佛祖統紀 2.36

2.36

Thirty-fifth year (guihai): When the Prince was ten years old, the King sought out one who excelled in archery in the realm to teach the Prince. The master gave him a small bow and ordered him to shoot at an iron drum. The Prince requested seven such bows, and with one arrow pierced through seven iron drums. The archery master reported to the King: 'The Prince naturally possesses archery skill; why make me his master?' The King was overjoyed, and beat drums to proclaim an order that in seven days the Prince would proceed to the rear garden to test his martial skills. Devadatta was the first to leave the city. At that time, a large elephant stood in the city gate. Devadatta went forward alone and struck its head with his hand, whereupon it collapsed to the ground; thus the army was able to pass through in succession. Nanda arrived next, and nudged the elephant with his toe, tossing it to the roadside. When the Prince left the city, he tossed the elephant outside the city walls with his hand and caught it again with his hand, preventing it from being harmed; the elephant also revived. The people praised it as something unprecedented. When Devadatta reached the garden, he shot first and pierced three golden drums. Next came Nanda, who also pierced three drums. Considering the bows too weak, the Prince retrieved his royal grandfather's fine bow from the royal storehouse; releasing a single arrow, it pierced through seven drums, and then entered the ground, passing beyond the Great Iron Ring Mountains. At that time, Devadatta and Nanda wrestled together; their strength was equal and neither prevailed. The Prince seized both younger brothers with his hands and laid them down on the ground; out of the power of compassion, he did not let them be hurt (Sūtra on Cause and Effect).