“Then again when I was the true-born son of the One King in the city of flowers, Pupphavatī, I was called Prince Canda, the Moon.
Then, released from being sacrificed, I fled the sacrificial enclosure. Giving rise to a sense of urgency, I performed a great offering.
I did not drink, I did not eat, I did not enjoy any food for five or six days without offering to a worthy recipient.
Suppose there was a merchant who had made a store of goods. They would take those goods to where they could make a large profit.
So too, even giving what one has used oneself to others is very fruitful. That is why what is to be given to others multiplies a hundredfold.
Knowing the reason for this, I gave gifts in life after life. Aiming for awakening, I never backtracked from giving.”
Prince Candana’s Conduct
Cp 7 · Candakumāracariya
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- 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.