經律異相 18.50

18.50

佛住舍衛國。有異比丘。在拘薩羅人間。住一林中。比丘與長者婦女嬉戲。起惡名聲。比丘自念。我今自殺。林中有天神。化作長者女身。語比丘言。世間諸人為我及汝。空作惡名言。我與汝共相習近。作不正事。既已有惡聲。可近還俗共相娛樂。比丘答曰。為有此聲。我今自殺。神復天身。而說偈言。

The Buddha was dwelling in the kingdom of Śrāvastī. There was a certain monk residing in a grove among the people of Kośala. The monk sported with the wife and daughters of an elder, and an evil reputation arose. The monk thought to himself, 'I shall now commit suicide.' In the grove there was a deva who manifested the body of the elder's daughter and spoke to the monk, saying, 'The people of the world have falsely generated an evil reputation for me and you, saying that you and I associate closely and perform improper acts. Since there is already an evil reputation, you might as well return to lay life and enjoy each other's company.' The monk answered, saying, 'It is because of this reputation that I am now committing suicide.' The deva resumed his heavenly body and spoke a verse: