法苑珠林 87.29

87.29

When Śakra heard the verse, he understood the essence of impermanence, realized the transformations of sin and merit, comprehended the root of rise and decay, and honoured the practice of tranquil cessation. Rejoicing, he received it and attained the path of a srotāpanna. Furthermore, the Saṅgharakṣita-sūtra says: At that time, the World-Honoured One addressed the monk Saṅgharakṣita: "The nāga king whom you saw in the sea, by virtue of having heard the Dharma, though he received the body of a dragon, after his life ends he will be reborn in the Tuṣita Heaven. When his life in heaven ends, he will obtain a human body. When Maitreya appears in the world, he will become a great elder, possessing immense wealth of billions, and serve as a great dānapati, making offerings to Maitreya, the World-Honoured One, and the Saṃgha of monks, completely provided with the four requisites. If even such nāga kings can attain such merits, how much more so my disciples who leave home in accordance with the Dharma, sit in meditation, recite the scriptures, and are complete in the three karmas—they will certainly realize nirvāṇa!" At that time, the World-Honoured One spoke unprompted: