諸經要集 19.93

19.93

Furthermore, the *Xiuyuan guobao jing* says: Formerly, there was a brāhmaṇa couple who had no children, but possessed countless wealth. Near the end of their lives, they said to each other: 'Let each of us swallow money to serve as provisions.' By the custom of that country, the dead were not buried, but simply placed beneath trees. Each swallowed fifty gold coins. When their bodies rotted, the coins emerged. A wise person in that country, passing by and seeing them, took pity and wept with streaming tears. Grieved by their stinginess and greed, he took the coins to create merit, inviting the Buddha and the Saṅgha, using it all to prepare offerings, carrying the meal before the Buddha, reciting their names and making dedication prayers. At that time, the stingy couple, who were suffering the pains of hungry ghosts, were immediately born in heaven and requested the four assemblies [to rejoice]. Having been born in heaven, they obtained the divine eye (divyacakṣus) and knew that merit had been made on their behalf; they descended from heaven, transformed into youths, and assisted the donor (dānapati). The Buddha said: 'These youths in the kitchen are the true donors.' The Buddha preached the Dharma for them, and they immediately attained the path (srotāpanna); the wise person also attained the path. The saṅgha of monks rejoiced, and all attained birth in heaven.