KN.UD8.5 — Cunda Sutta
Thus have I heard: at one time, the Blessed One was wandering among the Mallas with a large community of disciples and arrived at Pāvā. There, the Blessed One stayed in the mango grove of Cunda, the son of a smith. Cunda, the smith's son, heard of this. Then Cunda, the smith's son, approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. While Cunda, the smith's son, was sitting to one side, the Blessed One instructed, inspired, encouraged, and delighted him with a talk on the Dhamma. Then Cunda, the smith's son, having been instructed, inspired, encouraged, and delighted by the Blessed One's talk on the Dhamma, said to the Blessed One, May the Blessed One consent to accept tomorrow's meal from me, together with the community of disciples. The Blessed One consented by remaining silent. Then Cunda, the smith's son, understanding the Blessed One's consent, rose from his seat, paid homage to the Blessed One, and departed, keeping him to his right.
Then, when the night had passed, Cunda, the smith's son, prepared excellent food, both hard and soft, and a large quantity of tender pork, and announced the time to the Blessed One, saying, It is time, venerable sir, the meal is ready. Then the Blessed One, in the morning, dressed and, taking his bowl and robe, went with the community of disciples to the residence of Cunda, the smith's son. Having arrived, he sat down on the prepared seat. While seated, the Blessed One addressed Cunda, the smith's son, Serve me with the tender pork you have prepared, Cunda, and serve the community of disciples with the other food you have prepared. Yes, venerable sir, Cunda, the smith's son, replied to the Blessed One, and served the Blessed One with the tender pork that had been prepared, and served the community of disciples with the other food that had been prepared.
Then the Blessed One addressed Cunda, the smith's son, Whatever remains of the tender pork, Cunda, bury it in a pit. I do not see anyone in the world with its devas, with its Māras, with its Brahmās, in this generation with its recluses and brahmins, with its princes and people, who could properly digest it, except for the Tathāgata. Yes, venerable sir, Cunda, the smith's son, replied to the Blessed One, and buried the remaining tender pork in a pit. Then he approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, and sat down to one side.
The Blessed One, having instructed, inspired, encouraged, and delighted Cunda the smith with a discourse on the Dhamma while he was sitting to one side, rose from his seat and departed. Then, after the Blessed One had eaten Cunda's meal, a severe illness arose in him, with intense, life-threatening pain. The Blessed One endured it, mindful and fully aware, without being distressed. Then the Blessed One addressed the Venerable Ānanda, saying, Come, Ānanda, let us go to Kusinārā. Yes, venerable sir, the Venerable Ānanda replied to the Blessed One.
It is said that after eating the meal of Cunda the smith, the wise one was afflicted with a severe, life-threatening illness. After consuming the tender pork, a severe illness arose in the Teacher. As he was purging, the Blessed One said, I will go to the city of Kusinārā.
Then the Blessed One, leaving the road, approached the root of a certain tree. Having approached, he addressed the Venerable Ānanda, Please, Ānanda, prepare a folded robe for me; I am tired, Ānanda, and will sit down. Yes, venerable sir, the Venerable Ānanda replied to the Blessed One and prepared a folded robe. The Blessed One sat down on the prepared seat. While sitting, the Blessed One addressed the Venerable Ānanda, Please, Ānanda, bring me some water; I am thirsty, Ānanda, and will drink.
When this was said, the Venerable Ānanda said to the Blessed One, Just now, venerable sir, five hundred carts have passed over. The water is shallow, stirred up, and muddy. This Kukudhā River is not far, with clear, pleasant, cool, pure water, with a good ford, delightful. There the Blessed One can drink water and cool his limbs.
For the second time... for the third time, the Blessed One addressed the Venerable Ānanda, Please, Ānanda, bring me some water; I am thirsty, Ānanda, and will drink. Yes, venerable sir, the Venerable Ānanda replied to the Blessed One, took a bowl, and approached the river. Then, as the Venerable Ānanda approached, the river, which had been shallow, stirred up, and muddy, flowed clear, bright, and unclouded. Then it occurred to the Venerable Ānanda, Wonderful, indeed, marvelous, indeed, is the great power and majesty of the Tathāgata. For this river, which had been shallow, stirred up, and muddy, flows clear, bright, and unclouded as I approach.
Taking a bowl of water, he approached the Blessed One; having approached, he said to the Blessed One, It is wonderful, venerable sir, it is marvelous, venerable sir, the great power and majesty of the Tathāgata. For this river, venerable sir, which was turbid, muddy, and flowing with a swift current, became clear, bright, and unclouded as I approached. Let the Blessed One drink the water, let the Sugata drink the water. Then the Blessed One drank the water.
Then the Blessed One, together with a large community of disciples, approached the Kukudha River; having approached, he entered the Kukudha River, bathed, drank, and then came out, and approached the mango grove. Having approached, he addressed the Venerable Cunda, Prepare a fourfold robe for me, Cunda; I am tired, Cunda, I will lie down. Yes, venerable sir, the Venerable Cunda replied to the Blessed One, and prepared a fourfold robe. Then the Blessed One lay down on his right side in the lion's posture, placing one foot on the other, mindful and fully aware, with the thought of rising in mind. The Venerable Cunda sat down in front of the Blessed One.
The Buddha went to the Kukudha River, clear and delightful, and entered it, the Teacher, pure in appearance, the Tathāgata, unmatched in the world. Having bathed and drunk, the Teacher crossed over, surrounded by the community of disciples. The Teacher, the Blessed One, the great sage, came to the mango grove and addressed the disciple named Cunda, Prepare a fourfold spread for me to lie down. Thus instructed by the one of developed mind, Cunda quickly prepared the fourfold spread. The Teacher lay down, pure in appearance, and Cunda sat in front of him.
Then the Blessed One addressed the Venerable Ānanda, There might be, Ānanda, some remorse arising in Cunda, the son of the smith, thinking, It is a loss for you, friend Cunda, it is unfortunate for you that the Tathāgata, having eaten your last meal, has attained final Nibbāna. Ānanda, this remorse in Cunda, the son of the smith, should be dispelled: It is a gain for you, friend Cunda, it is fortunate for you that the Tathāgata, having eaten your last meal, has attained final Nibbāna. I have heard this directly from the Blessed One, I have received it directly: there are two meals that are of equal fruit, of equal result, and surpass all other meals in great fruit and great benefit. Which two? The meal after which the Tathāgata attains unsurpassed perfect enlightenment, and the meal after which he attains final Nibbāna in the element of Nibbāna without residue.
These two alms are of equal fruit and equal result, yet they are exceedingly more fruitful and beneficial than other alms. The work accumulated by the venerable Cunda, the son of a smith, leads to long life, beauty, happiness, heavenly rebirth, fame, and sovereignty. Thus, Ananda, the remorse of Cunda, the son of a smith, should be dispelled.
Then the Blessed One, understanding this matter, at that time uttered this inspired utterance:
By giving, merit grows,
By restraint, enmity does not accumulate;
The skillful one abandons the unwholesome,
With the destruction of greed, hatred, and delusion, one is at peace.