經律異相 25.4

25.4

Formerly, there was a king of Jambudvīpa named Kañcanamāla, who governed eighty-four thousand villages. He was compassionate toward all. Grains were abundant and cheap, and everyone obtained peace and joy; yet his mind was not fully satisfied, and he resolved to seek the sublime Dharma to benefit others. He proclaimed to all: 'Whoever possesses the sublime Dharma and will expound it for me shall receive whatever they desire.' There was a brāhmaṇa named Raudrākṣa who said: 'I have the Dharma.' The king welcomed him, paid homage, and said: 'I pray that the great master will proclaim the Dharma so that I may hear it.' Raudrākṣa said: 'Great King, if today you can gouge your own body to light a thousand lamps as an offering, only then will I preach it for you.' The king issued an order throughout Jambudvīpa that seven days hence he would gouge his body to light the lamps. The people came to the king's place filled with sorrow, [saying]: 'Our lives depend on the king as an infant depends on its mother. If the king passes away, whom shall we rely on? Why abandon all for the sake of this single brāhmaṇa?' [The king said:] 'Do not hold back my mind set on supreme enlightenment. For this sake I vow to attain Buddhahood, and when I attain Buddhahood in the future, I will certainly deliver you first.' The people wept, threw themselves to the ground, and lamented. The king then gouged his flesh and laid out the fat and wicks. He said to the great master: 'Have mercy and expound the Dharma, and only then light the lamps, lest my life end before I have had the chance to hear it.' Raudrākṣa said: