法苑珠林 51.18

51.18

又生經云。佛告諸比丘。往古久遠不可計時。於他異土時有四人。以為親厚共止一處。時有獵師。射獵得鹿。欲來入城。各共議言。吾等設計從其獵師當索鹿肉。知誰獲多。俱即發行。一人陳辭。其言麁獷而高自大。咄男子。當惠我肉。欲得食之。第二人曰。唯兄施肉令弟得食。第三人曰。仁者可愛。以肉相與。吾思食之。第四人曰。親厚損肉唯見乞施。吾欲食之。俱共飢渴。時獵師觀察四人言辭。各隨所言以偈報之。先報第一人曰。

Furthermore, the Jātaka-sūtra says: The Buddha told the bhikṣus: In the distant past, immeasurable ages ago, in another land, there were once four men who were intimate friends and lived together in one place. At that time, a hunter shot and killed a deer in the hunt and was about to enter the city. They discussed among themselves, saying: 'Let us devise a plan to beg deer meat from that hunter, to see who gets the most.' All of them set out at once. One man presented his plea; his words were coarse, harsh, haughty, and arrogant: 'Hey, fellow! You should give me some meat; I want to eat it.' The second man said: 'Brother, please bestow some meat so that your younger brother may eat.' The third man said: 'Dear, lovable gentleman, please give some meat; I long to eat it.' The fourth man said: 'Intimate companion, part with some meat and grant it as an alms-gift; I wish to eat it.' All were hungry and thirsty. At that time, the hunter observed the words of the four men and replied to each in verse according to what they had said. First, he replied to the first man, saying: