No. 406.

GANDHARA-JATAKA.

"Villages full sixteen thousand," etc.--The Master told this when dwelling in Jetavana, concerning the precept on the storing up of medicines . The occasion however arose in Rajagaha. When the venerable Pilindiyavaccha went to the king's dwelling to set free the park-keeper's family , he made the palace all of gold by magic power: and the people in their delight brought to that elder the five kinds of medicine. He gave them away to the congregation of Brethren. So the congregation abounded in medicines, [364] and as they received the medicines, they filled pots and jars and bags in this way and laid them aside. People seeing this murmured, saying, "Those greedy priests are hoarding in their houses." The Master, hearing this thing, declared the precept, "Whatever medicines for sick brethren [sc. are received, must be used within seven days]," and said, "Brethren, wise men of old, before the Buddha appeared, ordained in heresy and keeping only the five precepts, used to chide those who laid aside even salt and sugar for the next day; but you, though ordained in such a rule of salvation, make a hoard for the second and the third day," and so he told the tale of old.

Once upon a time the Bodhisatta was the king's son of the Gandhara kingdom; at his father's death he became king and ruled with righteousness.