法苑珠林 56.32

56.32

As the Zābǎozàng jīng says: In the past, when the Buddha was in the world, the elder Sudatta was at last impoverished, and his wealth and goods were completely exhausted. Working as a hired laborer, he obtained four sheng of rice and cooked it to make food. Just then, Aniruddha came to beg for food from him. His wife took a bowl, filled it with rice, and gave it to him. Later, Subhūti, Kāśyapa, Maudgalyāyana, Śāriputra, and others came in turn to beg, and they were all given full bowls. Last of all, the Buddha came, and he was also given a full bowl. Sudatta returned home from outside and asked his wife for food. His wife said to him: 'If the Venerable Aniruddha came, would you eat it yourself or give it to the Venerable?' Sudatta replied: 'I would rather not eat myself and give it to the Venerable.' His wife said again: 'If Kāśyapa, Mahāmaudgalyāyana, Subhūti, Śāriputra, and so forth, even up to the Buddha came, what would you do?' The husband answered his wife: 'I would rather not eat myself and give it all to them.' His wife then told her husband: 'Since morning, all the holy ones came to ask for food; all the food and drink we had has been given to them.' The husband was delighted to hear this and said to his wife: 'Our sins are exhausted, and merit must be born!' Immediately they opened the storehouse, and the grain, silk, and food were completely filled. When used up, they were replenished again. The retribution and so forth cannot be fully described.