大方便佛報恩經 5.15

5.15

“At that time the petty king of the border realm heard of King Mahāprabhāsa’s virtue of generosity and grew jealous in his heart. He immediately gathered his ministers: ‘Who can go to that kingdom of Vārāṇasī and beg for King Mahāprabhāsa’s head?’ None of the ministers was able to go. The king issued a proclamation again: ‘Who can go to that kingdom of Vārāṇasī and beg for King Mahāprabhāsa’s head? If anyone can go, I shall reward him with a thousand catties of gold.’ Among them was a brāhmaṇa who said: ‘I can go and beg for it; just supply me with provisions.’ This country was over six thousand li from Vārāṇasī. The king at once supplied him with provisions and sent him off to the kingdom of Vārāṇasī. When the brāhmaṇa arrived at the border of the kingdom of Vārāṇasī, the earth shook in six ways, startling the birds and beasts so that they fled in all directions. The sunlight was obscured, and the moon lost its bright radiance; the five planets and the lunar mansions departed from their regular courses; red, black, and white rainbows appeared constantly day and night; shooting stars fell; and within that kingdom, the running springs, bathing ponds, and lush flowers and fruits that were ever loved and enjoyed all withered and dried up. The brāhmaṇa then arrived at the city of Vārāṇasī and stood outside the gate. At that time the gate-guarding deity said to the gatekeeper: ‘This wicked brāhmaṇa has come from afar wishing to beg for King Mahāprabhāsa’s head. Do not let him enter.’ The brāhmaṇa remained outside the gate and was delayed for seven days without being able to go forward. He said to the gatekeeper: ‘I have come from afar and wish to see the great king.’ The gatekeeper then went in and addressed the king: ‘There is a brāhmaṇa who has come from afar and is now outside the gate.’ Hearing these words, the king went out to welcome him, just as a son greets his father, stepped forward, and bowed, saying: ‘Where have you come from? Venturing forth on such a journey, are you not exhausted?’ The brāhmaṇa said: ‘In another land I heard of the king’s meritorious virtue, that in your giving you do not thwart anyone’s wishes; your renown is heard from afar, reaching up to the blue heavens and down to the Yellow Springs; near and far sing your praises, and it is truly no falsehood. Therefore I have come from afar, traversing mountains and rivers. Now I wish to receive something.’ The king said: ‘I am now famed for giving all things; whatever you seek, do not hesitate or doubt.’ The brāhmaṇa said: ‘Is it truly so or not? I have no use for other things; now, desiring a great sacrifice, I beg for the king’s head.’ When the king heard this, he thought deeply to himself: ‘From beginningless saṃsāra until now, I have thrown away this body in vain, never having done so for the sake of the Dharma; suffering saṃsāra to no purpose, I have wearied my spirit. Now this body is deeply desired for the sake of my vows to seek bodhi and save sentient beings. If I do not give it now, it will go against my original intention. If I do not give this body in charity, by what cause shall I ever attain anuttarasamyaksaṃbodhi?’ The king said: ‘Excellent! Wait until I inspect matters briefly and entrust the royal throne, my consorts, and the crown prince. After seven days have passed, I shall give it to you.’