諸經要集 3.59

3.59

Furthermore, the Zabaozang jing states: 'Formerly, in the country of Śrāvastī, there was an elder who constructed a stūpa monastery. Later, at the end of his life, he was born in the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven. His wife day and night longed for her husband in sorrow, worry, and distress. Because of longing for her husband, she constantly swept and maintained the stūpa monastery built by him. Looking down and seeing this, the husband came to where the wife was, inquired after her, comforted her, and said to her: "Do you grieve greatly because of longing for me?" The wife then said to him: "Who are you?" The deva promptly answered: "I am your husband. By the cause and condition of the merit of building the stūpa monastery, I was born in heaven. Seeing that you long for me and maintain the stūpa monastery, I have come to your place." The wife said: "Come close to me." The husband then answered: "A human body is foul and impure; it cannot be approached again. If you wish to be my wife again, diligently make offerings to the Buddha and Saṅgha, repair and sweep the stūpa monastery, and vow to be born in my heaven. If you obtain birth in heaven, I will certainly take you as my wife again." Following her husband's words, the wife cultivated various merits and made the vow to be born in heaven. Later, when her life ended, she was born in heaven and became husband and wife again. Leading one another, the husband and wife came to the Buddha's place. The Buddha preached the Dharma for them, and both husband and wife attained the fruit of srotāpanna. Having attained the fruit, they returned to heaven.'