諸經要集 2.30

2.30

Furthermore, the Xianyu jing says: In the past, when the Buddha was in the world, there was a bhikṣu chanting sūtras in a forest, his voice elegant and fine. At that time there was a bird who, hearing the Dharma with reverence and love, stayed in a tree listening. Just then, it was shot and killed by a hunter. By virtue of these wholesome roots, it was born in Trāyastriṃśa Heaven, its countenance upright and dignified, its radiance shining brightly, without equal. Conscious of its past lives, it knew that it was because of the bhikṣu chanting sūtras and hearing the Dharma that it was born there. It immediately took heavenly flowers and went to the bhikṣu's dwelling, paying homage and making inquiries, and offering the heavenly fragrant flowers to the bhikṣu. The bhikṣu questioned it thoroughly and learned the whole story, whereupon he bade it sit down and expounded the Dharma for it, and it attained srotāpanna. Having attained the fruit, it returned to heaven. If even birds and fowls listening to the Dharma reap boundless retribution of merit, how much more so for a human being! How could listening to the Dharma with a faithful mind fail to bring wholesome retribution?