Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c23.17.5

c23.17.5

Finally, we may mention the last invitation of the Buddha given to him by Chunda, "the worker in metals," at Pāvā, who "made ready in his house sweet rice and cakes and a quantity (*pahūtam*) of dried pork (? *Sūkara-maddava* ¹)? The Buddha at once perceived that the latter food was not to be assimilated by anyone in earth or heaven among gods and men but a Tathāgata. Thus he alone made his meal upon it and had what was left over buried in a hole, while "the other food, the sweet rice and cakes" was served to the members of the Order. Then "there fell upon him a dire sickness, the disease of dysentery, and sharp pain came upon him, even unto death". Later, at the point of death, lest remorse be roused in Chunda for his meals causing it, the Buddha was considerate enough to send him through Ānanda the consolation that he acquired special merit as the giver of the Buddha's last meal like the giver of his first food [*Mahā-par.-sutta*, iv, 14–21, 57].