Ja 180 The Birth Story about the Difficulty of (Giving) Gifts (2s)

Ja 180 Duddadajātaka
The Birth Story about the Difficulty of (Giving) Gifts (2s)

In the present two brothers get together and give alms to the Buddha, and to the Saṅgha, who then praises their good deed. The Buddha then tells a story of how rich and poor banded together to give alms to a holy man in the past.

The Bodhisatta = the teacher of a group (gaṇasatthā),
the Buddha’s disciples = the seer’s group (isigaṇa).

Keywords: Generosity, Faith.

“Tis hard to do as good men do.” [2.59] This story the Teacher told while in Jetavana, about alms given in common. Two friends at Sāvatthi, young men of good position, made a collection, providing all the necessaries to give the Buddha and his followers. They invited them all, provided bounty for seven days, and on the seventh presented them with all their requisites. The eldest of these saluted the Teacher, and said, sitting beside him, “Sir, amongst the givers some gave much and some gave little; but let it bear much fruit for all alike.” Then he offered the gift. The Teacher’s reply was, “In giving these things to the Buddha and his followers, you, my lay friends, have done a great deed. In days of old wise men gave their bounty thus, and thus offered their gifts.” Then at his request he told a story.

In the past, when Brahmadatta was king of Benares, the Bodhisatta was born into a brahmin family of Kāsi. When he grew up, he was thoroughly educated at Taxila; after which he renounced the world, and took up the ascetic life, and with a band of disciples went to live in the Himālayas. There he lived a long time.

Once having need to procure salt and seasoning, he went on pilgrimage through the countryside, and in course of it he arrived at Benares. There he settled in the king’s park; and on the following morning he and his company went begging to some village outside the gates. The people gave him alms. Next day he sought alms in the city. The people were all glad to give him their alms. They clubbed together and made a collection; and provided plenty for the band of ascetics. After the presentation their spokesman offered his gift with the same words as above. The Bodhisatta replied, “Friend, where faith Cittapasādo. is, no gift is small.” And he returned his thanks in these verses following: {2.86}

In this connection, it’s hard to give, for those lacking wisdom, under the influence of greed and hatred, are unable to give what is called a gift, therefore it’s hard to give, is said.

That is their offerings.

It’s hard for one doing a good deed, that deed of giving not everyone is able to do, it’s hard. That is their doings.

Bad means fools lacking wisdom.

Cannot imitate means cannot imitate that deed.

The good Dhamma means what is natural to the wise. This is said referring to giving.

Which is hard to know, because what is connected with the fruit is hard to know, that such a gift has such a result, is hard to understand.

Also hard to know, it is abstruse for those lacking in wisdom, having given a gift, they are unable to receive the result of what is known as a gift, this is also the meaning.

Go from here to different destinies, having fallen away from here, they go to the next world grasping at various rebirth linkings.

The bad will surely go to hell, those lacking in wisdom, lacking in virtue, not giving a gift, not protecting their virtue, go to hell.

The good cross over to heaven, but the wise, giving gifts, protecting their virtue, doing their feast-day duties, fulfilling the three ways of good conduct, By body, speech and mind. cross over to heaven, they experience abundant happiness and prosperity in heaven.

This was his thanksgiving. He remained in the place for the four months of the rains, and then returned to the Himālayas; where he practised all the modes of holy meditation, and without a single interruption continued in them until he joined the hosts of heaven.