分別功德論 5.7

5.7

As for why the monk Sumana was skilled in instructing the community of bhikṣuṇīs: This monk always admonished the nuns with stern and pressing words: "Women have many emotional entanglements; their seductive charms and elaborate adornments delude the people of the world. Their bodies are filthy and leak, with nine apertures impure, and among the thirty-six bodily constituents not a single one is worthy of craving." Why was he named Sumana? It is the name of a flower; because when he was born this flower naturally appeared on his ear, he was named after the flower. At that time, King Bimbisāra came to the Buddha's place. Seeing that this monk had a flower on his ear, he found it strange and asked the Buddha: "Does the rule of a monk permit wearing flowers?" The Buddha said to the king: "Your Majesty may pluck it off yourself." The king then plucked it off with his hand, but it continued to grow as before; continuing without stopping, it eventually formed a heap of flowers. The king was even more amazed and asked about its cause. The Buddha told the king: "Long ago, when Vipaśyin Tathāgata appeared in the world, this monk was the son of a gṛhapati. At that time, during an annual festival, after they had finished playing the zither and making music, he went to the Buddha's place. Seeing the Buddha, this gṛhapati was filled with joy, and took the flower from his own ear and placed it on the Buddha's ear. The Buddha then used his ṛddhi to transform this flower, turning it into a four-pillared pavilion in the open air, while the flower on his ear remained as before. Seeing this transformation, the gṛhapati made a vow: 'May I meet the Buddha in life after life in the future, be born handsome, and have a flower grow upon my ear.' Due to the merit and vow of the past, he now receives this reward." When the king heard what was spoken, his mind was opened and understood; he stepped forward to pay homage at the Buddha's feet, took his leave, and returned to the palace. As for why he was skilled in instructing bhikṣuṇīs: bhikṣuṇīs are originally full of affections. When people saw this monk was handsome and moreover had a flower on his ear, their minds were naturally fond of him. Relying on this feeling of love, he admonished them with strict teachings; through these bitter words, their clinging attachment was severed. Therefore it is said that he is foremost in skillfully instructing and admonishing the community of bhikṣuṇīs.