大方便佛報恩經 7.4

7.4

"At that time, when the brāhmaṇa youth heard these words, he was like a choking person who could neither swallow nor spit it out. If he wished to inform his companions, he feared that they would kill this one man, and if they killed him, he feared his companions would sink into the three evil paths and suffer immeasurable pain; if he remained silent, the bandits would kill his companions, and if they killed his companions, the bandits would fall into the three evil paths and suffer immeasurable pain. Having reflected thus, [he thought:] 'I must devise a great upāya to benefit sentient beings and not act for myself. The suffering of the three evil paths is what I should bear.' Having contemplated this, he immediately took a knife and cut off this bandit's life, causing all his companions to be safe and at peace. At that time, the multitude of companions said with one voice: 'Great brāhmaṇa youth! You are a superior person, a person of pure goodness; how could you commit such a great evil today?' Then the brāhmaṇa youth knelt on his right knee, joined his palms, and felt shame and remorse in his heart, [saying:] 'Indeed I should not have committed an evil today, [yet it was] to benefit sentient beings and all my companions.' Then the companions spoke again, saying: 'You killed a man on your own; what benefit is that to us?' He answered the multitude, saying: 'This was an evil bandit plotting to harm the companions. For the sake of you companions, I took this man's life so that you companions could return home safely. As for my karmic retribution, I willingly accept hell.' Then the five hundred companions wailed loudly, feeling both sorrow and joy, and said: 'In the world there is nothing heavier than life, and nothing feared more than death. Why is this so? All sentient beings will abandon gold, silver, rare gems, kingdoms, cities, wives, children, clothing, and food to save their lives. We companions have indeed been reborn!' Having said these words, [they thought:] 'For the sake of sentient beings, this brāhmaṇa youth did not refuse all sufferings and retribution in the three evil paths. Today we must remember this great kindness. To repay this great kindness, we should now swiftly give rise to the mind of anuttarasamyaksaṃbodhi.' Having said these words, they forthwith aroused the mind [of bodhi].