Song: A Gift from the Forest Inspired by The Khuddaka Nikāya, Apadāna, Nāgasamāla Vagga, Bhisāluvadāyaka Thera Apadāna
[Verse 1]
Deep within the forest green,
A humble soul lived peacefully.
With roots and fruits to feed his days,
He walked a simple, quiet way.
Then Buddha Vipassī appeared,
A sacred light, a heart revered.
With joyful faith, he offered food,
A simple gift, a noble mood.
[Pre-Chorus]
Roots and fruits, and water clear,
A humble gift offered with care.
He bowed before the Buddha's feet,
With faith and love, his heart complete.
[Chorus]
A gift from the forest, a gift from the heart,
A simple act can be a beautiful start.
No wealth is needed, no riches to bring,
True generosity is a precious thing.
Roots and fruits, and water pure,
A loving heart can endure.
Give what you have, with kindness inside,
Let wisdom and compassion be your guide.
[Verse 2]
Ninety-one aeons passed away,
Yet wholesome deeds remained that day.
He never knew an evil state,
Through goodness shaping future fate.
Three aeons passed, a king was born,
Bhisassammata, powerful and strong.
With seven treasures and royal might,
Yet worldly power could not be right.
[Bridge]
He left behind his wealth and fame,
And entered the path of Buddha's way.
Four kinds of wisdom, eight liberations,
Six higher knowledges and realizations.
No greed, no hatred, no delusion,
No endless cycle of confusion.
The final truth, the mind set free,
Nibbāna's peace eternally.
[Final Chorus]
A gift from the forest, a gift from the heart,
A simple act can be a beautiful start.
Give what you can, let kindness grow,
And let the light of wisdom flow.
Not wealth or power, not worldly fame,
Can end the suffering and pain.
Through faith and wisdom, we find the way,
To freedom beyond birth and decay.
[Outro]
A handful of roots, a little water,
A lesson passed from son to daughter.
Give with love, let goodness grow,
And walk the path that leads beyond sorrow.
Bhisāluvadāyaka Thera: The Merits of Offering Roots, Fruits, and Water to Buddha Vipassī
Buddhist News – Theravada Buddhist Tradition
1. Headline
Bhisāluvadāyaka Thera: A Forest Offering of Roots, Fruits, and Water Demonstrates the Power of Generosity and Faith
2. Background and Story
The Bhisāluvadāyaka Thera Apadāna appears in Volume 32 of the Pali Tipiṭaka, Khuddaka Nikāya, Apadāna, Nāgasamāla Vagga, Discourse 74.
It recounts the former life of Venerable Bhisāluvadāyaka Thera, who performed a meritorious deed by offering food and water to Buddha Vipassī.
According to verse 76, he once entered a dense forest and encountered the Buddha named Vipassī, a fully enlightened one worthy of offerings.
Filled with faith and reverence, he offered roots and fruits, together with water for washing the Buddha's hands.
He then respectfully bowed at the Buddha's feet and departed toward the north.
The offering was simple, consisting of natural food and water. Nevertheless, it was performed with a devoted and generous heart.
The elder recalled that this event took place ninety-one aeons before the present one. Through the merit of that offering, he declared that he had never experienced an unfortunate destination.
He also recalled that three aeons before the present one, he was born as a universal monarch named Bhisassammata, endowed with the Seven Treasures and great power.
However, worldly wealth and authority were not the ultimate achievements of his spiritual journey.
He eventually realized the Four Analytical Knowledges, the Eight Liberations, and the Six Higher Knowledges, declaring that he had completed the Buddha's teaching.
3. His Life According to the Commentary
According to the commentary, Venerable Bhisāluvadāyaka had accumulated wholesome deeds under previous Buddhas.
During the dispensation of Buddha Vipassī, he lived in a forest near the Himalayan region. His simple lifestyle depended on roots and fruits for nourishment.
One day, he saw Buddha Vipassī approaching. Filled with devotion, he offered five lotus roots to the Blessed One.
The Buddha accepted and ate the offering in his presence, helping strengthen the donor's confidence and joy.
After his death, the merit of this offering led him to rebirth in the Tusita Heaven and other fortunate existences. He subsequently experienced happiness and prosperity in the human world.
During the dispensation of Buddha Gotama, he was born into a wealthy family. Eventually, he renounced his possessions and entered the monastic order.
Not long after ordination, he attained arahantship, becoming free from the mental intoxicants.
Having achieved liberation, he recalled his former meritorious deed and expressed joy in the completion of his spiritual journey.
4. Buddhist Teachings
1. Generosity (Dāna)
Giving does not require great wealth. Even simple food and water can become meaningful offerings when given with a generous heart.
2. Faith (Saddhā)
Faith becomes meaningful when it inspires wholesome actions and spiritual development.
3. Fewness of Wishes (Appicchatā)
Living simply and avoiding unnecessary possessions helps reduce attachment and cultivate inner peace.
4. Contentment (Santuṭṭhi)
Being satisfied with what is appropriate and necessary helps develop happiness and generosity.
5. The Law of Kamma
Wholesome actions create favorable conditions for happiness and spiritual progress.
6. The Four Analytical Knowledges
These are understanding of meaning, understanding of Dhamma, linguistic understanding, and analytical insight.
7. The Eight Liberations and Six Higher Knowledges
These represent advanced spiritual attainments. The destruction of mental intoxicants is the realization of arahantship.
5. Conclusion
The story of Bhisāluvadāyaka Thera teaches that generosity is not measured by the price of an offering but by the quality of the mind behind it.
A simple offering of food and water can represent kindness, gratitude, and reverence.
His life also reminds us that worldly prosperity is temporary, while liberation from greed, hatred, and delusion is the highest spiritual achievement.
The essential message: Give according to your ability, live with contentment, cultivate wisdom, and walk toward liberation.
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