經律異相 48.30

48.30

昔野火燒林。林有一雉。勤身自力飛來入林。以水灑林往反疲乏不以為苦。時天帝釋來問之言。汝作何等。答曰。我救此林愍眾生故。此林蔭育處廣清涼快樂。我諸種類及諸宗親皆悉依仰。我有身力云何懈怠而不救之。天帝問言。汝乃精勤當至幾時。雉言。以死為期。天帝言。誰為汝證。即自立誓。我心至誠信不虛者火即自滅。是時淨居天知雉弘誓。即為滅火。始終常茂不為火燒（出大智論第十六卷）。

Formerly, a wildfire burned a forest. In the forest there was a pheasant. Exerting its own strength, it flew into the forest and sprinkled water on the woods, going back and forth until exhausted, yet not considering it hardship. At that time, Śakra Devānām Indra came and asked it, saying, 'What are you doing?' It replied, 'I am saving this forest out of pity for sentient beings. This forest's shade provides broad shelter, coolness, and joy; my kin and relatives all rely upon it. Since I have bodily strength, how could I be indolent and not save it?' Śakra asked, 'You are so diligent, but until when will you continue?' The pheasant said, 'With death as my limit.' Śakra said, 'Who will bear witness for you?' It immediately made a vow: 'If my mind is utterly sincere and my faith is not false, let the fire extinguish itself!' At that time, the devas of the Śuddhāvāsa heaven recognized the pheasant's great vow, and immediately extinguished the fire for it. Thenceforth, the forest remained constantly lush and was never burned by fire (taken from the Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa, Fascicle 16).