經律異相 41.15

41.15

In past times, there was a young brāhmaṇa named Saṃjaya. He went to a master archer to learn the art of archery. The master said, "You may learn it." Saṃjaya regularly studied this craft for seven years. Later, he asked the master, "When may I finish?" He replied, "Take your bow and notch an arrow. I will go into the village for a moment; wait until I return before shooting." The master then entered the village. Saṃjaya waited for the master for a long time, but he still had not returned. He shot at a large tree in front of him; the arrow passed through and wounded a serpent. When the master returned, he asked, "Have you not shot the arrow yet?" He replied, "I have already shot it." The master said, "If you had not shot it, you would have been the foremost master in Jambudvīpa. Since you have already shot it, you will only be second after I die." The master then adorned his daughter and gave her to him, along with five hundred arrows and a horse chariot. Saṃjaya received them. They were to cross a wilderness. At that time, there were five hundred bandits eating in the wilderness. Saṃjaya sent his wife to beg for food from the bandits. The bandits said, "Looking at the one who sent her, he is no ordinary man; we ought to give her food." One bandit said, "While we are still alive, are we to allow this man to take his wife, ride in a chariot, and depart?" Saṃjaya shot at him, and he died at a single arrow. As each one stood up, Saṃjaya shot him, and none failed to perish. Only the bandit leader remained. He said to the woman, "Take off your clothes and put them on the ground." She took off her clothes. Seeing him, Saṃjaya shot him again, and he died at the arrow. The five hundred bandits were the five hundred bhikṣus. Saṃjaya was Śāriputra (extracted from the Dharmaguptaka Vinaya, Third Section, Fascicle 9).