法苑珠林 45.13

45.13

Furthermore, the Kalpanāmaṇḍitikā says: The Buddha said, "I once heard that in the past there was a Qiang old mother who went into the forest to gather leaves of the palāśa tree to sell them to support herself. Her path passed through a customs barrier, and the customs guard demanded a toll from her. At that time, the old mother did not wish to pay the toll and said to him, 'If you can bring me before the king, you may obtain the toll; if not, I will never give it to you.' Thereupon the customs guards, disputing and clamoring together, went before the king. The king asked the old mother, 'Why do you now refuse to pay the border toll?' The old mother addressed the king, 'Does the King know such-and-such a bhikṣu?' The king said, 'I know him; he is a great arhat.' She further asked, 'Does the King also know the second bhikṣu?' The king said, 'I know him; he too is an arhat.' She further asked, 'Does the King also know the third bhikṣu?' The king replied, 'I know him; he too is an arhat.' Raising her voice, the old mother addressed the king, 'These three arhats are all my sons. When these sons receive the King's offerings, they enable the Great King to receive immeasurable merit. This is what constitutes giving toll-goods to the King; how could you further wish to levy and seize from me?' When the king heard this, he praised it as unprecedented: 'Splendid, old mother, that you could give birth to holy sons! I truly did not know that those arhats were your sons. I should increase offerings and reverence toward you, old mother.' He then spoke a gāthā: