A Collection of Buddhist Wisdom Verses - Ancient Buddhist Texts

13: Begging
246. Yo ca yācanajīvāno, kāle yācaṁ hi yācati,
Parañ-ca puññaṁ labbheti, attanā pi ca jīvati.
He who lives by way of begging,
And who then begs at begging time,
Causes others to gain merit,
And himself will live happily.
247. Na ve dessanti sappaññā, disvā yācakam-āgataṁ,
Brahmacāri piyo me 'si varataṁ bhaññam-icchasi.”
Those with wisdom are not angry
After seeing a begger come,
My dear and spiritual friend
Speak and ask for a boon from me.”
248. “Na ve yācanti sappaññā, Dhīro veditum-ar a hati,
Uddissa Ar i yā tiṭṭhanti, esā Ar i yāna' yācanā.”
“Those who have wisdom do not beg,
This the Wise One must surely know,
The Noble simply stand for alms,
Such is the Noble Ones' begging.”
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