眾經撰雜譬喻 2.18

2.18

Formerly, there was a butcher who wished to make offerings to a renunciant, but because of his evil occupation, none would go. Later, he saw a newly trained śramaṇa whose deportment was grave and orderly, and invited him home to eat, offering various fine delicacies. When the meal was finished, he further requested this renunciant, "May you eat in my home for the rest of your life." The renunciant accepted. Having grown familiar with him over a long time, he saw slaughtering taking place before him, yet did not dare to admonish him. Years accumulated. Later, the butcher's father died and became a ghost in a river, whose body was cut with knives and immediately restored. When the renunciant crossed the river, the ghost seized the boat and said, "Only if you drown this renunciant in the river may you cross!" The boatmen were terrified. The ghost said, "Formerly, my household made offerings to this renunciant. For years he never admonished me against taking life. Now I suffer this calamity, and out of resentment I desire this!" The boatmen said, "If taking life brings such calamity, how much more so [killing] a renunciant?" The ghost said, "I know that, but it is just out of resentment! If you can make dāna and create merit on my behalf, calling my name and making aspirational prayers, I will let you go." The boatmen all promised to create merit for him, and the ghost released them. The renunciant immediately held an assembly for the ghost, calling his name and making aspirational prayers. The others in turn also held an assembly for him, went to the middle of the river, and called to the ghost, "Have you obtained merit yet?" The ghost said, "I obtained it immediately, and have no more pain." The boatmen said, "Tomorrow we will create merit for you; can you come yourself?" The ghost said, "I can!" In the morning, the ghost transformed into the likeness of a brāhmaṇa and came, offering dāna with his own hands and receiving the aspirational prayers himself. The senior monk expounded the sūtra for him, and the ghost attained the path of a srotāpanna and departed joyfully. For this reason, between host and guest there is a duty to admonish and correct. Even though one has fallen into an evil destiny, good conditions may still remain; thus it can be said that a good spiritual friend is a great cause and condition!