經律異相 17.30

17.30

有一男子。於正法出家。能為給事。所至寺諸比丘等。令其給事。後轉疲極。自思惟言。誰能為我說法教化。聞摩偷羅國。有優波笈多。是佛所記。能於後弟子中最為第一。往為作禮合掌說言。大德。大作佛事為我說法。優波笈多言。能隨我教當為說法。答曰能。問曰。那多婆哆寺。眾僧有幾。汝更給事眾僧。答曰。有一萬八千阿羅漢。學人一倍。精進凡夫無數。時彼比丘。即為一切眾僧。而作給事。令一切僧專修道業。時給事比丘早起。著衣持鉢入摩偷羅國。有一長者朝出相逢。長者念言。我未曾見。而今見之頭面禮足。問言。大德。所從遠近有何事來。答言。從東國來。至優波笈多處。為欲聞法。而優波笈多令我為僧給事。我今不知摩偷羅國人誰精進誰不精進者。長者曰。汝今不須思惟是事。我當代汝給事眾僧一切飲食衣服醫藥。我悉給與比丘與長者。共取飲食等。供養眾僧。三月安居時比丘因此供養修獲道果。

There was a man who left home in the true Dharma. He was capable of providing service. At the monasteries he arrived at, the monks had him provide service. Later, he grew increasingly exhausted and reflected to himself: “Who can preach the Dharma and instruct me?” Hearing that in the country of Mathurā there was Upagupta, who was prophesied by the Buddha to be the foremost among later disciples, he went, paid homage, joined his palms, and said: “Venerable One, perform the great work of the Buddha and preach the Dharma for me.” Upagupta said: “If you can follow my instructions, I shall preach the Dharma for you.” He replied: “I can.” Upagupta asked: “How many monks are there in the Naṭabhaṭa Monastery? You must again provide service to the Saṅgha.” He replied: “There are eighteen thousand arhats, twice as many trainees, and countless energetic ordinary persons.” At that time, that monk provided service to the entire Saṅgha, enabling all the monks to focus exclusively on cultivating the path. Then the attendant monk arose early, donned his robes, took his bowl, and entered the city of Mathurā. An elder came out in the morning and met him. The elder thought: “I have never seen him before, yet now I see him.” He bowed his head to his feet and asked: “Venerable One, from how far or near have you come, and on what business?” He replied: “I have come from an eastern country to the place of Upagupta desiring to hear the Dharma, but Upagupta has ordered me to serve the Saṅgha. Now I do not know among the people of Mathurā who is energetic and who is not energetic.” The elder said: “You need not think about this matter now. I shall take your place in serving the Saṅgha with all food, drink, clothing, and medicines; I shall provide them all.” The monk and the elder together took the food, drink, and other necessities to make offerings to the Saṅgha. During the three months of the rains retreat, the monk, on account of this offering and his practice, attained the fruits of the path.