大方便佛報恩經 4.12

4.12

"At that time, when the great king and the royal consorts saw this, their eyes did not leave him for an instant. They immediately stepped forward and admonished the crown prince: 'You may rise and take food and drink.' The crown prince said: 'If you do not permit me to enter the great sea, I will never take food or drink.' The king and the consorts were sorrowful and distressed; those in attendance wept, grieved, and threw themselves to the ground in sorrow and despair. In this way, he took neither drink nor food for one day, two days, three days, up to six days. His parents grieved, fearing that he would not survive. On the seventh day, they went before him, embraced his hands and feet with kisses, and coaxed him with gentle words: 'You may rise and take food and drink. This body, conditioned by food, depends upon food and drink to be sustained. If you do not eat and drink, your life will not survive.' The crown prince said: 'If my parents do not grant permission, I will surely perish here and never rise again.'