法苑珠林 80.40

80.40

Furthermore, the Damamūka-nidāna Sūtra states: At that time, all the bhikṣus gave rise to doubt: "Through what practice did the worthy Ānanda originally obtain this dhāraṇī, never forgetting a single word of what the Buddha spoke?" Together they went to the Buddha's presence and addressed him, saying, "What merit did the worthy Ānanda originally produce to obtain such immeasurable dhāraṇī? We only pray that the World-Honoured One will explain and reveal it." The Buddha told the bhikṣus: "Countless asampkheya kalpas ago, in the past, there was a bhikṣu who had ordained a novice (śrāmaṇera). He always instructed him with strict commands to recite the scriptures, setting a daily quota. If he completed the scriptures, he was delighted; if he fell short, he severely reprimanded him. Thereupon, the novice was constantly distressed: though he managed to read the scriptures, he lacked provisions of food. When he went begging for food, if he obtained food quickly, his reading of scriptures was sufficient; if begging was slow, his reading fell short. If the scriptures were insufficient, he would be severely reprimanded, so he walked along weeping with a sorrowful heart. At that time, an elder saw him weeping and came forward to ask him, 'Why are you distressed?' The novice replied, 'Elder, you should know: my master is strict and demanding, commanding me to read scriptures with a daily quota. If it is fulfilled, he is pleased; if it is not fulfilled, I am severely reprimanded. When I go out begging for food, if I obtain it quickly, my recitation of scriptures is sufficient; if begging takes long, my recitation falls short. If I do not complete the scriptures, I am severely reprimanded. For this reason, I am sorrowful.' Thereupon the elder said to the novice, 'From now on, come to my house regularly; I will provide you with food so that you need not worry. After eating, apply your mind single-mindedly to reading the scriptures diligently.' Upon hearing these words, the novice was able to apply his mind single-mindedly to reading the scriptures diligently. His quota did not diminish, and he maintained his regular daily practice. Master and disciple were both delighted thereby." The Buddha told the bhikṣus: "The master at that time was Dīpaṃkara Buddha; the novice was my present self; and the great elder who made the offerings was Ānanda. Because he performed this deed in the past, he has now obtained dhāraṇī without forgetfulness."