For the Dhammapada

Good begets good

Manopubbangama Dhamma – Manosettha Manomaya
Manasa ce Pasannena – Bashati va Karoti va
Tato nam Sukhamanveti – Chaya va Anapayini.

The mind is the forerunner of all good states. The mind is chief. If one speaks or acts with a pure mind, happiness follows, just as one’s shadow never leaves.

This Gatha was recited by the Buddha with regard to Mattakundali, the only son of a rich but stingy man. Mattakundali was seriously ill and was on his death bed, but his father wouldn’t consult a doctor as he was too stingly to pay the doctor’s fee. The Buddha saw the plight of the boy with his Divine Eye and appeared before him. Mattakundali was pleased to see the Buddha in his last stages. He died with a pure heart overflowing with faith in the Buddha , and was reborn in a heavenly state.