One time, the Buddha was staying in Jetavana Monastery in Anathapindika’s park with a great assembly of one thousand two hundred and fifty monks.
At that time, a wife gave birth to a son. This son grew to be handsome and comely, such that one never gets tired of looking at him. Also, through some miracle, whenever this boy clenched his two fists, when he opened them, two golden coins would appear. When the parents took the gold coins, two more coins appeared in his palms. Soon, their house overflowed with golden coins.
When this boy came of age, he went to the Buddha and requested him for ordination vows. Immediately, when the Buddha gave him the vows, the boy’s lay clothes, hair and beard fell off, and he was dressed in the monastic robes.
When the time was right, he bowed to all the monks of the Buddha’s Sangha according to seniority. Wherever he placed his hands, two gold coins appeared. Thus, he was able to offer to all the monks of the Buddha. The boy meditated and practiced and in time, he achieved arhat-hood.
The Buddha was asked by Ananda about this incident. The Buddha replied,
“During the time of Buddha Kasyapa 61 eons ago, the Buddha and his followers traveled to many different countries. One day, a wealthy householder offered food and rest to the Buddha and all his followers.
In that village, a poor man lived by selling wood from the forest. He would sell to anybody who gives him two gold coins. When he heard of Buddha Kasyapa’s arrival, he rejoiced and thinking of this rare occurrence, he decided to offer the only two gold coins he had at that time.
Due to the fervent devotion and depth of virtue of that poor man’s offering, he was born as a person who produced two gold coins from his hands, uninterruptedly for 60 eons. He had an abundance of property, jewels and necessities in all those lives. This monk is that man.
Thus, it is Ananda, that every living being should strive to perform generosity”.
From Sutra of Wise and Foolish. Translated by Stanley Frye. Adapted version