諸經要集 2.39

2.39

As the Zabaozang jing says: The Buddha-Dharma is vast and broad, delivering across without limits; anyone who seeks the path with an earnest mind never fails to attain the fruit, and down even to playful mockery, merit is not in vain. In the past, there was an old bhikṣu, advanced in years and decrepit, his mental faculties muddled and obstructed. Seeing various young bhikṣus preaching the Dharma in various ways, and hearing of the four fruits, his mind gave rise to admiration and longing. He said to the young bhikṣus: "You are intelligent and wise; I pray you give the four fruits to me." The young bhikṣus mocked him, saying: "We have the four fruits, but we must have delicious food before giving them to you." Hearing these words, the old bhikṣu was overjoyed; he immediately prepared various fine viands and invited the young bhikṣus, begging for the four fruits. After the young bhikṣus finished eating his food, they made sport of each other, teasing the old bhikṣu and saying: "Venerable sir, sit in one corner of this house, and we will grant you the fruit." Hearing this, the old bhikṣu was overjoyed and sat as instructed. The young bhikṣus then took a leather ball, struck him on the head with it, and said to him: "This is the fruit of srotāpanna." Hearing this, the old bhikṣu focused his thoughts without distraction, and immediately attained the first fruit. The young bhikṣus made fun of him again, saying: "Although we have given you the fruit of srotāpanna, you still have seven births and seven deaths. Move to another corner, and next we will give you the fruit of sakṛdāgāmin." Because the old bhikṣu had attained the first fruit, his mind progressed further, and he moved to sit again. The young bhikṣus again struck his head with the ball and said to him: "We give you the second fruit." The old bhikṣu became even more concentrated in mindfulness, and immediately realized the second fruit. The young bhikṣus again teased him, saying: "You have now attained the fruit of sakṛdāgāmin, but you still have the difficulty of coming and going in saṃsāra. Move to another seat, and I will give you the fruit of anāgāmin." The old bhikṣu moved his seat as told. The young bhikṣus again struck him with the ball and said to him: "I now give you the third fruit." Hearing this, the old bhikṣu was overjoyed, redoubled his earnestness, and immediately realized the fruit of anāgāmin as well. The young bhikṣus made sport of him again, saying: "You have now attained the fruit of non-returning, yet you still receive an outflow-tainted body in the form and formless realms; impermanent, shifting, and decaying, thought by thought it is suffering. Move to another seat, and next we will give you the fruit of arhat." The old bhikṣu moved his seat as told. The young bhikṣus again threw the leather ball, striking him on the head, and said to him: "I now give you that fourth fruit." The old bhikṣu contemplated single-mindedly, and immediately realized the fruit of an arhat. Having attained the four fruits, he was exceedingly joyful. Preparing various fine viands and various fragrant flowers, he invited the young bhikṣus to repay their kindness. When discussing the factors of the Path and the undefiled virtues with the young bhikṣus, the young bhikṣus were tongue-tied and blocked in their speech. Only then did the old bhikṣu say to them: "I have already realized the fruit of an arhat." Hearing these words, the young bhikṣus all confessed and repented of their previous fault of playful mockery. Therefore, practitioners should fix their minds on the wholesome; if even playful mockery still yields real retribution, how much more so an earnest mind!