法苑珠林 19.33

19.33

Furthermore, the Aśokāvadāna states: In the past, King Aśoka saw a seven-year-old śrāmaṇera, took him to a secluded place, and venerated him. He said to the śrāmaṇera, 'Do not tell others that I venerated you.' At that time, there was a washing vase before the śrāmaṇera; the śrāmaṇera immediately entered into it, and then came out again from within the washing vase, saying to him, 'Take care, O King, not to tell others that the śrāmaṇera entered into the washing vase and came out again.' The king immediately said to the śrāmaṇera, 'I shall openly tell people now; it can no longer be concealed.' Therefore, the various sūtras all state: Although a śrāmaṇera is young, he must not be disparaged; although a prince is young, he must not be disparaged; although a young dragon is small, it must not be disparaged. Although a śrāmaṇera is young, he can deliver people; although a prince is young, he can kill people; although a young dragon is small, it can raise clouds; and because it raises clouds, it brings rain, thunder, and lightning bolts. Considering what is small about them, they must not be disparaged.