大方便佛報恩經 3.70

3.70

"At that time, between the two kingdoms of Magadha, there were five hundred merchants travelling along a perilous road. The merchant leader had a white dog. During the first watch of the night, the caravan leader boiled meat to make food. In the later watch of the night, the dog stole and ate it. Next morning, the caravan leader wished to have an early meal, but could not find the meat. Pressed by hunger and thirst, anger arose within him; taking a blade with his own hand, he cut off the dog's four paws, threw its body into a pit, and abandoned it and left. The dog writhed, suffering great pain and distress. Śāriputra, during the first watch of the night, saw this from afar with his divine eye. When the night had passed and dawn arrived, he put on his robes, took his bowl, and entered the city to beg for food; having done so, he proceeded along the perilous road to where that dog was and gave food to it. He then expounded the Dharma for it, instructing, guiding, benefiting, and gladdening it. Having heard the Dharma, the dog felt shame and remorse, and was disconsolate. Seven days later, its retribution exhausted, it gained rebirth among humans."