經律異相 5.26

5.26

昔有五百婆羅門。常求佛便。欲誹謗之。自共議言。當使屠兒殺生。請佛及諸眾僧。佛必受請。讚歎屠兒。吾等便前而共譏之。佛即受請。告屠兒言。果熟自墮。福熟自度。屠兒還歸供設飲食。佛將諸弟子到屠兒村。中至檀越舍。梵志大小皆共歡喜。今日乃得佛之便耳。若讚福者。以其前後殺生作罪。持用譏之。若當說其由來之罪者。當以今日之福難之。二者之中今乃得便。佛到即坐。行水下食。於是世尊。觀察眾心。應有度者。即出舌覆面舐耳。放大光明照一城內。即以梵聲說偈呪願。

Long ago, there were five hundred brāhmaṇas who constantly sought an opportunity against the Buddha, wishing to slander him. They plotted among themselves: “We should have a butcher who slaughters living beings invite the Buddha and the monks. The Buddha will certainly accept the invitation and praise the butcher. Then we will come forward and mock him together.” The Buddha immediately accepted the invitation, saying to the butcher: “When fruit is ripe, it falls of itself; when merit is ripe, one delivers oneself.” The butcher returned home and prepared the food and drink. The Buddha led his disciples to the butcher’s village, arriving at the benefactor's home. The brahmacārins, young and old alike, were all delighted: “Today at last we have our chance against the Buddha! If he praises the merit, we will use his past and present sins of taking life to mock him. If he speaks of his past sins, we will challenge him with today's merit. Between these two, today we finally have him.” When the Buddha arrived, he took his seat; water was poured and food was served. Thereupon the World-Honoured One, observing the minds of the assembly and seeing those who were ready for deliverance, extended his tongue to cover his face and lick his ears, and emitted a great light that illuminated the entire city. Then, in a brahma voice, he spoke a verse of blessing: