The Widow’s Mite according to Buddha
[NOTE: This Buddhist story is the same as the story of Jesus and the widow (Mark 12:41-44). The reason we would tell it to Boy Scouts is to reinforce the idea that “a Scout is helpful.” The widow gave away her money in order to be helpful, not because she thought she would get a reward for her generosity.
By the way, the leader who is curious about the similarity between Buddhist and Christian teaching may want to read the article by Leo D. Lefebure, The Christian Century, October 26, 1994, discussed elsewhere on this web site.]
There was once a lone widow who was very destitute, and having gone to the mountain she beheld hermits holding a religious assembly. Then the woman was filled with joy, and uttering praises, said, “It is well, holy priests! But while others give precious things such as the ocean caves produce, I have nothing to offer.” Having spoken thus and having searched herself in vain for something to give, she recollected that some time before she had found in a dungheap two coppers, so taking these she offered them forthwith as a gift to the priesthood in charity.
The superior of the priests, a saint who could read the hearts of men, disregarding the rich gifts of others and beholding the deep faith dwelling in the heart of this poor widow, and wishing the priesthood to esteem rightly her religious merit, burst forth with full voice in a canto. He raised his right hand and said, “Reverend priests attend!” and then he proceeded:
“The coppers of this poor widow
To all purpose are more worth
Than all the treasures of the oceans
And the wealth of the broad earth.
“As an act of pure devotion
She has done a pious deed;
She has attained salvation,
Being free from selfish greed.”
The woman was mightily strengthened in her mind by this thought, and said, “It is even as the Teacher says: what I have done is as much as if a rich man were to give up all his wealth.”
And the Teacher said: “Doing good deeds is like hoarding up treasures,” and he expounded this truth in a parable.
Source: Carus, Paul. The Gospel of Buddha Compiled from Ancient Records. Chicago: Open Court Publishing Co., 1915. (copyright 1884).pp. 179-181.