經律異相 17.32

17.32

In the country of Mathurā, there was a man who petitioned his parents, desiring to leave home. He went to the place of Upagupta, reverently paid homage, and said: “Venerable One, may I become a monk or not?” Upagupta saw that he was bound by attachment to his body. He said to him: “Welcome! I shall grant you departure from home.” Rejoicing, he bowed to his feet and begged to return home temporarily first. On the road he reflected: “If I reach home, there may be obstacles.” At dusk along the way, he lodged in a shrine (the Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa says an empty house). Upagupta manifested two rākṣasas: one carried a corpse, while the other was empty-handed. Both entered the shrine, each claiming, “I got it!” disputing endlessly. They asked this man: “Who brought the corpse?” This man reflected: “I must not tell a lie,” and told them the truth. The demon who had come empty-handed then pulled his arm toward its mouth, wishing to eat it. The demon that had brought the corpse assisted in tearing it apart, and he barely escaped. This continued for a long time until sunrise. After two days, he returned to the place of Upagupta, left home for the path, cultivated with vigorous effort, and attained the fruit of arhatship. (Extracted from the Sūtra of King Aśoka, fascicle nine; also found in the Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa, fascicle twelve.)