“Then again when I was a brahmin named Saṅkha, wanting to cross the great ocean, I was on my way to the port.
There I saw across the way one self-awakened, undefeated, walking a desert road whose ground was hot and rough.
Seeing him across the way, I thought this: ‘A field has appeared for a personage desiring merit.
Now suppose a farmer seeing a fertile field does not sow seed there, then they are not in need of grain.
So too, if I, desiring merit, seeing a supreme excellent field, do not render service there, then I am not in need of merit.
Or suppose a minister seeking the royal seal of authority over the people of the court, does not give them money and grain, their authority dwindles.
So too, if I, desiring merit, seeing an abundantly worthy recipient, do not give gifts to them, I will dwindle in merit.’
Reflecting in this way, I took off my sandals and bowed to his feet, giving him an umbrella and sandals.
Though I was a hundred times more delicate and pampered than him, fulfilling my giving, I gave like this to him.”
Saṅkha’s Conduct
Cp 2 · Saṅkhacariya
Connections
Collection & context
- CariyāpiṭakaThe collection containing this text
- The Pāli canonCanonical collection in which this edition is preserved
- Theravāda traditionsTransmission and study context
- The early Buddhist communityHistorical and traditional setting
About this edition
Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · SuttaCentral · CC0
This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.
Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader.
The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.