分別功德論 1.14

1.14

The reason Ānanda deferred to Kāśyapa was that [Kāśyapa] was both the senior elder and one he revered. In the past, for five hundred lifetimes, [Kāśyapa] had continually been his father; having known him from past lives, his reverence, admiration, and reliance were profound. The reason Kāśyapa was earnest toward Ānanda was that in the past they had accumulated deep conditions, and [Ānanda] inherited his kindness as a later successor; moreover, [Ānanda's] wisdom from hearing, conventional wisdom, and powerful memory were supreme among the assembly. When it came to compiling the eighty thousand bequeathed scriptures, none was ahead of him. The two needed each other, just as the blind and the lame depend on one another. They brought mutual benefit to each other. It is like two men suddenly coming upon a thousand-pound lump of gold: if they wish to lift it together, their strength is insufficient; if they wish to cut and divide it, tools cannot be applied. Thereupon they confer together, combine their strength, and carry it home, ultimately achieving great utility. They may be called mutually wise; Kāśyapa and Ānanda were just like this metaphor. When the two accord in unison, the jewel of the Dharma abides long.