經律異相 10.22

10.22

Formerly, the bodhisattva was a great king. He took refuge in the Three Venerated Ones and fully observed the ten wholesome deeds. Weapons were never deployed, and there were no prisons. Wind and rain came in their proper seasons, grain was plentiful, and the people were prosperous. Frivolous and trivial writings were completely renounced throughout the kingdom, and there was no one who did not recite the true transformation of the six perfections. At that time, there was a brahmacārin who maintained quiet and tranquil conduct, living peacefully in the mountain forests without mingling with worldly folk. Thirsty at night, he walked about looking for a drink and by mistake took water from a lotus pond cultivated by the people of the kingdom. After drinking, he came to his senses, went to the palace, and reported himself as having committed theft: 'I only pray that the Great King punish my offense according to the law.' The king said: 'This is natural water, not an object of real value; what offense is there?' He replied: 'I drank without asking; is that not theft? I pray the king decide on it.' The king said: 'State affairs are pressing; please wait in the garden.' The crown prince had him placed deep within the garden. Overwhelmed by state affairs, the king forgot about him for six days. Suddenly waking to it, he said: 'Where is the brahmacārin? Call him quickly!' Keeping his precepts, the brahmacārin had been hungry and thirsty for six days; his body emaciated and weakened, he fell to the ground when trying to stand. Seeing this, the king wept and said: 'My fault is grievous!' The queen laughed at it. The king sent someone to bathe him, provided a feast, personally served him, and bowed his head in repentance. From then on, samsāra turned boundlessly until the time when, approaching the attainment of buddhahood, he fasted for six years. The Buddha told the monks: 'The king of that time was myself; the queen was Gopā; and the crown prince was Rāhula. Because the king forgot the practitioner of the Way and made him starve for six days, he suffered retribution by starving for six years before it ceased. Because the king served him personally after six days, the retribution ended and the Way was achieved after six years. Gopā laughed at it; hence she was pregnant with Rāhula for six years in severe illness. Because the crown prince placed the brahmacārin deep within the garden, he remained for six years in the dark womb.'" (Extracted from the Que wang jing [Sūtra of the Sparrow King]).