釋迦譜 4.10

4.10

The Dīrghāgama says: The World-Honoured One, together with the great assembly, arrived in the city of Pāvā, in the Jātuvana. At that time, there was an artisan’s son named Cunda, who dressed himself in fine clothes and went to the World-Honoured One's place. Touching his head to [the Buddha's] feet in reverence, he invited the World-Honoured One to take a meal at his house the next day. The Buddha accepted the invitation in silence. When the time arrived the next morning, the World-Honoured One put on his robes, took his bowl, and, surrounded by the great assembly, went to his house. Cunda quickly prepared and arranged food to offer to the Buddha and the saṅgha. He separately prepared an ear of the sandalwood tree—a rare delicacy in the world—and presented it solely to the World-Honoured One. After the Buddha had gradually expounded the Dharma to him, instructing, encouraging, and delighting him, he returned, accompanied and escorted by the great assembly. Stopping mid-way under a tree, he told Ānanda: 'My back aches; you may spread a seat for me.' [Ānanda] immediately spread the seat. Ānanda addressed the Buddha, saying: 'Cunda's offering brings no blessings. Why is this? Because after eating at his house, the Tathāgata enters nirvāṇa.' The Buddha told Ānanda: 'Do not speak like this. Cunda has obtained great benefit: he will gain long life, good appearance, and strength. Why is this? The one who provides food when the Buddha first realizes the Path, and the one who provides food when the Buddha is about to pass into extinction—the merits of these two are equal and without difference.' The Two-Scroll Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra says: The Buddha spoke to the worthy Ānanda: 'Let us go together to the country of Pāvā.' The disciples all went along. They arrived and stayed outside the city in the Dhyāna-Manifestation Garden. Among the eminent clans of Pāvā were the Hua [Malla] clan; hearing that the Buddha had arrived, they all came out to pay homage. When their prostrations were finished, they sat to one side. A son of the Hua clan named Chun stayed behind alone, knelt on both knees, and addressed the Buddha, wishing to prepare a simple meal and requesting that [the Buddha] and the holy assembly deign to bend their majestic presence [to attend]. The Buddha consented in silence. Chun, overjoyed, bowed and returned home. He prepared sumptuous and delicious food, and in the morning laid out couch-seats. The Buddha and his disciples all went to his house and took their high seats. Chun personally served and ladled, presenting the bowl and offering broth. When the offering and washing of hands were complete, the Buddha expounded the Dharma, and Chun was delighted. The Buddha said to Ānanda: 'Let us go together to the town of Kuśīnagara.' When they were halfway along the road, the Buddha fell ill with a backache and stopped to sit under a tree. Thereupon the Buddha told the worthy Ānanda to go to the Hiraṇyavatī River to bathe. After bathing himself, he told Ānanda: 'In the morning I ate the meal of the Hua son Chun, and tonight I shall pass into extinction. In the world there are two difficult [offerings]: first, if one offers food [to one who] realizes the unsurpassed Path and becomes the supreme holy Buddha; second, if one offers food [to one who] casts off the remnants of what was received, passing into extinction with the unconditioned mind. Now that Chun has fed the Buddha, he will obtain long life, freedom from desires, great wealth, supreme nobility, and official retinues; finally, he will be born in heaven, obtaining these five blessings. Tell Chun not to grieve; he should rejoice.'