Читать книгу Garland of the Buddha’s Past Lives (Volume 1) - Aryashura - Страница 53

In his love of giving, the king had alms halls built throughout the city, abounding with wealth, grain, and every type of provision. In keeping with his magnanimous nature, he would rain down showers of gifts, as if he were a cloud in the Krita Era.* Given promptly and with charming deference, the generous gifts satisfied everyone’s desire. Food was given to those who asked for food, water to those who asked for water, and beds, seats, lodgings, meals, perfumes, garlands, gold, silver, and other objects to whoever requested them.

Men from various regions and well-known countries came to the king’s realm, the news of his liberal nature filling their hearts with astonishment and joy.

2.10

Even surveying the entire world with their minds,

they could find no others to give scope to

their requests.

So the petitioners approached the king with

joyful faces,

like forest elephants approaching a large lake.

Joyful at the prospect of gain, a crowd of beggars swarmed around the king on all sides, their traveling clothes concealing their fineries.

Seeing them made the king’s eyes widen with joy,

as if a band of friends had returned from abroad.

Their requests delighted him like welcome messages.

His gifts made him happier than the beggars

themselves.