Candakumāracariya

Cariyāpiṭaka

The Conduct Leading to Buddhahood

Akittivagga

The Chapter With Akitti

Dānapāramī 7

The Perfection of Giving (7th)

Candakumāracariya

Prince Candana’s Conduct

“Punāparaṁ yadā homi,

“Then again when I was

ekarājassa atrajo;

the true-born son of the One King

Nagare pupphavatiyā,

in the city of flowers, Pupphavatī,

kumāro candasavhayo.

I was called Prince Canda, the Moon.

Tadāhaṁ yajanā mutto,

Then, released from being sacrificed,

nikkhanto yaññavāṭato;

I fled the sacrificial enclosure.

Saṁvegaṁ janayitvāna,

Giving rise to a sense of urgency,

mahādānaṁ pavattayiṁ.

I performed a great offering.

Nāhaṁ pivāmi khādāmi,

I did not drink, I did not eat,

napi bhuñjāmi bhojanaṁ;

I did not enjoy any food

Dakkhiṇeyye adatvāna,

for five or six days

api chappañcarattiyo.

without offering to a worthy recipient.

Yathāpi vāṇijo nāma,

Suppose there was a merchant

Katvāna bhaṇḍasañcayaṁ;

who had made a store of goods.

Yattha lābho mahā hoti,

They would take those goods

Tattha taṁ harati bhaṇḍakaṁ.

to where they could make a large profit.

Tatheva sakabhuttāpi,

So too, even giving what one has used oneself

pare dinnaṁ mahapphalaṁ;

to others is very fruitful.

Tasmā parassa dātabbaṁ,

That is why what is to be given to others

satabhāgo bhavissati.

multiplies a hundredfold.

Etamatthavasaṁ ñatvā,

Knowing the reason for this,

demi dānaṁ bhavābhave;

I gave gifts in life after life.

Na paṭikkamāmi dānato,

Aiming for awakening,

sambodhimanupattiyā”ti.

I never backtracked from giving.”

Candakumāracariyaṁ sattamaṁ.