大方便佛報恩經 7.11

7.11

The Buddha said to Śakra Devānām Indra and the great assembly of devas and humans: 'Listen well! I shall explain to you the events of past lives. Śakra Devānām Indra! In the past, immeasurable asaṃkhyeya kalpas ago, there was a king who was wicked, perverse, and unprincipled, who unreasonably oppressed [his people] and extorted their wealth. At that time the wicked king was deeply acquainted with an executioner and made a secret pact with him, saying: "Whenever someone violates official matters, you must severely punish them; the authority and mercy will be up to you. If you obtain wealth and bribes, share them with me." At that time, this executioner constantly administered the whip and rod. If someone gave him much wealth, he would cause them not to be struck; if someone had no wealth, they might even lose their life. He made this a regular practice. Then there was an upāsaka who committed a minor official offense and was handed over to the executioner to receive flogging. Hearing that this upāsaka was a good and virtuous person, [the executioner] caused him not to be struck amidst the torture, and so he escaped disaster. Because of this cause and condition, he rejoiced immeasurably. Kauśika! You should know that the executioner of that time was this sick bhikṣu; the upāsaka was my very person. Therefore, through immeasurable asaṃkhyeya kalpas, the bodhisattva repays slight kindness with great [recompense], and never forgets it in his heart right up to perfect awakening.'