諸經要集 10.69

10.69

As the *Kalpanāmaṇḍitikā* states: If one can maintain the precepts with the utmost mind, even unto the end of life one will obtain visible retribution. In the past I heard that in the city of Nandivardhana there were two brothers, both upāsakas, who maintained the five precepts. At that time, the younger brother suddenly suffered from flank pain, and his breath was about to cease. The physician told him, 'Eat freshly slaughtered dog meat and drink wine, and your affliction will certainly be eradicated.' The sick man said to him, 'As for dog meat, it may be bought and sought in the market to eat; as for drinking wine, I would rather abandon body and life to the end than break the precepts to drink wine.' The younger brother was in extreme extremity. The elder brother brought wine and told the younger brother, 'Renounce the precept and drink wine to cure your illness.' The younger brother said to the elder brother, 'Though my illness is critical, I would rather abandon my body and life than break the precepts and drink this wine.' Then he spoke a gāthā: