The King's Gift
The king, having taken his refuge in the Buddha, invited the
Tathagata to his palace, saying: "Will the Blessed One consent to
take his meal with me to-morrow together with the fraternity of
bhikkhus?"
The next morning Seniya Bimbisara, the king, announced to the
Blessed One that it was time for taking food: "Thou art my most
welcome guest, O Lord of
the world, come; the meal is prepared."
And the Blessed One having donned his robes, took his alms-bowl
and, together with a great number of bhikkhus, entered the city
of Rajagaha.
Sakka, the king of the Devas, assuming the appearance of a young
Brahman, walked in front, and said:
"He who teaches self-control with those who have learned
self-control; the redeemer with those whom he has redeemed; the
Blessed One with those to whom he has given peace, is entering
Rajagaha! Hail to the Buddha, our Lord! Honor to his name and
blessings to all who take refuge in him." And Sakka intoned this
stanza:
"So blest is an age in which Buddhas arise,
So blest is the truth's proclamation.
So blest is the Sangha, concordant and wise,
So blest a devout congregation!
"And if by all the truth were known,
More seeds of kindness would be sown,
And richer crops of good deeds grown."
When the Blessed One had finished his meal, and had cleansed his
bowl and his hands, the king sat down near him and thought:
"Where may I find a place for the Blessed One to live in, not too
far from the town and not too near, suitable for going and
coming, easily accessible to all people who want to see him, a
place that is by day not too crowded and by night not exposed to
noise, wholesome and well fitted for a retired life? There is my
pleasure-garden, the bamboo grove Veluvana, fulfilling all these
conditions. I shall offer it to the brotherhood whose head is the
Buddha."
The king dedicated his garden to the brotherhood, saying: "May
the Blessed One accept my gift."
Then the Blessed One, having silently shown his consent and
having gladdened and edified the Magadha king by religious
discourse, rose from his seat and went away.