經律異相 13.18

13.18

In the city of Rājagṛha, the householder Jyotika, returning from an overseas journey, presented a bowl made of sandalwood. Placing it in an open-work sack, he hung it high on a post and said: 'If any śramaṇa or brāhmaṇa can take it without using a ladder or staff, let him take it.' Pūrṇa and others all said: 'You wish to see supernormal powers!' and shook their heads and left. Piṇḍola, whose family name was Bhāradvāja, went to Jyotika. Jyotika said: 'Welcome, Bhāradvāja! If you can take the bowl without using a ladder or staff, I will give it to you.' Piṇḍola entered samādhi, extended his hand, and took the bowl. The householder filled it with rice and offered it to him. Having eaten, he took it away. There was a monk of few desires and contentment who asked where he had obtained it. Piṇḍola fully explained the above matter. The monk of few desires reprimanded him, saying: 'To receive the item of a naked outside sectarian, how can you be called a monk? You have displayed superhuman, noble states before someone who has not received the full ordination!' Having reprimanded him, he reported it to the Buddha. The Buddha assembled the Saṅgha and asked Piṇḍola: 'Did you really do this thing?' He replied: 'It is indeed so.' The Buddha said to Bhāradvāja: 'I banish you for the rest of your life; you must not dwell in Jambudvīpa.' Piṇḍola, obeying the instruction, returned to his room, handed over his bedding and couches to the Saṅgha, took his robes and bowl, disappeared from Jambudvīpa, and appeared in Godānīya, where he taught the four assemblies and broadly promoted the Buddha's work (Extracted from the Daśabhāṇavāra-vinaya, Sixth Recitation, Fascicle 2; the Mahāsāṃghika, Mahīśāsaka, and Dharmaguptaka are largely similar with slight differences).