經律異相 45.6

45.6

Formerly, there was a solitary mother hired to guard fields and orchards. Her master was busy with affairs and sent her meal past mealtime. When the food arrived and she was about to eat, a śramaṇa begged from her. She put her entire portion of food into his bowl, and furthermore offered him a single lotus flower. The man of the Way thereupon manifested supernatural powers. Rejoicing, the mother exclaimed, "A true sage! May I later give birth to a hundred sons like this!" When the mother died, she became the progeny of a brahmacārin. Her spirit gathered at the place where the brahmacārin had urinated; a deer licked the urine and thereupon conceived. When her term was complete, she gave birth to a girl, whom the brahmacārin raised. When she reached the age of ten and more, she kept the dwelling and guarded the sacred fire. Playing with the deer, the girl did not notice that the fire went out. Her father ordered her to seek fire. As the girl walked toward human dwellings, a lotus sprang up with every step. The master of the fire said, "Circumambulate my house three times, and I will give you fire." The girl complied at once, and lotus flowers grew on the dry land, encircling the house threefold. The king of the country heard of this, summoned a physiognomist, and questioned him. The master said, "She is certain to have sage progeny, transmitting transformation endlessly." The king ordered a worthy minister to betroth her and bring her back to the palace. When her pregnancy reached its full months, she gave birth to a hundred eggs. The queens and concubines were all jealous of her. They placed the eggs in a sack, secretly covered its mouth, and cast it into the current of the river. Śakra, king of the gods, descended and sealed the mouth with a stamp. Guarded and escorted by the gods, it drifted with the current and came to rest, held by a post driven into the ground in a downstream country. From a tower, that king saw from afar a sack floating down the river, gleaming and glowing with light as if possessing divine spirit. He took it and examined it, beholding the seal of Śakra. Opening it to find a hundred eggs, he nurtured and kept them warm. When their time was fulfilled and their bodies were formed, they gave birth to a hundred boys. Born with sage wisdom, they were enlightened naturally without instruction, their auspicious marks were rare, and their strength matched a hundred men. The king provided a hundred white elephants to serve the sage progeny. Conquering neighboring countries, there was none that did not surrender. They then attacked the country of their natural father, the king. The king said, "Who is able to repel this enemy?" Their mother said, "Great King, have no fear; I shall subdue them for the King." She at once climbed a watchtower and raised her voice, saying: "Of the greatest rebellions, there are three: First, not keeping distant from evil company, bringing suffering across two lifetimes; second, being born and not recognizing one's parents, thereby rebelling against filial conduct; third, relying on power to kill one's parents, directing poison against the Three Honored Ones. For those who harbor these three rebellions, their evil is without end. Open your mouths! Will you believe what is shown?" The mother then swirled her breasts, and by heavenly decree, the milk shot forth into the mouths of all hundred sons. Moved by her sincere devotion, as they drank the milk, sorrowful feelings arose. All together they said, "This is our mother!" Kowing their heads, they repented their faults. When the mother and her offspring were reunited, there was none who did not weep with sorrow. The two countries lived in harmony, and everyone praised it as good. Beholding the impermanence of the world, the sons took leave of their parents to study the Way, distancing themselves from worldly defilements. Ninety-nine sons all attained pratyekabuddhahood. One son governed the state, and upon his father's demise became king. He granted a general amnesty for all offenses, opened the treasuries to give alms, and the people lacked nothing. He transformed them through the ten wholesome deeds, ruling the country with upright goodness; he erected stupas and monasteries, made offerings to śramaṇas, and recited sūtras to discuss the Way, his mouth free from the four vocal evils. Reared and protected by Śakra, and nurtured by his parents, the one who remained to become king was my very own self; the father was the present King Śuddhodana; and the mother was Śacī (from the second fascicle of the Collection of the Six Pāramitās).