法苑珠林 91.7

91.7

As the Jiu za piyu jing states: In the past, people of the four castes invited the Buddha for a meal. At that time, there was a man selling cow's milk. A person of great clan retained him to eat, and taught him to observe the fast, take the precepts, and listen to the scriptures before returning home. His wife said: 'I waited for you all morning without eating,' and she forcibly made her husband eat, destroying his intention to fast. Even so, he was reborn seven times in heaven and seven times in the world. The master said: 'Observing the fast for one day brings surplus provisions for six hundred thousand years, and furthermore has five blessings: first, few illnesses; second, peace and security of body; third, few lustful thoughts; fourth, little sleep; and fifth, obtaining rebirth in heaven, constantly remembering the deeds performed in past lives (pūrvanivāsa).'