法苑珠林 34.32

34.32

Furthermore, the Xianyu jing says: In the country of Vārāṇasī, there was a householder whose name was Gupti. This man had a son named Upagupta. Later, as he grew older, the family became impoverished and distressed, so his father entrusted him with goods to reside in the marketplace and trade. There was an arhat named Saṇavāsa who came to his side, expounded the Dharma for him, and instructed him to tie his mindfulness using white and black pebbles as counting tallies: for a good thought, lay down a white one; for an evil thought, lay down a black one. Upagupta received his instruction, casting a pebble at every good or evil thought. At first, the black pebbles were overwhelmingly numerous and the white ones were few. Gradually cultivating, the white and black became equal. Tying his mindfulness without ceasing, there were no longer any black stones, but purely white ones. When good thoughts flourished, he attained the first fruit [of the path].