法苑珠林 64.54

64.54

Furthermore, the Mahāsaṃnipāta-sūtra says: The Buddha said: Good sons, in a past age there was a lion king dwelling in a deep mountain cave. He constantly thought: 'I am the king among all beasts; by my strength I can watch over and protect all the animals.' At that time, in that mountain there were two macaques who had together borne two offspring. The two macaques said to the lion king: 'If you, O King, can protect all beasts, we now entrust our two young to you, as we wish to go elsewhere in search of food.' The lion king then gave his consent. Thereupon the macaques left their two young, entrusted them to the beast king, and departed. At that time, in the mountain there was a vulture king named Good Sight. While the lion king was asleep, he seized the two young macaques and perched in a precipitous spot. When the king awoke, he spoke a verse to the vulture king: