雜譬喻經 1.10

1.10

Formerly, there was a performer who performed various acts of music and entertainment and begged for an ox from a wealthy śreṣṭhin. The śreṣṭhin had no intention of giving it, so he purposely told him: "If you can diligently perform music like this without stopping day and night for a full year, I will give you an ox." The performer replied: "I can." He then said to the master: "Can you listen?" The śreṣṭhin also said: "I can." Thereupon the performer, hearing this, rejoiced, and with a single mind made music, not resting or slacking for three days and three nights. The śreṣṭhin grew weary of listening, and forthwith ordered his junior relatives to lead out an ox and give it to him. This is an analogy for those who cultivate the Way and make merit: they do not consider the number of kalpas as distant; the more earnest their diligence, the swifter the retribution arrives, and it is not necessary that they must pass through that many kalpas.