佛祖歷代通載 8.46

8.46

（二十）　孝建元年。宋孝武帝舉兵誅元凶。而求那跋陀羅逃民間。其後王玄謨軍梁山。孝武令軍中。得跋陀者驛馳至臺。俄得之。送金陵引見。帝曰。企德日久。乃今始遇。間關來歸亦有恨乎。曰亡所恨。但念夙緣遇此遂成熟耳。帝慰之且戲曰。尚念譙王乎。對曰。古人不忘一飯。王飯我十年。乃敢遽忘耶。念當從陛下求為王長修冥福。帝悽然改容。中興寺成。有旨命住持。帝宴東府。公卿畢集。召跋陀至。皤然清癯孝武望見謂謝莊曰。摩訶衍有機辯當戲之。必能悟人情。跋陀趨升陛。帝曰。摩訶衍不負遠來。唯有一在。即應聲曰。貧道客食聖朝三十載。恩德厚矣。所欠者一死耳。帝大悅移席相促。一座盡傾。

(20) In the first year of the Xiaojian era, Emperor Xiaowu of the Song raised troops to execute the original culprit [Liu Shao], and Guṇabhadra fled among the common people. Later, Wang Xuanmo encamped his army at Liangshan. Emperor Xiaowu ordered throughout the army that whoever found Guṇabhadra should send him by express courier to the capital. Soon he was found and sent to Jinling for an imperial audience. The emperor said: "I have long looked up to your virtue, and only now do we meet. Having returned through such hardships, do you harbor any resentment?" Guṇabhadra said: "I have no resentment; I only consider that past conditions met here and have now borne fruit." The emperor consoled him and teased him, saying: "Do you still remember the Prince of Qiao?" He replied: "The ancients did not forget a single meal. The Prince fed me for ten years; how could I dare forget him so suddenly? I only think of begging Your Majesty to allow me to cultivate unseen blessings for the Prince forever." The emperor grew sorrowful and his countenance changed. When the Zhongxing Temple was completed, an imperial decree commanded him to serve as its abbot. The emperor held a banquet in the Eastern Headquarters, where all the ministers and lords assembled, and summoned Guṇabhadra. White-haired, clear, and lean, Emperor Xiaowu saw him from afar and said to Xie Zhuang: "Mahāyāna has swift wit; let us tease him, and it will surely bring understanding to human feelings." Guṇabhadra hastened up the steps. The emperor said: "Mahāyāna has not failed his long journey; only one thing remains!" He responded immediately: "This poor monk has eaten the food of the sagely court for thirty years, and its grace is profound. All that I lack is a single death." The emperor was greatly delighted, moved his mat closer, and the entire assembly bowed in admiration.