法苑珠林 42.67

42.67

The Daśādhyāya-vinaya also states: At that time, in Rājagṛha, there was a householder named Śrīgupta. He was exceedingly wealthy, and was a disciple of non-Buddhist brāhmaṇas. This man always doubted whether the śramaṇa Gautama possessed all-knowledge (sarvajñatā). He went to the Buddha's dwelling and said: "Śramaṇa Gautama, eat at my house tomorrow." Because he was fit to be delivered, the Buddha silently accepted the invitation. The householder then returned home. Between the outer gates, he dug a large fire pit, making it so the fire had neither smoke nor flame, and covered it with sand. He then entered the house, spread an unstrung sitting couch, and mixed poison into the food. In his mind and words, he thought: "If Gautama is an omniscient person, he will know this. If he is not an omniscient person, he will fall into this pit and die of poison." He sent a messenger to tell the Buddha: "The food and drink are prepared." The Buddha said to Ānanda: "Order all the bhikṣus that none may walk ahead of the Buddha." The Buddha then donned his robes, held his bowl, and walked in front, with the bhikṣus following behind into Śrīgupta's house. The Buddha transformed the fire pit into a lotus pond, filled with pure water that was both sweet and cool, with various lotus flowers covering the water. The Buddha and the saṅgha walked across the lotus leaves into the house. Sitting upon the unstrung couch, he caused it to become strung. He told Śrīgupta: "You should remove the doubt in your mind. I am truly an omniscient person." Seeing these two supernatural powers, the householder immediately gave rise to faith and revered the Buddha. Joining his hands, he told the Buddha: "This food is poisoned and unfit for the Buddha to eat." The Buddha said: "Just offer this food; the saṅgha will not fall ill." The Buddha told Ānanda: "Announce in the saṅgha that until the equal offering is proclaimed, no one may eat." At that time, the Buddha pronounced a benediction: "Lust, hatred, and delusion are the poisons of this world. The Buddha has true teachings that eliminate all poisons. By virtue of this true word, the poisons are all dispelled." The food immediately became pure. At that time, the householder served the washing water and poured the food with his own hands. When the saṅgha was fully satisfied, they washed their hands and took their bowls. The householder took a small sitting mat, sat before the Buddha, and listened to the Dharma; right on his seat, he attained the purification of the Dharma-eye. After the Buddha returned, he assembled the saṅgha on account of this matter and said: "From now on, one may not walk ahead of the Buddha, nor ahead of one's upādhyāya, ācārya, or thera. One may not eat until the equal offering has been proclaimed."