The Perfection of Giving (2nd)

“Then again when I was

a brahmin called Saṅkha,

wanting to cross the great ocean,

I was on my way to the port.

There I saw across the way

one self-awakened, undefeated,

walking a desert road

whose ground was hot and rough.

Seeing him across the way,

I thought this:

‘A field has appeared

for a personage desiring merit.

Now suppose a farmer

seeing a fertile field

does not sow seed there,

then they are not in need of grain.

So too, if I, desiring merit,

seeing a supreme excellent field,

do not render service there,

then I am not in need of merit.

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.

So too, if I, desiring merit,

seeing an abundantly worthy recipient,

do not give gifts to them,

I will dwindle in merit.’

Reflecting in this way,

I took off my sandals

and bowed to his feet,

giving him an umbrella and sandals.

Though I was a hundred times

more delicate and pampered than him,

fulfilling my giving,

I gave like this to him.”