Giving
relief to the Poor and the Disabled
In Sravasti, there was a
woman pauper who was hardly able to secure enough food for daily needs. As she
lived in such dire poverty, her body never had a chance to be cleaned and was
always covered in filth. Nobody would approach her because of her stench or
care to even look at her.
When the Buddha learned about this woman, he
went with some of his followers to visit her, making sure that Ananda brought
along some food for her. Not long afterwards, the woman died and ascended to
the heavenly realm. To show her thanks for the Buddha’s kindness, she
returned to see the Buddha with offerings from heaven. The Buddha discoursed on
the Dharma for her and she was soon accomplished in her cultivation of the Way.
There was also a man who, having committed a
serious offence, was mutilated and left to die on the street. The Buddha took
pity on him and went over to ask him: “ What is your greatest affliction
at this moment?”
The criminal replied: “ It is my
hunger.”
On hearing this, the Buddha ordered Ananda to
give him some food and drink. Later, the criminal died. He too came back to
repay the Buddha’s kindness by offering his respects. The Buddha taught
him Dharma and he was soon enlightened on the Buddhist path.