經律異相 14.37

14.37

目連有同產弟。饒財多寶庫藏盈滿。僕從奴婢不可稱計。目連告弟曰。聞卿慳嫉不好惠施。佛常顯說夫人惠施獲報無數。卿弟聞兄教開藏惠施。更新立庫欲受其報。未經旬日。財寶竭盡故藏悉空新藏無報。其心懊惱向兄說曰。前見告勅施獲大報。不敢違教竭藏惠施。當來過去諸貧窮者靡不周遍。寶貨竭盡新藏無報。將無為兄所疑誤乎。目連曰。止止莫陳此語。無使異學邪見之士聞此麁言。若使福德當有形者。虛空境界所不容受。吾今權此示汝微報。若欲見者從隨我來。目連以神足力。手接其弟至第六天。彼有宮殿七寶合成。前後浴池香風遠布。庫藏盈滿不可稱計。玉女營從數千萬眾。純女無男亦無夫主。弟問目連。是何宮殿巍巍乃爾。不見有男純是女人。目連告弟。汝自往問。曰是何宮殿。天女報曰。閻浮提內迦毘國。釋迦文佛神力弟子。名曰目連。有弟大富好喜惠施周窮濟乏。命終之後當來生此與我等作夫。其人聞喜善心生焉。還至兄所大懷慚愧。頭面懺悔還至世間廣施不惓（出目連弟布施望即報經）。

Maudgalyāyana had a full brother who was rich in goods and wealth, with overflowing storehouses, and servants and maids beyond counting. Maudgalyāyana said to his brother: 'I hear you are stingy and envious, not fond of giving. The Buddha always openly explains that when people practice giving, they receive countless retributions.' Hearing his elder brother's instruction, the younger brother opened his storehouses and gave alms, and built new storehouses, wishing to receive the retribution. Before ten days had passed, his wealth and treasures were exhausted; the old storehouses were completely empty, and the new storehouses had received no retribution. His mind was distressed, and he said to his elder brother: 'Earlier you instructed me that giving obtains great retribution. Not daring to disobey your teaching, I emptied my storehouses and gave alms; there were none among all the poor who came or passed by whom I did not provide for. My valuables are exhausted, yet the new storehouses have received no retribution. Could I have been misled and deceived by you, brother?' Maudgalyāyana said: 'Stop, stop! Do not utter these words; do not let adherents of other teachings and views of heterodoxy hear such coarse words. If merit possessed physical form, the realm of empty space could not contain it. I will now temporarily show you a small retribution; if you wish to see it, follow after me.' By the power of his supernatural feet, Maudgalyāyana took his brother by the hand to the Sixth Heaven. There were palaces formed of the seven jewels, with bath ponds before and behind, sweet breezes spreading far and wide, and overflowing storehouses beyond counting. Jade maidens in retinue numbered tens of millions, purely women with no men, nor any husband or master. The brother asked Maudgalyāyana: 'What palace is this, so majestic like this, without any men to be seen, but purely women?' Maudgalyāyana told his brother: 'Go and ask yourself.' He asked: 'What palace is this?' A heavenly maiden replied: 'In Jambudvīpa, in the land of Kapilavastu, there is a disciple of Śākyamuni Buddha of supernatural power named Maudgalyāyana. He has a brother who is very rich, delights in giving, and relieves the poor and destitute. After his life ends, he will be born here to be our husband.' Hearing this, the man rejoiced, and a wholesome mind arose. Returning to his elder brother, he felt deep shame and remorse; bowing his head in repentance, he returned to the world and gave extensively without weariness (from the *Mulian di bushi wang ji bao jing* [Sūtra on Maudgalyāyana's Brother Giving Alms Expecting Immediate Retribution]).