法苑珠林 78.34

78.34

Furthermore, the Sūtra of the Hundred Avadānas states: The Buddha was at the Kalanda Bamboo Grove in Rājagṛha. At that time, there was an elder in that city named Xianmian (Bhadramukha). His treasures and wealth were limitless and beyond measure. He was full of flattery and deceit, greedy, stingy, and envious, and never had any intention to give; he even drove away flying birds so that they would not come near his house. Whenever śramaṇas, brāhmans, or poor beggars came asking from him, he would revile them with harsh words. After his life ended, he was reborn as a venomous serpent, returning to guard his original wealth. If anyone came near it, it would flare its eyes in raging anger, and glaring at them, it could cause them to die. King Bimbisāra, having heard of this, felt astonishment and wonder in his heart, thinking: 'Now this venomous serpent kills whenever it sees people. Only the Buddha is able to tame it.' Having thought this, he immediately led his ministers to the Buddha's abode, bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, and sat back to one side. He related the whole matter in detail: 'We pray only that the World-Honoured One will subdue this serpent so that it no longer harms people.' The Buddha gave his assent. On the following day, he donned his robes, took his bowl, and went to the serpent's lair. Seeing the Buddha coming, the serpent's rage blazed fiercely and it wished to sting the Tathāgata. By his power of benevolence, the Buddha emitted five-coloured light from the tips of his five fingers, illuminating the serpent's body. The serpent immediately obtained cool relief, its burning poison was dispelled, and its heart was filled with joy. Raising its head and looking around in all four directions, [it thought]: 'What person of merit can emit such light, shining upon my body and causing me to obtain cool comfort that is ineffably delightful?' At that time, seeing that the serpent was tamed, the World-Honoured One related its past causes. Hearing the Buddha's words, the serpent blamed itself deeply; the clouds of hindrances and coverings were removed, and it spontaneously remembered its past lives, [realising]: 'Because of the evil karma I created when I was an elder, I have now received this retribution.' Only then did it produce deep faith and reverence before the Buddha. The Buddha told it: 'In your former life you did not follow my words and thus received this serpent's form. Now you should be compliant and accept my instructions.' The serpent replied to the Buddha: 'Whatever the Buddha instructs, I dare not disobey your command.' The Buddha told the serpent: 'If you are compliant, enter my bowl.' When the Buddha finished speaking, it immediately entered the bowl. He carried it towards the grove. When the king and his ministers heard that the Buddha, the World-Honoured One, had tamed and transformed the venomous serpent and was bringing it in his bowl, all the people of the entire kingdom went together to watch. Seeing the crowd of people, the serpent felt deep shame and remorse; disgusted with this serpent body, it thereupon ended its life. Reborn in the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven, it immediately thought to itself: 'What merit did I create to obtain rebirth here in heaven?' It then examined itself and saw that it had received a venomous serpent's body in the world, and that because it saw the Buddha, it gave rise to a mind of faith and reverence, grew disgusted with the serpent's body, and was able to be reborn here to enjoy heavenly bliss. 'I should now return to repay the kindness of the Buddha, the World-Honoured One.' Carrying incense and flowers, radiant with light, it went to the Buddha's abode, bowed before the Buddha's feet, and having made its offerings, sat back to one side. Hearing the Buddha preach the Dharma, its heart opened and its mind was liberated, attaining the fruit of a srotāpanna. It then spoke a verse before the Buddha in praise of the Buddha: