諸經要集 16.59

16.59

The king, hearing this verse, pardoned the fruit-stealing man's offense. When I was still a commoner, I already perceived what was contrary to the Dharma, how much more now that I have achieved Buddhahood! You disciples preach the Dharma to those of lower status. The fruit-stealing man at that time was I myself. Furthermore, the Dà zhìdù lùn says: In the time of Kāśyapa Buddha, there were two brothers who left the household life to seek the Way. One upheld the precepts, recited the sūtras, and sat in meditation. The other extensively sought out dānapatis and cultivated various meritorious deeds. By the time Śākyamuni Buddha appeared in the world, one of them was born into an elder's household, while the other became a great white elephant whose strength could crush enemies. The elder's son left the household to study the Way, attained the six spiritual superknowledges (abhijñā), and became an arhat; yet, because of his meager merit, it was difficult for him to obtain almsfood. Another day, holding his bowl, he entered the city to beg for food, but could obtain nothing anywhere. He went to the white elephant's stable and saw that the king's provisions for the elephant were manifold and abundant. He spoke to this elephant, saying: 'Both I and you are guilty of faults.' The elephant immediately felt faith and touched with remorse, did not eat for three days. The elephant keeper was terrified and sought out the man of the Way. Finding him, he asked: 'What art did you use to make the king's white elephant sick so that it cannot eat?' He answered: 'This elephant was my younger brother in a previous life. Together, in the time of Kāśyapa Buddha, we left the household to study the Way. I merely upheld the precepts, recited the sūtras, and sat in meditation, but did not practice dāna. My younger brother merely sought out dānapatis extensively and performed various acts of dāna, but did not uphold the precepts or pursue learning. Because he did not uphold the precepts, recite the sūtras, or sit in meditation, he has now become this elephant. Because he cultivated dāna extensively, food and drink are provided in every way with abundance. Because I merely practiced the Way and did not cultivate dāna, now although I have attained the fruit of the Way, I cannot obtain almsfood. For this reason, their causes and conditions were different; though meeting the Buddha's era, he still suffers from hunger and thirst.'