三寶感應要略錄 1.11

1.11

書訖授使。應報洗曰。汝持畫像至本國時。可於廣之處懸繒幡蓋。香花布列盛設莊嚴。方開其像。若有問此是何物。答彼言。此是世尊形像。捨於王位成正覺。下字義次第可答之。時影勝王歡喜而去。具畫像書其事狀。收金銀函。作勅書報仙道王。仙已開讀忿怒。告大臣曰。未知彼國有何奇異勝妙信物。書云。可兩驛手平治道路。嚴飾城隍。花蓋幢幡集諸人眾。遣我自領四兵遠出迎攝。仙道看此形況。意欲相輕。卿等宜應集四兵。我自親往。伐摩揭陀國。大臣奏曰。曾聞彼王大度量。不可輕大王。今可順其言。王如封書陳供。引至城邑。開畫像瞻仰而住。于時中國商人共來。異口同音。唱南謨佛陀等。王聞之遍體毛竪。次第問其義。商人具答。王誦其文還宮。依文思惟。至天明不起于座。得初果慶悅說偈曰。

When the writing was finished, he handed it to the envoy, and instructed him, saying, "When you take the painted image to their realm, you should hang silk banners and parasols in a wide, spacious place, arrange incense and flowers, and set up grand adornments; only then open the image. If someone asks, 'What is this?', answer them, 'This is the image of the World-Honoured One, who abandoned the royal throne and achieved right awakening.' You may then explain the meanings of the characters written below in proper order." At that time, King Bimbisāra went forth joyfully. He completely painted the image and inscribed the matters, packed them in gold and silver boxes, and wrote an imperial letter to notify King Rudrāyaṇa. When Rudrāyaṇa had opened and read it, he was filled with fury. He said to his ministers, "I do not know what rare and superior state gift that country could have! His letter says: 'Repair and level the roads for two postal stations, adorn the city walls and moats, assemble crowds of people with floral parasols and pennants, and send me yourself, leading the fourfold army, far out to welcome and receive it.' Seeing this state of affairs, [I know] he intends to despise me. You should assemble the fourfold army; I myself will personally go and attack the kingdom of Magadha!" The minister memorialized, saying, "We have previously heard that that king has great tolerance; he would not despise your majesty. For now, you should comply with his words." The king made offerings according to the sealed letter, led [the procession] to the city, opened the painted image, and stood gazing at it with reverent admiration. At that time, merchants from the Central Region arrived together and, with one voice, chanted, "Namo buddhāya," and so forth. When the king heard this, the hair all over his body stood on end. He asked about the meaning step by step, and the merchants replied in full. The king recited the text, returned to his palace, and contemplated according to the text. Sitting without rising from his seat until dawn, he attained the first fruit [of stream-entry]. Rejoicing, he spoke a verse: