分別功德論 4.22

4.22

The reason why Piṇḍola is called able to subdue the non-Buddhists is this: in the city of Vaiśālī there was the householder Citta, who was constantly troubled by the six teachers' arrogance and self-aggrandizement, who said: 'The śramaṇa Gautama claims to be supreme; we shall contend with him in skill. If he displays one [feat], we shall display two, doubling thus up to thirty-two.' At that time, the householder widely invited the sanghas inside and outside [the city] and made offerings to them. He erected a great banner forty-nine feet high and placed a sandalwood bowl upon it, proclaiming: 'Whoever can stretch out his hand and take this bowl shall be deemed foremost.' Then Piṇḍola thought to himself: 'Now I should display supernatural power to silence and subdue the six teachers.' But he also thought: 'The World-Honoured One constantly admonishes his disciples not to display supernatural powers. If I do not display them now, I fear they will incur guilt forever; if I display them, I fear disobeying the Honoured One's teaching.' Hesitating back and forth, he then displayed supernatural power, reached out his hand, and took the sandalwood bowl. Rising into the air, he circled the city seven times and returned to his seat, saying to the brahmacārins: 'You gentlemen may now display your two!' The six teachers fell silent. At that time, a great yakṣa general named Pañcika said to the six teachers: 'Hurry and display your two!' The followers of the six teachers did not know which way to turn. Judging from this, we know that Piṇḍola was the most foremost in subduing non-Buddhists.