Mahâ-Parinibbâna-Suttanta: The Book of the Great Decease

31. And when they were thus seated the Blessed One gave thanks in these verses:-- 'Wheresoe'er the prudent man shall take up his abode Let him support there good and upright men of self-control. Let him give gifts to all such deities as may be there. Revered, they will revere him: honoured, they honour him again; Are gracious to him as a mother to her own, her only son. And the man who has the grace of the gods, good fortune he beholds[1].' [1. This passage gives Buddhaghosa a good deal of difficulty, as it apparently inculcates offerings to the gods, which is contrary not only to both the letter and spirit of Buddhism, but also to the practice of Buddhists. He explains away the gifts to the deities by saying they are gifts of merit only (patti)--the giver giving the four necessaries to Bhikkhus, and then expressing a wish that the Devatâs should share in his puñña. I am inclined to think, on the authority of the Deva-dhamma Gâtaka (No. 9 in 'Buddhist {footnote p. 21} Birth Stories'), that by the deities are here meant the good and upright men of self-control,' mentioned in the previous clause. The verses were perhaps originally non-Buddhistic.] p. 21 32. And when he had thanked the ministers in these verses he rose from his seat and departed thence. And they followed him as he went, saying, 'The gate the Samana Gotama goes out by to-day shall be called Gotama's gate, and the ferry at which he crosses the river shall be called Gotama's ferry.' And the gate he went out at was called Gotama's gate.