高僧傳 3.25

3.25

Later he arrived in Siṃhala, where he observed local customs and propagated the teaching. Those of the assembly who recognized the truth all said that he had already attained the first fruit. His deportment and appearance influenced all beings, and those who saw him gave rise to the aspiration [for awakening]. Later he reached the kingdom of Shepo (Java). The night before he arrived, the mother of the king of Shepo dreamed that a Daoist entered the country flying in a ship. The next morning, it was indeed Guṇavarman who arrived. The king's mother revered him with rites due to a sage and received the five precepts from him. The mother then urged the king, saying: 'Through karmic conditions from past lives we became mother and son. I have already received the precepts, but you do not believe; I fear that the cause of future lives will forever be severed from the fruit of the present.' Constrained by his mother's command, the king immediately obeyed and received the precepts. As he was gradually imbued over time, his dedication grew ever deeper. Soon afterwards, neighboring troops invaded the border. The king said to Guṇavarman: 'Foreign bandits rely on their strength and wish to encroach and insult us. If we fight them, many will surely be wounded and killed. If we do not resist, peril and destruction will be upon us. Now I take refuge solely in the Venerable Master; I do not know what plan to take.' Guṇavarman said: 'When violent bandits attack one another, you ought to defend [against them], but you must only arouse a mind of compassion and not give rise to harmful thoughts.' The king led the troops himself to confront them; as the flags and drums first clashed, the bandits retreated and dispersed. The king was struck by a stray arrow and injured his foot. Guṇavarman chanted incantations over water and washed it, and after two nights he recovered. The king's respectful faith grew even more earnest, and he wished to leave the household life to cultivate the Way. He thus addressed his ministers, saying: 'I wish to devote myself to dwelling within the Dharma gate; you ministers may choose another enlightened ruler.' The ministers all prostrated themselves, entreating him and saying: 'If the Great King abandons the state, his children and people will have none to rely on. Furthermore, the enemy state is fierce and strong, confronting us by relying on precarious terrain; if we lose your gracious protection, where will the common people go? The Great King has heavenly compassion; could he not pity our lives? We dare to entreat you even unto death to express our earnest devotion.' The king could not bear to firmly go against them, so he made three wishes to his ministers, [stating that] if they agreed, he would remain to govern the state: first, that throughout his realm, all would jointly venerate his upādhyāya; second, that within the bounds of his rule, all killing would be severed; third, that all stored wealth would be distributed to relieve the poor and sick. The ministers rejoiced and all reverently agreed, whereupon the entire state received the precepts from him. Later, the king established a vihāra for Guṇavarman. He personally dragged lumber, injuring the king's toe. Guṇavarman again treated it with incantations, and after a short while it was healed. The fame of his conversion spread far and wide, and neighboring states, hearing of his reputation, all dispatched envoys to invite him.