Good begets Good - as one’s own shadow follows

Manopubbańgamā dhammaā – manoseţţā manomayā

Manasā ce pasannena – bhāsati vā karoti vā

Tato nań sukhamanveti – cāyā’va anapāyini

Mind is the forerunner of all good states. Mind is chief. Everything is made by mind. If one speaks or acts with pure mind, because of that, happiness follows him/her, as one’s own shadow follows him/her.

(Dhammapada – Yamaka Vagga – Verse 2)

• Story

There was a Brahmin called Adinnapubbaka in Savatti. He was a stingy man. He didn't spend money even for his own benefit. He had a son called Mattakundali. Meanwhile Adinnapubbaka's son fell ill. But he didn't consult a physician as he have to spend money. Because of this Mattakundali's illness went worse, and finally Adinnapubbaka relized that his son is doing.

This greedy man took his son with the bed and kept him in the veranda thinking that if people come to see the child they would see Adinnapubbaka's wealth.

In the morning the Buddha, the Most Compassionate One, arising his Maha Karuna Samapatti (Meditation of Compassion) saw innocent Mattakundali lying in a bed helplessly. Feeling compassionate about him, the Buddha decided  help him. Buddha send his Buddha rays to get the attention of the child who was facing the wall. The child who saw the rays on the wall realized that The Most Compassionate One has came for him, his heart filled with devotion to the Buddha, he passed away and reborn as a God in Tavatimsa celestial world.

Adinnapubbaka buried his son in the cemetery. He visit the cemetery everyday and weeps. The God Mattakundali saw this incident and feeling compassionate about his father he came in disguise of a little boy and starts crying standing near him.

Adinnapubbaka looked at the boy and asked "Why are you crying son?" "I want two wheels for my cart" said the boy. "Oh it's simple, I can made them fro you" said Adinnapubbaka. "I want them made using Sun and the moon" said the child. "Oh you are a foolish boy. How can it happen. You are crying for a thing that you can't get anyway." said Adinnapubbaka. "So you more foolish than me. I'm crying for something visible, but you are crying for a person who can't see again." said the boy. Adinnapubbaka was surprised with the answer of the boy and he asked "dear son, who are you? you opened my eyes." The God Mattakundali showed his real form and said "I'm your son in my previous birth. I reborn as a god in Tavatimsa. Lord Buddha showed me the path. May you too follow him. Invite Lord Buddha and offer him a meal. Give away your greediness and spend your wealth for charity."

Adinnapubbaka felt happy and invited the Buddha for meal. At the end of the meal Buddha recite these verses. Hearing this Adinnapubbaka became a devotee of Buddha and he gave up his greedyness and spend his wealth for charity.