景德傳燈錄 2.23

2.23

The twentieth patriarch, Jayata, was a man from northern India. His wisdom was profound and vast, and his teaching and transformation of beings was immeasurable. Later, he arrived at Rājagṛha to expound the sudden teaching. There was an assembly of students there who valued only debate; their leader was named Vasubandhu (which means "pervasive traveler"), who constantly took only one meal a day, never lay down, and worshipped the Buddha at the six periods of the day. Pure and free of desires, he was someone to whom the crowd turned. The venerable one, wishing to liberate him, first asked that assembly: "Can this ascetic pervasive traveler, by practicing celibacy, attain the Buddha Path?" The assembly said, "Our teacher is vigorous; why could he not?" The venerable one said, "Your teacher is far from the Path. Even if he practices austerities across dust-like eons, it is all the root of falsehood." The assembly said, "What virtues and conduct does the venerable one possess to mock our teacher?" The venerable one said, "I do not seek the Path, nor am I confounded. I do not pay homage to the Buddha, nor am I arrogant. I do not sit for long periods, nor am I indolent. I do not take one meal a day, nor do I eat indiscriminately. I am not contented, nor am I greedy. When the mind has no longing, this is called the Path." Hearing this, the pervasive traveler gave rise to undefiled wisdom, rejoiced, and praised him. The venerable one further said to that assembly, "Do you understand my words? Why I did this was because his mind for seeking the Path was too intense. When a string is drawn tight, it snaps; therefore I did not praise him, so that he might abide in the place of peace and joy and enter the wisdom of all Buddhas." He then addressed the pervasive traveler: "Just now, before the crowd, I restrained and brought you low; did it bring distress to your heart?" He replied: "I recall seven eons ago, I was born in the realm of Constant Peace and Joy. I took the wise one Candraviśuddha as my master. He predicted that before long I would attain the fruit of a sakṛdāgāmin. At that time, Bodhisattva Mahāprabhā appeared in the world. Being old, I leaned on a staff to pay homage. My master rebuked me: 'To respect the son while slighting the father—how utterly base!' At the time, I thought I was without fault and asked the master to point it out. The master said: 'When you paid homage to Bodhisattva Mahāprabhā, you rested your staff against the wall-painting of the Buddha's face. Through this fault of arrogance, you lost the second fruit.' Ever since I blamed myself and repented of my fault, I have heard all harsh words as wind and echo. How much less, having now drunk the supreme sweet dew, would I in turn produce affliction? My only wish is that your great compassion grant instructions in the wondrous Path." The venerable one said: "You have long planted many virtues; you shall inherit my lineage. Hear my verse:"