經律異相 41.27

41.27

The Buddha was wandering in a city of brāhmaṇas. The brāhmaṇa kings knew that the Tathāgata's divine virtue could move the hearts of the multitude, [and thought:] "Once they are transformed by him, who will accept our words?" Therefore, they made a rule together: "Whoever offers food to the Buddha or listens to his words shall be fined five hundred gold coins." When the Buddha entered the city to beg for food, everyone shut their doors and he came out with an empty bowl. There was a maidservant carrying a broken earthen vessel filled with foul-smelling washings, going out the gate to throw it away. Seeing the Buddha's empty bowl, she gave rise to pure faith; she wished to make an offering, but had no means to fulfill her wish. She said, "If you need this poor food, you may take it." Knowing her intention, the Buddha accepted her offering and said: "Because this woman gave food, for fifteen kalpas in heaven and in the human realm she will receive bliss and happiness without falling into evil destinies; later, she will obtain a male body, leave the household life to learn the Path, and become a pratyekabuddha." Beside him was a brāhmaṇa who spoke a verse accusing the Buddha of telling lies for the sake of food: "For such foul food, how could the reward be so great?" The Buddha then stuck out his tongue, covering his face up to the hairline, and said to the brāhmaṇa: "In your scriptures, have you ever seen anyone with such a tongue who speaks lies?" The brāhmaṇa said: "One with such a tongue certainly does not lie. It is only that I do not understand how a small gift can reap a great reward." The Buddha said, "Have you ever seen a nyagrodha tree whose shade covers five hundred carts of merchants without leaving any out?" He replied, "I have." The Buddha asked again, "How large is the seed of that tree?" He replied, "Like a third of a mustard seed." The Buddha asked, "Who would believe this?" He replied, "It is seen with one's own eyes." The Buddha said, "I am also like this: this old woman will receive a great reward because the Tathāgata's field of merit is fertile and excellent." At that time, the brāhmaṇa's mind was opened and freed; he prostrated with five limbs to the ground, repenting before the Buddha. The Buddha preached the Dharma to him, and he attained the fruit of the first path. He then raised a great voice and told the multitude: "The gate of ambrosia is open; why do you not come out?" The brāhmaṇas then begged to pay the gold coins, welcomed the Buddha, and made offerings to him. The brāhmaṇa king, along with his ministers and subjects, also took refuge in the Buddha's Dharma. The men and women in the city all attained pure faith. (From the fifth fascicle of the Lalitavistara.)