20.10 The Story about the Merchant Mahā Dhana
Mahādhanavāṇijavatthu

“Here I will dwell,” [30.164] this Dhamma teaching was given by the Teacher while he was in residence at Jetavana with reference to the merchant Mahā Dhana (Great Wealth).

It seems that he loaded five hundred carts with cloths dyed with safflower, and set out from Bārāṇasī to trade. When, on his return to Sāvatthī, he reached the bank of the river, he thought: “Tomorrow I will cross the river,” and unyoked his carts right there and spent the night. During the night a severe storm came up and all night long it rained. For seven days the river was at flood; for seven days the citizens kept holiday. The result was that the merchant had no opportunity to dispose of his crimson cloths. Thought the merchant to himself: “I have come a long distance and if I go back again I shall be delayed; right here will I dwell during the rains, during the winter and summer, {3.430} doing my work and selling these cloths.”

As the Teacher made his almsround through the city, he became aware of the merchant’s intention and smiled. Thereupon Elder Ānanda asked him why he smiled. The Teacher replied: “Ānanda, did you see the merchant Mahā Dhana?” – “Yes, venerable Sir.” – “Not realizing that the end of his life is near, he has made up his mind to dwell right here during this entire year for the purpose of selling his goods.” – “But venerable Sir, is the end of his life at hand?” – “Yes, Ānanda; only seven days longer will he live and then he will fall into the mouth of death.” AJ: Burlingame unfortunately translated this as: ‘He will fall into the mouth of a fish,’ apparently reading maccha for maccu. So saying, the Teacher pronounced the following verses: AJ: see MN 131.

Today itself make an effort
who knows when death will come,
there can be no bargaining with
death and his great armies.

Thus live making effort
day and night actively,
he surely has a fortunate night
and is known as a peaceful sage.

“Venerable Sir, I will go tell him.” – “By all means go, Ānanda.” The elder went to the enclosure formed by the carts and made his rounds for alms. The merchant reverently presented him with food. Then said the elder to the merchant: “How long a time do you expect to remain here?” – “Venerable Sir, I have come a long distance, and [30.165] if I go back again, I shall suffer delay; I shall remain here during this entire year, and when I have sold my goods, I shall go on.” – “Lay disciple, though the end of one’s life be near, yet is it hard to realize; one should be heedful.” – “Why, venerable Sir, is the end of my life at hand?” – “Yes, lay disciple, it is; only seven days more {3.431} will your life continue.”

Overcome with emotion, the merchant invited the Saṅgha of bhikkhus presided over by the Buddha to be his guests. For seven days he gave alms and finally took the Teacher’s bowl to permit him to pronounce the words of thanksgiving. The Teacher said, in pronouncing the words of thanksgiving: “Disciple, a wise man should never allow himself to think: ‘Right here will I dwell during the rains, during the winter and summer. I will do this work and I will do that work.’ Rather should a man meditate on the end of his own life.” So saying, the Teacher pronounced the following verse:

286. “Idha vassaṁ vasissāmi, idha hemantagimhisu”,
iti bālo vicinteti, antarāyaṁ na bujjhati.

“Here I will dwell during the rains,
here during winter and summer”,
in just such a way a fool thinks,
not understanding the danger.

At the end of the teaching the merchant was established in the fruition of Stream-entry, and those who had assembled also had benefit from the Dhamma teaching.

The merchant accompanied the Teacher on his way for a short distance and then turned back. “I feel as if I had some trouble in my head,” he said, and laid himself on his bed. No sooner had he lain down than he died, and was reborn in the world of the Tusita gods.