分別功德論 4.40

4.40

The reason why Dharmaruci was praised as foremost in delighting in distant journeys has its cause. When the Buddha was in the world, there was an elder named Dharmaruci who came to the Buddha's place, made obeisance, and inquired after him. The Buddha said: 'Dharmaruci, it has been a very long time since we parted before we could meet.' Someone asked the Buddha: 'I do not understand why you say it has been a very long time since parting.' The World-Honoured One answered: 'Do you wish to know?' He replied: 'I wish to know.' The Buddha said: 'Formerly, in an asaṃkhyeya kalpa in the past, there was a Buddha in the world named Dīpaṅkara. At that time I was a brahmacārin named Chaoshu. When Dīpaṅkara Buddha was about to enter the city, I met him halfway along the road. Seeing the Buddha's marks of light shining and spreading, I praised him, saying: "The World-Honoured One's marks of light surpass the sun and moon in brightness; the World-Honoured One's virtue is as lofty as heaven and earth; the World-Honoured One's heart is more benevolent than an affectionate mother." Looking at my form and shadow, I had nothing with which to make an offering to him. Now is precisely the time; the field of merit is fertile and fine, fit for planting roots. Seeing that the ground had a little mud and fearing it would soil the Buddha's feet, I untied my hair and spread it over the mud, causing the Buddha to step on it and pass. The Buddha then prophesied: "You are so courageous. After an asaṃkhyeya kalpa from now, you will become a buddha named Śākyamuni." At that time there was also a brahmacārin nearby who, feeling anger, said: "This man is no different from an animal, that he should step on another's hair and pass over it!" From that time on, for an asaṃkhyeya kalpa, he constantly fell among animals. Later he became a makara fish in the great ocean, seven thousand yojanas in length. At that time there were five hundred merchants who boarded a ship and entered the ocean to gather jewels; encountering this great fish sucking in the ship, they were about to enter its mouth. The five hundred people were terrified and each called upon what they worshipped. At that time the merchant leader said to the crowd: "In this world there is now a buddha named Śākyamuni; none surpasses him in saving people from peril and distress. Let us call his name in the hope of obtaining release." They then cried out and called upon him in unison. Hearing the Buddha's name, the fish's original consciousness still remained, and it reflected to itself: "Śākyamuni Buddha has already appeared in the world. Why is my body still among fish?" It then submerged back into the water. The five hundred merchants returned in safety and peace. At that time the fish exposed half its body on a sandbank, neither drinking nor eating for two times seven days. When its life ended, it was born in an elder's household as a son named Dharmaruci. Only now has he come and been able to meet with me. Therefore I called it a long time.' When Ruci heard this origin, he went to the seashore to seek his former corpse. Seeing a great fish by the seashore whose bones, skin, and flesh were already gone, he walked on the ribs, contemplating and saying: 'This is my former corpse.' He then scattered flowers upon the former corpse. Pondering the past, he suddenly realized the Path. Due to these causes and conditions, he was praised as foremost in distant journeys.