Cariyāpiṭaka 2

The Conduct Leading to Buddhahood

The Chapter With Akitti

The Perfection of Giving (2nd)

Saṅkha’s Conduct

1 “Then again when I was

a brahmin named Saṅkha,

wanting to cross the great ocean,

I was on my way to the port.

2 There I saw across the way

one self-awakened, undefeated,

walking a desert road

whose ground was hot and rough.

3 Seeing him across the way,

I thought this:

‘A field has appeared

for a personage desiring merit.

4 Now suppose a farmer

seeing a fertile field

does not sow seed there,

then they are not in need of grain.

5 So too, if I, desiring merit,

seeing a supreme excellent field,

do not render service there,

then I am not in need of merit.

6 Or suppose a minister seeking the royal seal

of authority over the people of the court,

does not give them money and grain,

their authority dwindles.

7 So too, if I, desiring merit,

seeing an abundantly worthy recipient,

do not give gifts to them,

I will dwindle in merit.’

8 Reflecting in this way,

I took off my sandals

and bowed to his feet,

giving him an umbrella and sandals.

9 Though I was a hundred times

more delicate and pampered than him,

fulfilling my giving,

I gave like this to him.”