4.
The Discourse on the Giver of the Agreeable
44.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Vesālī in the Great Wood in the Pinnacled Hall.
Then the Blessed One, having dressed in the earlier period of the day, taking his bowl and robe, approached the dwelling of Ugga, the householder of Vesālī;
having approached, he sat down on the prepared seat.
Then Ugga, the householder of Vesālī, approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side.
Seated to one side, Ugga, the householder of Vesālī, said this to the Blessed One -
"Face to face with the Blessed One I heard this, venerable sir, face to face I received it - 'One who gives what is agreeable obtains what is agreeable.' Agreeable to me, venerable sir, is sāla-flower solid food; may the Blessed One accept it from me out of compassion." The Blessed One accepted out of compassion.
"Face to face with the Blessed One I heard this, venerable sir, face to face I received it - 'One who gives what is agreeable obtains what is agreeable.' Agreeable to me, venerable sir, is pork with ripe jujube fruit; may the Blessed One accept it from me out of compassion." The Blessed One accepted out of compassion.
"Face to face with the Blessed One I heard this, venerable sir, face to face I received it - 'One who gives what is agreeable obtains what is agreeable.' Agreeable to me, venerable sir, is nāliya vegetable cooked with oil removed; may the Blessed One accept it from me out of compassion." The Blessed One accepted out of compassion.
"Face to face with the Blessed One I heard this, venerable sir, face to face I received it - 'One who gives what is agreeable obtains what is agreeable.' Agreeable to me, venerable sir, is rice with the dark grains picked out, with various curries and various vegetables; may the Blessed One accept it from me out of compassion." The Blessed One accepted out of compassion.
"Face to face with the Blessed One I heard this, venerable sir, face to face I received it - 'One who gives what is agreeable obtains what is agreeable.' Agreeable to me, venerable sir, are cloths from Kāsi; may the Blessed One accept them from me out of compassion." The Blessed One accepted out of compassion.
"Face to face with the Blessed One I heard this, venerable sir, face to face I received it - 'One who gives what is agreeable obtains what is agreeable.' Agreeable to me, venerable sir, is a divan spread with a long-fleeced woollen cover, spread with a woollen cover embroidered with flowers, with an excellent antelope-hide spread, with a canopy above and red cushions at both ends. But, venerable sir, we know this - 'This is not allowable for the Blessed One.' This sandalwood plank of mine, venerable sir, is worth more than a hundred thousand; may the Blessed One accept it from me out of compassion." The Blessed One accepted out of compassion. Then the Blessed One gave thanks to Ugga, the householder of Vesālī, with this thanksgiving -
Who gives with desire to those who are upright;
Clothing, bedding, food and drink,
And requisites of various kinds.
Having known the Worthy Ones to be like a field;
That good person, having given up what is hard to give,
One who gives what is agreeable obtains what is agreeable."
Then the Blessed One, having given thanks to Ugga, the householder of Vesālī, with this thanksgiving, rose from his seat and departed.
Then Ugga, the householder of Vesālī, at a later time, died. And Ugga, the householder of Vesālī, having died, was reborn in a certain mind-made body. Now at that time the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Then Ugga the young god, when the night was far advanced, with surpassing beauty, having illuminated almost the entire Jeta's Grove, approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and stood to one side. To Ugga the young god standing to one side, the Blessed One said this: "Is it according to your intention, Ugga?" "Truly it is according to my intention, Blessed One." Then the Blessed One addressed Ugga the young god in verses -
A giver of the foremost obtains the foremost again;
A giver of the excellent becomes one who obtains the excellent,
A giver of the foremost attains the foremost state.
He becomes long-lived and glorious, wherever he is reborn." The fourth.