經律異相 44.6

44.6

Anāthapiṇḍada dwelt at the foot of Mount Erlian. He possessed great wealth and rare treasures; merchants coming from the four quarters borrowed on credit from him, and of those who begged, none departed empty-handed. At that time there were five hundred merchants whose ship was wrecked at sea, and all their rare treasures sank. Not a few died, while some survived by clinging to planks. They all went to Anāthapiṇḍada, and the host set out food for them. As the host drew water from his well, he retrieved treasure boxes, each marked with an inscription of a surname and personal name. When the merchants finished eating, they were all sorrowful. The host asked the reason, and they answered: 'Our party of five hundred travelled together upon the sea, where our ship overturned and sank. Many died, and we barely survived by clutching small planks. Having lost our rare treasures, we grieve for our companions. Just now we caught sight of the treasure boxes retrieved from the well; they all belong to us, though we do not understand how this can be.' The host said: 'When you gentlemen engage in trade and commerce, if you are sincere of heart, you will not lose anything; it was only because you were not sincere of heart that you lost them. Since countless kalpas ago, I have never failed to be sincere of heart and have never cheated or wronged others. All lost treasures therefore make their way to my well. Gentlemen, each of you inspect your surname and personal name, and take them away' (from the *Piyu jing*).