經律異相 2.15

2.15

昔者天帝釋五德離身自知命盡。當生陶家受驢胞胎。愁憂自念。三界之中濟人苦厄唯有佛耳。馳往佛所稽首伏地至心歸命佛法聖眾。未起之間其命忽終便入驢母胎中。時驢解走破壞坏器。其主打之尋時傷胎。其神即還入故身中。五德還備。復為天帝。佛讚善哉。殞命之際歸命三尊。罪對已畢不更懃苦。佛為說偈。

In the past, Śakra Devānām Indra suffered the departure of the five marks [of decay] from his body and knew for himself that his life was at an end, and that he was destined to be born in a potter's house to take on the womb of a donkey. Sorrowful and anxious, he reflected to himself: 'In the three realms, the only one who can deliver beings from suffering and peril is the Buddha alone.' He hastened to where the Buddha was, bowed his head prostrate on the ground, and with utmost sincerity took refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Holy Saṅgha. Before he had risen, his life suddenly ended, and he entered the womb of a she-donkey. At that time, the donkey broke free, ran, and shattered the unfired earthenware. Its owner beat it, immediately injuring the fetus. His consciousness then returned into his former body; the five virtues were restored, and he was once again the Heavenly Emperor. The Buddha praised him: 'Excellent! At the brink of death, you took refuge in the Three Venerable Ones. Your sinful retribution is now finished, and you will not undergo further bitter toil.' The Buddha spoke a verse for him.