經律異相 43.4

43.4

In the past, there was a merchant named Poli, who went to sea with five hundred men in search of jewels. At that time, a sea deity emerged holding a handful of water, and asked Poli, 'Is the water of the ocean more, or is this handful of water more?' Poli replied, 'The handful of water is more. Why is that? Although the sea water is abundant, it has no utility when needed and cannot save those who are hungry and thirsty. Although a handful of water is little, if one encounters a thirsty person and gives it to him to sustain his life, the blessings received through generation after generation cannot be reckoned.' The sea deity was delighted, praised him, saying, 'Excellent!' and immediately took off eight kinds of fragrant necklaces adorned with the seven jewels from his own body and gave them to Poli. The sea deity escorted him, and he returned safely to the kingdom of Śrāvastī. He brought this fragrant necklace and presented it to King Prasenajit, relating the full account of its provenance and hoping the king would accept it. The king found the fragrant necklace marvelously rare, and thereupon summoned his queens to line up before him, intending to give the fragrant necklace to whichever was the most beautiful. All sixty thousand queens fully adorned themselves and came forth. The king asked, 'Why has Queen Mallikā not come out?' An attendant answered, 'Today is the fifteenth day; she is observing the Buddhist uposatha and wearing plain clothes without adornment, and therefore has not come out.' The king grew angry and sent someone to summon her, saying, 'Even if she is observing the uposatha today, she should not disobey the king’s command!' This happened three times. Queen Mallikā came forth in plain clothes. Among the crowd, she shone like the sun and moon, twice as beautiful as usual. The king's mind was awestruck with increased reverence, and he asked, 'What virtue and power do you have that makes you so brightly distinguished?' The queen said to the king, 'I reflected that I have little merit: I received this female body, whose disposition is defiled, and defilements accumulate like mountains day and night. Human life is short, and I fear falling into the three evil paths. Therefore, month after month, I uphold the Buddhist uposatha, severing attachments to follow the Way, so that I may receive blessings life after life.' The king was delighted upon hearing this and offered the fragrant necklace to her. Queen Mallikā replied, 'I am observing the uposatha today and should not wear this; you may give it to someone else.' The king said, 'My original intention was to give it to the finest. You are now the finest, and moreover, your upholding of the Dharma uposatha and your resolve for the Way are exceptionally noble. Therefore, I give it to you. If you do not accept it, where shall I place it?' The queen replied, 'Great King, do not worry. I pray that Your Majesty deign to accompany me to the Buddha's presence, to offer this fragrant necklace to the Bhagavat and to receive his holy teachings. This will indeed bring blessings for countless kalpas.' The king agreed at once. He ordered the carriage prepared and went to the Buddha's presence. Bowing his head to the ground, he stepped back and took his seat. He said to the Buddha, 'This fragrant necklace of the sea deity was presented by Poli. Among the sixty thousand queens, none failed to covet it; Queen Mallikā, however, would not take it when offered. Because she observes the Buddhist uposatha, her mind has no greed or desire. I respectfully present it to the Buddha, hoping you will deign to accept it. World-Honoured One, it is hard to restrain the mind; for her to be upright and faithful like this—could there be merit in it? We only pray that the World-Honoured One will accept the fragrant necklace on our behalf.' The Buddha spoke this verse: