* Coincidentally, the words of Venerable Luang Pu Boonsong resonated with a true story that I heard of previously.
Previously, my monk friend Kruba Oh told me this story. " A Lay Devotee's (whom I knew personally as he is one of the devotees of Phor Khao Wanchart) father (now ordained) used to be impoverished in the past when he was a lay devotee.
However, there was a time when he was very faithful and offered (foodstalls) dana during major occasions at a few monasteries. He would drive his car, which was already in an extremely poor condition, to the Monastery. As he was too poor to engage in any other forms of dana, he placed some 3 in 1 coffee packets at the dana food stalls and offered cups of coffee to the assembly.
Gradually, he realised that his quality of life was improving and the activities he engaged in were accomplished in a smooth manner. Thereafter, he would seize any opportunity available to do the foodstalls dana. Eventually, he ordained till this very day.
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Since the current time period coincides with when the Kathina Robe Offering Ceremony can be conducted, it seems apt to discuss the aforementioned story at this point. In Thailand, whenever there are pujas and dharma assemblies on major occasions, in particular the Kathina Robe Offering Ceremony, many lay devotees will apply to do food stall dana offerings at the temples.
During which, they will offer food to the Arya Sangha as well as the participants of the event for free. With regards to what merits one can obtain from doing food stall dana, please refer to the dhamma teaching below.
When I was conversing with Venerable Luang Pu Boon Song Thitasaro, he told me that if one does not wish to be impoverished, he or she should engage in the Dana offering of food (stalls). If one wishes to become a rich person, he or she should do food (stalls) Dana. By treating others to a meal and helping others, one will become wealthy and one's positive life conditions will increase. Seize every opportunity to do (food stalls) dhana. Regardless of how much or how little one offers, engaging in such meritous actions and your life conditions will improve.
Individuals who participate in the Dana offering of food (stalls) will become rich in the future. Regardless of whether he or she is the organiser of the event or merely one who rejoices in the merits, one will become wealthy in the future. Even if such fruits of affluence and wealth do not ripen within this life, everything one does will be smoothly accomplished. Hence, if one wishes to possess wealth and status, rather than poverty and destitution, he or she should engage in the Dana of offering food (stalls).
Luang Pu Boonsong Thitsaro
#อานิสงส์บุญโรงทาน
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#หลวงปู่บุญส่ง ท่านเคยบอกให้ฟังตอนสนทนากับท่านเพียงลำพังว่า "ไม่อยากขัดสน ให้ทำโรงทาน อยากมั่งมี อยากเป็นเศรษฐีให้ทำโรงทาน เลี้ยงคน ช่วยเหลือคน มีแต่จะมั่งมี ชีวิตจะดีขึ้น มีโอกาสก็ให้ทำ จะมากจะน้อย ก็ทำไป ให้เขาไป เดี๋ยวชีวิตจะดีเอง"
" ... คนที่ได้ทำบุญเกี่ยวกับโรงทาน ต่อไปจะได้เป็นเศรษฐี ไม่ว่าจะเป็นผู้นำหรือมีส่วนร่วมในบุญ จะได้เป็นเศรษฐี ถึงแม้ชาตินี้ไม่ได้เป็นเศรษฐี แต่ก็จะมีความคล่องตัว หากอยากมีฐานะที่ดีและไม่ยากจนเข็ญใจ ให้ทำบุญโรงทาน ... "
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คำปรารภ #องค์หลวงปู่บุญส่ง ฐิตสาโร
CR: Phra Hei
Translated by: Ted
