分別功德論 4.16

4.16

The reason why the monk Revata is called foremost in sitting in meditation and entering absorption is that formerly King Prasenajit invited him to sit in meditation under a tree. At that time the king invited him to enter the palace to eat. Six years passed without him moving elsewhere, and just when he intended to move to another tree, the tree deity would not permit it. What was the proof of this? Whenever he was about to move, the tree deity would scatter flowers in offering. By this proof, it was known that it did not permit it. How is it known that his mind harboured no extraneous thoughts? At that time Kauṣṭhila came to Revata's dwelling and said: "Why do you not sit under a good tree? Why do you sit under this withered tree?" He replied: "Your honor is called foremost in the four analytical knowledges, capable of distinguishing the principles of the Dharma and responding with appropriate phrasing. I wonder, to which analytical knowledge does distinguishing a withered tree belong? Since I sat here nearly six years have passed, and I do not distinguish between living and withered. Has your honor just arrived and already made such a distinction?" The king invited him into the palace to make offerings day after day, ordering all the consorts to take their respective turns on duty. When the six years were fulfilled, gifts were distributed and he was sent off; when receiving the dakṣiṇā, he did not know the host's name. The king said: "Having received our invitations for six years, you do not know our names; how could your absorption be like this?" He replied: "Sitting under the tree, I did not even know whether the tree was withered or alive, how much less could I know a person's name?" The merit of offering to meditation is most pure in virtue; in accordance with the king's vows, it can lead to nirvāṇa—it is truly an excellent field of merit. Therefore he is called foremost in delighting in meditation.