經律異相 20.25

20.25

Anciently, a caṇḍāla family gave birth to seven sons. The six elder brothers attained the fruit of srotāpanna, while the youngest remained an ordinary person. The mother, a caṇḍāla woman, had attained the fruit of anāgāmin. All seven brothers had received the five precepts. According to the customary protocol of that country, caṇḍālas carried out executions. Whenever men or women in the country committed murder, theft, sexual misconduct, or other grave offenses, the caṇḍālas were always ordered to execute them. At that time, the king summoned the eldest son and said, "There is a criminal condemned to die. You must go and execute him." He bowed and stated his plea, "I earnestly pray for your great indulgence. I have received the five precepts and guard my conduct with utmost care; I do not dare even kill an ant, and cannot commit such an evil deed. I would rather kill myself than dare violate the precepts." The king was enraged and ordered that he be executed in the marketplace. He again addressed the king, "My body is the king's subject, but my mind is my own possession. If you wish to kill me, kill me; I cannot obey your command." The king then had him beheaded. Next, he summoned the younger brothers in turn. All six said, "Having received the precepts, we do not dare commit murder." The king's wrath flared violently, and he had them all put to death. Next, he again summoned the youngest brother; both the mother and son came together. Seeing the mother come, the king was doubly enraged: "When the former six sons were executed, the mother did not accompany them. Now that I summon the youngest son, why have you come?" The mother said, "May you grant me a hearing to explain myself. The former six sons had all attained the path of a srotāpanna. Even if the Great King were to grind their bodies into dust, they would never give rise to an evil thought as small as a single hair. But now, this youngest one remains an ordinary person. Though his body cultivates goodness, he has not yet attained the holy Dharma. Therefore, I was concerned about my son: since he has not yet attained the Path, he might lose his resolve, fear the king's decree, cherish his own physical life, break the precepts, and carry out the execution. At the break-up of his body and the end of his life, he would fall into the Taishan hell. It is out of pity and love for my son that I have escorted him here." The king asked the mother again, "Did the six sons who died before all attain the path of a srotāpanna?" She answered, "All of them attained it." The king asked the mother again, "What path has the mother herself attained?" The mother answered, "I have attained the path of an anāgāmin." Hearing these words, the king threw himself upon the ground, crying out his guilt and reproaching himself: "I have created a root of great transgression! Harboring evil intent, I have slain six srotāpannas!" His body and mind were distressed, and he could not sit still upon his mat. He immediately had fragrant oil, ghee, and firewood prepared, took the six corpses, and cremated them. He erected six stūpas to make offerings for his deed of slaughter. Three times a day he repented, wishing to eradicate his sin and make it gradually fade away. He also distributed wealth to provide for the old mother. On uposatha days, he repeatedly repented, hoping that his sin would be lessened and that he would escape hell. (Extracted from the Ciren busha jing)