法苑珠林 56.38

56.38

As stated in the *Sūtra of the Elder's Son Bianyi*: Thereupon, the elder's son Bianyi bowed to the Buddha, joined his palms, and addressed the Buddha: "I pray only that the World-Honoured One, passing through the hamlet of the poor, together with the great assembly, will deign to come to my house tomorrow for a meal." At that time, the World-Honoured One gave his silent assent. The elder's sons bowed to the Buddha and departed. Arriving home, they prepared the food. The next day, the World-Honoured One and the great assembly went to the place and solemnly took their seats. Bianyi addressed his parents and relatives, who came forward, bowed at the Buddha's feet, and each offered service. Bianyi arose, poured water for washing, and with respectful mind offered the food. Before the serving of food was finished, there was a beggar who went before the rows of seats to beg. Because the Buddha had not yet offered the blessing, no one dared to give to him. Having obtained nothing anywhere, he departed in anger and gave rise to an evil thought: "These śramaṇas are indolent, foolish, and deluded; what Path do they have? When a poor person begs from them, they have no intention of giving. The elder is foolish and deluded to feed them with this; they have no mind of compassion. Were I to become a king, I would use an iron-rimmed carriage to run over and sever their heads!" Having spoken, he departed. After the Buddha's dakṣiṇā was finished, another beggar came in to beg for food. The people in the assembly each gave to him; he received an abundance of food and departed with joy, giving rise to the thought: "These śramaṇas all possess compassionate minds; they took pity on my poverty and cold, and gave food to fill me, enabling me to survive for several days. Excellent, excellent! The elder is able to serve and make offerings to these great beings; his merit is immeasurable. Were I to become a king, I would make offerings to the Buddha and his disciples for up to seven days, yet even that would not repay the kindness shown to my hunger and thirst today." Having spoken, he departed. When the Buddha finished eating, he preached the Dharma and then returned to the monastery. The Buddha told Ānanda: "From this day forward, let the food be distributed after the dakṣiṇā is completed; take this as the constant rule." Meanwhile, the two beggars wandered begging until they reached another kingdom, and lay by the roadside in the deep grass. At that time, the king of that country suddenly passed away without an heir. The kingdom's physiognomist was well versed in the art of physiognomy, and the prophetic books recorded: "There shall be a lowly person who is destined to become king." The ministers, civil officials, thousand chariots, and ten thousand cavalry toured the borders of the kingdom [to see] who should be king. Looking toward the roadside into the deep grass, there was a canopy of clouds above. The physiognomist divined the signs, saying: "There is a divine person within." They then saw the beggar, whose signs showed he was destined to be king. The ministers bowed and paid homage, each proclaiming themselves his subjects. The beggar was astonished and said of himself that he was lowly, not of royal lineage. All said that he matched the signs and it was not by force. They bathed him in fragrant water, dressed him in royal robes, and his luminous features were solemn and dignified, praised as boundlessly auspicious. Preceded and followed by an escort, the carriage turned and entered the kingdom. At that time, the one of evil thoughts was sleeping in the deep grass unaware, and the carriage ran over and severed his head. When the king arrived in the capital, yin and yang were harmonious and tuned, the four seasons flourished, and the people were peaceful and happy, praising the king's virtue.