法苑珠林 36.19

36.19

Furthermore, the Avadānaśataka states: The Buddha was in the country of Śrāvastī, at the Jetavana, the park of Anāthapiṇḍada. At that time, the World-Honoured One, leading the monks, put on their robes, took their bowls, and went to beg for food, entering an alley. There was a woman holding a small boy, sitting on the ground in the alley. When that small boy happened to see the World-Honoured One, he felt joyful in his heart and asked his mother for flowers. His mother immediately bought them for him. Having received them, the boy took them to the Buddha's place and scattered them over the Buddha. In the empty sky, they transformed into a flower canopy that followed the Buddha as he walked and stood. When the boy saw this, he rejoiced greatly and made a great vow: 'By the merit of these roots of goodness from this offering, may I in a future life attain true awakening and ferry sentient beings across, no different from the Buddha!' At that time, when the World-Honoured One saw this small boy make this vow, the Buddha smiled, and from his mouth issued light of five colours, which circled the Buddha three times and entered back into the crown of his head. At that time, Ānanda came forward and addressed the Buddha, saying: 'The Tathāgata is dignified and does not smile without cause. For what reason do you smile today? May the World-Honoured One please explain and expound it.' The Buddha told Ānanda: 'Did you see this small boy scatter flowers over me? In a future life, he will not fall into evil destinies, and he will constantly experience pleasure among devas and humans. Passing through thirteen asaṃkhyeyas, he will become a pratyekabuddha named Blossoming Flower (Huāsheng), widely ferrying across immeasurable sentient beings. It was for this reason that I smiled.' At that time, having heard what the Buddha said, the monks rejoiced and put it into practice.