付法藏因緣傳 4.10

4.10

In the country of Mathurā, there was an elder's son who, shortly after marrying a wife, thought to himself: 'I wish to leave home in the Buddha's Dharma.' He then took leave of his parents. His parents answered him: 'We have only one son; even if you died, we would not let you go, how much less while you live!' The son then said: 'If you do not let me go, I will never eat.' Thereupon he fasted, from the first day until seven full days had passed. His parents, fearing he would die, then told him: 'We shall grant your wish, provided that after leaving home you see us again.' The son rejoiced greatly, took his leave, and departed. He went to Upagupta to implore to leave home, and the Venerable One immediately ordained him into the Way. But he thought to himself: 'Formerly I made an agreement with my parents.' He then took leave of the Venerable One and went to his home, where he saw his parents and his former wife. The wife said to him: 'If you do not return, I shall throw myself away in death.' The monk felt regret in his heart and wished to abandon the precepts. He went to his master and said he wished to return home. Upagupta told him: 'Just wait until tomorrow.' He accepted his master's instruction and stayed the night in the monastery. During the night, the Venerable One manifested a dream for him, making this monk see himself arrive at his former home. His wife had died that very day; her parents and relatives were preparing funeral goods and carrying her corpse to place it in the burial ground. In an instant it stank, rotted, and maggots emerged; bones and flesh came apart, and foxes and wolves fought to feed on it. He immediately woke up in alarm and went to tell his master. The master told him: 'You may go and observe whether it is truly as in your dream or not.' Relying on his master's supernormal power, he suddenly reached his home. His wife was already dead at the time, just as seen in the dream. Contemplating and observing this, he gave rise to deep disgust and instantly attained the path of an arhat. On Mount Urumuṇḍa, there was a tigress that had given birth to two cubs; starved, impoverished, and exhausted to the extreme, she consequently died. Having lost their mother, the two cubs were in utmost distress. Upagupta went to where they were, gave them food, and spoke a verse for them: