經律異相 44.8

44.8

In the past, there was a man named Xianzhi who had thrice undertaken the eight precepts and had heard the scriptures recited, which said: 'The deva-eye does not blink, and their mindful recitation is never forgotten.' Yet this Xianzhi was skilled at stealing other people's goods right before their eyes without being noticed. The king of the realm lost a pearl and summoned his ministers to deliberate. A minister answered the king: 'I have heard there is Xianzhi, who is exceedingly capable of theft.' The king ordered him arrested and interrogated, expecting to obtain his confession, but he insisted he had not stolen it. Since the king was virtuous, how could he wrongfully convict someone? He again summoned his ministers to deliberate together. A minister said: 'We should devise an expedient means to make him confess. We should place heavy cangues and fetters upon him, carry him to the marketplace, proclaim his execution, give him wine to make him drunk, and then remove the fetters, carry him up into a hall, and have singing girls make music.' The king instructed the singing girls: 'When Xianzhi wakes and inquires, you may reply: "This is heaven, and I am a heavenly maiden assigned to attend you. Because in your previous life you stole the king's pearl, you were born here."' The king followed this plan. Upon hearing this, Xianzhi silently reflected: 'I heard the scriptures say that the deva-eye does not blink, yet these women all blink. Furthermore, if I stole the pearl, I should enter hell; is this not the king laying a trap for me to make me confess?' He immediately spoke out: 'My attainment of birth in heaven was due to my not stealing the pearl.' The singing girls reported to the king what Xianzhi said. The king laughed loudly: 'The lad definitely did not steal my pearl!' He immediately released him and richly bestowed gold and treasures upon him. In reality, he had indeed stolen the pearl, but by recollecting a single verse, he was pardoned and received a reward (from the *Za piyu jing*).