眾經撰雜譬喻 1.22

1.22

When practitioners seek the path, they must not greedily cling to fine fragrances and beautiful forms; if they are greedy, it destroys the foundation of one's merit. For example, once an arhat would regularly enter the dragon palace to eat and preach the Dharma for the dragon. Having finished eating, he would emerge from the dragon palace and hand his bowl to a śrāmaṇera, having him wash the few remaining grains of rice in the bowl. The śrāmaṇera ate them; they were exceedingly fragrant and delicious. He then devised an upāya, getting under his master's corded bed and holding the legs of the corded bed with both hands; when the time came, he entered the dragon palace together with the corded bed. The dragon said: “This one has not attained the path; why did you bring him?” The master said: “I was unaware of it.” The śrāmaṇera obtained food and ate, and also saw that the dragon maiden's body was upright and graceful, fragrant and marvelous beyond compare. His heart was greatly attached, and he immediately made a vow: “I shall seize this dragon's place and dwell in his palace.” The dragon said: “Hereafter do not bring this śrāmaṇera again.” After returning, the śrāmaṇera practiced dāna and observed the precepts with single-minded devotion, exclusively seeking his wish to soon take on a dragon's body. At that time, as he circumambulated the monastery, water came out from under his feet; knowing for certain that he would become a dragon, he went straight to the edge of the large pool where his master had originally entered, covered his head with his kāṣāya, entered the water, and immediately died. He was reborn as a great dragon; because his merit was great, he immediately killed that king, and the whole pool turned entirely red. Before that, his masters and the saṃgha had all scolded him; the śrāmaṇera said: “My mind is already fixed, and the signs have already appeared.” He led the monks of the saṃgha to the pool to see it. Due to this cause and condition, one should not greedily cling to fine fragrances and beautiful forms, losing the roots of wholesome goodness and falling into the evil paths.