經律異相 8.42

8.42

The rākṣasa spoke, saying: "Bodhisattva Mahāsattva, you have now heard the complete verse and its meaning; has your wish been fully satisfied? If you truly wish to benefit all sentient beings, now give me your body." At that time, I deeply contemplated this meaning, and afterward, everywhere—whether on rocks, walls, trees, or roads—I wrote down this verse. I then refastened the garments I was wearing, fearing that after death my body would be exposed. I then climbed a tall tree and threw myself down from the tree. Before I reached the ground, various sounds issued forth from empty space, the sounds reaching all the way to Akaniṣṭha. At that time, the rākṣasa restored his form as Śakra, and in midair caught my body and placed it safely on level ground. By this cause and condition, I was able to surpass twelve full kalpas and achieve anuttarasamyaksaṃbodhi before Maitreya. (Extracted from the thirteenth fascicle of the Da niepan jing).