法苑珠林 53.39

53.39

Furthermore, the *Chuchu jing* says: The Buddha said: "In the past, the bhikṣu Cūḍapanthaka studied for twenty-four years and grasped only five words, yet he understood defilement and had no grief. Why? Due to his past lives, he had seen five hundred Buddhas and was fully conversant with all the scriptures. But because he kept the scriptural teachings secret and refused to teach others, he later fell ill for twenty-four days; only when facing death did he repent and call for someone to teach them. Having this one meritorious deed, he therefore came to know five words. How much more so if one fully teaches others: the merit obtained is beyond measure!"