經律異相 25.14

25.14

The king was of great vigor, viewing all sentient beings just as a mother loves her child. There was no buddha in the world. When Śakra Devānām Indra was about to end his life, he thought to himself: 'Where is there an omniscient person?' He asked difficult questions in many places, but was unable to resolve his doubts, and sat in sorrow. A master of skillful transformations named the deva Viśvakarman asked, 'Lord of Devas, why are you sorrowful?' He answered, 'I have sought an omniscient person and could not find one; therefore, I am sorrowful.' Viśvakarman said, 'There is a bodhisattva who practices giving, morality, meditation, and wisdom; before long he will become a buddha.' Śakra asked, 'Who is he?' He answered, 'It is King Śibi of the Uśīnara clan.' Śakra Devānām Indra said to Viśvakarman, 'We shall now test him.' Viśvakarman transformed his body into a dove with red eyes and red feet. Śakra Devānām Indra transformed his body into a hawk, flying swiftly in pursuit of the dove, which came directly under [the king's] armpit, trembling with terror all over, darting its eyes, and gasping for breath. At that time, many people said to one another, 'This king is kind and benevolent; it is fitting for him to protect everything. When a small bird like a dove seeks refuge with him, it is like a person entering a house.' At that time, the hawk perched on a nearby tree and said to King Śibi, 'Return the dove to me; this is my catch.' The king said to the hawk, 'I received it first; it is not yours to take. When I first resolved my mind, I took in all sentient beings, wishing to deliver all of them.' The hawk said, 'The king wishes to deliver all sentient beings; am I not among all? Why do you alone not show pity to me, and instead snatch my food?' The king answered, 'What food do you require? I have made a vow: if any sentient being comes to take refuge in me, I must rescue and protect them. What food you require, I will also give you.' The hawk said, 'I require freshly killed, warm meat.' The king reflected: 'Such a thing is hard to obtain; without killing, there is no way to get it. How could I kill one to give to another?' Having completed his reflection, he said: