Verses on Dhamma 5.15.p8

5.15.p8

Punekadivasaṃ sāmaṇero sītakāle vihāracārikaṃ caranto bhikkhū tattha tattha aggisālādīsu visibbente disvā āha – ‘‘kiṃ, bhante, visibbentā nisinnātthā’’ti? ‘‘Sītaṃ no pīḷeti sāmaṇero’’ti. ‘‘Bhante, sītakāle nāma kambalaṃ pārupituṃ vaṭṭati. So hi sītaṃ paṭibāhituṃ samattho’’ti. Sāmaṇera ‘‘tvaṃ mahāpuñño kambalaṃ labheyyāsi, amhākaṃ kuto kambalo’’ti. ‘‘Tena hi, bhante, kambalatthikā mayā saddhiṃ āgacchantū’’ti sakalavihāre ārocāpesi. Atha bhikkhū ‘‘sāmaṇerena saddhiṃ gantvā kambalaṃ āharissāmā’’ti sattavassikasāmaṇeraṃ nissāya sahassamattā bhikkhū nikkhamiṃsu. So ‘‘ettakānaṃ bhikkhūnaṃ kuto kambalaṃ labhissāmī’’ti cittampi anuppādetvā te ādāya nagarābhimukho pāyāsi. Sudinnassa hi dānassa evarūpo ānubhāvo hoti. So bahinagareyeva gharapaṭipāṭiyā caranto pañca kambalasatāni labhitvā antonagaraṃ pāvisi. Manussā ito cito ca kambale āharanti.

Again one day when it was cold, the novice, as he went the rounds of the monastery, noticed monks warming themselves here and there, both in rooms where fire was kept and in other places. Said he, “Reverend Sirs, why do you sit warming yourselves?” “Novice, we are cold.” “Reverend Sirs, when it is cold, one should wrap himself in a blanket; that will keep off the cold.” “Novice, you have acquired great merit and may be able to get a blanket, but where can we get any?” “Well then, Reverend Sirs,” said the novice, “let those who need blankets come with me," and caused proclamation to be made to that effect throughout the monastery. Said the monks, "Let us go with the novice and procure blankets." So all because of a novice seven years old, monks to the number of a thousand went forth. Not for a moment did he think, "Where can I get blankets for so many monks?" but just took them with him and started out for the city. (Such is the wonder-working power of alms generously bestowed.)

Going from house to house without the city, he received five hundred blankets. And when he entered the city, men brought him blankets from all quarters. Now as a certain shop-keeper sat in his shop with five hundred blankets spread out before him, a certain man passed by the door and seeing him, said to him, "Sir, there is a certain novice coming this way collecting blankets; you had better hide yours." "Is he taking them as gifts or otherwise?" "He receives them as gifts." "That being the case, if I wish to, I will give him blankets; if not, I will not. Go on your way," and with these words he dismissed him. (Thus do doting niggards begrudge people the gifts that others give them, even as did Kāla on beholding the incomparable gift of the king of Kosala; and therefore are they reborn in Hell.)