經律異相 29.26

29.26

有隣國王。興兵伐其敵國。敵國諸臣啟其王曰。某國興兵今已逼近。願王自備共相攻擊。王語諸臣曰。此是閑事何必須吾。賊攻城門。諸臣啟王。賊今在外。王告諸臣。賊雖在外不足遠慮。但自營私何慮公務。時賊暴虐轉前入城。左右啟曰。賊已入城。王告諸臣。此事微細何足上聞。隣國大王轉進至殿。諸臣啟曰。隣國之王今已上殿。不審聖尊有何思慮。其王告曰。我今處世變易不停。興者必衰。會合有離。難可常保。更改形容如乞士法。摩何自退往適深山。思惟道德可以自娛。設此暴王欲害我身不辭其愆。所以然者。亡國失土皆由一人。我今受死萬民無患。豈不於我大有幸乎。彼敵國之王歎未曾有。舉聲唱曰。善哉大王。自古迄今未有斯比。我雖得勝未如王也。開懷大道不顧世榮。自今以往還大王國。興王訖化。共相接待共為親厚（出菩薩藏經下卷）。

A neighbouring king raised an army to attack his rival state. The ministers of the rival state reported to their king, saying: "Such-and-such state has raised an army and has now pressed near. We pray the king prepare himself so that we may attack them together." The king told his ministers: "This is an idle matter; why is my presence required?" The bandits attacked the city gates. The ministers reported to the king: "The bandits are now outside." The king told his ministers: "Though the bandits are outside, they are not worth worrying about from afar. Just attend to your own private affairs; why worry about public duties?" At that time, the bandits were violent and cruel, advancing further and entering the city. The attendants reported: "The bandits have already entered the city." The king told his ministers: "This matter is trifling; how is it worth reporting up?" The great king of the neighbouring state advanced directly to the palace hall. The ministers reported, saying: "The king of the neighbouring state has now ascended the hall. We do not know what the Holy and Venerable One is thinking." The king told them: "Now that I abide in the world, change and mutation never cease. That which rises must decline; that which comes together must part; it can hardly be maintained for long. I shall change my appearance according to the method of a mendicant. Why not retire of my own accord and go to the deep mountains, where I may contemplate the Way and virtue to delight myself? Even if this violent king wishes to harm my body, I will not complain of his transgression. Why is this so? The loss of a kingdom and its territory is all due to one person. If I now receive death and the myriad people are free of harm, would that not be a great fortune for me?" The king of the rival state praised this as unprecedented. Raising his voice, he proclaimed: "Excellent, Great King! From ancient times until now, there has never been any equal to this. Though I have attained victory, I cannot match the king. You open your mind to the Great Way and disregard worldly glory. From this day forward, I return your great kingdom to you." He restored the king to complete his edification, and they received each other and became close and affectionate friends. (Extracted from the lower fascicle of the Bodhisattvapiṭaka Sūtra)