法苑珠林 81.10

81.10

Furthermore, the Damamūka-nidāna Sūtra states: When the Buddha's maternal aunt, Mahāprajāpatī, saw that the Buddha had left home, she spun and wove with her own hands, preparing in advance a bolt of golden cotton cloth. With an accumulated mind and focused thought, she waited solely for the Buddha. Having obtained sight of the Buddha, joy welled up from her very marrow; she immediately took this cotton cloth and presented it to the Tathāgata. The Buddha told Gautamī: "Take this cotton cloth and offer it to the Saṃgha." Prajāpatī again addressed the Buddha, saying: "Ever since the Buddha left home, my mind has constantly longed for you; therefore, I spun and wove it with my own hands, intending it and waiting for the Buddha. I only pray you will show pity and accept it for my sake." The Buddha told her: "I know that mother's mind was focused on wishing to give it to me; however, the merit of giving with a mind of affectionate attachment is not broad and vast. If you give it to the Saṃgha, you will obtain even greater retribution. Knowing this matter, I therefore encourage you."