法苑珠林 56.9

56.9

又出曜經云。昔佛在世時。迦毘羅衛國中有目連同產弟。大富饒財七珍具足。庫藏盈溢。奴婢僕從不可稱計。時目揵連數往弟家而告弟曰。聞卿慳嫉不好布施。佛常說施獲報無數。卿今施者得福無量。弟聞兄教開藏布施。更立新藏欲受其報。未經旬日財寶竭盡。故藏悉空新藏無報。其弟懊惱向兄說曰。前見兄勅施獲大報。不敢違教。諸來求乞竭藏施盡。故藏悉空新藏無報。將無為兄所疑誤耶。兄曰。止止。莫陳此語。勿使外道邪見之人聞此麁言。若使福德當有形者。虛空境界所不容受。吾今權示汝微報。即以神力手接其弟至第六天。見有宮殿七寶合成。香風浴池庫藏盈溢不可稱計。玉女營從數千萬眾。純女無男。即問兄曰。是何宮殿巍巍乃爾。目連告弟。汝自往問。弟即自往問天女曰。是何宮殿七寶合成。巍巍堂堂懸處虛空。誰有福德於中受報。天女報曰。閻浮提內迦毘羅國中。釋迦文佛神足弟子。名曰目連。彼有賢弟大富長者。由好布施後生此處。而與我等作其夫主。弟聞歡喜善心生焉。還至兄所具白其情。目連告曰。夫人布施為有報耶為無報耶。弟懷慚愧向兄懺悔。後至家中轉更修福。命終之後即生天上。受斯果報。

Furthermore, the Udāna-śāstra (Chuyao jing) says: In the past, when the Buddha was in the world, in the kingdom of Kapilavastu there was a uterine brother of Maudgalyāyana who was very wealthy, possessed of the seven treasures, with storehouses overflowing, and slaves and attendants beyond reckoning. At that time, Maudgalyāyana frequently went to his brother's home and told his brother: “I hear that you are stingy and envious, not fond of practicing dāna. The Buddha always teaches that giving obtains countless retributions; if you give now, you will obtain immeasurable merit.” Hearing his elder brother's instruction, the brother opened his storehouses and practiced dāna, and established a new storehouse wanting to receive its retribution. Before ten days had passed, his wealth and treasures were exhausted; the old storehouses were completely empty, and the new storehouse had yielded no retribution. In anguish, the younger brother said to his elder brother: “Previously I saw my elder brother instruct that giving obtains great retribution, so I did not dare disobey your teaching. To all who came begging, I emptied the storehouses and gave completely. The old storehouses are all empty, yet the new storehouse has received no retribution. Could it be that I was misled by my elder brother?” The elder brother said: “Stop, stop! Do not utter such words, lest non-Buddhists of wrong views hear these crude remarks. If meritorious blessings were to have physical form, the realm of empty space could not contain them. I shall now provisionally show you a slight retribution.” With his supernatural power, he took his younger brother by the hand to the Sixth Heaven. There they saw a palace made of the seven treasures, with fragrant winds, bathing pools, and storehouses overflowing beyond measure, and tens of millions of jade maidens attending, pure females with no males. He then asked his elder brother: “What palace is this, so towering and magnificent?” Maudgalyāyana told his brother: “Go ask them yourself.” The younger brother went in person and asked the heavenly maidens: “What palace is this, composed of the seven treasures, towering and grand, suspended in empty space? Who possesses the merit to receive retribution within it?” The heavenly maidens replied: “In Jambudvīpa, in the kingdom of Kapila, there is a disciple of Śākyamuni Buddha of supernatural power named Maudgalyāyana. He has a virtuous younger brother, a great wealthy elder; because he is fond of giving, he will later be born in this place to be our lord and husband.” Hearing this, the younger brother rejoiced, and a good mind arose within him. Returning to his elder brother, he reported the matter in detail. Maudgalyāyana told him: “Does a person's giving have retribution, or does it have no retribution?” Harboring shame, the younger brother repented to his elder brother. Later, returning home, he cultivated merit even more; after his life ended, he was immediately born in the heavens to receive this fruit and retribution.