大唐西域記 7.52

7.52

從此西行，依河之濱，有窣堵波，高餘三丈，南帶長流，大悲世尊度漁人處也。越在佛世，五百漁人結疇附黨，漁捕水族，於此河流得一大魚，有十八頭，頭各兩眼。諸漁人方欲害之，如來在吠舍釐國，天眼見，興悲心，乘其時而化導，因其機而啟悟，告諸大眾：「弗栗恃國有大魚，我欲導之，以悟諸漁人，爾宜知時。」於是大眾圍繞，神足凌虛，至于河濱，如常敷座。遂告諸漁人：「爾勿殺魚。」以神通力，開方便門，威被大魚，令知宿命，能作人語，貫解人情。爾時如來知而故問：「汝在前身，曾作何罪，流轉惡趣，受此弊身？」魚曰：「昔承福慶，生自豪族，大婆羅門劫比他者，我身是也。恃其族姓，凌蔑人倫，恃其博物，鄙賤經法；以輕慢心毀讟諸佛，以醜惡語詈辱眾僧，引類形比，謂若駝、驢、象、馬，諸醜形對。由此惡業，受此弊身。尚資宿善，生遭佛世，目覩聖化，親承聖教。」因而懺謝，悔先作業。如來隨機攝化，如應開導。魚既聞法，於是命終。承茲福力，上生天宮。於是自觀其身，何緣生此？既知宿命，念報佛恩，與諸天眾，肩隨戾止，前禮既畢，右繞退立，以天寶香華，用供養。世尊指告漁人，為說妙法，於即感悟，輸誠禮懺，裂網焚舟，歸真受法。既服染衣，又聞至教，皆出塵垢，俱證聖果。

From this going west along the side of the river, we find a stûpa about 30 feet high. To the south of it is a stretch of deep water. The great merciful Lord of the World converted here some fishermen. In days long past, when Buddha was living, there were 500 fishermen who joined in partnership to fish for and catch the finny tribes, whereupon they entangled in the river stream a great fish with eighteen heads; each head had two eyes. The fishermen desired to kill it, but Tathâgata being then in the country of Vais'âli, with his divine sight saw what was going on, and raising within him a compassionate heart, he used this opportunity as a means for converting and directing (men). Accordingly, in order to open their minds, he said to the great congregation, "In the Vrijji country there is a great fish; I wish to guide it (into the right way), in order to enlighten the fishermen; you therefore should embrace this opportunity."

On this the great congregation surrounding him, by their spiritual power passed through the air and came to the river-side. He sat down as usual, and forthwith addressed the fishermen: "Kill not that fish. By my spiritual power I will open the way for the exercise of expedients, and cause this great fish to know its former kind of life; and in order to this I will cause it to speak in human language and truly to exhibit human affections (feelings)." Then Tathagata, knowing it beforehand, asked (the fish), "In your former existence, what crime did you commit that in the circle of migration you have been born in this evil way and with this hideous body?" The fish said, "Formerly, by the merit I had gained, I was born in a noble family as the Brahman Kapitha (Kie-pi-tha). Relying on this family origin, I insulted other persons; relying on my extensive knowledge, I despised all books and rules, and with a supercilious heart I reviled the Buddhas with opprobrious words, and ridiculed the priests by comparing them to every kind of brute beast, as the ass, or the mule, or the elephant, or the horse, and every unsightly form. In return for all this I received this monstrous body of mine. Thanks, however, to some virtuous remnants during former lives, I am born during the time of a Buddha's appearance in the world, and permitted to see his sacred form, and myself to receive his sacred instruction and to confess and repent of my former misdeeds."

On this Tathagata, according to the circumstance, instructed and converted him by wisely opening his understanding. The fish having received the law, expired, and by the power of this merit was born in heaven. On this he considered his body, and reflected by what circumstances he was thus born. So, knowing his former life and recollecting the circumstances of his conversion, he was moved with gratitude to Buddha, and, with all the Devas, with bended form he bowed before him and worshipped, and then having circumambulated him, he withdrew, and, standing apart, offered precious flowers and unguents in religious service. The Lord of the World having directed the fishermen to consider this, and on their account preached the law, they were all forthwith enlightened and offered him profound respect. Repenting of their faults, they destroyed their nets, burnt their boats, and having taken refuge in the law, they assumed the religious habit, and by means of the excellent doctrine they heard came out of the reach of worldly influences and obtained the holy fruit (of Arhats).