經律異相 19.8

19.8

When the Buddha was in Vaiśālī, at mealtime he donned his robes, took his bowl, and led Ānanda into the city to beg for alms. At that time, in the city of Vaiśālī, there was a householder named Vilāsīna who had dismissed all guests and for seven days amused himself with the five desires, instructing the gatekeeper not to allow anyone through the outer gate. When the Buddha was begging for alms, he gradually approached the house of Vilāsīna. Hearing the sound of music, he told his attendant Ānanda, and Ānanda answered according to the facts. The Buddha said: 'After seven days have passed, this elder will die and be born in the Raurava Hell. Why is this? The wholesome roots he formerly cultivated are cut off at this point, and he has not created new ones; therefore, upon his death, he will be born in hell.' Ānanda said to the Buddha: 'Could there be an expedient means to prevent that householder from dying when these seven days have passed?' The Buddha told Ānanda: 'There is no expedient means to prevent his death; there is only an expedient means to avoid hell. If that elder shaves his hair and beard, dons the three Dharma robes, and with steadfast faith leaves the household life to learn the Way, only then will the elder avoid falling into hell.' Ānanda said to the Buddha: 'I shall now go and encourage him to leave the household life.' At that time, all the Śākyas of Vaiśālī had an agreement with Ānanda that whenever Ānanda arrived at their homes, even if someone in that household was asleep, or whatever business was taking place, they would all allow the person Ānanda sent to enter directly. Why was this? Because his speech was gentle and his words did not harm people. At that time, Ānanda said to the gatekeeper: 'You may go in and announce this.' The gatekeeper immediately went in and fully explained this matter. The elder at once cast aside his entertainment, quickly came out, bowed at Ānanda's feet, and said: 'Ānanda, may you enter my house and bring blessings to save my sons and daughters.' Ānanda replied: 'The Tathāgata knows the right time and does not speak falsely; he has prophesied that you, elder, will die in seven days, and upon death will be born in the Raurava Hell.' Hearing this, the elder was terrified and wept, saying to Ānanda: 'Could there be an expedient means to prevent my death?' Ānanda replied: 'There is no expedient means to prevent death; there is only an expedient means to avoid hell.' The elder asked the reason, and Ānanda replied: 'If you leave the household life, you will avoid hell.' The elder then thought of entrusting his family estate, and only afterward going to the Buddha's place to leave the household life and learn the Way. He then said: 'Seven days are still far off; today I will amuse myself with the five desires, and tomorrow morning I shall go.' When the time came, Ānanda donned his robes, took his bowl, entered the city to beg for alms, came to the householder's home, and said to him: 'One day has already passed, and six days remain; you should leave the household life in time.' The elder replied: 'I will go later.' In this way he repeated: 'I wish to enjoy myself further; I will go the day after tomorrow.' Thus procrastinating, he could not bring himself [to do it]. Ānanda constantly went daily to encourage him. When six days were completed, on the morning of the seventh day, Ānanda spoke to him again. He then entrusted his family estate, bid farewell to young and old, and went to the Buddha's place. The Bhagavat instructed Ānanda to confer full ordination upon him. After the ordination was completed, in the final watch of the night before the seventh day [ended], he died and was born in the heaven of the Four Heavenly Kings. Ānanda asked the Buddha: 'Where was he born?' The Buddha told Ānanda: 'The monk Vilāsīna passed away and was born in the heaven of the Four Heavenly Kings. After dying there, he will be born in the Trāyastriṃśa heaven. Transmigrating thus through human and heavenly realms, he will pass through nine kalpas, alternating births in heaven and the human world. In his final body, he will return again to the human world, shave his hair and beard, with steadfast faith leave the household life to learn the Way, and become a pratyekabuddha named Vilāsīna. Why is this? Because this monk Vilāsīna received full ordination and passed away with diligence. Such, Ānanda, is the fruit and retribution of the pure life, and the blessings received in rebirth' (from the Sūtra on the Householder Vilāsīna's Amusement with the Five Desires).