法苑珠林 37.43

37.43

Furthermore, the Avadānaśataka says: In the past when the Buddha was in the world, there was an elder in the city of Śrāvastī whose family was exceedingly wealthy, with immeasurable and incalculable wealth and jewels. He fathered a son who was upright, extraordinarily handsome, and rare in the world. In both hands the boy held gold coins, and whenever they were taken, they were replenished without end. His parents rejoiced and accordingly named him Ratnapāṇi (Jewel-Hand). As he grew up, he had a compassionate heart, was filial and obedient, and was fond of practicing dāna. Whenever anyone came begging, he would extend his two hands to produce fine gold coins and promptly bestow them. Later, he went outside the city with some people for an excursion and arrived at Jetavana, where he saw the Buddha's marks and features. His heart was filled with joy; bowing his head in reverence, he invited the Buddha and the bhikṣu saṃgha: "I pray that you accept my offering." Ānanda told him: "To make an offering requires wealth." Thereupon Ratnapāṇi stretched out both hands, and gold coins fell like rain; in an instant they covered the ground, piled higher than a person. The Buddha ordered Ānanda to prepare the offering. When the meal was finished, the Buddha preached the Dharma for him, and he attained the fruit of srotāpanna. Returning home, he bid farewell to his parents and sought to go forth from the household life. Having gone forth, he attained the fruit of an arhat. Ānanda saw this and addressed the Buddha: "What blessings did the bhikṣu Ratnapāṇi plant in past lives that he was born into an eminent clan, had gold coins flow from his hands without end, and moreover encountered the World-Honoured One, went forth, and attained the Way?" The Buddha told Ānanda: "In the past, after Kāśyapa Buddha entered nirvāṇa, there was a King of Kāśi who gathered his relics and built a four-jewelled stūpa. At that time, an elder saw the erection of the stūpa and temple, gave rise to a sympathetic rejoicing in his heart, placed a single gold coin beneath the stūpa, made a vow, and departed. By virtue of this merit, he did not fall into the evil destinies; among gods and humans he always had gold coins, enjoying blessings and bliss, up until the present when he encountered me, went forth, and attained the Way."