法苑珠林 41.63

41.63

Having heard this verse, the brāhmaṇa thought with shame, 'The Great Sage completely knows my mind.' He took his bowl, went into the house, filled it with fine food, and offered it to the Buddha. The Buddha did not accept it, saying, 'I do not eat food obtained by reciting verses.' The brāhmaṇa said, 'To whom should this food be given?' The Buddha said, 'I see no one among gods or humans who can digest this food. Take it and place it on a patch of ground with little grass, or into water without living creatures.' He followed the Buddha's teaching and placed the food into water without living creatures. The water immediately boiled violently, and smoke and flames erupted together, just as if a large piece of red-hot iron had been cast in. Seeing this, the brāhmaṇa was terrified and said, 'This is unprecedented! Even within the food, there is such divine power!' He bowed to the Buddha, confessed, and requested to leave the household life and receive the precepts. Gradually, he severed his fetters and attained the path of an arhat. Furthermore, Mahāprajāpatī Gautamī once offered a golden-hued, two-piece precious robe to the Buddha, but the Buddha urged her to offer it to the Saṅgha, saying that they were able to digest and receive it. Hence, we know that there is neither more nor less merit between the Buddha Jewel and the Saṅgha Jewel. Therefore, a verse says: