經律異相 37.25

37.25

Formerly, in the state of Vārāṇasī, there was a brāhmaṇa's son named Zhichi. He received the Buddha's prohibitions and precepts without violating them. Much later, Zhichi traveled to another country. When he saw people killing, stealing, or committing sexual misconduct, he lusted after and took pleasure in it; when he saw people's virtues or faults, he discussed and debated them; when he saw people drinking wine, he wished to pursue it. Not for a single moment was he settled. He then thought to himself, "I regret having received the vow of precepts, and I should return them to the Buddha." He immediately went to the Buddha's place and said, "Previously I received the five precepts, which have many prohibitions and restraints, so that I cannot follow my desires. The Buddha's Dharma is revered and profound, not something an ordinary person like me can respectfully practice. May I relinquish them, or not?" The Buddha remained silent and did not respond. Before his words had even ended, there spontaneously appeared ghosts and spirits from his mouth holding iron hammers to strike Zhichi's head. Furthermore, there were ghosts and spirits that stripped off his clothes and hooked his tongue. There was a female ghost of lust who cut off his genitals with a knife, and a ghost that poured molten copper into his mouth. Before, behind, to the left, and to the right, ghosts and spirits all vied to tear him apart, taking his blood and flesh to devour it. Furthermore, a spontaneous fire burned his body. He sought life but could not attain it, and sought death but could not attain it. The ghosts held him tightly so that he could not move. Seeing this, the Buddha asked, "Why are you now speechless, Zhichi?" His mouth was locked shut and he could speak no more; he could only beat his own chest with his hands. With divine power, the Buddha rescued the elder. When the ghost kings saw the Buddha, the Bhagavat, each stood to one side. Zhichi then revived, rose, kowtowed, and stepped forward to address the Buddha, saying, "In my body there were five thieves dragging me into the three evil paths because I wished to commit sins and violated what I had received. May the Buddha pity me! From this day forth, I will mend my past ways and cultivate the future, respectfully receiving the rules of the precepts. I will observe the six fasting days of each month and the three long fasting months of each year, burn incense, scatter flowers, hang variegated banners and canopies, and make offerings to and serve the Three Jewels, never daring to violate them again." The Buddha said, "What you have now spoken is exceedingly good. If you have seen it with your own eyes, you know that one reaps what one sows; sins are not bestowed by Heaven." (Extracted from the third fascicle of the Great Abhiṣeka Sūtra.)