經律異相 10.8

10.8

In the past, the Bodhisattva Śākya was a great king named Sarvadā. He gave extensively to all living beings, indulging whatever they sought, and compassionately relieved distress and peril. The heavenly deities, spirits, and dragons all said in agreement: “The exalted position of heavenly Śakra is never occupied by a permanent person; when one's conduct is recognized as lofty, and their benevolence, wisdom, and merit are eminent, upon death they become Śakra.” Fearing that the king would seize his heavenly throne, Śakra went to test him to verify whether he was genuine or false. Śakra manifested himself and commanded a border king, saying: “Now that human king's moistening benevolence is overflowing, and his blessed virtue is majestic; I fear his aspiring mind will seize my divine throne.” Thereupon Śakra transformed into a hawk, and the border king became a dove. The dove hastened beneath the king's feet, terrified, and said: “Great King, have pity! My life is at an end!” The king said: “Do not fear, I will now preserve your life.” The hawk arrived closely following behind and said: “My dove just came here. The dove is my food; I request the king return it to me.” The king said: “The dove came to save its life; from beginning to end I will not go back on my word. If you just want meat, I will give you a hundred times its weight.” The hawk said: “I wish only to have the dove; I have no use for other meat.” The king said: “With what thing can I make you release the dove and depart in joy?” The hawk said: “If the king's benevolent kindness truly pities living beings, cut the king's own flesh to exchange for the dove, and I shall gladly accept it.” The king was then exceedingly joyful. He cut flesh from his own thigh and weighed it against the dove to make it equal to the dove. The dove became even heavier, so that the flesh of his body was cut until exhausted, yet it still could not equal [the dove], causing immeasurable pain from the wounds. With benevolent endurance, the king further commanded his close ministers, saying: “Kill me and weigh my marrow to make it equal to the dove! I uphold the Buddha's weighty precepts to rescue living beings from danger and distress. Although there are myriad afflictions, they are like a gentle breeze; how could they shake Mount Tai?” The hawk saw into the king's mind, and each resumed their original bodies. Bowing their heads to the ground, they said: “What does the Great King aspire to, that you undergo such torment and suffering?” [The king] said: “I do not aspire to become heavenly Śakra, nor a flying emperor. I observe living beings submerged in blindness and darkness, not seeing the Three Venerable Ones, indulging in evil and calamities, and throwing themselves into the hell of no choice. Grieving for them, I vow to seek Buddhahood, to pull out and rescue living beings and bring them to nirvāṇa.” The heavenly Śakra said in astonishment: “In my foolishness I thought the Great King wished to seize my throne; because of this I disturbed you. How can this be remedied?” The king said: “May the wounds on my body heal and be restored as before, and may my resolve to always practice giving remain!” Śakra had a divine physician apply miraculous medicine; the wounds healed immediately, and his complexion and strength surpassed what they were before. Śakra bowed his head, circumambulated the king three times, and departed in joy. (Extracted from the first fascicle of the Compendium on Crossing Over the Limitless).