經律異相 44.16

44.16

In the past in North India, there was a craftsman who made a wooden woman, peerless in beauty, dressed in garments and adornments no different from ordinary women. She could come and go, serve wine, and look after guests; only she could not speak. At that time in South India there was a painter who was also exceptionally skilled in painting. Hearing of him, the craftsman prepared fine food and drink and invited the painter, having the wooden woman serve wine and carry food from morning until night. The painter did not realise [she was wooden], thinking she was a real woman; lust arose vehemently, and he could not forget her. When evening fell, the wood craftsman went in to sleep and had the painter stay, leaving this wooden woman standing at his side to attend him. He said to his guest: 'I have left this woman behind on purpose so you may spend the night together.' After the host went inside, the wooden woman stood by the lamp. The guest called to her, but the woman did not come; the guest came forward and pulled her, only then realising she was made of wood. Feeling ashamed, he thought: 'The host tricked me; I must repay him.' Thereupon the painter devised an expedient: right upon the wall he painted an image of himself, wearing clothing no different from his own body, with a rope tied around his neck resembling someone who had hung himself, painting the rope passing by his mouth. Having finished, he shut the door and hid himself under the bed. At dawn, the host came out, saw that the door had not opened, and looked inside, only seeing the image of the hanged guest upon the wall. The host was greatly terrified, truly believing he was dead; he broke the door down, entered, and cut the rope with a knife. At that moment the painter came out from under the bed. The wood craftsman was deeply embarrassed, and the painter said: 'You were able to trick me, and I was able to trick you. Guest and host are even; neither owes the other.' Realising the folly and illusion of the world, both abandoned their loved ones and left home to cultivate the Path (from fascicle 4 of the *Za piyu jing*).