經律異相 6.32

6.32

A stūpa of the seven treasures welled up from the earth. The Buddha arose from his seat and paid homage to the stūpa. At that time, the deity of the Bodhi Tree at the bodhimaṇḍa asked: 'The Tathāgata is most supreme and most revered; for what reason do you pay homage to this stūpa?' The Buddha answered: 'Formerly, when I practiced the bodhisattva path, my whole-body relics were placed within this stūpa. Because of this body, I quickly attained the Buddha way.' He instructed Ānanda to open the stūpa, take out the relics, and show them to this great assembly. Ānanda unlocked the stūpa and opened the casket of seven treasures; the relics were red and white. The Buddha said: 'These were cultivated and perfumed by morality, meditation, and wisdom; exceedingly difficult to obtain, they are the supreme field of merit.' The great assembly rejoiced, and reverently bowed their heads in homage. (Extracted from the Golden Light Sūtra, fascicle 4)