法苑珠林 22.35

22.35

Furthermore, the Bao'en jing says: In the distant past, immeasurable kalpas ago, a buddha appeared in the world named Yingxian ('Manifested in Accordance'). After that buddha entered extinction, during the Semblance Dharma, there was a meditation-practicing monk dwelling alone in a forest. At that time the monk was constantly troubled by nits and lice, so he made a covenant with them, saying: 'When I sit in meditation, you must remain silent, concealing your bodies and dwelling quietly.' The lice acted according to this rule. Later, at one time, an earthen flea came beside a louse and asked, 'Why is your body and flesh so plump and flourishing?' The louse said, 'The master upon whom I rely constantly cultivates meditation and taught me the proper times for eating. Because I eat according to the rule, my body is fresh and plump.' The flea said, 'I also wish to practice this rule.' The louse said, 'If you can do so, as you please.' At that time, the monk immediately sat in meditation. Thereupon the earthen flea smelled the fragrance of blood and flesh and immediately bit into it. The monk's mind was distressed; he at once took off his robe and burned it with fire. The Buddha said: 'The meditation-practicing monk of that time is now Kāśyapa; the earthen flea of that time is now Devadatta; the louse of that time is my own self. For the sake of gain and sustenance, Devadatta harmed me, right down to the present day when I have become a buddha; also for the sake of gain and sustenance, he caused blood to flow from the Buddha's body and fell alive into hell. Devadatta has constantly harbored an evil mind to harm the Tathāgata; if one were to speak of these matters, an entire kalpa would not exhaust them.'