經律異相 48.96

48.96

In the remote past, after the parinirvāṇa of the Tathāgata Yingxian, during the Semblance Dharma, there was a meditating monk living alone in a forest who was constantly troubled by nits and lice. He then made an agreement with [a louse]: "When I am meditating, you should remain quiet, keeping your body hidden and dwelling still." The louse complied fully with the rule. At a later time, a flea came to the louse and asked, "Why is your body so plump and flourishing now?" The louse said, "The host on whom I rely constantly cultivates meditation; he taught me the proper times for eating and drinking. Because I act according to the rule, I am fresh and plump." The flea said, "I too wish to train in that practice." The louse said, "As you please." But when the flea smelled the scent of flesh and blood, it immediately bit and ate. The monk was tormented, so he promptly took off his robes and burned them with fire. The meditating monk was Kāśyapa Buddha; the flea was Devadatta; and the louse was myself. (Extracted from the fourth fascicle of the *Sūtra on Requiting Kindness*.)