法苑珠林 17.45

17.45

說是偈已遍觀四方。菩薩聞偈心生歡喜。即從坐起以手舉髮。四向顧視不見餘人。唯見羅剎。即便往問。大士何處得是半偈。此半偈義乃是三世諸佛正道。羅剎答言。汝不須問。我不食來已經多日。處處求索了不能得。飢渴苦惱心亂謬語。非我本心之所知也。菩薩復語。若為我說是偈竟。我當終身為汝弟子。羅剎答言。汝智太過。但自憂身都不見念。我今飢逼實不能說。菩薩復語。汝食何食。羅剎答言。我所食者唯人暖肉。其所飲者唯人熱血。菩薩聞已即語羅剎。但能具足說是偈竟。我當以身奉施供養。羅剎答言。誰當信汝。為八字故棄所愛身。菩薩答言。我今有證。梵釋四王諸佛菩薩能為我證。羅剎聞已勅聽許說。菩薩歡喜即脫皮衣為敷法坐。白言。和上願坐此座善為我說。羅剎即說。

Having spoken this verse, he looked all around in the four directions. Hearing the verse, the bodhisattva was filled with joy. He immediately arose from his seat, lifted his hair with his hands, and looked in all four directions, but saw no other person, only the rākṣasa. He then went and asked: ‘Great Being, where did you obtain this half-verse? The meaning of this half-verse is indeed the true path of all Buddhas of the three times.’ The rākṣasa answered, saying: ‘You need not ask. I have not eaten for many days; I have sought everywhere and could find nothing at all. Distressed by hunger and thirst, my mind was confused and spoke erratically; it was not something known from my own mind.’ The bodhisattva spoke again: ‘If you will recite this verse completely for me, I shall be your disciple for the rest of my life.’ The rākṣasa replied: ‘Your wisdom is excessive; you only worry about yourself and do not consider me at all. Pressed by hunger as I am now, I truly cannot speak it.’ The bodhisattva spoke again: ‘What food do you eat?’ The rākṣasa answered: ‘What I eat is only warm human flesh; what I drink is only hot human blood.’ Having heard this, the bodhisattva then said to the rākṣasa: ‘If you can only recite this verse in full, I will offer my body to you as a gift.’ The rākṣasa answered: ‘Who will believe you, that for the sake of eight characters you would cast away your beloved body?’ The bodhisattva answered: ‘I now have witnesses: Brahmā, Śakra, the Four Kings, and all the Buddhas and bodhisattvas can serve as my witnesses.’ Having heard this, the rākṣasa granted his request and agreed to speak. The bodhisattva was delighted, and took off his hide garment to spread a Dharma seat for him, saying: ‘Upādhyāya, please sit on this seat and expound it well for me.’ The rākṣasa then said: