經律異相 32.17

32.17

In a past era, the kalpa of pestilence befell the people of Jambudvīpa, and all suffered from disease and distress. At that time, the king of Jambudvīpa was named Mahāsena. He ruled over eighty-four thousand great cities, possessing majesty and sovereignty. From the time his chief consort became pregnant, anyone who was sick was cured simply by the touch of her hand. When the full term was reached, she gave birth to a boy. Immediately upon birth, he spoke, saying, "I can cure diseases." Furthermore, at the time of his birth, the devas, ghosts, and spirits throughout Jambudvīpa all called out together, saying, "The one now born to the king is indeed Human Medicine!" Because this voice was heard everywhere, he was named "Human Medicine." People then brought the sick to show them to this prince. When the sick arrived, whether the prince touched them with his hand or touched them with his body, they were all cured and attained ease and happiness. For a thousand years, Prince Human Medicine cured diseases in this way. Later, he died. When the sick people came and heard that he had already died, they grieved and wept, saying, "Who will deliver us from the suffering and distress of our diseases now?" The sick people asked, "Where was Prince Human Medicine's body cremated?" Having inquired and found the location, they hastened to his cremation site, retrieved his bones, pounded them into powder, and smeared it on their bodies, whereupon all were cured. Even after the bones were exhausted, whoever came to the place where his body had been burned was cured of all disease. Prince Human Medicine was indeed my own former self. (Extracted from the lower fascicle of the Bodhisattvapiṭaka Sūtra.)