Repaying the Debt of Alms

Kanadeva, the 15th patriarch of Buddhism in India, once traveled to the country of Tila to spread the Dharma. At that time, in the garden of the elder Phạm Ma Tín Đức, there grew a large tree that produced fragrant mushrooms. Every day, the elder and his second son, La Hầu La Đa, would pick and enjoy these delicious mushrooms. Remarkably, if they picked them in the morning, new ones would grow by the evening.

The patriarch, aware of the karmic reason behind this phenomenon, visited the elder and explained:

“In a past life, you and your son sincerely offered alms to a bhikkhu (monk). However, this monk lacked complete virtue and spent his days receiving your offerings without accomplishing any significant spiritual practice. As a consequence, in this life, he has been reborn as these mushrooms to repay the debt of your generosity.”

Upon hearing this explanation of karmic retribution, the elder said:

  • “Venerable Master, I am unfortunate not to have met you sooner. Now, I am old and frail, unable to serve you. I offer my son, La Hầu La Đa, to become your disciple. Please accept him with compassion.”

The patriarch joyfully replied:

  • “In a past life, your son had the good fortune to receive a prediction from the Tathagata (Buddha), stating that he would become a future Buddhist leader. Our meeting today is not by chance but due to past karmic connections.”

(Based on the “Biographies of the 33 Patriarchs” of Buddhism)


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