諸經要集 8.63

8.63

又大智度論云。乃往過去無量阿僧祇劫。有大林樹。多諸禽獸。野火來燒三邊俱起。唯有一邊而躡一水。眾獸窮逼逃命無地。佛言我於爾時。為大身多力鹿。以前脚跨一岸。以後脚踏一岸。令眾獸蹈背上而度。皮肉盡壞。以慈悲力忍之至死。最後一兔來。氣力已竭自強努力。忍令得過。過已脊折墮水而死。如是久有非但今也。前得度者今諸弟子是。最後一兔者今須跋陀是。佛世世樂行精進。今猶不息。

Furthermore, the Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa states: Countless asaṃkhyeya kalpas ago in the past, there was a great forest filled with many birds and beasts. A wildfire broke out on three sides simultaneously, leaving only one side bordering a body of water. Pressed to extremity, the beasts had no place to flee for their lives. The Buddha said: At that time, I was a deer of large body and great strength. With my forelegs spanning one bank and my hind legs resting on the other bank, I allowed the animals to step on my back and cross over. My skin and flesh were completely ruined, but through the power of maitrī-karuṇā, I endured it unto death. At the very end, a hare arrived; its energy was already spent. I forced myself to make an effort and endured so that it could cross over. Once it had crossed, my spine broke, and I fell into the water and died. Such deeds have existed for a long time, not merely now. Those who crossed over first were my present disciples; the last hare was the present Subhadra. The Buddha has practiced vigor with joy lifetime after lifetime, and even now does not cease.