BOOK VI.   THE WISE MAN, PANDITA VAGGA

VI. 1. A POOR MAN WINS SPIRITUAL TREASURE'

Should one see, as it were, a revealer of hidden treasures. This
religious instruction was given by the Teacher while he was ui residence
at Jetavana with reference to Venerable Radha.   [104]

We are told that before Radha became a monk he was a poor
Brahman living at Savatthi. Deciding to live with the monks, he
went to the monastery and took up his residence there, performing
various duties such as cutting the grass, sweeping the cells, and pre¬
paring water for bathing the face. The monks treated him kindly,
but were not willing to admit him to the Order. The result of this
was that he began to lose flesh.

Now one day, early in the morning, the Teacher surveyed the
world and seeing the Brahman, considered within himself what would
become of him. Perceiving that he would become an Arahat, he went
in the evening, feigning that he was making a tour of the monastery,
to the Brahman's quarters and said to him, "Brahman, what are you
doing here?" "Performing the major and minor duties for the monks.
Reverend Sir." [105] "Do they treat you kindly?" "Yes, Reverend
Sir, I receive suflScient food, but they are not willing to admit me to
the Order." Accordingly the Teacher convoked an assembly of the
monks and questioned them about the matter, saying, "Monks, is
there anyone who remembers any act of this Brahman?"

Said the Elder Sariputta, "Reverend Sir, I remember something.
When I was making my round in Rajagaha, he brought me a ladleful
of his own food and gave it to me. I remember this good oflBce of
his." Said the Teacher, "Sariputta, is it not proper to release from
suffering one who has performed such a service?" "Very well. Rever¬
end Sir, I will receive him into the Order." Sariputta accordingly
received him into the Order. He received a seat in the refectory in
the outer circle of the seats. Even with rice-porridge and other kinds
of food, he grew weary.

1 Text: N ii. 104-108.