經律異相 11.20

11.20

There was a person who entered a forest to chop wood and became bewildered, losing his sense of direction. At that time, it happened to rain heavily; it was evening, and he was hungry and cold, with vicious vermin and poisonous beasts wishing to harm him. This person entered a stone cave. There was a large bear inside; seeing it, he was terrified and ran out. The bear spoke to him, saying, 'Do not be afraid. This dwelling is warm, and you may lodge in it.' It rained continuously for seven days, and [the bear] constantly provided this person with sweet fruits and fine water. When the rain stopped after seven days, the bear led this person out and showed him the path. The bear said to the person, 'I have the body of an offender, and humans are enemies. If anyone asks, do not say you saw me.' The person replied, 'Yes.' This person went forward and met hunters. The hunters asked, 'Where have you come from? Have you seen any beasts?' He replied, 'I saw a large bear. It was kind to me, so I cannot show you.' The hunters said, 'You belong to humankind; looking at it from the perspective of human beings, why spare a bear? Having lost your way this once, when will you ever come back again? If you show us, we will give you a large portion.' This person's mind changed, and he immediately led the hunters to the bear's dwelling. The hunters killed the bear and gave him a large portion. When this person stretched out his hands to take the meat, both of his elbows dropped off. The hunters said, 'What crime have you committed?' He replied, 'This bear looked after me as a father looks after his son. Now I have betrayed its kindness; this must be the karmic retribution for my offense.' The hunters were terrified and did not dare eat the meat, but took it to offer to the Saṅgha. The elder monk was an arhat endowed with the six supernatural powers, and he said to the lower-ranking monks, 'This is a bodhisattva, who in a future age will become a Buddha. Do not eat this meat.' Immediately they erected a stūpa to make offerings to it. When the king heard of this matter, he issued an order throughout the country: 'Do not allow anyone who betrays kindness to dwell here.' People, through various causes and conditions, praised those who know kindness. (Extracted from the Zhujing zhong yaoshi)