[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Taishō Tripiṭaka (Chinese Buddhist canon)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho) › [法苑珠林](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2122) › 1.38 # 法苑珠林 1.38 法苑珠林 1.38 - **Language:** Classical Chinese ### [1.38](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2122.1.38) 又依中阿含經。米長四寸未有莖秆。時有眾生併取日糧。如是相學。乃至併取五日糠米。漸生糠糩。刈已不生遂有枯株。爾時眾生懊惱悲泣。各封田宅糠米以為疆畔。其眾自藏己米盜他田穀。無能決者。議立一平等主。善護人民賞善罰惡。便有刀杖等物考楚殺戮。此是生老病死之原。由有田地致此諍訟。故各共減割以供給之。故選一人形貌尊雅甚有財德。請以為主。於是始有民主之號。田宅舍屋之名。天下豐樂不可具述。奉行十善哀念人民。如父母愛子。人民敬主如子敬父。人壽大久豐樂無極。 > Further, relying on the \*Madhyama-āgama\*, the rice was four inches long and did not yet have stalks. At that time, a sentient being took a day's provision all at once. In this way they copied one another, even taking five days' worth of non-husked rice at once. Gradually, chaff and husk grew, it did not grow back after being harvested, and dry stubble came to be. At that time, sentient beings were distressed and wept, each cordoning off fields and houses and marking boundaries for the non-husked rice. The crowd hid their own rice and stole grain from others' fields, and none could resolve it. They discussed establishing an impartial master who would well protect the populace, rewarding good and punishing evil. Then there came to be cudgels, canes, and the like for interrogation, beating, and slaughter. This was the source of birth, aging, sickness, and death. Because there was land, it led to these disputes and lawsuits, so they all deducted a portion together to provide for him. Therefore, they selected one person whose appearance was noble and refined, possessing great wealth and virtue, and invited him to be the master. Thereupon, the title of 'lord of the people' and the names 'fields, estates, and houses' first began. The abundance and joy under heaven cannot be fully described. He practiced the ten virtues and had compassion for the people, loving them as parents love their children; the people respected their master as children respect their father. The human lifespan was exceedingly long, and abundance and joy were boundless. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) - [Previous: 1.37](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2122.1.37) - [Next: 1.39](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2122.1.39) - [Up: 1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2122.1) ## Translations (1) - [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2122~en-mt.1.38) — English, machine translation ## Linked texts (1) - [釋迦譜](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2040.1.19) — 僧祐, Classical Chinese --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2122.1.38](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2122.1.38) · Pramāṇa