法苑珠林 46.62

46.62

Furthermore, the Mahīśāsaka Vinaya says: The Buddha told the bhikṣus: 'In a past age, by the bank of the Ganges River, there was an ascetic (ṛṣi) who lived in a stone cave. At that time, a dragon king came out of the water every day, coiled around the ascetic seven times with his body, extended his head above, and looked down respectfully at the ascetic. When the ascetic was out wandering and his disciple guarded the cave, the dragon also came daily to show reverence as before. The disciple was terrified and became extremely emaciated. At that time, when I was practicing the bodhisattva path, I was wandering along the bank of the Ganges River and saw this situation. I intentionally asked his purpose, and he answered in full like this. I further asked: "Do you now wish not to see the dragon again?" He answered: "Yes." I asked again: "What object do you see beneath the dragon's throat?" He answered: "There is a maṇi jewel." I further said to him: "When the dragon comes, join your palms toward the dragon and say: 'I now need the maṇi jewel beneath your throat; please bestow it upon me.'" At that time, having heard my words, when the dragon came out of the water, the ascetic's disciple asked him for it. Hearing the request for the jewel, the dragon neither advanced nor retreated, but remained silent. Then the ascetic's disciple further spoke a verse for the dragon king, saying: