大方便佛報恩經 3.21

3.21

"At that time Prince Kṣānti felt joy in his heart, and made this thought: 'If this medicine can indeed remove the illness of my father the king, this matter should be managed quickly.' Prince Kṣānti then entered the palace, went to his mother's quarters, bowed his head to her feet, pressed his palms together facing his mother, and said: 'Now, this body [of mine] is to be made into medicine to treat the illness of my father the king. Fearing that its physical life cannot be preserved, I therefore come to bid farewell to you, Mother. May you not grieve and suffer, nor yearn for your son.' When his mother heard these words, her heart swooned away and she lost all sense of direction. It was like a person choking, unable to swallow down—she could not encourage him forward; nor could she spit it out—she could not advise him to stop. She at once stepped forward and embraced the prince, swooning in faintness. They sprinkled cold water on her face, and only after a long time did she revive. Then the prince addressed his mother, saying: 'My father the king's physical life is hanging by a moment; it cannot last long. It must be prepared with haste so the king may take it.' At that time the prince then summoned the ministers and the kings of the minor kingdoms, and in the midst of the great assembly, declared these words: 'I now take my leave of the great assembly.' The ministers then called a caṇḍāla, who severed the bones, extracted the marrow, and gouged out both of his eyes.