注維摩詰經 3.215

3.215

[Kumāra]jīva says: When an asura eclipses the moon, it is called Rāhula. Rāhula in the language of Qin means "covering and obstructing," referring to obstructing the moonlight. Rāhula was covered and obstructed within his mother's womb for six years, hence he was named after this. This clarifies that among the śrāvaka teachings, he is foremost in esoteric practice. On the day the Bodhisattva went forth from the household life, the physiognomists said: "If he does not go forth tonight, tomorrow the seven treasures will arrive of themselves, and he will become a wheel-turning sage king, ruling over the four continents." That night, the King increased the music and dances to gladden his heart. At that time, sensual desire arose within the Bodhisattva, and Rāhula immediately entered the womb; Yaśodharā became pregnant that night. At that time, the devas of the Śuddhāvāsa wept together and said: "The Bodhisattva is entangled in desire, infatuated with female beauty. Sentient beings are pitiable; who will deliver them?" They immediately transformed the dancing women so that they all looked like corpses, extremely terrifying, causing the Bodhisattva's mind to feel aversion, and they urged him to go forth. Chandaka led the horse, the Four Heavenly Kings supported its hooves, and he leapt over the city wall and departed. Reaching the Bodhi tree, he contemplated, and after six years of austerities, he attained Buddhahood at night. Only then was Rāhula born. After he was born, the Buddha's wet-nurse asked: "Siddhārtha went forth from the household life six years ago; from what do you now have a child? To be pregnant for six years is unheard of in the world!" The Śākyas heard this and discussed among themselves: "This is inauspicious, bringing shame upon the Śākya clan; it must be an illicit affair." They wished to execute her according to law. Yaśodharā said: "I wish to see the Great King, and only then submit to death." The King thereupon spoke with her through a curtain, interrogating her fully about the circumstances. Yaśodharā stated truthfully: "I did not commit an illicit act; this is the heir of the Crown Prince. Since the Crown Prince went forth, I have constantly grieved in sorrow, lying on the cold ground, which is why this child did not mature in due time." She said to the King: "Look yourself at this child's facial features and marks, to see whether he is your grandson or not." The King took him into his arms, observed him, saw that his features resembled the Crown Prince's, and, shedding tears, said: "He truly is my grandson." Wishing to verify this, the Buddha transformed himself into a brahmacārin and entered the royal palace. Seeing the child, he asked: "What is your name?" The child replied: "My name is Rāhula." The brahmacārin praised him: "Excellent! Due to karmic causes and conditions you dwelt in the womb for six years, covered and obstructed; therefore, you should be so named." The King asked: "What karmic causes and conditions?" He replied: "I know there were karmic causes and conditions, but I do not know which karma." When the Buddha later returned to his country, Rāhula saw the Buddha's adorned physical marks, revered him in his heart, and wished to go forth. His mother told him: "This man went forth and succeeded in attaining the noble path." "The path is not your lot; why go forth?" Rāhula said: "If even one person can attain the path, I must attain it." He had someone shave his hair. When his hair was almost entirely gone, with only a little left on the crown, she said again: "If your hair is completely gone, you will be no different from a corpse. Make up your mind, lest you regret it later." He replied: "The royal throne, precious treasures, and immeasurable wondrous pleasures I can abandon; how much less should I begrudge a little hair!" With a firm mind for the path, he ultimately abandoned the kingdom, went forth, and took Śāriputra as his preceptor (upādhyāya). The circumstances and story of Rāhula's going forth are briefly recounted here according to the śrāvaka teachings. [Seng]zhao says: Rāhula in the language of Qin means "covering and obstructing." For six years he was obstructed by his mother's womb, and was named on that account. Among the disciples, he is foremost in esoteric practice.