經律異相 15.23

15.23

佛告文殊。我成佛來。過三十年。今此眾中。誰能為我受持十二部經。供給左右所須之事。使不傾失自身善利。五百羅漢皆云。我能。佛言不了。目連觀見如來。心在阿難。目連累勸阿難。阿難曰。穢弱不堪奉給。若佛與我三願者。當從僧命。一者如來設賜故衣。聽我不受。二者設受檀越別請。聽我不從。三者聽我出入無有時節。文殊言善哉。預見譏嫌。阿難事我。二十餘年。具八種不可思議。一者不受別請食。二者不受陳衣服。三者來不非時。四者始具煩惱。隨我出入諸王豪貴家。見諸女人不生欲心。五者說十二部經。一經於耳曾不再問。如瀉一瓶置於一瓶。六者知他心智如佛入定。七者未得願智而能了知。現得四果有後得者。八者祕密之言悉能了知。是故我常稱其多聞。阿難具足八法。堪能受持十二部經。一者信根堅固。二者其心勇進。三者身無病苦。四者常勤精進。五者具足念心。六者心無憍慢。七者成就定意。八者具從聞生智（出菩薩從兜率天下經。賢愚經云。阿難昔為長者。釋迦為沙彌師課誦經為乞食故功程不止長者愍之仍給衣食由是奉侍左右也）。

The Buddha told Mañjuśrī: “Since I attained Buddhahood, more than thirty years have passed. Now, among this assembly, who can uphold the twelve divisions of scripture for me and attend to the necessary matters of personal service without losing their own wholesome benefits?” The five hundred arhats all said: “I can.” The Buddha said: “You do not fully understand.” Maudgalyāyana observed the Tathāgata and saw that his mind was set on Ānanda. Maudgalyāyana repeatedly urged Ānanda. Ānanda said: “Defiled and weak, I am incapable of serving him. If the Buddha grants me three wishes, I will obey the Sangha's command: first, if the Tathāgata bestows his used robes, permit me not to accept them; second, if he accepts private invitations from donors, permit me not to accompany him; third, permit me to enter and leave without restriction of time.” Mañjuśrī said: “Excellent! You foresee criticism and suspicion.” [The Buddha said:] “Ānanda has served me for over twenty years and possesses eight inconceivable qualities: first, he does not accept food from private invitations; second, he does not accept old robes; third, he does not come at improper times; fourth, though he still possesses afflictions, when following me in and out of the households of kings and the noble and wealthy, seeing women, no lustful thoughts arise; fifth, when the twelve divisions of scripture are taught, once they pass his ear he never asks again, like pouring water from one vessel into another; sixth, his knowledge of others' minds is like the Buddha entering samādhi; seventh, though he has not yet attained the knowledge of vows, he clearly knows those who attain the four fruits in the present and those who will attain them later; eighth, he completely understands secret words. For this reason, I always praise his great erudition. Ānanda possesses eight qualities that make him capable of upholding the twelve divisions of scripture: first, firm faculty of faith; second, a valiant and forward-striving mind; third, a body free from illness and pain; fourth, constant, diligent exertion; fifth, complete mindfulness; sixth, a mind free from arrogance; seventh, accomplishment in concentrated thought; eighth, possession of wisdom arising from hearing.” (Drawn from the *Bodhisattva Descending from Tuṣita Heaven Sūtra*. The *Sūtra of the Wise and the Foolish* says: Ānanda was in the past an elder, and Śākya was a novice whose master assigned him the recitation of scriptures; because he had to beg for food, his progress was interrupted. The elder pitied him and provided him with clothing and food, and on this account, he came to attend upon him.)