經律異相 5.30

5.30

舍衛東南有大江水。既深而廣。五百餘家居在岸邊。未聞道德度世之行。習於剛強欺誑為務。貪利自縱快心極意。佛知此家福應當度。往至水邊。坐一樹下。村人見佛光明奇異。莫不驚肅皆往禮敬。或拜或揖問訊起居。佛命令坐為說經法。眾人聞之心猶不信。佛化一人。從江南來。足行水上。正沒其踝。來至佛前稽首禮佛。眾人見之莫不驚怪。問化人曰。吾等先人已來居此江邊。未曾聞人行水上者。卿是何人。有何道術履水不沒。化人答曰。吾是江南愚直之人。聞佛在此。貪樂道德。至南岸邊。不時得度。問彼岸人。水為深淺。彼人見語。水可齊踝。吾信其言。便爾來過。無他異術。佛讚言善哉。夫執信誠可度生死之淵。數里之江何足為奇。村人聞已。心開信堅。皆受五戒。為清信士（出法句經第三）。

Southeast of Śrāvastī there was a great river, both deep and wide. More than five hundred households dwelled along its banks. Having never heard of the practice of the Way, virtue, and world-transcendence, they were accustomed to being stubborn and practiced deceit as their business, coveting profit, indulging themselves, and satisfying their desires to the utmost. The Buddha, knowing that the merit of these households made them ready for deliverance, went to the water's edge and sat under a tree. Seeing the extraordinary radiance of the Buddha, the villagers were all awestruck and went to pay homage, some bowing, some clasping hands, inquiring after his well-being. The Buddha bade them sit and expounded the Dharma for them, but hearing it, the people still had no faith in their hearts. The Buddha transformed a man who came from south of the river, walking on top of the water with it sinking just to his ankles. He came before the Buddha and prostrated himself with his head to the ground. Seeing this, the people were all astonished and asked the transformed man: “Since our ancestors dwelled by this river, we have never heard of anyone walking on the water. What kind of man are you, and what art of the Way do you possess that you walk on water without sinking?” The transformed man replied: “I am a simple and straightforward man from south of the river. Hearing that the Buddha was here, I yearned for the Way and virtue. When I reached the southern bank, I could not cross in time. I asked the people on that bank about the depth of the water, and they told me it was only up to the ankles. I believed their words and simply came across; I have no other special art.” The Buddha praised him: “Excellent! Indeed, one who upholds sincere faith can cross the abyss of birth and death; what is so marvelous about a river of several li?” Having heard this, the villagers' hearts were opened, their faith became firm, and they all received the five precepts and became upāsakas (from the third fascicle of the Dharmapada Sūtra).