Tag Archives: The Bodhisatta And The Four Monks

174. The Bodhisatta And The Four Monks

Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born in a poor family; when he grew up he made a living by working for wages with a rich man. One day he got four portions of sour gruel from a shop, thinking, “This will do for my breakfast,” and so went on to his farming-work. Seeing four pacceka-buddhas coming towards Benares to collect alms, he thought, “I have these four portions of gruel, what if I were to give them to these men who are coming to Benares for alms?” So he came up and said, “Sirs! I have these four portions of gruel in hand; I offer them to you; please accept them, and so I shall gain merit to my lasting good and welfare.”