經律異相 37.7

37.7

[Śroṇa Koṭīkarṇa] saw a woman sitting on an ivory couch. Tied to the legs of the couch were two hungry ghosts. This woman recognized Koṭīkarṇa, and inquired after him, saying, "Śramaṇa Koṭīkarṇa, has the journey not worn you out? Are you not thirsty or hungry?" Koṭīkarṇa replied, "Noble lady, give me food!" The woman said, "I shall give it to you, but only do not give it to these two hungry ghosts." The woman then gave him water to wash his hands and gave him food. Wishing to let Koṭīkarṇa understand this cause and condition, the woman stepped slightly outside the hall. At that time, the two hungry ghosts stretched out their hands, saying, "Give me a mouthful! Give me half a mouthful! The hunger in my belly burns like fire!" Koṭīkarṇa, being fond of giving, gave each of them a mouthful. It turned into pus and blood; they swallowed much and vomited it back up, filled with foul stench. The woman said, "I told you not to give it to them. Why did you give it to them?" Koṭīkarṇa said, "Sister, I did not know, and therefore gave it." At that time, another woman came and said, "Noble lady, give me food." The woman said, "Eat what you constantly eat!" After she said these words, there appeared three extraordinary caldrons of boiling water. This woman stripped off her clothes and entered the caldrons; her skin and flesh rotted entirely away, leaving only bones and marrow. A cold wind blew upon her, and she came out of the caldrons restored to life. Putting on her clothes, she ate her own rotten flesh; having eaten, she left. Yet another woman came, saying, "Noble person, give me food." The woman said, "Eat what you constantly eat!" As soon as she said this, the woman transformed into a ewe and ate grass. Koṭīkarṇa said to the woman, "What manner of matters are these?" The woman said, "Do you know the village of King Sāmba in the country of Aśmaka-Avanti?" Koṭīkarṇa said, "I know it." [She said,] "The ghost tied to the leg of the couch beside my head is my husband, the householder so-and-so. The one tied to the leg of the couch beside my feet is my son. There was the Elder Kātyāyana, who frequented my house and received my offerings of clothing, soup, and medicines. These two men became angry with me, saying, 'We toil bitterly to acquire [wealth], yet you take it and give it to others, wearing yourself out in vain.' Because of this stinginess and lack of delight in giving, they fell among the hungry ghosts. Because of their karma of harsh speech, the food given to them turns into pus and blood." Koṭīkarṇa said, "Why did that woman eat her own flesh?" The woman said, "She is my daughter-in-law. When given things to store away, she would either eat them herself or give them to others to eat. When I questioned and searched for them, she replied, 'I did not eat them, nor did I give them to others. If I ate them myself or gave them to others, may I eat my own flesh!' Therefore she eats her own flesh. The second woman was my bondmaid. I employed her to pound and grind [grain]. She would either eat it herself or give it to others. When questioned, she said, 'I did not eat it myself, nor did I give it to others. If I ate it myself or gave it to others, may I become a sheep in a future life and eat grass!' By this cause and condition, she is now a ewe eating grass." Koṭīkarṇa said, "What deeds did you perform?" The woman said, "I had a minor sin, and came to be born herein. I shall not remain long, but will be born in the Cāturmahārājakāyika heaven. Could you briefly go for my sake to the village of King Sāmba, and tell my daughter: 'I have seen your parents, sister-in-law, and maidservant. Only your mother alone enjoys blessing; the others suffer retribution for their sins. Your mother, through me, tells you: Do not do evil deeds, or you will suffer much bitter retribution in future lives. If you do not believe these words of your mother, in such-and-such a place there is a hoard of vast wealth and treasure; take it and make merit for my sake, offering it to the Saṅgha and to Kātyāyana; the remainder may be used for your own livelihood.'" She asked Koṭīkarṇa, "Do you wish to leave?" He replied, "I wish to leave." The woman said, "Close your eyes and sleep." In a moment he reached the village of King Sāmba. The merchants had arrived first, and people had asked them, "Did you see the śramaṇa Koṭīkarṇa?" They replied, "We lost him at sea." The entire town was weeping as if mourning their parents. Koṭīkarṇa heard this [and thought], "If they see me now, they will surely be agitated again; I need not return yet." Gradually he reached the daughter's house. They greeted each other, and he related the mother's words to the daughter. The daughter said, "Oh, man! You are a madman! My parents gave in charity and created blessings; when they died, they were sure to be born in heaven. Why would they be among hungry ghosts?" Koṭīkarṇa then said to the daughter, "Your mother said that in such-and-such a place there is a hoard of vast money and goods, and bade you take it and make offerings." Hearing this, the daughter opened the hoard and obtained vast wealth, whereby she gave rise to faith. According to her mother's instructions, she invited Kātyāyana, and following along, listened to his teaching of the Dharma. Right upon her seat, she attained the pure, stainless Dharma-eye regarding all phenomena and attained fearlessness. [Koṭīkarṇa] bowed to Kātyāyana and said, "Venerable Sir, I take refuge in the Three Jewels and become an upāsaka. I wish to go forth and receive full ordination in the well-conquered Dharma." Kātyāyana said, "Did your parents permit you to go forth?" He replied, "They have not yet permitted it." Kātyāyana said, "In our Dharma, if one's parents do not permit it, one cannot go forth and receive full ordination." Thereupon he returned home and paid homage to his parents. Previously, owing to grief and suffering, they had both lost their sight. Hearing that Koṭīkarṇa had returned safely from the great ocean, their tears flowed from grief and joy, and their eyes regained their sight. After five or six days had passed, he said to his parents, "Permit me to go forth." His parents said, "Originally, we prayed with utmost sincerity to obtain you. When news of your death upon the ocean came, we became blind through grief and sorrow. Now that you have returned, we are overjoyed and our eyes have opened to see. You are now as if reborn. If you heed our words, that will be serving us. How long can our lifespans endure? If you can see our lives to their end without going forth, we shall die without regret." Koṭīkarṇa replied, "Yes." (Extracted from the fourth volume of the fourth recitation of the Daśabhāṇavāra-vinaya.)