經律異相 31.13

31.13

Formerly, a king of Jambudvīpa was named Zhili. He always protected the Buddha Dharma and had deep sincerity. A monk was related to the king, and was respected by the king and cherished by the people of the country. The king wished to see him without ever tiring. A great, virulent ulcer grew on the monk's thigh, which the physicians and medicines in the kingdom could not cure. The king and his twenty thousand consorts all grieved for him. At that time, while the king was asleep and dreaming, a heavenly being came and said to the king: "If you wish to cure this monk, you must have the flesh and blood of a living person; if he consumes it, he will be cured at once." The king awoke and was unhappy, thinking that since this monk was so severely ill, he required such medicine. He issued an order inquiring of his ministers: "Where can the flesh and blood of a living person be obtained?" At that time, the king's crown prince, named Zhizhi, addressed the king: "May the king not sorrow. The flesh and blood of a person are the basest of things; what worldly people value does not contradict the Way." The king said: "Excellent." The crown prince remained silent. Returning to his fasting chamber, he took a knife, sliced his thigh to take the flesh and blood, and delivered them to the monk. The monk consumed them, whereupon the ulcer was cured immediately and his body was restored to ease. When the king heard that the monk had already been cured, he was so joyful and delighted that he could not contain himself. The crown prince healed naturally. The wealth and treasures of the whole kingdom were bestowed upon the crown prince. The one with a sincere mind at that time was Dīpaṅkara Buddha; King Zhili was Maitreya; and Crown Prince Zhizhi was my own person. (From the Sūtra on the Samādhi of the Bodhisattva Candraprabha)