經律異相 45.40

45.40

A pratyekabuddha went to an elder's house to beg for food. The wife saw that his appearance was handsome and upright, and said to the pratyekabuddha: "If you comply with my desire, I will make an offering to you." The pratyekabuddha said: "It cannot be done." As the wife's request was not granted according to her wish, she harbored shame and anger, and dismissed him to make him leave. The elder's maidservant disliked the wife's words, thinking: "Why did she propose improper matters to someone?" She took her own portion of food and gave it to the pratyekabuddha. Having eaten, he returned. She went back to her room to sleep and rest, and upon awakening, her dirty, black skin naturally peeled away. Her facial appearance became handsome and upright, far surpassing ordinary humans, like a heavenly jade maiden. The elder was astonished and asked about its origin, and immediately appointed her as his primary wife (from the Za piyu jing, fascicle 1).