法苑珠林 56.33

56.33

Also, the Zāpìyù jīng says: In the past, the elder Sudatta experienced poverty seven times. The last poverty was the most severe, to the point of not having a single coin. Later, in the manure, he found a wooden sheng measure; it was actually sandalwood. He took it to the market and sold it, getting four sheng of rice. He told his wife: 'Cook one sheng; I will go look for wild greens. When I return, we will eat together.' The Buddha thought: 'I should deliver Sudatta and cause merit to arise again.' Just as the cooked rice was done, Śāriputra, Maudgalyāyana, Kāśyapa, and the Buddha arrived. The four sheng of rice were successively cooked until completely exhausted. When they took it and left, he later became wealthy again, and once more invited the Buddha and the saṃgha to receive offerings until [all was given]. The Buddha preached the Dharma for him, and he attained the Way.