經律異相 17.38

17.38

In the country of Vaiśālī, there were five hundred blind men who supported themselves by begging. At that time, they heard that the Buddha had appeared in the world, and that those who beheld him had their cripplings, deformities, and hundred diseases all cured; to the poor he gave clothing and food; and all sorrows, worries, and bitter distresses were relieved and averted. The blind men conferred together: “Our accumulated sins and bitter agonies are exceptionally severe. If we encounter the Buddha, we will surely receive deliverance.” They then went begging together, so that each obtained one gold coin, to use for hiring someone so that they might reach that place. Begging over time, each person obtained one coin. They called out to those around them: “Who will lead us to Śrāvastī? Five hundred gold coins will be paid for the trouble.” At that time, a man came, agreed with them, took the coins, and told the blind men to lead one another in a chain while he walked in front to guide them. Leading them to Magadha, he abandoned the blind men, leaving them in an empty marsh. The blind men did not know what country they were in; holding one another's hands, they trampled upon another person's fields, damaging and crushing the young grain. Seeing this, the owner of the fields flew into a great rage, spoke harshly to them, and struck them with his fists. The beggars pleaded for mercy and recounted in full the events above. The elder took pity on them and ordered a messenger to lead them to Śrāvastī. Just as they reached that country, they heard that the Bhagavat had already gone to the country of Magadha. The messenger led them toward Magadha. The blind men revered the Buddha, fixing their minds on the desire to see him; though their fleshy eyes were closed, their mind's eye had already seen him. Rejoicing and giving rise to aspiration, they did not feel fatigued. Having arrived in Magadha, they again heard that the Bhagavat had already returned to Śrāvastī. Thus they pursued him, going back and forth seven times in all. At that time, the Tathāgata, observing that the blind men's roots of goodness had ripened, halted and waited for them. The Buddha's light touched their bodies, and immediately both their eyes opened and became clear. They beheld the Tathāgata surrounded by the fourfold assembly, his bodily complexion resplendent like a mountain of purple gold. Going forward to the Buddha's place, they threw their five limbs to the ground, paid homage to the Buddha, and with one voice addressed the Buddha together: “We only pray that you will deign to have pity on us and allow us to be among the ranks of the monastic order.” The Buddha said: “Welcome, monks!” Their hair and beards fell off naturally, and Dharma robes appeared on their bodies. He again preached the Dharma for them, and they attained arhatship. (Extracted from the Sūtra of the Wise and the Foolish, fascicle six.)