ལས་བརྒྱ་ཐམ་པ་པ 35.4

35.4

Householder, if you wish, you may go to see the Blessed One and put your question to him. May you then accept whatever proclamation the Blessed One grants you.” After he said that the deity disappeared on the spot.

As soon as the householder Deluded heard this, he was eager to see the Blessed One. One day some merchants from Śūrpāraka loaded up their goods and went to Śrāvastī. When they arrived there, they found faith in the doctrine of the Blessed One, went for refuge, and took the fundamental precepts. Then they loaded up their goods and earnings and returned to Śūrpāraka, where they spoke in praise of the Buddha and the Dharma in the presence of the householder Deluded. And they said, “The Blessed One is omniscient and all-seeing. Go see him, and he will heal your physical and spiritual ills.”

When he heard their words, he felt especially inspired to go see the Blessed One. So one day the householder Deluded loaded up many provisions, mounted a good horse, and traveled from Śūrpāraka to Śrāvastī. He went as far as he could by vehicle, then descended from his vehicle and approached the Blessed One. When he arrived, he touched his head to the Blessed One’s feet and took a seat at one side.

Once he had taken a seat at one side, the householder Deluded told the Blessed One, “Lord, this material body has become so weak. I am so ashamed of it. I wish to cast it off. I revile it.”

“Householder,” the Blessed One replied, “this body is like an illness. It is like a series of wounds. It is like an affliction.”