法苑珠林 22.30

22.30

Furthermore, the *Fu fazang jing* states: In the past, the venerable arhat Jeyata led his disciples toward the city of Takṣaśilā. Upon arriving at the city, he looked sorrowful and displeased. Advancing a little farther along the road, he saw a crow and smiled with delight. His disciples addressed the master, “We pray that you explain the reason for this.” The venerable one replied, “When I first arrived at the city, under the city gate I saw a child-ghost who said to me in desperate hunger: ‘My mother entered the city to seek food for me. Since parting from my mother, five hundred years have passed. Famished, weakened, and exhausted, my death is not far off. If the venerable one enters the city and sees my mother, tell her of my hardship, and please tell her to come quickly.’ As soon as I entered the city, I saw that mother and told her everything her son had said. The mother ghost replied to me, ‘Since I entered the city, five hundred years have passed, yet I have never been able to obtain even a single person’s spittle. Having recently given birth, my energy and strength are weak; even if I obtain a little spittle, other ghosts snatch it from me. Just now I encountered someone and happened to get a little spittle, which I wish to carry out of the city to share with my son. However, there are many mighty spirits beneath the gate, and out of fear I dare not exit. I only pray that the venerable one escort me out of the city.’ I then led her out, allowing them to share the food together. I then asked the ghost, ‘How long has it been since you were born?’ The ghost answered me, ‘I have seen this city form and disintegrate seven times.’ Hearing the ghost's words, I was saddened by the long duration of suffering in saṃsāra, and was therefore sorrowful. As for that crow: long ago, ninety-one kalpas in the past, a Buddha appeared in the world named Vipaśyin. At that time, I was the son of an elder and wished to leave home. Leaving home at that time guaranteed the attainment of arhatship. My parents would not permit it, and forcibly arranged a marriage for me. After obtaining a wife, I again sought to leave home. My parents said to me, ‘If you produce one son, we will let you go.’ I soon complied with their instruction, and later a boy was born. When he reached six years of age, I wished to leave once more. My parents taught the child to embrace my legs, weeping and crying, ‘If Father abandons me, who will look after and sustain me? You must kill your child first before you may leave!’ When I saw this, affectionate attachment arose, and I said to the child, ‘For your sake, I will not leave home after all.’ Because of that child, from that time onward for ninety-one kalpas I transmigrated through the five destinies, never having been able to see him. Now, viewing with the eye of the Way, I see that this crow was that former child. Pitying his ignorance and long stay in birth-and-death, I smiled. For this reason, if anyone hinders another from leaving home, the karmic retribution for this person is constant dwelling in the evil destinies, enduring extreme pain without liberation. When the retribution in the evil destinies is finished, if born among humans, they will be born blind, having no eyes. Therefore, the wise, upon seeing someone who wishes to leave home, should diligently use expedient means to encourage and assist them to succeed, and not create obstacles.”