“Mendicants, in some past lives the Realized One was reborn as a human being. He wasn’t irritable or bad-tempered. Even when heavily criticized he didn’t lose his temper, become annoyed, hostile, and hard-hearted, or display annoyance, hate, and bitterness. He donated soft and fine mats and blankets, and fine cloths of linen, cotton, silk, and wool. Due to performing those deeds he was reborn in a heavenly realm. When he came back to this state of existence he obtained this mark: he is gold colored; his skin has a golden sheen.

Possessing this mark, if he stays at home he becomes a wheel-turning monarch. And what does he obtain as king? He obtains soft and fine mats and blankets, and fine cloths of linen, cotton, silk, and wool. That’s what he obtains as king. And what does he obtain as Buddha? He obtains soft and fine mats and blankets, and fine cloths of linen, cotton, silk, and wool. That’s what he obtains as Buddha.” That is what the Buddha said.

On this it is said:

“Dedicated to good will, he gave gifts.
In an earlier life he poured forth cloth
fine and soft to touch,
like a god pouring rain on this broad earth.

So doing he passed from here to heaven,
where he enjoyed the fruits of deeds well done.
Here he wins a figure of gold,
like Inda, the finest of gods.

If that man stays in the house, not wishing to go forth,
he conquers and rules this vast, broad earth.
He obtains abundant excellent cloth,
so fine and soft to touch.

He receives robes, cloth, and the finest garments
if he chooses the life gone forth.
For he still partakes of past deed’s fruit;
what’s been done is never lost.”