法苑珠林 22.27

22.27

又雜寶藏經云。昔盧留城有優陀羡王。聰明解達有大智慧。有一夫人。名曰有相。端正少雙兼有德行。王甚愛敬。時彼國法諸為王者不自撣琴。爾時夫人在於曲室共王歡戲。自恃王寵遣王撣琴自起為舞。初舉手時王素善相。覩見夫人死相已現。計其餘命不過七日。王即捨琴慘然長歎。夫人白王。受王恩寵敢於曲室。求王撣琴。自起為舞。用為歡樂。有何不適捨琴長歎。願王告語。王不肯答。慇懃不已。王以實答。夫人聞之甚懷憂懼。即白王言。我聞石室比丘尼。若能信心出家一日必得生天。我欲出家。願王聽許王愛情重語夫人言。至六日頭當聽汝去。不相免意。遂至六日。王語夫人。汝有善心求欲出家。若得生天必來見我我乃聽去。作是誓已夫人許可。便得出家受八戒齋。即於其日飲石蜜漿腹中絞結。至七日旦即便命終。乘是善緣得生天上。憶本誓故來詣王所。光明熾盛遍照王宮。時王問言。汝為是誰。天即答言。我是王婦有相夫人。王喜白言。願來就坐。天答之言。我今觀王臭穢叵近。但以先誓故來見王。王聞是已心開意解。而自歎言。今彼天者本是我婦。出家一日便得生天。神志高遠而見鄙賤。我今何故而不出家。我曾聞說。天一爪甲直一閻浮提地。我此一國何足可貪。作是語已捨位與子。出家修道得阿羅漢。故智度論偈云。

Furthermore, the *Saṃyuktaratnapiṭaka-sūtra* states that in the past, in the city of Roruka, there was King Udayana, who was intelligent, discerning, and possessed great wisdom. He had a chief consort named Lakṣaṇā, who was peerlessly beautiful and endowed with virtuous conduct; the king loved and respected her greatly. According to the customs of that country at the time, kings did not pluck the lute themselves. On one occasion, the consort was in a secluded chamber making merry with the king. Presuming upon the king's favor, she had the king play the lute while she arose to dance. When she first raised her hands, the king, who had long been skilled in physiognomy, observed that the marks of death had already appeared on the consort, and calculated that the remainder of her life would not exceed seven days. The king immediately put down the lute and sighed deeply with sorrow. The consort addressed the king, “Having received the king's gracious favor, I dared in this secluded chamber to ask the king to play the lute while I arose to dance for our pleasure. What was displeasing that you set aside the lute and sighed deeply? I pray that the king tell me.” The king was unwilling to answer, but she pleaded incessantly, so the king answered truthfully. Hearing this, the consort became exceedingly anxious and fearful. She immediately addressed the king, “I have heard that at the Rock Chamber there is a nun [who teaches that] if one can leave home with faithful mind for even a single day, one will certainly be born in heaven. I wish to leave home; I pray that the king permit it.” Because the king's love was deep, he told the consort, “When the sixth day arrives, I will let you go; I will not refuse your intention.” When the sixth day arrived, the king said to the consort, “You have a good intention to seek to leave home. If you are born in heaven, you must come see me; only then will I let you go.” When this vow was made, the consort assented. She was then able to leave home and receive the eight precepts and the fast. On that very day, she drank rock-sugar syrup and developed intestinal cramps. On the morning of the seventh day, she passed away. Borne by this good condition, she was born in heaven. Remembering her original vow, she came to the king's palace, her brilliant radiance illuminating the entire royal quarters. The king asked, “Who are you?” The heavenly being answered, “I am the king's wife, Consort Lakṣaṇā.” The king was delighted and said, “Please come and take a seat.” The heavenly being answered, “I now perceive that the king is foul and filthy, beyond approach; it is only because of my prior vow that I have come to see the king.” When the king heard this, his mind opened and his thoughts were enlightened. He sighed to himself, “That heavenly being was originally my wife. Leaving home for a single day, she was able to be born in heaven; her spiritual resolve is lofty and far-reaching, while she looks upon me as base and lowly. Why should I not leave home now? I have heard it said that a single heavenly fingernail is worth the entire land of Jambudvīpa. How could this single kingdom of mine be worthy of craving?” Having spoken these words, he abdicated the throne in favor of his son, left home to cultivate the path, and attained arhatship. Therefore, a verse in the *Mahāprajñāpāramitā-śāstra* says: