經律異相 13.35

13.35

When the Buddha was in the Deer Park, Aniruddha said to the monks: "I remember in the past, I was a poor man here in Vārāṇasī, living by doing hired labour and carrying loads on my shoulders. At that time, grain was expensive in the world, and many died of starvation; almsfood was difficult to obtain. There was a pratyekabuddha named Pi-li-zha (Paliṭṭha) who also lived here relying [on the community].
The pratyekabuddha rose early to beg for food. At that time, I arose early and went out wishing to carry loads, and saw the pratyekabuddha. When I returned carrying loads, I saw him again. Then I had this thought: 'When this man arose early, I saw him; now I see him coming out again—he must not have obtained food.' He then followed behind me to my house. Then I had this thought: I wished to invite him. I immediately divided my food and brought it to his place. Having arrived, I said to him, 'Rishi, this is my portion. Please take pity on me and accept this food.'
The pratyekabuddha received half in his bowl [and said], 'You eat half yourself, and it will be sufficient for both.'
I replied, 'Rishi, I have a home and can eat whenever there is occasion. You, rishi, show me compassion and accept all of this offering.'
Out of compassion, this pratyekabuddha accepted it all. Because of this offering, I was reborn seven times in the heavens, becoming a heavenly king, and seven times among humans, also becoming a human king. In my present life, I was born into the Śākya clan with boundless wealth, but I abandoned it, left home to cultivate the Way, and attained realization." (Extracted from the twelfth fascicle of the Madhyama-āgama).