諸經要集 15.40

15.40

The Chuyao jing also says: Formerly, when the Buddha was in the world, there was a householder in the country of Śrāvastī named Nanda. He was immensely wealthy, with boundless gold, silver, precious jewels, elephants, horses, carriages, male and female slaves, servants, garments, and landed estates; in the wealth of the entire kingdom, none surpassed him. Although he dwelt in such luxury and wealth, he had no faith; he was stingy, greedy, and jealous. His gates were sevenfold, and he ordered the gatekeepers: ‘If anyone comes begging, do not let a single one enter.’ In the open courtyard above, he installed an iron mesh cage for fear that flying birds would eat the grain. Beneath the four walls, he smeared white plaster for fear that rats would burrow holes and damage his property. He had an only son named Candana. Approaching death, he instructed his son: ‘My illness will surely be fatal. After I die, do not waste or squander any of the wealth and treasures. Do not give any to śramaṇas or brāhmaṇas; if there are beggars, do not give them a single coin. These riches are sufficient to supply seven generations.’ Having given these instructions, he died. He was reborn in that very same Śrāvastī in the womb of a blind mother in a caṇḍāla household. Later, when he was born from the womb, he was blind from birth and had no eyes. The blind mother thought: ‘If I give birth to a boy, since my eyes are now dark, I will need him to attend and support me.’ Hearing that the child was born blind, her sorrow doubled. Weeping bitterly, she spoke a verse, saying: