經律異相 31.9

31.9

Having heard this, the crown prince was about to throw himself into the fire. At that time, Śakra and King Brahmā each took hold of one of his hands and reproached him, saying: "All kinds of living beings in Jambudvīpa rely on the kindness of the crown prince, none failing to find their proper place. If you now throw yourself into the fire, the realm will lose its father. Why abandon all and perish alone?" The crown prince apologised, saying: "Do not obstruct my unexcelled aspiration for the Way!" He threw his body into the fire pit. Heaven and earth shook violently. The devas in the empty sky simultaneously wailed and wept, their tears falling like heavy rain. At that time, the raging fire pit turned into a lotus pool, and the crown prince sat upon a lotus throne. The devas rained down flowers up to his knees. King Brahmadeva was the present Śuddhodana; the mother was the present Queen Māyā; the crown prince was the present Bhagavat. (From the Sūtra of the Wise and the Foolish, Fascicle One)