經律異相 11.49

11.49

In the past, the Bodhisattva manifested as a parrot, constantly dwelling in a tree. The wind blew upon the trees so that they rubbed against one another, and fire broke out. The fire gradually grew fierce and ultimately burned a whole mountain. The parrot thought: 'Even when a flying bird merely perches its body in a tree, it should turn back and arouse the intention to repay its kindness; how much more so for me, who have dwelt in it throughout the long night! Can I fail to extinguish the fire?' It immediately went to the ocean, took ocean water with its two wings, flew over the fire, and sprinkled it upon the fire, also sprinkling it with its beak, dashing back and forth. At that time, a benevolent deity was moved by its painstaking toil and soon extinguished the fire on its behalf. (Extracted from the first fascicle of the Saṅgharakṣa Sūtra.)