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34. Once, a certain brahmin approached The Blessed One, and after exchanging friendly greetings with Him, he sat down to one side and said: “What is it that the Good Sir Gautama emphasizes in His teaching? What is it that He explains and elucidates?” “Brahmin, what I emphasize in my teaching is the importance of engaging in certain actions, and abstaining to engage in certain other actions. This is what I explain and elucidate. “And how does the Good Sir Gautama differentiate between engaging in certain actions while abstaining from others?” “Brahmin, I emphasize and explain not engaging in behavior done by the physical body, one’s speech and communication, and through the mind, which brings about the experiencing of evil and damaging qualities. “In contrast, brahmin, I also emphasize engaging in behavior done by the physical body, one’s speech and communication, and through the mind, which brings about the experiencing of good and beneficial qualities. “This, brahmin, is how I differentiate between engaging in certain actions while abstaining from others.” “It is excellent Good Sir Gautama! It is marvelous, Good Sir Gautama! “The Good Sir Gautama has clarified The Dhamma for me in many ways, as though He turned upright what had been upside-down, revealing what was hidden, showing the way to one who was lost, holding up a lamp in the dark for those with eyesight to see. “Bhante, I go to The Blessed One for refuge, and to The Dhamma, and to The Sangha of Bhikkhus. From this day forward, may The Blessed One remember me as a lay disciple who has taken refuge in Him, until the end of life.”