經律異相 8.38

8.38

Good son, in the distant past before the sun of the Buddha had arisen, at that time I was a brāhmaṇa cultivating the bodhisattva practice. I was able to thoroughly comprehend the sūtras and treatises of non-Buddhists, cultivated quiescent practice, and was endowed with decorous conduct. My mind was pure and could not be corrupted by external desires; I extinguished the fire of anger, and upheld the Dharma of permanence, bliss, self, and purity. Searching everywhere for the Mahāyāna scriptures, I had not yet even heard the name of Vaipulya. Residing in the snowy mountains, I focused my mind in meditation for immeasurable years, practicing difficult and austere deeds. At that time, Śakra Devānām Indra transformed his body into the likeness of a rākṣasa of extremely terrifying form. He descended to the snowy mountains, stood not far from him, and remained there. At that time, the rākṣasa was fearless in mind, valiant and formidable, eloquent in orderly succession, and of a clear and refined voice. He proclaimed half a verse spoken by a past Buddha: