經律異相 23.45

23.45

There was a bhikṣuṇī named Ciñcā who harboured evil intent, slandering the Buddha and reviling the Saṅgha. The Buddha said: "Not only in this present life, but in the past, countless kalpas ago, a monkey king resided in the forest trees, eating fruits and drinking water. At that time, he was mindful of all crawling and breathing living beings, wishing to deliver them all to the unconditioned. At that time, there was a turtle whom he took as an intimate friend. The turtle frequently came to the monkey's place, eating, drinking, conversing, and speaking of correct principles. His wife saw this and thought there was licentiousness involved. She asked her husband: 'Where have you been going?' He replied: 'I have forged a friendship with a monkey, who is very clever and wise, and also understands the principles.' The wife still did not believe it. She then feigned illness, lying feeble on the ground, refusing to be cured. She said to her husband: 'My illness is very severe; only if I obtain the liver of your close friend, the monkey, will I survive.' The husband replied: 'I entrust my life to him; how could I use him to keep you alive?' The wife said: 'Husband and wife are of one body, yet you have no thought of saving me, but instead care for the monkey.' The husband, honouring his wife, went to invite the monkey to eat together. The monkey replied: 'My home is on dry land, and you are in the water; how can I accompany you?' The turtle said: 'I will carry you.' The monkey complied. Carrying him midway, the turtle said to the monkey: 'My wife is sick and needs your liver.' The monkey said: 'Why didn't you speak earlier? My liver is hanging on a tree, and I did not bring it along. Only after returning to fetch the liver can I follow you.' Thereupon he returned to the tree, leaping and rejoicing. The turtle asked: 'You should fetch the liver and come to my home; why are you instead leaping about?' The monkey replied: 'In the world, none is more foolish than you! We were close friends entrusting our lives to each other, yet you wished to endanger me.' The turtle's wife was Ciñcā; the turtle was Devadatta; the monkey king was myself" (Extracted from the Turtle and Monkey Sūtra).