from his brow, and the Buddha shows the assembled multitude how his own skin remains quite dry. In the end, Saccaka invites the Buddha and his disciples to a meal on the next day. M.i.227 ff

MN 35

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