法苑珠林 19.33

19.33

又阿育王經云。昔阿恕伽王。見一七歲沙彌將至屏處而為作禮。語沙彌言。莫向人道我禮汝。時沙彌前有一澡瓶。沙彌即入其中。從澡瓶中復還來出而語言。王慎莫向人道沙彌入澡瓶中復還來出。王即語沙彌言。我當現向人說不復得隱。是以諸經皆云。沙彌雖小亦不可輕。王子雖小亦不可輕。龍子雖小亦不可輕。沙彌雖小能度人。王子雖小能殺人。龍子雖小能興雲。由興雲故致雨雷電霹靂。感其所小而不可輕也。

Furthermore, the Aśokāvadāna states: In the past, King Aśoka saw a seven-year-old śrāmaṇera, took him to a secluded place, and venerated him. He said to the śrāmaṇera, 'Do not tell others that I venerated you.' At that time, there was a washing vase before the śrāmaṇera; the śrāmaṇera immediately entered into it, and then came out again from within the washing vase, saying to him, 'Take care, O King, not to tell others that the śrāmaṇera entered into the washing vase and came out again.' The king immediately said to the śrāmaṇera, 'I shall openly tell people now; it can no longer be concealed.' Therefore, the various sūtras all state: Although a śrāmaṇera is young, he must not be disparaged; although a prince is young, he must not be disparaged; although a young dragon is small, it must not be disparaged. Although a śrāmaṇera is young, he can deliver people; although a prince is young, he can kill people; although a young dragon is small, it can raise clouds; and because it raises clouds, it brings rain, thunder, and lightning bolts. Considering what is small about them, they must not be disparaged.