經律異相 47.48

47.48

In ancient times, there was an elephant dwelling in seclusion who gave birth to a young one. Not long after it fell to the earth, its mother died. Not far from there was the dwelling place of a ṛṣi who possessed spiritual power, was fully endowed with merit, and harbored great compassion in his heart. Seeing the young elephant from afar, whose mother had died and who was barely able to lift its feet, wandering east and west unable to survive on its own, he immediately helped it back to where he dwelt and fed it with fruits. At that time, the young elephant was gentle, harmonious, virtuous, and good, its merits fine and wonderful, taking delight in righteousness and principle. Having attained peace and security, it had no sorrow or suffering. At that time, it lay down and arose in the same place as the ṛṣi; its body grew ever larger, and its hair became bright and sleek. It then made offerings of water and beverages to the ṛṣi, and only after offering him fine fruits and melons would it eat itself. The ṛṣi took pity on it, observed its virtuous conduct, loved and cared for it like a child, and never grew tired of watching it. Then Śakra, king of the gods, immediately had this thought: 'Now this ṛṣi has set his heart on this young elephant, relying on it and doting on it without end. I should now cause him to feel grief and sorrow through separation.' Śakra then manifested a test, magically transforming the young elephant so that it suddenly lay dead on the ground with blood flowing out. The ṛṣi, seeing the young elephant dead, wept and lamented in sorrow. Other ṛṣis, hearing this, came to admonish and enlighten him, but could not dispel his sorrow. Then Śakra, king of the gods, abode in empty space and spoke a verse for the ṛṣi. Then Śakra, king of the gods, caused the young elephant to revive, and the ṛṣi was overjoyed. The ṛṣi was none other than myself as the preceptor (upādhyāya); the dead young elephant was this disciple; and Śakra, king of the gods, was myself in a past life. (Extracted from the Fo shuo dizi guoming jing.)