經律異相 47.74

47.74

Formerly, a man had a donkey used for pulling a cart, which traveled several hundred *li* a day. He said to his younger brother, 'Do not let the donkey loose to see other donkeys.' The younger brother found this strange and thought to himself: 'When the wise meet one another, they rejoice. When the flattering meet one another, they too rejoice. When those of the same kind meet one another, there is none who does not rejoice.' The younger brother deliberately released the donkey to let it see [another donkey]. They did not bray at each other, but only sniffed each other and would not eat. Later, when the elder brother harnessed it, it lay down and would not go. The elder brother was greatly enraged, and clipped its hair and ears. Suffering severe pain, the donkey resumed going as before. The donkey said to its master, 'Your brother released me to meet an evil friend. I asked him why he was fat, and he replied, "I carry earth for a potter; when I come upon a bad road, I lie down and will not go. The potter then shoulders the earth on foot and goes on, leaving me by the roadside to feed. I get to eat good grass and, upon returning, get hay and grain—this is why I am fat." He asked me why I was thin, and I replied, "I pull a cart, traveling five hundred *li* a day, and my food and drink are meager and difficult; this is why I am thin." Being thin, I took his advice and was let loose to get fat, but instead I was shaved and shorn, and no longer dare to lie down. I beg you to spare my life.' The master took pity on it and released it, letting it go free (from the *Avadāna-sūtra in Ten Fascicles*, fascicle 8).