法苑珠林 64.80

64.80

唐奘法師行傳云。婆羅痆斯國內有列士池。池西有三獸塔。是如來修菩薩行時燒身之處。昔劫初時於此林野。有狐兔猿。異類相悅。時天帝釋欲驗修菩薩行者。降靈應化為一老夫。謂三獸曰。二三子。善安隱乎無驚懼耶。曰涉豐水草游戲茂林。異類同歡。既安且樂。老夫曰。聞二三子情厚意密忘其老弊。故此遠尋。今正飢乏。何以饋食。曰幸少留此。我躬馳訪。於是同心求覓。狐沿水濱銜一鮮鯉。猿於林樹採菓。俱來至止唯兔空還。老夫謂曰。以吾觀之。爾曹未和。猿狐同志各能役心。唯兔空返獨無相饋。以此而言。誠可知也。兔聞譏議。謂猿狐曰。多聚樵薪方有所作。猿狐競馳銜草曳木。既已蘊崇猛焰將熾。兔曰。仁者我身卑劣所求難遂。敢以微躬充此一飡。辭畢入火尋即致死。是時老夫復帝釋身。餘燼收骸傷歎良久。謂狐猿曰。一何至此。吾感其心不泯其迹。寄之月輪傳乎後世。故彼咸言月中之兔。自斯而有。後人於此建塔也。

The Tang-dynasty Account of the Travels of Dharma Master Xuanzang says: Within the country of Vārāṇasī there is the Pool of the Worthies. To the west of the pool is the Stūpa of the Three Beasts. It is the place where the Tathāgata burned his body when practicing the bodhisattva path. In ancient times, at the beginning of the kalpa, in these wild woods there were a fox, a hare, and an ape, beings of different species who lived together in harmony. At that time, Śakra, Lord of the Gods, wished to test those who practice the bodhisattva path. He manifested his spirit and transformed into an old man, saying to the three beasts: “My sons, are you well and at ease? Have you no alarm or fear?” They replied: “We wander through abundant waters and grasses, and disport ourselves in the lush forests. Different species though we are, we rejoice together; we are both peaceful and joyful.” The old man said: “Hearing of your deep affection and intimate devotion, I forgot my old age and decrepitude, and therefore sought you from afar. Now I am famished and exhausted; what will you give me to eat?” They said: “Please stay here for a while; we shall personally race off to seek [food].” Thereupon, with one mind, they searched. The fox, along the water's edge, carried a fresh carp in its mouth. The ape gathered fruit in the forest trees. Both arrived back together, yet only the hare returned empty-handed. The old man said to them: “As I see it, you are not harmonious. The ape and the fox share one aim, each exerting their minds; only the hare returned empty-handed, alone offering nothing. From this, your true nature can indeed be known.” Hearing this reproach, the hare said to the ape and the fox: “Gather much firewood, and then something can be done.” The ape and the fox competed in haste, carrying grass and dragging wood. When it had been piled high, the fierce flames were about to blaze. The hare said: “Kind sir, my body is lowly and mean, and what I sought was hard to obtain. I dare to offer my slight person to supply this single meal.” When he finished speaking, he entered the fire and instantly died. At that moment, the old man resumed the body of Śakra. Gathering the remains from the ashes, he grieved and sighed for a long time. He said to the fox and the ape: “How did it come to this! I am moved by his intention and will not let his trace vanish. I shall lodge him in the orb of the moon to transmit [his deed] to future ages.” Therefore, all say that the hare in the moon has existed since that time. Later generations erected a stūpa at this spot.