經律異相 27.19

27.19

In the country of Duomei, there was a brāhmaṇa king who renounced his royal revenues and mostly served heterodox ways. One day, the king suddenly gave rise to a wholesome thought, wishing to practice great giving according to the brāhmaṇa method. He accumulated treasures like a mountain, and whenever beggars came, he let them take it themselves, as much as a heavy handful. Thus for several days the heap did not diminish. The Buddha, knowing that this king had past merits and was ripe for deliverance, transformed himself into a brahmacārin and went to that country. The king came out to meet him, bowed, and asked after his welfare, saying, "Whatever you seek, do not hesitate or hold back." The brahmacārin replied, "I have come from afar wishing to beg for precious treasures to make a house." The king said, "Excellent! Take a heavy handful yourself." The brahmacārin took a handful, walked seven steps, and returned it to its original place. The king asked, "Why do you not take it?" The brahmacārin replied, "This is barely enough to make a hut; I will still need to take a wife, and together it will not suffice; therefore I do not take it." The king said, "Take three more handfuls." The brahmacārin took them, walked seven steps, and again returned them to their original place. The king asked the brahmacārin, "Why do you do so again?" He replied, "This is enough to take a wife, but there are still no fields, slaves, cattle, or horses; calculating further, it is still insufficient; therefore I give up the thought." The king said, "Take seven more handfuls." The brahmacārin took them, walked seven steps, and again returned them to their original place. The king said, "What is the reason now?" The brahmacārin replied, "If there are sons and daughters, there will also be marrying and giving in marriage, as well as auspicious and inauspicious expenses; calculating, it is not enough; therefore I do not take it." The king said, "I will give you all the accumulated treasures!" The brahmacārin accepted them and then walked away. The king found this very strange and asked again for the reason. The brahmacārin replied, "Originally I came begging wishing to use it for livelihood. But carefully reflecting, human life in the world lasts but a short while; the ten thousand things are impermanent, hard to preserve from morning to evening; conditions then become heavier and worries and sufferings deeper by the day; accumulating treasures like a mountain brings no benefit to oneself. Through greedy desire and calculating plans, one toils in vain; it is better to quiet the mind and seek the unconditioned path. Therefore I do not take it." The king's mind was opened and awakened, and he wished to uphold the luminous teaching. Thereupon the brahmacārin manifested the luminous marks of a Buddha, leaped into the air, and spoke a verse: