法苑珠林 59.12

59.12

The Sūtra on Karmic Conditions of the Buddha's Prior Deeds says: The Buddha said to Śāriputra: “Long ago in past ages, in the city of Rājagṛha, there was an elder's son who fell severely ill with a fever. In that city there was the son of a great physician, who knew all medicines and could cure numerous ailments. The elder's son called to the physician's son, saying: ‘Treat my illness! If I am healed, I will give you great wealth and jewels.’ The physician's son then treated the elder's illness. After being cured, [the patient] did not reward his service. Later, the elder's son fell ill again; [the physician's son] treated and cured him up to three times, yet was not rewarded. Later, falling ill again, he continued to summon him for treatment. The physician's son thought: ‘Previously I treated him three times and cured him three times, yet was never rewarded; I have been cheated like this. Now when I treat him, I must make an end of him once and for all!’ He then gave him bad medicine; the illness consequently worsened, and he died. The Buddha said to Śāriputra: ‘The physician's son at that time was myself. The sick son at that time was Devadatta. At that time, because I gave him this bad medicine and caused his death, due to this karmic cause, I suffered the torments of the hells, as well as the suffering of animals and hungry ghosts, for several thousand years. Owing to these residual conditions, even though I have now attained buddhahood, this disease of painful joints and bones still arises.’”