Udanavarga 2.39

2.39

後日國王波斯匿，請佛眾僧於正殿會，佛欲現般特威神，與鉢令持隨後而行。門士識之，留不聽入。「卿為沙門一偈不了，受請何為？吾是俗人由尚知偈，豈況沙門無有智慧，施卿無益，不須入門。」時般特即住門外。佛坐正殿，上行水已畢，般特即擎鉢申臂遙以授佛。王及群臣、夫人太子、眾會四輩，見臂來入不見其形，怪而問佛：「是何人臂？」佛言：「是般特比丘臂也，近日得道。向吾使持鉢，門士不聽來入，是以申臂授吾鉢耳。」即便請入，威神倍常。王白佛言：「聞般特本性愚鈍方知一偈，何緣得道？」佛告王曰：「學不必多，行之為上。般特解一偈義，精理入神，身口意寂淨如天金。人雖多學，不解不行徒喪識想，有何益哉？」

On the day after this the King Prasenajit invited Buddha and the whole congregation of priests to assemble at his palace (and partake of hospitality). Buddha therefore recognising the superior and reverend appearance of Patisena, desired him to bear his alms-dish and follow him as he went. But when they came to the palace-gate, the porter, knowing his character (antecedents), would not let him go into the hall; for “We have no hospitality,” said he, “for a priest who knows but one Gāthā; there is no room for such common fellows as you—make place for your betters and begone.” Patisena accordingly sat down outside the door. Buddha having now ascended the dais, after having washed his hands, lo! the arm of Patisena, with the alms-dish in its hand, entered the room. Then the King, the ministers, and all the assembly, seeing this sight, were filled with astonishment, and said—"Ah! what arm is this?” On which Buddha replied, “It is the arm of Patisena, the mendicant. He has but just obtained enlightenment, and I desired him to bear my alms-dish behind me; but the porter has refused him admission, and so his arm has appeared with my begging-dish in the hand.” On this he was admitted and entered the assembly. Then Prasenajit, turning to Buddha, said—"I hear that this Patisena is a man of small ability, and knows only one Gāthā, how, then, has he obtained the supreme wisdom?” To whom Buddha replied—"Learning need not be much, conduct is the first thing.

This Patisena has allowed the secret virtue of the words of this one Gāthā to penetrate his spirit; his body, mouth, and thoughts have obtained perfect quietude; for though a man know ever so much, if his knowledge reach not to his life, to deliver him from the power which leads to destruction, what benefit can all his learning be?” and then Buddha repeated the following stanzas: