經律異相 33.8

33.8

帝須復言。釋迦弟子誑王令作功德。王聞告大臣云。我弟於外道生信。當以方便令得正解。我欲澡洗。應入浴室。卿可以天冠服飾莊嚴我弟。令登我座。及王浴時。大臣勸帝須。帝須從之。王見語言。我今未滅。汝已御王。乃命殺之。多人執仗而圍遶之。大臣白王。此是王弟。願王忍辱莫起瞋心。答曰。我當忍辱。於七日中暫與其國令其作王。種種伎樂及諸婇女以供給之。一切臣民皆往問訊。行殺之人執刀門立。日日啟王至第七日。以王莊嚴阿育王大臣諸人將毘多輸柯共往問訊阿育大臣。時王問言。汝七日為王。種種伎樂好聞見不。以偈答曰。

Tissa further said, "The disciples of the Śākya deceive the king to make him perform merits." Hearing this, the king told his ministers, "My younger brother has generated faith in non-Buddhist paths. I must use skillful means to lead him to correct understanding. I wish to bathe; I should enter the bathhouse. You may adorn my younger brother with the heavenly crown and royal robes, and have him ascend my throne." When the king was bathing, the ministers urged Tissa, and Tissa complied. Seeing this, the king said to him, "I have not yet passed away, and you have already usurped the kingship!" He then ordered him to be put to death, and many men held weapons and surrounded him. The ministers said to the king, "This is the king's younger brother. May the king practice forbearance and not give rise to anger." The king replied, "I shall practice forbearance. For seven days, I will temporarily grant him the kingdom to act as king. Various musical entertainments and court ladies shall be provided to serve him, and all ministers and citizens shall go to pay respects to him." The executioner stood at the gate holding a sword, reporting to the king day by day. When the seventh day arrived, the ministers of King Aśoka and others, with royal adornments, led Vītāśoka together to pay respects to Aśoka. Then the king asked, "You were king for seven days; were the various musical entertainments pleasant to hear and see?" He answered in verse: