法苑珠林 81.50

81.50

Furthermore, the Saṃyuktaratnapiṭaka Sūtra states: In the past, in the kingdom of Kuru, there was King Duṣprasaha. Going to the hall of the garden, he saw a golden cat entering the southwest corner from the northeast corner. Seeing this, the king immediately sent people to dig, and they found a bronze basin. The basin held three hu and was filled with gold coins. Digging gradually deeper, they found another basin. In this sequence, they obtained three layers of basins, each holding three hu, all filled with gold coins. Digging further sideways over five li, at every step they found bronze basins, all filled with gold coins. Although the king obtained the coins, he was afraid and did not dare to use them, wondering at the cause. He immediately went to Venerable Kātyāyana and explained the circumstances. The Venerable replied to the king: 'This is the meritorious reward obtained from the king's past causes; simply use them without worry.' The king then asked about the past circumstances. The Venerable replied to the king: 'Ninety-one kalpas ago in the past, after the Buddha Vipaśyin entered parinirvāṇa, in his remaining Dharma there were monks who set up a seat and placed a bowl at the crossroads, teaching from above and saying: "Who is able to place wealth into this secure storehouse? If it enters this storehouse, kings, thieves, water, and fire cannot take it away." At that time, there was a poor man who had previously earned three copper coins from selling firewood. Seeing the monks teaching, he joyfully gave them, placing these coins into the bowl, making a vow, and leaving. Five li away from home, he was joyful at every step. Arriving at the door to enter, he once more faced the monks from afar, sincerely bowed his head in veneration, made a vow, and entered. That poor man was the king's present body. Because in the past he joyfully gave three coins to the monks, he has been honored generation after generation, constantly obtaining three layers of bronze basins filled with gold coins like this. Because he was joyful at every step over the five li, he constantly possesses these gold coins over five li. For this reason, when practicing giving, one should do so with a sincere mind, giving joyfully without giving rise to regret.'