法苑珠林 37.17

37.17

Furthermore, the Saṃyuktāgama states: King Aśoka asked the bhikṣus, "Who has been able to practice the greatest giving within the Buddha's Dharma?" The bhikṣus said, "The elder Anāthapiṇḍada practiced the greatest giving." The king asked, "How much did he give?" The bhikṣus replied, "He gave one hundred thousand koṭis of gold." Having heard this, the king thought, "That elder was still able to give one hundred thousand koṭis of gold. Now, being a king, for what reason should I only give one hundred thousand koṭis of gold? I ought to give one hundred thousand thousand koṭis of gold!" And so he exhausted his private treasuries, and took this Jambudvīpa, his queen, his palace ladies, the crown prince, and his ministers, and gave them all to the holy Saṃgha. Later, he used forty koṭis of gold to redeem them. Calculating in this manner, he expended ninety-six thousand koṭis of gold in all. Eventually, the king fell gravely ill and knew his life was ending. He had always vowed to make merit with one hundred thousand thousand koṭis of gold, but now, with his vow unfulfilled, he was about to pass into the next life, falling short by just four koṭis. The king then prepared various precious jewels to send to Kukkuṭārāma Monastery. Eventually, he sent half an āmalaka fruit to the Saṃgha. Bowing down to the feet of the Saṃgha, he inquired after the Great Holy Ones, saying: "I used to govern this Jambudvīpa, and it was my possession. Now it is all gone, and I have no mastery over it. There is only this half fruit. Compassionately accept it, so that I may obtain merit." The elder Yaśas ordered it ground into powder and put into pomegranate soup to be distributed, so that everyone received some. The king asked his attending ministers, "Who is the king of Jambudvīpa?" The ministers reported, "The Great King is." At that time, the king arose from his bed and sat upright. Looking around in the four directions, he joined his palms in reverence, mindful of the merits of the Buddhas. He thought in his mind and spoke with his mouth: "I now again give this Jambudvīpa to the Three Jewels." The king then wrote this on paper, sealed it up, and stamped it with his tooth-seal. Having completed these deeds, he passed away. Thereupon, the crown prince and the people made various offerings and conducted the funeral, cremating him in accordance with the law of a king.