The jataka story
Once Buddha was visiting a place. By hearing that, people thronged to meet him . They were offering valuasble gifts to him. The news spread and even King Bindusara himself had come to meet Buddha. He had brought valuable gifts with him to offer.
But Buddha didnt touch them also. He was just lifting his hand up and was saying that he has accepted the gift. Same case with other precious gifts also that people had brought. At that time, an old woman came running near him.
She was wearing torn clothes and one can make out that she didnt bath for many days. She offered a mango to Buddha. Mango was half. Buddha asked her that what about the other half? Old woman shyingly said that it was the only one mango she had. By hearing the news that Buddha has come to their place, she stopped herself from eating that mango which she had kept for many days and came to offer it to Buddha. She apologised that she had eaten half of it as she was not having anything to feed.
Buddha consoled her and took that half eaten mango from her hand and blessed her. Even he ate the other half too. By seeing that, everyone present there were upset. They thought they had offered valuable gifts but Buddha didnt look at them.
Buddha realised what they were thinking. He said these valuable gifts are some of your wealth. But for old woman, mango was everything. Then also, she had come to offer it for me. That's why I personally accepted it. Everyone present realised what he is telling is true.
Once Buddha was visiting a place. By hearing that, people thronged to meet him . They were offering valuasble gifts to him. The news spread and even King Bindusara himself had come to meet Buddha. He had brought valuable gifts with him to offer.
But Buddha didnt touch them also. He was just lifting his hand up and was saying that he has accepted the gift. Same case with other precious gifts also that people had brought. At that time, an old woman came running near him.
She was wearing torn clothes and one can make out that she didnt bath for many days. She offered a mango to Buddha. Mango was half. Buddha asked her that what about the other half? Old woman shyingly said that it was the only one mango she had. By hearing the news that Buddha has come to their place, she stopped herself from eating that mango which she had kept for many days and came to offer it to Buddha. She apologised that she had eaten half of it as she was not having anything to feed.
Buddha consoled her and took that half eaten mango from her hand and blessed her. Even he ate the other half too. By seeing that, everyone present there were upset. They thought they had offered valuable gifts but Buddha didnt look at them.
Buddha realised what they were thinking. He said these valuable gifts are some of your wealth. But for old woman, mango was everything. Then also, she had come to offer it for me. That's why I personally accepted it. Everyone present realised what he is telling is true.
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