Dhammapada 3.2.p5

3.2.p5

Sā tato paṭṭhāya dvattiṃsākāre sajjhāyaṃ katvā attani khayavayaṃ paṭṭhapetvā tehi bhikkhūhi puretarameva tayo magge, tīṇi ca phalāni pāpuṇi. Maggeneva cassā catasso paṭisambhidā lokiyaabhiññā ca āgamiṃsu. Sā maggaphalasukhato vuṭṭhāya dibbacakkhunā oloketvā, ‘‘kadā nu kho mama puttehi ayaṃ dhammo adhigato’’ti upadhārentī sabbepime sarāgā sadosā samohā jhānavipassanāmattampi tesaṃ natthi, ‘‘kiṃ nu kho mayhaṃ puttānaṃ arahattassa upanissayo atthi, natthī’’ti āvajjetvā, ‘‘atthī’’ti disvā, ‘‘senāsanasappāyaṃ nu kho atthi, natthī’’ti āvajjetvā tampi disvā, ‘‘puggalasappāyaṃ nu kho labhanti, na labhantī’’ti āvajjesi, puggalasappāyampi disvā, ‘‘āhārasappāyaṃ nu kho labhanti, na labhantī’’ti upadhārentī ‘‘āhārasappāyaṃ nesaṃ natthī’’ti disvā tato paṭṭhāya nānāvidhaṃ yāguṃ, anekappakāraṃ khajjakaṃ, nānaggarasañca bhojanaṃ sampādetvā gehe bhikkhū nisīdāpetvā dakkhiṇodakaṃ datvā, ‘‘bhante, tumhākaṃ yaṃ yaṃ ruccati, taṃ taṃ gahetvā paribhuñjathā’’ti niyyādesi. Te yathāruci yāguādīni gahetvā paribhuñjanti. Tesaṃ sappāyāhāraṃ labhantānaṃ cittaṃ ekaggaṃ ahosi.

Arising from the bliss of the Paths and the Fruits, she looked with Supernatural Vision and considered within herself, “At what time did my sons attain this state?” Immediately she became aware of the following, “All these monks are still in the bondage of Lust, Hatred, Delusion. They have not yet, by the practice of Ecstatic Meditation, induced Spiritual Insight.” Then she pondered, “Do my sons possess the dispositions requisite for the attainment of Arahatship or do they not?” She perceived, “They do.” Then she pondered, “Do they possess suitable lodgings or do they not?” Immediately she perceived that they did. Then she pondered, “Have they proper companions or have they not?” Immediately she perceived that they had. Finally she pondered the question, “Do they receive proper food or do they not?” She perceived, “They do not receive proper food.”

From that time on she provided them with various kinds of rice-porridge and with all manner of hard food and with soft food flavored with various choice flavors. And seating the monks in her house, she offered them Water of Donation and presented the food to them, saying, “Reverend Sirs, take and eat whatever you desire.” As the result of the wholesome food they received, their minds became tranquil; and as the result of tranquillity of mind, they developed Spiritual Insight and attained Arahatship, together with the Supernatural Powers. Then the thought occurred to them, “The great female lay disciple has indeed been our support. Had we not received wholesome food, we should never have attained the Paths and the Fruits. As soon as we have completed our residence and celebrated the Terminal Festival, let us go visit the Teacher.” Accordingly they took leave of the great female lay disciple, saying, “Lay disciple, we desire to see the Teacher.” “Very well, noble sirs,” said she. So she accompanied them on their journey a little way, and then, saying, “Look in on us again, Reverend Sirs,” and many other pleasant words, she returned to her house.