經律異相 16.32

16.32

有那利國近南海邊。其中人民採真珠栴檀。以為常業。國有一家兄弟二人。父母終亡欲求分異。家有一奴名分那。年少聰了善能賈販。入海治生無事不知。居家財物分為一分。以奴分那持作一分。兄弟擲籌弟得分那。將妻子空手出舍。時世飢儉雖得分那恐不相活以為愁憂。奴分那白大家言。願莫愁憂分那作計。月日之中當令勝大家。郎言。若審能爾放汝為良人。大家夫人有私珠物。與分那作本。時海潮來。城內人民至水邊取薪。分那持珠物至城外。見一乞兒負薪。薪中有牛頭栴檀香。可治重病。一兩直千兩金。時世有一不可常得。分那識之。以金錢二枚買得持歸。破作數十段。時有長者得重病。當得此牛頭栴檀二兩合藥。求不能得。分那持往即得二千兩金。如是賣盡所得不貲富兄十倍大家感念。分那不違言誓。放為良人隨意所樂。分那辭行學道。到舍衛國為佛作禮。長跪白佛。所出微賤心樂道德。唯願世尊垂慈濟度。佛言善來。分那頭髮即墮法衣著身。即成沙門。佛為說法尋得羅漢道。坐自思惟。今得六通存亡自由。皆主人之恩。今當往度并化國人。於時尊者分那往到本國至主人家。主人歡喜請坐設食。食訖澡手。飛昇虛空。分身散體。體出水火。光明洞照從上來下。告主人曰。此之神德皆是主人放捨之福。往到佛所所學如此。主人答言。神化微妙。願見世尊受其教訓。分那答言。但當至心供設饌具。佛三達智必自來矣。即便設供宿昔已辦。向舍衛國稽首長跪燒香請佛。唯願屈尊廣度一切。佛知其意。即與五百羅漢。各以神足往到其舍。國王人民莫不驚肅。來至佛所五體投地。却坐王位。食畢澡訖。佛為主人及王官屬。廣陳明法。皆受五戒為佛弟子。起住佛前。歎分那曰。在家精勤出家得道。神德高遠家國蒙度。我當云何以報其恩。於是世尊歎分那。而說偈言。

There was a country called Nālī near the shore of the southern sea. Its people gathered pearls and sandalwood as their regular trade. In the country was a household with two brothers. When their parents died, they wished to divide the estate. The family had a slave named Puṇṇa, who was young, intelligent, and skilled in commerce. He went to sea to make a living and knew all matters. The household wealth was divided into one share, and the slave Puṇṇa was made into the other share. The brothers drew lots, and the younger brother got Puṇṇa. Taking his wife and children, he left the house empty-handed. The times were plagued by famine; though he had gained Puṇṇa, he feared they could not survive, and was filled with sorrow. The slave Puṇṇa said to his master, 'Please do not sorrow. I, Puṇṇa, will devise a plan. Within a matter of days and months, I will cause you to surpass your elder brother.' The master said, 'If you can truly do so, I will release you as a free person.' The master's wife had some personal pearls and goods, which she gave to Puṇṇa as capital. At that time the sea tide came in, and the people of the city went to the water's edge to gather firewood. Puṇṇa took the pearls and goods outside the city. He saw a beggar carrying firewood, and among the firewood was gośīrṣa-candana sandalwood, which could cure severe illnesses. One ounce was worth a thousand ounces of gold. In those times it was rare and could not regularly be obtained. Puṇṇa recognized it, bought it with two gold coins, and brought it home. He broke it into several dozen pieces. At that time an elder fell severely ill and needed two ounces of this gośīrṣa-candana to compound his medicine, but sought it without success. Puṇṇa brought it to him and immediately received two thousand ounces of gold. In this way he sold it all, and the profit gained was incalculable, ten times richer than the elder brother. The master was deeply grateful. Not violating his word and vow, he released Puṇṇa as a free man, allowing him to do as he pleased. Puṇṇa bid farewell to go and study the Path. He arrived in the land of Śrāvastī and made obeisance to the Buddha. Kneeling long, he addressed the Buddha: 'My origin is lowly and base, but my mind delights in the virtues of the Path. I only pray the Bhagavat bestow compassion to deliver me.' The Buddha said, 'Welcome.' Puṇṇa's hair fell away at once, the Dharma robes adhered to his body, and he immediately became a śramaṇa. The Buddha taught the Dharma for him, and he soon attained the path of an arhat. Sitting in reflection, he thought: 'That I have now attained the six supernatural knowledges and freedom over life and death is entirely due to the kindness of my former master. I should now go to deliver him, and also convert the people of that land.' At that time the Venerable Puṇṇa traveled to his native land and arrived at his master's house. His master rejoiced, invited him to sit, and set out food. When the meal was finished and he had washed his hands, Puṇṇa flew up into space, divided his body into separate parts, and emitted water and fire from his body. His bright light shone through, and descending from above, he told the master: 'These supernatural virtues are all the merit of you releasing me. This is what I learned upon reaching the Buddha.' The master replied, 'The spiritual transformations are subtle and marvelous! I wish to see the Bhagavat and receive his instructions.' Puṇṇa replied, 'Only set out offerings of food with a sincere mind. The Buddha, possessing the three clearances of wisdom, will certainly come of himself.' Thereupon offerings were prepared, having been arranged overnight. Facing toward Śrāvastī, he prostrated, knelt, burned incense, and invited the Buddha: 'I only pray you deign to come and widely deliver everyone.' The Buddha knew his intent, and with five hundred arhats, each using their supernatural powers, went to his house. The king of the country and his people were all awed and reverent; coming to the Buddha, they cast their five limbs to the ground, and then withdrew to sit in the royal seats. When the meal was finished and washing complete, the Buddha extensively explained the clear Dharma for the master, the king, and his officials. They all received the five precepts and became disciples of the Buddha. Rising to stand before the Buddha, they praised Puṇṇa, saying, 'Diligent as a layman, attaining the path as a monastic, his spiritual virtues are exalted and profound; our family and country have received deliverance. How can we repay his kindness?' Thereupon the Bhagavat praised Puṇṇa and spoke a verse: