妙法蓮華經文句 1.142

1.142

「耆域」，此翻固活，生忉利天，目連弟子病，乘通往問，值諸天出園遊戲，耆域乘車不下，但合掌而已。目連駐之，域即云：「諸天受樂怱遽不暇相看，尊者欲何所求？」具說來意，答云：「斷食為要。」目連放之，車乃得前。帝釋與脩羅戰勝，造得勝堂，七寶樓觀莊嚴奇特，梁柱支節皆容一綖，不相著而能相持，天福之妙力能如此。目連飛往，帝釋將目連看堂，諸天女皆羞目連，悉隱逃不出，目連念：「帝釋著樂不修道本。」即變化燒得勝堂，赫然崩壞，仍為帝釋廣說無常，帝釋歡喜，後堂儼然無灰煙色。又絡囊盛五百羅漢如前說。

"Jīvaka" is translated here as "Firm Life". He was reborn in the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven. When a disciple of Maudgalyāyana fell ill, [Maudgalyāyana] used his supernatural powers to go and ask him. It coincided with the devas going out to sporting in the gardens. Jīvaka rode in his chariot without descending, merely joining his palms together in greeting. Maudgalyāyana halted him, and Jīvaka said: "The devas are receiving pleasures in great haste and have no leisure to look around. What is the Venerable One seeking?" [Maudgalyāyana] fully explained his purpose in coming, and [Jīvaka] answered: "Fasting is essential." Maudgalyāyana released him, and the chariot was then able to proceed. When Śakra defeated the asuras in battle, he built the Hall of Victory, a pavilion of the seven treasures of extraordinary magnificence; the joints between the beams and pillars could admit a thread, yet they held together without touching. Such was the marvelous power of celestial merit. Maudgalyāyana flew there, and Śakra brought Maudgalyāyana to view the hall. The celestial maidens were all shy of Maudgalyāyana and concealed themselves without coming out. Maudgalyāyana reflected: "Śakra is attached to pleasure and does not cultivate the foundation of the Way." He then supernaturally manifested fire to burn the Hall of Victory, causing it to collapse in brilliant ruins, and thereupon preached impermanence at length for Śakra. Śakra rejoiced, and afterwards the hall stood majestically as before, without the color of ash or smoke. Also, his holding five hundred arhats in a net bag is as related previously.