法苑珠林 37.16

37.16

At that time, that single coin bounced back and returned to the king's location. When the ministers saw this rare event, with one voice they praised him: 'Oh, how the Venerable One had few desires and was easily contented, not even needing a single coin!' The king made abundant offerings to the Bodhi tree without cessation. His consort, named Tiṣyarakṣitā, thought to herself, 'The king is deeply fond of me, but now he leaves me and his treasures to go among the Bodhi tree. If I find a way to kill the tree and cause it to die, the king will not be able to go there and will be able to enjoy himself with me.' The consort immediately sent someone to pour boiling milk over it; the tree withered and its leaves fell. When the king heard these words, he fainted in grief and collapsed to the ground. Seeing the king sorrowful and unhappy, and wishing to please the king's heart, she said to the king, 'If that tree does not exist, my life is also gone. The Tathāgata attained the Way at that tree; since that tree is gone, what is the use of living?' She again watered it with cold milk, and the tree revived. Hearing this, the king rejoiced and went beneath the tree, unable to take his eyes off it for an instant. With a thousand jars of fragrant water, he irrigated the Bodhi tree, making it twice as magnificent and flourishing in growth. Later, the king purified his body and mind, held an incense burner in his hands within the palace hall, and made obeisance toward the west, contemplating in his mind and saying aloud: 'May the Tathāgata's worthy and noble disciples dwelling in all directions, out of pity for me, accept my offering.' As he spoke these words, three hundred thousand monks all arrived and assembled. Among that great assembly, one hundred thousand were arhats, and two hundred thousand were trainees and ordinary mortals. The boundless merits created by the king together with the palace ladies, crown prince, and ministers cannot be fully recounted.