法苑珠林 43.32

43.32

At that time, that bhikṣu thought to himself: "If I subdue this king now, it will guide many; he will uphold the Buddha-Dharma, extensively distribute the Tathāgata's śarīra, bring peace and joy to immeasurable sentient beings, and cause all in this Jambudvīpa to have faith in the Three Jewels." For this reason, he manifested his virtue. Then King Aśoka, hearing what that bhikṣu said, gave rise in himself to great reverence and faith toward the Buddha. He further addressed the bhikṣu, saying, "Before the Buddha entered parinirvāṇa, what prediction did he make?" The bhikṣu answered, saying, "The Buddha predicted regarding the Great King: 'A hundred years after my nirvāṇa, in the city of Pāṭaliputra there will be three hundred million households. In that country there will be a king named Aśoka. He shall rule this Jambudvīpa as a cakravartin, governing with the true Dharma. Furthermore, he will distribute my śarīra and erect eighty-four thousand stūpas across Jambudvīpa.' Such was the Buddha's prediction regarding the Great King. Yet the Great King has now created this great hell, killing and harming countless common people. The king should compassionately care for all sentient beings, bestow fearlessness upon them, and cause them to attain peace." Then King Aśoka gave rise to extreme reverence and faith toward the Buddha. Joining his palms toward the bhikṣu, he made prostrations: "I have committed great offenses and now repent before the bhikṣu. What I have done is utterly improper. I pray you accept my confession and no longer blame this foolish man. Now I take refuge once more." When that bhikṣu had converted King Aśoka, he transformed away through the sky. As the king was walking out of that hell, the cruel one addressed the king, saying, "The king may no longer leave." The king said, "Do you intend to kill me now?" He said, "Yes." The king said, "Who entered here first?" He replied, "I did." The king said, "If so, you should be the first to meet death." The king then ordered his men to take this cruel warden, put him inside a house of pitch, and burn him with fire. He also ordered the demolition of this hell, bestowing fearlessness upon all sentient beings.