經律異相 47.82

47.82

Formerly, in a certain kingdom, grain prices surged and the people starved. At that time, a śramaṇa entered the city on his alms round (*piṇḍapāta*) and obtained nothing whatsoever. He then came to the gate of a prominent and wealthy elder, where he received some coarse and unpalatable food. Just as he was about to leave the city, he encountered a butcher carrying a pup, taking it home with the intent to kill it. Seeing the śramaṇa, the butcher rejoiced and stepped forward to pay homage. The śramaṇa pronounced a benediction: 'May you have long life and longevity.' Knowing that he had a pup and wished to kill it, he intentionally asked the man, 'What are you carrying?' The man replied, 'I am walking empty-handed.' He asked again, 'I have already seen it; please show it to me. Trade the pup for this food, so that its life may be saved.' The man replied, 'I cannot give it to you.' Thus, up to three times, the monk earnestly entreatd him, but the man was stubborn and unwilling to comply. The monk said again, 'At least show it to me.' The man then brought it out and showed it to the śramaṇa. The śramaṇa took the food and fed the pup, stroking it and making a vow of transference: 'The pup wept tears. [The monk said:] "This is brought about by your past misdeeds, leaving you without autonomy. May your sins be extinguished and blessings arise lifetime after lifetime; may you be freed from the body of a pup, obtain birth as a human, and encounter the Three Jewels."' Having received the food, a wholesome mind arose in the pup. When its life ended, it was immediately reborn into the family of a prominent and great elder. As soon as it was born and fell to the ground, it possessed a mind of loving-kindness. At that time, the śramaṇa came in turn to the gate of this elder on his alms round. The elder's son was then seven years old. Seeing the śramaṇa, he remembered his past conditioning, came forward, bowed down with his head to the śramaṇa's feet, and invited him inside to offer him sustenance. Returning, he spoke to his parents: 'Now I wish to follow this great preceptor (*upādhyāya*) to receive the scriptures and precepts and become his disciple.' The parents loved and valued him, and were unwilling to permit it. The boy wept and refused to eat or drink, saying: 'If you will not allow me to go, I shall die.' The parents then permitted it. He followed the master to study the Path, shaved his hair and beard, put on the three Dharma robes, soon attained samādhi, and was established in non-retrogression, converting all beings and generating the aspiration for the Great Path (from the *Sūtra of Kāśyapa Questioning Ānanda*).