經律異相 30.10

30.10

The Buddha was in the country of Śrāvastī. The king of the country and his ministers all took refuge in and revered him. At that time there was a merchant named Baoli, who entered the sea with five hundred merchants to seek jewels. Then the sea god emerged holding a handful of water, and asked Baoli, saying: 'Is the sea water more, or is this handful of water more?' Baoli answered, saying: 'The handful of water is more. Although the sea water is vast, it cannot save a hungry and thirsty person. Although the handful of water is little, it can save a thirsty and exhausted life; the blessings received lifetime after lifetime cannot be estimated.' The sea god was delighted, and immediately took off eight kinds of fragrant necklace ornaments from his body, adorned with the seven jewels, and presented them to Baoli. Baoli returned to his country, and presented these fragrant necklace ornaments to King Prasenajit. The king considered them extremely rare and marvelous. He then lined up all his consorts, intending to give the fragrant necklace ornaments to whoever was the most beautiful. Sixty thousand consorts all adorned themselves and came forth. The king asked: 'Why has Lady Mallikā not come out?' An attendant answered, saying: 'Today is the fifteenth day; she observes the Buddhist fast (upoṣadha), wearing plain clothes and unadorned.' The king said: 'Even when observing a fast nowadays, should she disobey the king's order?' This was repeated three times. Lady Mallikā then came out in plain clothes. Among the crowd, she shone like the sun and the moon, twice as beautiful as usual. The king was filled with awe and increased respect, and asked, saying: 'What virtue do you possess to be so brilliantly distinctive?' The lady addressed the king: 'I reflect that I have little merit, and so received this female form. Emotional defilements accumulate like mountains day and night. Human life is short and fleeting, and I fear falling into the three evil paths. For this reason, on the [appointed] months and days I observe the Buddhist fast, cutting off craving to follow the Way, so as to receive blessings lifetime after lifetime.' Hearing this, the king was delighted, and offered to give her the fragrant necklace ornaments. The lady declined, saying: 'I am now observing the fast and ought not to wear these; you may give them to someone else.' The king said: 'My original intention was to give them to the best. You are now the best; moreover, you observe the religious fast and your aspiration for the Way is exceptionally lofty. For this reason I give them to you. If you do not accept them, where shall I place them?' The lady answered, saying: 'Great King, do not worry. May it please Your Majesty to deign to go together to the Buddha's place, and offer these fragrant necklace ornaments to the Bhagavat, and also receive the holy instructions, which will bring blessings for kalpas upon kalpas.' The king immediately consented. He then ordered his carriage prepared and went to the Buddha's place, and addressed the Buddha, saying: 'These fragrant necklace ornaments from the sea god were presented by Baoli. None of the sixty thousand consorts did not greedily desire them. Lady Mallikā, though offered them, would not take them; she observes the Buddhist fast and her mind has no covetous desires. I reverently offer them to the Buddha, wishing that you deign to accept them. World-Honoured One, the minds maintained by disciples are difficult to equal; does such straightforward faith indeed bring blessings?' Thereupon the Bhagavat accepted the fragrant necklace ornaments for her, and immediately spoke a verse: