經律異相 44.18

44.18

Once there was a king whose body fell gravely ill, and he did not recover for twelve years. None among all the great physicians was able to cure him. At that time, a small border kingdom was subject to the great king. It had a physician who was skilled at curing illnesses. The king immediately summoned him and ordered him to treat his ailment. Within a short time, [the king] was granted relief. The king then thought to repay this master's kindness, and accordingly dispatched an envoy to proclaim an order to that country: "This physician has cured me; he ought to be amply rewarded. Elephants, horses, carriages, cattle, sheep, fields, residences, maidservants, valets, and adornments should all be bestowed upon him." The king of that small kingdom respectfully received the supreme decree. While the master was at the king's side, no one spoke of this to him. The master then pondered: "I have exerted great effort in curing the king's illness, yet I do not know whether the king will reward me or not." After several more days, the king grew completely well. The master requested permission to depart and wished to return to his native country. The king then granted it, providing him with a single emaciated horse whose riding gear was also worn out. The master laughed heartily and felt deep resentment: "I cured the king's illness and exerted great effort, yet the king does not recognize kindness, nor did he provide for me, letting me leave empty-handed." Along the road he sighed in sorrow, holding it as a lasting grudge. Just as he arrived in his native country, he saw herds of elephants. He asked the elephant driver, "Whose family's elephants are these?" The elephant driver replied, "These are the elephants of Master So-and-so." He again asked the elephant driver, "From where did Master So-and-so obtain these?" The elephant driver replied, "Master So-and-so cured the great king's illness; these were obtained as a reward for his merit." Advancing a little farther, he saw herds of horses, cattle, and sheep. He asked, "Whose family's property is this?" The shepherd replied, "Master So-and-so's." Advancing a little farther, he saw his original residence: high halls and multi-storied pavilions, markedly different from his original house. He asked the gatekeeper, "Whose house is this?" The gatekeeper replied, "This is Master So-and-so's house." He then entered into the inner apartments and saw his wife, her complexion lush and joyous, her body dressed in jeweled garments. Astonished, he asked, "Whose lady is this?" A servant answered, saying, "This is Master So-and-so's lady." From seeing the elephants and horses to entering the house, he now knew all of this had been obtained as a reward for his merit in curing the king's illness. Thereupon, he felt remorseful in hindsight, wishing he had exerted only a little effort in curing the king's illness. (From the fourth fascicle of the Samyuktāvadāna-sūtra.)