法苑珠林 77.12

77.12

Furthermore, the Avadāna-sūtra (Chuyao jing) says: In the past, when the Buddha was in the world, there was an elder in the kingdom of Śrāvastī named Nanda. He was immensely wealthy with abundant riches, gold, silver, rare gems, elephants, horses, carriages, male and female slaves, servants, clothing, and agricultural estates beyond measure. In the wealth of the entire kingdom, none surpassed him. Although he lived in extreme wealth, he had no faithful mind, but was stingy, greedy, and jealous. His gates were sevenfold. He instructed the gatekeeper: 'If anyone comes begging, under no circumstances may they enter.' In the open sky above the central courtyard, he installed an open iron cage, fearing that flying birds might eat the grain and rice. Below the walls on all four sides, he sealed the cracks with white paste-clay, fearing that mice might bore holes and damage the property. He had only one son, named Candanagandha. Near death, he instructed his son: 'My illness is certainly fatal. After I die, do not waste or diminish any of the treasures and wealth. Do not give to śramaṇas or brahmins. If there are beggars, do not give them a single coin. These various possessions are sufficient to supply seven generations.' Having instructed him, his life ended. He was reborn in that same Śrāvastī in the womb of a blind mother in a caṇḍāla household. Later, when delivered from the womb, he was born blind without eyes. The blind mother had thought: 'If I bear a boy, since my eyes are now dark, I will have someone to support and serve me.' Hearing that the child was born blind, her sorrow and anxiety doubled. Weeping sorrowfully, she spoke a verse, saying: