法苑珠林 19.37

19.37

Furthermore, the Saṃyuktaratnapiṭaka-sūtra states: The king of the Yuezhi kingdom was named Candana Kaniṣka. Having heard that in the kingdom of Kaśmīra there was a venerable arhat named Jñāta who possessed great renown, he wished to meet him. Thereupon, accompanied by his ministers, he set out for that kingdom. Midway on the journey, a thought secretly arose in his heart: 'I am now a king, ruling over all the people beneath heaven, none of whom do not revere and submit to me. Unless he is truly virtuous, how could he be worthy of my offerings?' Having thought this, he then proceeded forward. Someone in that kingdom reported to the venerable one, 'The Yuezhi king and his ministers have come from afar to meet you. We pray only that you will adjust your robes and receive him.' The venerable one replied, 'I have heard the Buddha's words: the path of the renunciant is exalted beyond the secular realm; virtue alone is one's duty. How could I go out to receive him on account of mere clothing?' He then remained silent, sitting upright without going out. Thereupon, the Yuezhi king arrived at his dwelling place. Seeing the venerable Jñāta and beholding his majestic virtue, his reverence and faith doubled. He stepped forward, bowed his head, and stood to one side. At that time, the venerable one wished to spit. Without realizing it, the king of the Yuezhi stepped forward to hand him a spittoon. Then the venerable one said to the king: 'This poor monk is currently not worthy to be a puṇyakṣetra for Your Majesty. Why has Your Majesty personally lowered your divine carriage?' At that time, the Yuezhi king felt profound shame: 'He already knew the subtle thought that secretly arose in my mind earlier. If he were not of divine virtue, how could he do so?' The venerable one then briefly explained the Dharma to the king: 'The way the king came was good; your departing will be like your coming.' Having heard the teaching, the king then returned to his country. When they were midway on the road, the ministers complained: 'We followed the Great King from afar to that country, yet in the end heard nothing, only to return to our kingdom in vain.' The king then told them: 'Earlier, the venerable one spoke the Dharma for me, saying, "The way you came was good; your departing will be like your coming." Do you not understand this? Because in the past I maintained the precepts, practiced dāna, and cultivated merit to plant the seed of kingship, I now enjoy this position. If I cultivate and accumulate goodness again, in future lives I will surely receive blessings anew. Therefore he admonished me, saying: "The way the king came was good; your departing will be like your coming."' Having heard this, the ministers bowed their heads and apologized: 'We, your inferior and foolish subjects, secretly gave rise to mistaken interpretations. The Great King's divine virtue subtly tallies with the profound purport; by planting accumulated virtue, you therefore enjoy this position.' The ministers rejoiced, spoke thus, and withdrew.