法苑珠林 37.46

37.46

The Buddha told the bhikṣu: "You need only say to the jewel: 'My portion of birth in this present life is already exhausted; I have no further need of you.' Speak thus three times, and the jewel will disappear of itself." The bhikṣu followed the instructions, and the jewel ceased to appear. At that time, the bhikṣus asked the Buddha to explain his past karmic causes and conditions. The Buddha told the bhikṣus: "Ninety-one kalpas ago in the distant past, a Buddha appeared in the world named Vipaśyin. After he entered nirvāṇa, the king of that realm named Bandhumat gathered his relics, built a four-jewelled stūpa one yojana high, and made offerings to it. At that time, that king entered the stūpa to pay homage; taking a maṇi jewel, he tied it to the top of a pillar, made a vow, and departed. By virtue of this merit, for ninety-one kalpas he did not fall into the three miserable destinies; among gods and humans a jewel was always upon the crown of his head, and he enjoyed celestial bliss, up until the present when he encountered the Buddha, went forth, and attained the fruit of an arhat." The bhikṣus, having heard this, rejoiced and practiced accordingly.