| 41. Thus have I heard:
On one occasion the Bliagava was residing at
the Jetavana monastery of Anathapindika in Savatthi. During that time, soon
after the middle watch of the night, a certain deva of extremely attractive
appearance approached the Bhagava, illuminating the entire Jetavana monastery.
After paying homage to the Bhagava he stood at a suitable place. Standing thus,
the deva recited this verse in the presence of the Bhagava
"When a house is on fire one takes
out (from the house) property (lit., utensils); the property which is taken out
is to his benefit. The things which get burnt in that house are of no benefit
to him.
"Likewise, the world is burning with
the fires of ageing and death, and one should salvage through charity what one
could. Whatever is given away m charity amounts to possessions that are saved
from being consumed by those fires.
"Gifts cany the fruit of well-being,
possessions withheld do not carry such fruit. What is held back is subject to
damage and loss such as being stolen, being confiscated by the rulers or being
revaged by fife.
"Or, at death one must leave behind
one's possessions and one's body. The wise man, knowing this well, should enjoy
his possession as well as give in charity. Having thus put to use or given away
one's possessions due to the inherent power of the act of gift-making one does
not incur blame and goes to the deva realms.
End of the Aditta Santa,
the first in this vagga
|
