傳法正宗記 2.70

2.70

The Venerable Pārśva was a native of Central India; his surname is unknown. His original name was Duṣprasaha because he had stayed in the womb for a long time. Initially, when the Venerable One was about to be born, his father Gandhahasti had a dream in which a white elephant carried a jeweled throne on its back, upon which rested a bright pearl. It went out from his gate to a Dharma assembly, where its light shone upon the multitudes; shortly thereafter, it suddenly disappeared. When he was born, light indeed illuminated the chamber, and his body possessed a marvelous fragrance. His father marveled at this. When he grew into boyhood, he met the Venerable Buddhamitra converting beings in that country. Gandhahasti brought him to visit the master, related the marvels of his birth, and asked that he be allowed to leave home. Mitra granted it, and assembled seven arhats to bestow upon him the full precepts. Just as he received the precepts, an auspicious sign appeared upon the altar, and from the air there rained down three times seven relics. The Venerable One practiced asceticism diligently and never slept; day and night, his ribs never touched the mat, which is why he was called the Venerable Pārśva. Having previously received the entrustment of the Dharma, he traveled to transform other lands, soon arriving in the kingdom of Pāṭaliputra and resting beneath a tree. Abruptly pointing to the ground with his right hand, he said to the assembly: "This ground is turning golden; a holy one is about to enter." After a short while, the ground indeed became golden. Suddenly the son of an elder, named Puṇyayaśas, hastened before him and stood with palms joined. The Venerable Pārśva asked: "Where have you come from?" Yaśas said: "My mind does not go." The Venerable One said: "Where do you dwell?" He replied: "My mind does not abide." The Venerable One said: "Are you not unsettled?" He replied: "All Buddhas are also like this." The Venerable One said: "You are not all Buddhas." He replied: "Neither are all Buddhas." The Venerable One then spoke a verse, saying: