ལས་བརྒྱ་ཐམ་པ་པ 26.7

26.7

We heard that our uncle was in the garden of Prince Jeta, so we came here to see him.”

Hearing this, Venerable Ānanda became despondent and thought, “What should I do?”

The monks saw him and asked, “Lord Ānanda, why are you so despondent?”

“These two boys are my sister’s sons,” Ānanda responded. “They came here because they lost their parents, and I am despondent to see them so. But how can I look after these two? For as the Buddha has said, ‘One should not misuse the donations of the faithful.’ ”

The monks said, “Did the Blessed One not also state, ‘You should be helpful and generous’? These two could look after the alms bowls for us and help with the flowers and fruit.”

After that, Venerable Ānanda took in the two boys and looked after them. The monks also came bearing a little food and gave it to the two of them. Venerable Ānanda also gave them half of whatever alms he received, and himself ate only what was left, such that he became frail, gaunt, and emaciated and lost all his strength.

The Blessed One observed that Venerable Ānanda had become frail, gaunt, and emaciated and had lost all his strength. Seeing this, the Blessed One asked the monks, “Monks, why has the monk Ānanda become frail, gaunt, and emaciated and lost all his strength?”

“Lord,” the monks replied to the Blessed One, “Venerable Ānanda has taken in his sister’s sons. He gives them half of whatever alms he receives, and himself eats only what is left. Lord, that is the cause, and those are the conditions, for Venerable Ānanda’s becoming frail, gaunt, and emaciated and losing all his strength.”

Then the Blessed One