觀無量壽佛經義疏 2.18

2.18

"At that time, in the great city of Rājagṛha, there was a prince named Ajātaśatru who, following the counsel of the evil friend Devadatta, arrested his father, King Bimbisāra, confined him within a seven-walled chamber, and forbade all the ministers from ever going to him." "Ajātaśatru" is translated here as "Unborn Enmity." The Nirvāṇa Sūtra says: "Because before he was born, the physiognomists all said: 'After this child is born, he will certainly harm his father.'" It also says: "'A-jāta' means 'unborn', and 'śatru' means 'enmity'. Because the Buddha-nature is not born [in him], the enmity of afflictions arises," and so forth. "Diaoda" is fully "Devadatta," translated here as "Heaven's Distress." When he was born, the minds of all the devas were distressed and troubled, knowing that his appearance in the world would inevitably disrupt the Three Jewels. He was the son of Droṇodana, a cousin of the Buddha, and Ānanda's biological elder brother. Possessing thirty marks, he left home and recited sixty thousand collections of dharmas and the twelve Vedas. Seeing that kings and ministers took refuge in the Tathāgata and that offerings abounded, jealousy arose in his heart, so he went to the Buddha and asked to take charge of the assembly. Rebuked by the Buddha, he subsequently plotted to harm the Buddha. Ānanda, unaware of this, taught him the method of supernormal powers; he entered the mountains to practice and attained the five supernormal powers, then considered who should be his dānapati. Prince Ajātaśatru had the signs of a great king. [Devadatta] performed various manifestations to deceive him into faith and acceptance. He said to the prince: "I will be the new Buddha, and you will be the new king; would that not be delightful?" Thereupon he pushed down a mountain to crush the Buddha; the Vajra-holding spirit Guhyapada aimed his pestle at it, and a shattered rock flew out, injured the Buddha's toe, and caused the Buddha's body to bleed. Proclaiming himself a Buddha, he taught people with five dharmas, and five hundred newly trained monks, such as Saṃvṛtta, accepted his evil transformation, went begging separately from the assembly, and performed their own poṣadha, thereby creating a schism in the wheel-turning Saṅgha. When the nun Utpalavarṇā met him on the road and rebuked him, he struck her with his fist so that her eyes came out, thus killing an arhat. Committing three heinous offenses, he entered hell alive. King Ajātaśatru killed his father and harmed his mother, together committing the five heinous offenses. These were all matters of great expedient manifestation; whether contrary or concordant, none failed to benefit beings, and it was done to cut off the arising of heinous karma in future generations. The sūtra says: "Manifesting the three poisons, / And also showing the appearance of wrong views— / My disciples are like this, / Saving sentient beings through expedients." Also, the Nirvāṇa Sūtra says: "Devadatta never fell into hell or committed heinous deeds, and so forth. This is truly not the realm of śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas; it is known and seen by the Buddhas alone." This is what it means. "Bimbisāra" is translated here as "Form of Reality," and also called "Shadow-Firm"; both are names established from his physical form because his body was full and solid; it is also translated as "having a handsome countenance." A chamber of seven walls would allow no concern about coming and going, yet he further imposed restrictions, wishing to starve him to death. Second, the queen offers food.