法苑珠林 5.92

5.92

The Saṃyukta-āgama sūtra also states: In a previous life, an asura was once a poor man living near a river, who constantly crossed the river carrying firewood. At that time, the river's water was deep and its swirling current swift; this person was repeatedly washed away by the water and barely escaped with his life. At that time, a pratyekabuddha came to his house begging for food; rejoicing, he gave it to him. Having finished eating, [the pratyekabuddha] flew away through the air. The poor man, upon seeing this, made a vow: 'May my future body be so tall and great that all deep waters do not exceed my knees!' Due to this cause and condition, he obtained this extremely gigantic body: the waters of the four great oceans cannot exceed his knees. Standing in the great ocean, his body surpasses Mount Sumeru, and resting his hands on the mountain peak, he looks down upon the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven.