法苑珠林 4.69

4.69

As the Lokotpatti-sūtra states: The Buddha told the monks, 'There are five causes and conditions that can obstruct rain, rendering diviners incapable of predicting it, increasing their delusion, so that they predict that the heavens will surely rain and yet it does not rain. What are the five? First, in the sky clouds arise and thunder roars with sounds like gada-gada and gucu-gucu, or lightning flashes forth, or wind blows bringing cold air; such various signs are all marks of rain. The diviners, astrologers, and others all determine that rain will definitely fall at this time. At that time, the asura king Rāhu emerges from his palace, grasps those rainclouds with both hands, and hurls them into the ocean. This is the first cause and condition of rain obstruction; the diviners do not know it, and in the end it does not rain. Second, at times clouds arise in the sky, making sounds like gada and so forth within the clouds, lightning also flashes, and wind blows bringing cold air; then diviners see the signs and determine that the heavens will rain. At that time, the fire element arises with predominant force, and immediately burns up and destroys the rainclouds. This is called the second cause and condition of rain obstruction; the diviners do not know it, and in the end it does not rain. Third, at times clouds arise in the sky, making sounds like gada and so forth within the clouds, lightning also flashes, and wind blows bringing cold air; then diviners, having seen it, predict that the heavens will surely rain. Because the wind element arises with predominant force, it blows the clouds and hurls them into the Kalinga desert, or into various wildernesses, or into the Marena desert lands. This is called the third cause and condition of rain obstruction; the diviners do not know it, and in the end it does not rain. Fourth, there are sentient beings who, due to negligence, defile pure conduct; therefore the heavens do not rain in season. Fifth, because the people of Jambudvīpa act contrary to the Dharma, being stingy, greedy, jealous, and having inverted wrong views, the heavens do not rain.' (These two mechanisms are identical to what was stated previously, and the Dīrgha-āgama is also similar.) By these causes and conditions, diviners are bewildered and their rain predictions are uncertain. The Ekottarika-āgama states: The sun and moon have fourfold veils that prevent them from releasing their illumination. What are the four? First, clouds; second, windblown dust; third, smoke; fourth, asuras. These veil the sun and moon so that they cannot emit illumination. Monks also have four fetters that veil people's minds so that they cannot attain understanding: first, the fetter of desire; second, malice; third, delusion; fourth, gain and offerings. These veil people's minds so that they cannot attain understanding. The Dharmaguptaka-vinaya also has four similes identical to the above: first, sexual desire; second, drinking alcohol; third, handling money and treasures; fourth, wrong livelihood. Having these four phenomena likewise prevents the Buddha's Dharma from being clearly comprehended. Therefore, a verse says: