法苑珠林 17.45

17.45

Having spoken this verse, he looked all around in the four directions. Hearing the verse, the bodhisattva was filled with joy. He immediately arose from his seat, lifted his hair with his hands, and looked in all four directions, but saw no other person, only the rākṣasa. He then went and asked: ‘Great Being, where did you obtain this half-verse? The meaning of this half-verse is indeed the true path of all Buddhas of the three times.’ The rākṣasa answered, saying: ‘You need not ask. I have not eaten for many days; I have sought everywhere and could find nothing at all. Distressed by hunger and thirst, my mind was confused and spoke erratically; it was not something known from my own mind.’ The bodhisattva spoke again: ‘If you will recite this verse completely for me, I shall be your disciple for the rest of my life.’ The rākṣasa replied: ‘Your wisdom is excessive; you only worry about yourself and do not consider me at all. Pressed by hunger as I am now, I truly cannot speak it.’ The bodhisattva spoke again: ‘What food do you eat?’ The rākṣasa answered: ‘What I eat is only warm human flesh; what I drink is only hot human blood.’ Having heard this, the bodhisattva then said to the rākṣasa: ‘If you can only recite this verse in full, I will offer my body to you as a gift.’ The rākṣasa answered: ‘Who will believe you, that for the sake of eight characters you would cast away your beloved body?’ The bodhisattva answered: ‘I now have witnesses: Brahmā, Śakra, the Four Kings, and all the Buddhas and bodhisattvas can serve as my witnesses.’ Having heard this, the rākṣasa granted his request and agreed to speak. The bodhisattva was delighted, and took off his hide garment to spread a Dharma seat for him, saying: ‘Upādhyāya, please sit on this seat and expound it well for me.’ The rākṣasa then said: