Nidhi Kanda — The Reserve Fund (From the Khuddakapatha, The Khuddaka Nikaya )

A person stashes a fund away,
deep underground, at the water line:
"When a need or duty arises,
this will provide for my needs,
for my release if I'm denounced by the king,
molested by thieves,
in case of debt, famine, or accidents."
With aims like this in the world
a reserve fund is stashed away.

But no matter how well it's stored,
deep underground, at the water line,
it won't all always serve one's need.
The fund gets shifted from its place,
or one's memory gets confused;
or — unseen —
water serpents make off with it,
spirits steal it,
or hateful heirs run off with it.
When one's merit's ended,
it's totally destroyed.

But when a man or woman
has laid aside a well-stored fund
of giving, virtue,
restraint, & self-control,
with regard to a shrine,
the Sangha,
a fine individual,
guests,
mother, father,
or elder sibling:
That's a well-stored fund.
It can't be wrested away.
It follows you along.
When, having left this world,
for wherever you must go,
you take it with you.
This fund is not held in common with others,
& cannot be stolen by thieves.

So, prudent, you should make merit,
the fund that will follow you along.
This is the fund
that gives all they want
to beings human, divine.

Whatever devas aspire to,
all that is gained by this.
A fine complexion, fine voice,
a body well-built, well-formed,
lordship, a following:
all that is gained by this.
Earthly kingship, supremacy,
the bliss of an emperor,
kingship over devas in the heavens:
all that is gained by this.
The attainment of the human state,
any delight in heaven,
the attainment of Unbinding:
all that is gained by this.
Excellent friends,
appropriate application,
mastery of clear knowing & release:
all that is gained by this.
Acumen, emancipations,
the perfection of disciplehood:
all that is gained by this.
Private Awakening,
Buddhahood:
all that is gained by this.

So powerful is this,
the accomplishment of merit.
Thus the wise, the prudent,
praise the fund of merit
already made.