經律異相 47.80

47.80

When the Buddha was in Śrāvastī, in a past age there was a dog that left its own home and went to another household to beg for food. When entering the other household, its body was inside the gate while its tail remained outside. At that time, the master, a householder, beat it and did not give it food. The dog went to the assembly of officials and said, 'This householder—I went to his home to beg for food, but instead of giving me food, he beat me. I did not violate the rules of dogs.' The officials asked, 'What are the rules of dogs?' It replied, 'At my own home, I sit and lie down as I please. When I go to another home, my body enters inside the gate while my tail remains outside the gate.' The officials said, 'Summon the householder.' They questioned him: 'Did you indeed beat the dog and not give it food?' He answered, 'It is truly so.' The officials asked the dog, 'How should this man be punished?' The dog said, 'Bestow upon him the office of the great householder of this city of Śrāvastī.' 'Why?' it was asked. It replied, 'In the past, I was a great householder in this city of Śrāvastī. Because of evil deeds committed by body and speech, I received this dog body. This man is more wicked than I. If you grant him power and authority, he will commit great evil and cause himself to enter hell, experiencing extreme suffering and torment' (from the *Sarvāstivāda-vinaya*, Third Recitation, fascicle 1).