金光明經文句記 3.288

3.288

二、釋修功德難。如一等者，《大論》第八云「迦葉佛時有兄弟二人出家求道，一人持戒誦經坐禪、一人廣求檀越修諸福業。至釋迦佛出世，一人生長者家；一人作大白象，力能破賊。長者子出家學道，得六通羅漢，而以薄福乞食難得。他日持鉢入城乞食，遍不能得。到白象厩，見王供養象種種豐足，語此象言：『我之與汝，俱有罪過。』象即感結，三日不食。守象人怖，求覓道人，見而問曰：『汝作何術，令王白象病而不食？』答：『此象是我先身時弟，共於迦葉佛時出家學道，我但持戒誦經坐禪，不行布施；弟但廣求檀越作諸布施，故飲食備具種種豐足。我但行道不修布施，故今雖得道，乞食不得。』」妙莊嚴王者，《法華疏》云「昔佛末法有四比丘，於《法華經》極生殷重，如甘露未霑，於是結契入山修道。居山日久，衣糧殫罄。一人云：『君三人但以命奉道，莫慮朝中。我捨身力，誓給所須。』三人功圓事辦。一人數涉人間，偶逢王出，愛彼光榮。功德熏修，報生人天常得為王。三人議云：『我免籠樊，功由於王。王耽果報，增長有為，方沈火坑，宜早開化。』一人云：『此王著欲而復邪見，若非愛鉤，無由可拔。一人為端正婦、二作聰明兒，兒婦之言必當從順。』如宜設化，果獲改邪。婦即妙音菩薩也，二子即藥王藥上也，王即花德也。」

Second, explaining the difficulty of cultivating merit. Regarding "as one [brother]...", the eighth fascicle of the *Dazhidu lun* states: "In the time of Kāśyapa Buddha, there were two brothers who left home to seek the Path. One upheld the precepts, recited sūtras, and practiced seated meditation; the other widely sought donors and cultivated various karmic merits. When Śākyamuni Buddha appeared in the world, one was born into an elder's household, while the other became a great white elephant whose strength could crush enemies. The elder's son left home to train in the Path and attained arhatship endowed with the six supernatural penetrations, yet because of his meager merit, it was difficult for him to obtain almsfood. One day, carrying his bowl into the city to beg for food, he could get nothing anywhere. Coming to the white elephant's stable, he saw the abundant provisions of various kinds offered to the elephant by the king. He said to the elephant: 'Both I and you have committed offenses.' The elephant was immediately moved to dejection and did not eat for three days. The elephant keeper was frightened and looked for the man of the Path. Upon seeing him, he asked: 'What sorcery did you use to make the king's white elephant fall ill and refuse to eat?' He replied: 'This elephant was my younger brother in a former life. Together in the time of Kāśyapa Buddha we left home to train in the Path. I only upheld precepts, recited sūtras, and sat in meditation, but did not practice generosity; my younger brother only widely sought donors and performed various acts of generosity. Therefore, his food and drink are fully provided and abundantly rich. I only practiced the Path without cultivating generosity; thus, although I have now attained the Path, I cannot obtain almsfood.'" Regarding King Śubhavyūha, the *Commentary on the Saddharmapuṇḍarīka Sūtra* states: "Long ago in the Final Dharma age of a buddha, there were four bhikṣus who had the utmost earnest reverence for the *Saddharmapuṇḍarīka Sūtra*, as if the nectar of immortality had not yet moistened them. Thereupon they formed a pact and entered the mountains to cultivate the Path. After dwelling in the mountains for a long time, their clothing and provisions were entirely exhausted. One said: 'You three simply dedicate your lives to serving the Path; do not worry about the morning [meal]. I shall give up my physical strength and vow to provide whatever is needed.' The three completed their cultivation and achieved their tasks. The one [who provided] frequently traveled among the populace, and by chance encountered the king venturing forth, whereupon he was enamored of the king's splendor. Through the perfuming and cultivation of merit, he was rewarded by being born among humans and devas, constantly becoming a king. The three deliberated, saying: 'That we escaped the cage and snare was through the king's merit. The king is addicted to his karmic recompense and increases conditioned phenomena; he is about to sink into the fiery pit. We ought to enlighten and convert him soon.' One said: 'This king is attached to desires and holds evil views; unless hooked by desire, there is no way to rescue him. One of us shall become an attractive wife, and two shall become intelligent sons; the words of sons and wife will surely be followed and complied with.' Providing transformation according to what was appropriate, they indeed succeeded in correcting his wrongdoing. The wife was Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara, the two sons were Bhaiṣajyarāja and Bhaiṣajyasamudgata, and the king was Padmaprabha."