經律異相 24.4

24.4

When the kalpa was about to form, after the water disaster arose and destroyed up to the Second Dhyāna, the wind disaster blew and congealed, and the world came to be formed. When the merit and life of the devas of Ābhāsvara were exhausted, they were transformed and born as humans, taking joy as their food. Their bodily light illuminated themselves, and they flew with supernatural powers. There was no distinction between male and female, noble and base; hence it was said: "Sentient beings had spontaneous earth-savour, which was like ghee, in colour like fresh butter, and sweeter than honey." Taking it with their hands to taste, they subsequently developed attachment to the flavour. Those who ate much of it became coarse and haggard in appearance; those who ate little of it had lustrous complexions. Thereupon there arose superiority and inferiority, and they mutually disputed right and wrong. The earth-savour then disappeared, and there grew earth-skin, shaped like thin cakes, beautiful in colour, flavour, and fragrance, which they again ate together. Disdaining one another in turn, the earth-skin also disappeared, and there grew earth-fat (both the Ekottarika Āgama and the Loutan jing call it earth-fat). Due to the amount eaten, various evil phenomena arose. The earth grew non-glutinous rice, which all ate together. The forms of male and female arose, up to the establishment of a king (these matters have already appeared in the section on the formation and destruction of the world). The world was prosperous and joyful, and green grass grew on the earth, gradually spreading out like a peacock's tail. There were eighty thousand states; the settlements of the people were close enough to hear one another's roosters crowing. In the world there was no illness, nor extreme heat or extreme cold. Ruling the state in accordance with the Dharma, they practiced the ten wholesome deeds, caring for all just like parents. The human lifespan was long. Later, the king's virtue gradually diminished, and their lifespan gradually decreased to ten thousand years, down to one hundred years today. When the king died, his son succeeded him, named Ratna (Extracted from the Dīrgha Āgama, fascicle 22).