經律異相 35.4

35.4

In the city of Vārāṇasī there was an elder named Agulizi (the son of Aguli). His name was Shetuo (in the language of Liang, "Baocheng"; the Chuyao jing calls him "Ye-shu" [Yaśas]). He was twenty-four years old and was born with lapis lazuli sandals naturally attached to his feet. His parents held him in high esteem and wonder, naming him Shetuo. They built separate residences for him, changing locations according to cold and heat, with female performers entertaining him without ever leaving his side. In the middle of the night, Baocheng suddenly saw that the female performers all looked like corpses: pus and blood were oozing forth, their limbs were severed and broken, and the house and furnishings all resembled graves. The door opened of its own accord; heaven and earth were in utter darkness, with only a small light seen proceeding toward the eastern gate of the city. The gate also opened of its own accord, brightly illuminating the Deer Park. Following the light, he saw the Buddha and gazed upon his major marks and minor signs. His fear ceased, his delusion was resolved, and lifting his voice, he sighed, saying: "Long have I been in the prison of desire, fettered by the shackles of name-and-form. Now approaching the spiritual Venerable One, can I find release or not?" The Buddha said: "Come, youth! You are awake. This place is free of sorrow, and all practices reach their completion." He stepped forward, bowed to the Buddha's feet, and the Buddha preached the Dharma for him, whereupon he attained the stainless Dharma-eye. He immediately rose and addressed the Buddha: "I wish to become a disciple." The Buddha said: "Come, monk (bhikṣu)!" and he thereupon became a śramaṇa. The next morning, the women searched for him in anxiety and confusion everywhere. His master's household was alarmed and terrified, not knowing his whereabouts. The elder sent horsemen out in all four directions to search for him. The father rode in his son's carriage eastward in pursuit. On the road he encountered a river named the Vārāṇasī. Crossing the water, he saw his son's jewelled sandals taken off and left by the shore. He immediately followed the footprints straight toward the Deer Park. By skillful means, the Buddha caused father and son not to see each other. The elder asked the Buddha, saying: "My son Baocheng's footprints lead here. Has Gautama seen him or not?" The Buddha told the elder: "If your son is here, why worry that you will not see him?" The Buddha preached the Dharma for him, and he entered the stage of stream-enterer (srotāpanna). Baocheng's mind gained liberation, and he promptly attained arhatship. When father and son saw each other, affectionate attachment had become slight. The elder addressed the Buddha: "Today my mind is pleased, and my heart has two joys: first, the joy of meeting the Buddha and gaining understanding; second, the joyous delight of parting from craving."