經律異相 44.20

44.20

In the past, there was a householder (gṛhapati) who erected and prepared a great altar, inviting the Buddha and the saṅgha. At that time, there was a man who sold curds. The host detained him for food, encouraging him to observe the fast (upoṣadha) and listen to the sūtras. It was already dusk when he returned. His wife said to him, "I have not eaten since morning, waiting for you until now." Thus she broke her husband's fast. Yet through the merit of even half a fast, he was still reborn in the heavens for seven lifetimes; and when reborn among humans, he always obtained sustenance spontaneously. One day of observing the fast brings six hundred thousand years of spontaneous provisions. Furthermore, there are five blessings: first, few illnesses; second, peace and ease of body and mind; third, few lustful desires; fourth, little sleep; fifth, after the end of life, the spirit attains rebirth in heaven and always remembers its past lives. (From Essential Matters in Various Sūtras.)