經律異相 48.67

48.67

Formerly, in Jambudvīpa, there was a country named Vārāṇasī. There was a man in it who was particularly fond of yellow gold. Through hardship and toil he sought and obtained seven jars of gold, buried them in the earth, and never spent them on clothing or food. He fell ill and died. Because his greed and attachment were so heavy, he was reborn as a poisonous snake. It coiled around the gold jars, dying and being reborn again for tens of thousands of years. Later, it reflected on this and suddenly awakened: 'It is precisely on account of the gold that I have received this evil retribution. I should renounce it, bestow it on the field of merit, and seek a good rebirth.' Then, coming out to the roadside, it saw a brāhmaṇa and said: 'I have a jar of gold, and I entrust you to feed the saṅgha with it. If you will not do this for me, I will kill you.' The brāhmaṇa said: 'I can do it for you.' The snake brought out the gold and gave it to him. [The brāhmaṇa] took it to the saṅghārāma and reported everything to the monks, stating the snake's intention to offer food. The monks consented and gave the gold to the karmadāna. As the day for the karmadāna to prepare and offer the food drew near, the brāhmaṇa took a small basket and went to the snake. Seeing him, the snake rejoiced, and coiled up in the basket. The brāhmaṇa covered it with fine cotton cloth and carried it on his shoulder toward the monastery. When people on the road saw it, many gave wealth to send to his home. On a designated day, holy monks were invited and provided with food and drink. After the gathering, he went before the saṅghārāma, placed [the basket] before the monks, and stood in the aisle. He had the brāhmaṇa walk down the row, and looking with a faithful mind upon those receiving the food, the snake gazed intently without turning away. When the matter was finished, the snake cherished reverence even more and was unsated. After the monks had finished eating, they preached the Dharma for it again. The snake renounced all seven jars of gold, leading the karmadāna to take them to provide offerings. It immediately abandoned its evil form and was born in the Trāyastriṃśa heaven. (Extracted from the fourth fascicle of the Sūtra of the Wise and the Foolish)