SA-2 59（五九）

Thus have I heard:

Once, the Buddha was at Anāthapiṇḍada's Park in the Jeta Grove near Śrāvastī. At that time, King Prasenajit went to where the Buddha was, bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, sat to one side, and said to the Buddha, "World-Honored One! There is an elder named Mahānāman, whose family is very wealthy and has abundant wealth and treasures."

The Buddha asked the king, "How is he considered wealthy?"

The king said to the Buddha, "That elder's family has tens of millions of gold, silver, and precious treasures, which cannot be measured. How much more so for the rest of their wealth? Although they have wealth, they cannot eat and drink. What they eat is mixed with coarse chaff. When making soup, they boil ginger and stop. After cooking, they take it out to sell for financial use. What they wear is only coarse cloth, loosely and roughly made, as their inner garment. They ride an old and broken cart, and use a tree leaf as an umbrella. They have never seen giving to śramaṇas, brāhmaṇas, or poor beggars. When they want to eat, they must first close the door, fearing that śramaṇas and brāhmaṇas will come to beg from them."

The Buddha said, "Great King! Such a person is not a good man. Why? Having obtained such wealth, he cannot open his mind to enjoy it righteously, nor can he support and provide for his wife and children, nor give to his servants and maids, nor regularly give to śramaṇas and brāhmaṇas, nor seek the reward of rebirth in the heavens. It is like a saline field with a little pond of water. Because of its saltiness and bitterness, no one can drink it, and it will eventually dry up. Worldly fools are also like this. Having obtained much wealth and property, they cannot use it to enjoy themselves, nor can they support their parents and wife and children, nor their relatives, servants, maids, friends, and acquaintances. They do not give to them at all. Although they have abundant wealth and treasures, it is of no benefit at all."

The Buddha said, "Great King! A good man, having obtained wealth and property, can use it himself to enjoy it righteously, and can also support and provide for his teachers, elders, parents, wife and children, and their relatives, servants, maids, friends, and acquaintances, and even give to śramaṇas, brāhmaṇas, the poor, and beggars. Such a good person's wealth and treasures are called the highest deeds. They are the cause of happiness and the condition for rebirth in heaven. This person's accumulation of wealth accomplishes great goodness. It is like a clear and cool pond near a city, village, or town, flowing with good water, with level banks on all sides, abundant with various trees, flowers, and fruits, and soft grass covering the ground. All people can bathe and drink there, and flying birds and running beasts can soar and play happily. A good and strong man is also like this, up to rebirth in heaven, accomplishing great goodness."

At that time, the World-Honored One spoke a verse, saying:

It is like a salty and barren land, with a cold and stagnant
pond in the middle. The salty and bitter water is undrinkable, and will
eventually dry up. A lazy person is also like this, even if they
have many treasures, they cannot clothe and feed themselves, nor can they give
to others. This is called a lazy person. Having wealth and being able
to give is like a flat and open land, with a good and
clear pond, and the forests are also very lush. People and animals enjoy
happiness together. This is called a wise person. It is like a great
bull king. When born, it experiences happiness, and when it dies, it is
reborn in heaven.

The Buddha spoke thus. The bhikṣus, having heard the Buddha's teaching, rejoiced and upheld it.