Worshipping An Unblemished Individual Is Noble
The Story of Venerable Sariputta's Friend
Chapter 8: The Thousands • Verse 9
The Story of Venerable Sariputta's Friend
Chapter 8: The Thousands • Verse 9
Whatever gifts and oblations one seeking merit might offer in this world for a whole year, all that is not worth one fourth of the merit gained by revering the Upright Ones, which is truly excellent.
While residing at the Veluvana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse with reference to a friend of Venerable Sariputta.
Venerable Sariputta asked his friend, a brahmin, whether he ever did any good deed. The brahmin said that he performed sacrificial slaughter, which at that time was customarily done at immense expense.
Sariputta took his friend to the Buddha, told him what had happened, and asked him to show the brahmin the way to the world of Brahma. The Buddha asked whether he had been reported correctly, and the brahmin said he had.
The Buddha told him that even if he offered sacrificial slaughter for a whole year, it would not be worth a quarter of the merit of one who, with a believing heart, gives alms to people, or who with good intention pays homage to the Buddha's disciples.
The Story of Venerable Sariputta's Friend
Chapter 8: The Thousands • Verse 9
Whatever gifts and oblations one seeking merit might offer in this world for a whole year, all that is not worth one fourth of the merit gained by revering the Upright Ones, which is truly excellent.
While residing at the Veluvana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse with reference to a friend of Venerable Sariputta.
Venerable Sariputta asked his friend, a brahmin, whether he ever did any good deed. The brahmin said that he performed sacrificial slaughter, which at that time was customarily done at immense expense.
Sariputta took his friend to the Buddha, told him what had happened, and asked him to show the brahmin the way to the world of Brahma. The Buddha asked whether he had been reported correctly, and the brahmin said he had.
The Buddha told him that even if he offered sacrificial slaughter for a whole year, it would not be worth a quarter of the merit of one who, with a believing heart, gives alms to people, or who with good intention pays homage to the Buddha's disciples.