經律異相 47.61

47.61

In a past age, there was a distant wilderness where a buffalo king stayed. He roamed about, eating grass and drinking spring water. At that time, when the buffalo king and his retinue gathered and traveled anywhere, he alone went before them. His appearance was handsome and fine, his spiritual majesty imposing, his renown and virtue extraordinary; he was patient, harmonious, and elegant, and his deportment was serene. There was a monkey dwelling by the side of the road. Seeing the buffalo king together with his retinue, he harbored anger and gave rise to jealousy, whereupon he raised dust, tiles, and stones, pelting and throwing them at him in slight, contempt, and insult. The buffalo silently endured it and did not retaliate. Not long after he passed by, another herd with its buffalo king followed behind. When the monkey saw them, he likewise cursed them and raised dust, striking and pelting them. That later herd, seeing the former buffalo king remain silent without contending, imitated him, enduring the insult without harboring resentment. Not long after this retinue had passed, there was a buffalo calf following behind, chasing after the herd of buffaloes. Thereupon the monkey chased it, cursing, insulting, and slighting it. The buffalo calf harbored resentment and was displeased; but seeing its predecessors enduring the insults without resentment, it also followed suit. Not far from the road, amidst a great grove of trees, there was a tree spirit dwelling and wandering within them. He asked the buffalo king, 'Why did you, when seeing this monkey coarsely cursing you, instead endure the insult and remain silent without responding?' The buffalo replied: