Vendors Of Vessels

The Bodhisattva was born in Sevanagar as an itinerant vendor of vessels. He would exchange new vessels for old ones, making a modest profit. There was another vessel-seller in the same place. He was very clever and managed to make a good margin in the trade.  The two, however, carried on business without competing with each other.

Once it so happened that they reached the neighbouring city of Amaravati at the same time.  Between the two, it was agreed that they would not trespass into each other's area. If one went along one street, the other would go to another street.

In one huge house lived an old woman and her granddaughter. The woman's son was the leading merchant of the place who led a luxurious life. After he passed away, the family was reduced to poverty. The old woman and the girl were the only members left in the family, pulling on their life with great difficulty. The few possessions they had included some vessels, many of which had fallen into disuse. One was a golden pot from which the merchant would drink water. After his death, it was never used by any other member in the family. In course of time, it gathered so much dust that none would recognize that it was once a golden pot.  The clever vendor one day came that way.  The little girl heard his calls "New vessels for old!" She went to her grandmother. "Grandma, please get me a new dinner plate." The old woman told her, "My dear, you know very well that we don't have money to buy anything."

The girl then reminded her, "Grandma, we've so many old things with us. Why can't we give away that pot from which father used to drink water? Why should we keep it?" The woman called the vendor in. Giving him the old pot, she said, "See, my granddaughter here is insisting on getting a dinner plate. You take this pot and give her a plate." The vendor examined the pot and was surprised to find that it was a golden one which had acquired a worn out look. He realized that neither the woman nor the girl was aware of its real worth. He did not want to reveal his eagerness to get it. "Madam, what can you get in exchange for this useless pot? I don't have anything cheap to give in exchange." He almost threw away the pot and went his way.  According to the agreement between the two vendors, one could visit a street after the other had gone round once. The Bodhisattva came that way, calling out "New vessels for old ones!" The girl once again pleaded with her grandmother.