法苑珠林 83.14

83.14

At that time the World-Honoured One told the monks: "Do you see this elder sleeping with his legs stretched out?" The monks replied: "Indeed, we all see him." The World-Honoured One said: "This elder monk, throughout the past five hundred lives, has constantly taken the body of a dragon (nāga). If he were to die right now, he would be born among dragons. Why is this? Because he lacks reverence for the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Saṃgha. If one lacks a mind of reverence for the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Saṃgha, upon death one will surely be born among dragons. Do you see the novice Sumana, nearing eight years of age, sitting upright in contemplation not far from me?" The monks replied: "We all see him, World-Honoured One." [The Buddha] said: "Seven days from now, this novice will attain the four bases of supernatural power (ṛddhipāda) and attain the Dharma of the Four Noble Truths. For this reason, you should constantly and diligently increase your reverence for the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Saṃgha."