Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta came to life as a farmer in a village. One day he was ploughing in a field where once stood a village.

In bygone days, if a wealthy merchant is dead, he will be buried in this field with a huge bar of gold, as thick round as a man’s thigh, and four whole cubits in length. The Bodhisatta’s plough struck the golden piece. Taking it to be a spreading root of a tree, he dug it out; but discovering its real nature, he cleaned the dirt off the gold. After the day’s work, at sunset, carrying the golden block he started home. He could not lift it alone. He wanted to take some rest.

At that time he started to think what uses he would put it to. He thought to himself,”I’ll have so much to live on, so much to bury as a treasure, so much to trade with, and so much for charity and good works.” Accordingly he cut the gold into four. Division made his burden easy to carry; and he bore home the lumps of gold. After a life of charity and other good works, He passed away to fare thereafter according to his deserts.