[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Buddhist Sanskrit literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit) › [Dharmapada anthologies](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.dharmapada) › [Udānavarga](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.dharmapada.udanavarga) › [法句譬喻經](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.dharmapada.udanavarga*zh-faju) › [Texts from the Buddhist Canon commonly known as Dhammapada, with accompanying narratives](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.dharmapada.udanavarga*zh-faju~en-beal) › 21.p1 # 法句譬喻經 21.p1 Texts from the Buddhist Canon commonly known as Dhammapada, with accompanying narratives 21.p1 - **Language:** English ### [21.p1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.dharmapada.udanavarga*zh-faju~en-beal.21.p1) In days of old there was a certain Brahman King, whose name was To-mi-seay (Dhamasa?). It came into the heart of this King one day to distribute, according to the fashion of the Brahmans, an unlimited quantity of precious stones, etc., among the followers of his faith, the rule being that every Brahmachārin who came as a recipient (beggar) might take a handful from the heap and go. And so for many days the affair was conducted; and yet the pile of wealth did not appear to diminish. On this, Buddha, knowing the condition of the King, and his aptitude (capacity) for conversion, transformed himself into a Brahmachārin, and went to the spot. The King going out from his palace, when he beheld him approaching, paid him due respect, and conducting him within, inquired what he would desire to receive, and requested him to have no reserve in asking. On this the Brahmachārin replied, “I have come from far, and I desire to beg a few jewels, that I may have enough to build me a house.” The King immediately answered, “Most virtuous sir, you may take a handful, and welcome.” On this the Brahmachārin took so much from the heap, and then having gone seven paces, he returned and replaced them on the heap. On this the King inquired why he acted thus, in not taking the jewels. Whereupon the Brahmachārin replied, “This handful is indeed enough to enable me to build a house; but afterwards I shall want to take a wife, and for that purpose this handful is not sufficient.” On this the King bade him take three handfuls, and welcome. Having done so, and gone seven paces, again he returned and replaced the jewels on the heap. Whereupon the King once more inquired his reason for so doing, to which he replied, “These might be enough to provide me with house and wife, but then I shall have to buy slaves and oxen and horses, and for this purpose the three handfuls are not sufficient.” On this the King said, “Take then seven handfuls, and welcome.” The Brahmachārin having done so, and gone seven paces, again returned and did as before, saying that these seven handfuls, though enough for the purpose assigned, would yet not suffice for the maintenance and welfare of his children. On this the King bade him take the whole heap of jewels, and use them for the purposes named. Accordingly the Brahmachārin did so, and departed. On this the King, astonished, cried out to him in a loud voice what his reason for so acting might be? To which the man replied, that those who begged sought only things for the present life; whilst those who thought, found out the instability and impermanence of all worldly things, and the ever-accumulating mass of sorrow and pain that resulted from a worldly life. And on this, resuming his own glorious body as Buddha, he added these stanzas :— - [Previous: 20.p12](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.dharmapada.udanavarga*zh-faju~en-beal.20.p12) - [Next: 21.p2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.dharmapada.udanavarga*zh-faju~en-beal.21.p2) - [Up: 21](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.dharmapada.udanavarga*zh-faju~en-beal.21) ## Linked texts (1) - [法句譬喻經](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.dharmapada.udanavarga*zh-faju.3.22) — Classical Chinese --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.dharmapada.udanavarga*zh-faju~en-beal.21.p1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.sanskrit.dharmapada.udanavarga*zh-faju~en-beal.21.p1) · Pramāṇa