經律異相 47.67

47.67

In the past, a man had a black ox. Another ox owner, for the sake of wealth, proclaimed, 'Whose ox has strength superior to mine? If yours wins, I will lose goods to you; if it is not equal, you will lose goods to me.' At that time, the owner of the black ox answered, 'So be it.' Heavy goods were loaded onto a cart, and the ox was harnessed to the left side of the cart. People ridiculed and made fun of it, calling it 'Black Crooked-Horns', and struck it with a stick, urging, 'Pull this cart away!' When the ox heard this, it immediately lost its color and strength, and could not pull the heavy load up the slope. At that time, the owner of the black ox lost a great deal of wealth. Later, the person who had won the goods made another proclamation. Hearing the sound, the black ox immediately said to its owner, 'You may answer, "So be it."' The owner said, 'I cannot. Why? You wretched black ox lost me a great deal of wealth. If we do it again now, you will lose all my goods.' The ox said to the owner, 'Previously, before the crowd, they slighted my appearance; hearing that bad name, I immediately lost my color and strength, and for that reason could not pull the heavy load up the slope. Now I instruct you: do not utter harsh words. When before others, just say to me, "You are a fine, large black ox, born auspicious and good, with horns broad and straight."' The owner accepted the ox's words, and thereupon washed and brushed it, anointed its horns, decorated it with fine flower garlands, harnessed it to the right side of the cart, and spoke gentle and affectionate words: 'Great auspicious black ox, with broad horns and great strength, pull this cart away!' Hearing these gentle and affectionate words, this ox immediately regained its color and strength and pulled the heavy load up the slope. At that time, the owner of the black ox recovered two to three times what he had previously lost. Having gained great wealth, the ox owner was exceedingly joyful in his heart, and immediately spoke a verse: