法苑珠林 76.20

76.20

At that time, the World-Honoured One told the great assembly: "In this Bhadrakalpa, there was a Buddha who appeared in the world named Kāśyapa. There were monks who observed the summer retreat (varṣā). The Saṃgha was in harmony, and they appointed an elderly monk to be the karmadāna (weinuo) for the Saṃgha. Together they established a restriction: during this summer retreat, only those who attain the Path will be permitted to participate in the Pravāraṇā (invitation ceremony); if they have not yet attained it, they will not be permitted to participate in the Pravāraṇā. Now, this karmadāna alone did not attain the Path, so the Saṃgha did not permit him to participate in the Poṣadha or the Pravāraṇā. Harboring resentment and distress in his heart, he made these words: 'I alone managed the affairs of the Saṃgha for your sake, so that all of you could practice the Path in peace. Now in return, you do not permit me to participate in the Pravāraṇā, Poṣadha, and karmavācanā!' Thereupon he gave rise to wrath, abused and insulted the Saṃgha, and immediately dragged, seized, and shut them inside a room. He made this proclamation: 'May you all perpetually dwell in darkness and not see the light, just as I now dwell in this dark room!' Having spoken these words, he killed himself and ended his life. He fell into hell and underwent great suffering. Only now has he obtained release, and therefore he underwent this suffering while in the womb." Having heard this, the monks each guarded their three modes of action (trividhadvāra) and felt disgust and detachment from birth and death: some attained the four fruits of a śramaṇa, some gave rise to the aspiration for pratyekabuddhahood, and some gave rise to the aspiration for unexcelled bodhi. At that time, the relatives took the old child back home and raised him. When he gradually grew older, they permitted him to leave home, and he attained the fruit of an arhat. The Buddha told the monks: "Due to the causes of having made offerings to the Saṃgha and having served as karmadāna managing the affairs of the Saṃgha in the past, he is now able to encounter me, leave home, and attain the Path." Having heard this, the monks joyfully took it to heart.