Bodhivriksha
Ashok Mishra
He was renowned for his generosity and was a devoted follower of Gautama Buddha. He harbored a deep desire to contribute to the Sangha (the monastic community). Once, Gautama Buddha was seated with his disciples, engaged in a discourse on the Dharma. Shaur Puchchha arrived and humbly stated, "I possess one hundred thousand gold coins. I wish to donate them to the Sangha so that arrangements for food, clothing, and other necessities can be made for the people." Upon hearing this, the Buddha silently rose and went to rest.
Shaur Puchchha sat there for a long time, pondering what mistake he might have made that caused the Buddha to leave without a word. By chance, he met the Buddha again some time later. Shaur Puchchha said to the Tathagata, "I have some gold ornaments that I wish to offer to the Sangha." Once again, the Buddha remained silent. A few days later, a grand religious assembly was organized in Vaishali, drawing thousands of people.
Everyone was occupied with some task or another. Shaur Puchchha arrived and, without asking anyone, set to work. The assembly concluded, and the people departed, yet Shaur Puchchha continued to work, completely absorbed in the task. At midnight, the Buddha approached him and asked, "My child, have you partaken of the *Prasad* (sanctified offering)?" Shaur Puchchha was overcome with emotion, his voice choking with feeling, and he prostrated himself fully before the Buddha. Buddha said that wealth is not required for spiritual well-being; all that is needed is devotion. Shaur Puchh had found the path to spiritual well-being.
