法苑珠林 35.22

35.22

"In this Bhadrakalpa, a Buddha appeared in the world, named Kāśyapa, who led his bhikṣus to wander and teach, arriving at the kingdom of King Kāśi. At that time, the king's prince, named Sujāta, saw the Buddha, the World-Honoured One, and gave rise to deep faith and reverence. He returned to tell the Great King, seeking to enter the path. The king would not grant permission, saying: 'I have only one son, who must succeed to the royal throne and nourish the people; I will never permit you to go forth and enter the path.' At that time, the prince, having heard this, was distressed and emaciated, cutting off grain and not eating for six days. Fearing that his life would not be preserved, [the king] ordered that prince to make a covenant together: 'If you can now chant and recite the tripiṭaka scriptures with complete fluency, I will permit you to go forth, after which you may see me.' At that time, having heard this, the prince's heart was filled with joy, and he immediately went forth, reciting and studying the tripiṭaka until he was completely fluent in all of it. The king was greatly delighted and immediately said to the bhikṣu: 'Whatever wealth and goods are in my storehouses, take and use them as you wish; I will never begrudge them.' Thereupon the prince bhikṣu, having heard this, took the wealth and prepared food of a hundred flavours, inviting the Buddha Kāśyapa and twenty thousand bhikṣus. Having completed the offering, to each and every bhikṣu he presented the three robes and six requisites. By virtue of these merits, he did not fall into evil destinies; among heavenly beings and humans, he always had a kāṣāya wrapped around his body as he was born. Coming down to the present day, he encountered me, and therefore had a kāṣāya, went forth, and attained the path." Having heard this, the bhikṣus rejoiced and upheld it.