分別功德論 4.38

4.38

The reason why Bhikṣu Uggama was praised as foremost in not speaking with people and walking with his gaze fixed on the ground is that this bhikṣu was constantly distressed by verbal faults. Wishing to reform them, he reflected to himself: 'Precisely because of this mouth, being born among devas and humans, or moaning and crying out in the three paths and the hells, thus running through the five paths, one undergoes boundless suffering. I ought now, like Prince Mūgapakkha, make a vow not to speak; whence then could the four faults and three calamities arise?' Having ceased speaking, he walked looking straight ahead. The Buddha marvelled at his ability to do so, and frequently praised his virtue to the bhikṣus, saying to Ānanda: 'Such a bhikṣu should be preserved in memory and recorded, in order to guide future ages of decline.' Due to these causes and conditions, he was praised as foremost.