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When the Buddha lived in Koshambee, a
person called sKul-ched approached and
prostrated and then asked him, "Is there
any good material offering which
accumulates a lot of merit and positive
results?"
The Buddha
said, "There are seven different types
of material offerings by which the
accumulating of merit will be great."
"These are
so beneficial that their merits will
increase and multiply continuously, even
when you are sitting, sleeping, awake or
at any other time, and you will be
greatly respected."
"And the
seven offerings are,
-
building
big couryards;
-
building
a prayer hall;
-
offering
a mattress, blanket or quilt;
-
giving
food;
-
offering
something to an unexpected guest;
-
giving
food or medicine to the sick and
their attendants;
-
offering
hospitality in the prayer hall and
giving food to the local people when
they suffer from rain, storm and
floods."
From the
Vinaya Vibhanga Sutra, a discourse by
the Buddha on monastic discipline.
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