Verses on Dhamma 5.14.74_11

5.14.74_11

Evaṃ vutte ānandatthero cittassa pubbakammaṃ pucchi. Athassa satthā ācikkhanto āha –

When the Teacher had thus spoken, Elder Ānanda asked about Citta’s deed in a former birth. In reply the Teacher said, “Ānanda, Citta the householder made his Earnest Wish at the feet of the Exalted Padumuttara, and after passing through the round of existences among gods and men for a hundred thousand cycles of time, was reborn in the dispensation of the Buddha Kassapa as a hunter. One rainy day, after he had grown to be a man, he went to hunt in the forest with spear in hand. As he looked this way and that in search of quarry, he saw a certain monk seated in a natural cave with his upper robe drawn over his head. “This must be some noble monk who is seated engaged in meditation,” thought he; “I will bring him food.” So he went home quickly and caused flesh brought the day before to be cooked on one brazier, and rice on another. Then, seeing some monks going their rounds for alms, he took their bowls also, seated them on seats prepared for the purpose, procured food for them, and invited them in, saying, “Help yourselves, noble sirs.”