釋迦譜 3.11

3.11

King Bimbisāra of Magadha had this thought: "Wherever the World-Honoured One first enters, I shall donate it to make a saṅghārāma." At that time, in the city of Rājagṛha, there was the Kalandaka Bamboo Grove, which was foremost of all. The Buddha, knowing the King's thought, immediately went to the Bamboo Grove. When the King saw the World-Honoured One approaching from afar, he at once dismounted his elephant, took the cushions from the elephant, folded them fourfold, and having spread them, said to the Buddha: "Please sit upon this seat." The World-Honoured One then approached the seat and sat down. King Bimbisāra then took a golden water vessel, poured water for the Buddha, and said: "In this city of Rājagṛha, the Kalandaka Bamboo Grove is foremost of all. I now present it as an offering; may you compassionately accept it." The Buddha said to the King: "Offer this grove to the Buddha and to the saṅgha of the four directions. Why? Because if something belongs to the Buddha alone—whether a grove, a chamber, or robes and bowls—none among all gods, humans, Māras, Brahmās, śramaṇas, or brahmins could make use of it; it would all have to be revered according to the rules for stūpas and temples." [The King] then spoke in accordance with the Buddha's words: "I now offer this Bamboo Grove to the Buddha and to the saṅgha of the four directions. Out of compassion, please accept it for my sake." The World-Honoured One then spoke verses to encourage King Bimbisāra. [The King] immediately commanded skilled artisans, and on that very day they erected halls, rooms, multi-storied pavilions, carved with decorative patterns and adorned with precious materials; they brought in water, built bridges, and provided springs and wells, [making the vow]: "May this always be used, and may my merit be inexhaustible!" (The Bamboo Grove flourishes in both winter and summer; it is also called the Cold Forest. The Zhong benqi jing says: The elder Kalandaka of the park in Rājagṛha thought in his heart: "What a pity that I gave my park to the Nirgranthas! If the Buddha had arrived first, I would have offered it to the Buddha and the saṅgha. I regret my earlier donation and wish to abandon them forever." With utmost sincerity, the elder could not rest peacefully in bed. His past merit pursued and caught up with him, and his virtuous merit came into fruition: a great demon general named Pañcika, taking up the Buddha's divine intent and matching the elder's thoughts, immediately summoned yakṣas to drive out the Nirgranthas: "Shameless naked ones should not abide here!" Obeying the command, the demon leaders beat the Nirgranthas and dragged away their vessels and belongings. Terrified, the Nirgranthas ran away, crying out: "What wicked persons are violently abusing us like this?" A demon leader answered: "The elder Kalandaka is going to take this Bamboo Grove to make a monastery for the Buddha. The great demon general Pañcika has ordered us to drive you people away, that is all!" The next day, the Nirgranthas went together to the elder and severely rebuked him: "Why did you change your donation and cause our kind to be beaten and exhausted? We never expected the elder to bring such distress upon us!" In his heart Kalandaka was delighted: "My wish is fulfilled! The Buddha's holiness broadly covers and illuminates my sincere heart." He then replied to the Nirgranthas: "These demon leaders are violent, greedy, and wrathful; I fear they will surely harm you. It would be better to leave and seek safety elsewhere." Filled with resentment, the Nirgranthas all left that very day. Joyfully, the elder built a monastery, and when the monks' quarters, seats, and all adornments were completely finished, he went beneath the tree to invite the Buddha and the saṅgha. The Multitude of Blessings accepted the donation and rested there for a time; the great transformation universally benefited all, and none failed to rejoice. Furthermore, the Bodhisattvapiṭaka Sūtra says: "Ānanda, now in this Bamboo Grove, I turn this irreversible wheel of the Bodhisattvapiṭaka Sūtra and sever all doubts of sentient beings. Ānanda, the buddhas of the past also all expounded this Bodhisattvapiṭaka Sūtra in this space on earth. Ānanda, any sentient beings with greed, hatred, and ignorance who enter this Bamboo Grove do not give rise to greed, hatred, or ignorance. Ānanda, although the Tathāgata has stayed in various other monasteries, none possesses such virtues. Why? Ānanda, when animals enter this Kalandaka Bamboo Grove, they do not give rise to lust; when flocks of birds enter, they do not cry out at improper times. When the great anointed king Bimbisāra of Magadha first ascended the throne, he entered this grove with his court ladies to make merry together. Having entered, he realized within himself that his mind was free of lust and playful amusements; all the court ladies also realized within themselves that their minds were without desire and took no pleasure in games. At that time, the king rejoiced and constantly thought: 'May there be a buddha appearing in the world within my country! I shall offer this grove to the buddha; when the buddha dwells within it, I shall hear the Dharma. Why? One worthy of offerings ought to dwell in this grove; people of the five desires should not be allowed to dwell here.' This grove is without vipers, snakes, centipedes, mosquitoes, gnats, or venomous stings; if one dwells within it, one has no venomous thoughts. These, too, are the unique virtues of the Bamboo Grove.")