觀彌勒上生兜率天經贊 1.50

1.50

The eulogy states: Third is the assembly of outward transformation through supernatural faculties. In Sanskrit, it is Mahāmaudgalyāyana; here translated as 'Great Bean-Gatherer' (Dacaishushi); the current form 'Great Maudgalyāyana' is a corrupted abbreviation. He was of the Brahmin caste. In ancient times, an immortal dwelt in a quiet place in the mountains and constantly gathered and ate mung beans, hence he was named after this as 'Great Bean-Gatherer'. From youth he was a close friend of Śāriputra. Śāriputra was valued for his talent and brilliance, while the Venerable [Maudgalyāyana] gained fame for his keen discernment. Equal in talent and wisdom, they always moved and rested together, binding an agreement from beginning to end to share the same departure and pursuit. Wearying together of worldly suffering, they sought to renounce household life and thereupon took Sañjaya as their master. Śāriputra encountered the arhat Aśvajit, heard the Dharma, and awakened to the noble [truth]; returning, he recounted it to the Venerable [Maudgalyāyana], who upon hearing it awakened to the Dharma and attained the first fruit. Together with a retinue of one hundred people—also said to be two hundred and fifty people—they came together to the Buddha's place. The World-Honoured One saw him from afar, pointed, and told [the assembly]: 'That one who comes is foremost in supernatural faculties among my disciples.' Having arrived at the Buddha's place, he requested entry into the Dharma. The World-Honoured One told him: 'Welcome, bhikṣu! Cultivate the pure life and you will be able to leave the bounds of suffering.' When he heard these words, his hair fell off naturally, his secular garments turned into monastic robes, his moral precepts became pure, and his deportment became dignified and calm. After seven days, his defilements and outflows were exhausted, he realized the fruit of an arhat, and attained great supernatural faculties. Later, when the Buddha was at Lake Anavatapta and gods and humans all gathered, Śāriputra alone did not attend the assembly. The Buddha commanded Maudgalyāyana to go and summon him to gather. Maudgalyāyana received the command and went, at which time Śāriputra was just mending his Dharma robe. Maudgalyāyana said: 'The Buddha is at Lake Anavatapta and commanded me to summon you.' Śāriputra said: 'Wait a moment. When I finish mending it, I will go with you.' Maudgalyāyana said: 'If you do not go quickly, I will exercise my supernatural power to lift your stone chamber and carry it to the great assembly.' Śāriputra then untied his belt, placed it on the ground, and said: 'If you can lift this belt and move it, my body may perhaps be moved.' Maudgalyāyana then exercised his great supernatural power, but could not move the belt; the earth shook because of it. Thereupon, using his supernatural faculties, he returned to the Buddha's place, only to see that Śāriputra was already seated in the assembly. Maudgalyāyana bowed his head and acknowledged: 'Only now do I know that the power of supernatural faculties is not equal to the power of wisdom.' Now marking their group, it says: 'accompanied by his retinue of two hundred and fifty people.'