大方便佛報恩經 4.11

4.11

"Prince Kalyāṇamitra wished to open the storehouses. The keeper of the treasury, citing other business, was absent; though pursued with urgency, he evaded and was not to be met. Prince Kalyāṇamitra said: 'How dare this petty man oppose my wishes? This must surely be my father the king's instruction. A filial son should not completely empty his parents' storehouses. I ought now to seek wealth and treasures myself to fully supply living beings. If I cannot fully supply all living beings with clothing, bedding, food, and drink, granting them to their heart's content, how can I be called the great king's prince?' He immediately gathered the ministers and the hundred officials together to deliberate, saying: 'In seeking wealth and profit, what pursuit is supreme?' Among them, a chief minister said: 'In the world's pursuit of profit, nothing surpasses plowing the fields; sowing one brings ten-thousand-fold.' Another minister said: 'In the world's pursuit of profit, nothing surpasses raising animals; pasturing and breeding them yields the greatest profit.' Another minister said: 'In the world's pursuit of profit, nothing surpasses entering the ocean to gather wondrous jewels. If one obtains the maṇi jewel, one will be able to fully supply all living beings to their heart's content.' Prince Kalyāṇamitra said: 'Only this is delightful!' He immediately entered the palace and reported up to his father the king: 'Your son now wishes to enter the great ocean to gather wondrous jewels.' When the king heard these words, it was like a person choking, unable to swallow or spit it out. He said to the prince: 'The kingdom is yours, and the precious treasures in the storehouses are yours to take and use as you please; why must you now enter the great ocean yourself? You are my son, born and raised in the deep palace; for sleeping you have canopied curtains, and for eating you indulge your palate. Now you would travel distant roads; who knows what hunger, thirst, cold, and heat you will suffer? Moreover, in the great ocean there are numerous perils: there are evil spirits and venomous dragons; rushing waves and fierce winds, swirling surges and churning depths; mountains of water bubbles, and giant makara fish. Of those who go, thousands and ten thousands depart, but only one or two reach their goal. How can you now wish to enter the great ocean? I will not permit you.' Prince Kalyāṇamitra then threw his five limbs to the ground, spreading out his hands and feet, and said: 'If my parents do not permit me to enter the great ocean, I shall forfeit my life here and never rise again.'"