Aspects of Mahayana Buddhism and its Relation to Hinayana c9.s1.13

c9.s1.13

This is followed by an interesting passage showing how a gṛhī bodhisattva is to absolve himself from his sins when he fails to give away the thing asked for. At first he must reflect within himself that the thing, whether he gives it up or not, must one day leave him. If he can dispose of it, he will be happy at the time of his death. But even if after this reflection, he fails to give away the article, he is to confess his weakness thus: "I am of weak mind; my kuśalamūlas are not ripe; I am only a beginner (ādikarmika) in Mahāyāna; my mind as far as the gifts are concerned is not yet under control; I am still attached to upādānas and to 'I-ness' and 'Mine-ness,'" excuse me, O good man, do not be sorry; I shall develop my power of self-denial, so that I may fulfil your desire." He should also see that neither he has aprasāda (displeasure) against the seeker of the gift nor the seeker against him. But in any case, such miserliness is condemned by Buddhas¹.