49 Maintaining the Precepts

A layman keeps precepts in a forest; deities, pleased, bring him two thousand cartloads of wealth. The Buddha recounts how, in a past life, the Bodhisatta refused to kill birds for a prince, was thrown into a crocodile-infested river, but was protected by his precepts. A golden palace arose, and he converted the king and prince, then renounced the world. Precepts bring wealth and protection.