妙法蓮華經 2.38

2.38

“[The father’s] storehouses were all filled to overflowing with gold, sil-

ver, lapis lazuli, coral, amber, crystal, and other such things. He had many

servants, subordinates, and clerks as well as innumerable elephants, horses,

carriages, cows, and sheep. He profited through lending and his trade with

other countries was also great.

“Then the impoverished son, after wandering through many villages,

from one country and city to another, finally reached the city where his father

lived. Although the father had constantly thought about the son from whom

he had been separated for over fifty years, he nevertheless had spoken to no

one about it. He brooded and grieved in his heart, thinking to himself:

I have become old and feeble; and although I have many treasures, and

storehouses filled with gold, silver, and precious jewels, I have no son.

When I die my treasures will be scattered and lost for lack of some-

one to whom to entrust them.

“It was for this reason that he was always thinking anxiously about his

son. He also thought:

If I could get my son back and leave my fortune to him I would be

relieved and happy, and without further worry.

“O Bhagavat! At that time the impoverished son, who had been wan-

dering about, taking odd jobs, by chance finally reached his father’s house.

Standing at the side of the gate he saw his father in the distance sitting on

the lion seat with his feet propped up on a jeweled stool, respectfully sur-

rounded by many brahmans, kṣatriyas, and householders. His body was

adorned with pearl necklaces worth thousands of myriads. He was attended

on both sides by clerks and servants holding whisker fans. Above was a jew-

eled canopy with various hanging flowered banners. Perfume was sprinkled

on the ground, which was strewn with a variety of beautiful flowers. There

were rows of precious objects, and people were coming and going, buying and selling. With various trappings such as these, the father appeared very majestic indeed.

“The impoverished son, seeing his father wielding such great power, became terrified and regretted that he had ever come to that place. He thought to himself:

He must be a king or of a similar rank. This is not a place where I can

obtain things as a hired worker. It would certainly be better for me to

go to a poor village, a place where I can use my ability and easily obtain

clothing and food. If I stay here for very long I will be seized and put

to forced labor.

“Thinking this way, he quickly fled. At that time the wealthy man, sitting on the lion seat, realized that he had seen his son and became extremely happy. He then thought:

Now there is someone to whom I can leave my fortune and treasures.

I have been constantly thinking about my son but had no way to meet

him, and now suddenly he has come. This is exactly what I wanted.

Although I am old I still yearn for him.

“The man immediately dispatched his attendants to chase his son and bring him back. Then the attendants quickly ran and overtook him. The impoverished son was frightened and cried out in fear:

I did nothing wrong! Why are you seizing me?

“The attendants grabbed him more firmly and forced him to return. Then the impoverished son thought:

They have seized me even though I have done nothing wrong. I shall

certainly be killed.