諸經要集 4.29

4.29

Furthermore, the *Zabaozang jing* states: In the past, in the city of Roruka, there was King Udayana. He was intelligent and discerning, possessing great wisdom. He had a queen named Youxiang (Lakṣaṇavatī), who was upright, with few equals, and also possessed virtuous conduct. The king loved and respected her dearly. At that time, according to the law of that kingdom, all kings did not play the lute themselves. At that time, the queen was in an inner chamber rejoicing and making merry with the king. Relying on the king's favor, she bade the king play the lute while she arose to dance. When she first raised her hands, the king, who had always been skilled at physiognomy, saw that the queen's signs of death had already appeared, calculating that her remaining life would not exceed seven days. The king immediately put down the lute, and with a sorrowful expression, sighed deeply. The queen said to the king: "Receiving the king's grace and favor, I dared to request the king to play the lute in the inner chamber while I arose to dance for our pleasure. What was displeasing that you put down the lute and sighed deeply? May the king tell me." The king was unwilling to reply. After she implored him earnestly without ceasing, the king answered with the truth. Hearing this, the queen was exceedingly worried and afraid. She immediately said to the king: "I have heard the nun in the stone chamber say that if one can faithfully go forth for one day, one will certainly be born in heaven. I wish to go forth; may the king grant permission or not?" The king's affection was deep, and he said to the queen: "When it reaches the sixth day, I will allow you to go." Unwilling to let her go [immediately], it finally reached the sixth day. When it arrived, he said to the queen: "You have a wholesome intention to seek this going forth. If you attain birth in heaven, you must come to see me; only then will I let you go." Having made this vow, the queen assented and was then able to go forth and receive the eightfold abstinence. On that very day, she drank syrup of stone honey, and her intestines twisted and knotted. At dawn on the seventh day, she passed away. Riding upon this wholesome condition, she attained birth in heaven. Remembering her original vow, she came to the king's palace. Her radiant light was blazing and illuminated the entire royal palace. At that time, the king asked, saying: "Who are you?" The deva then replied, saying: "I am the king's wife, Queen Youxiang." The king joyfully said: "Please come and take a seat." The deva answered him, saying: "I now see that the king is foul and defiled, not to be approached. It is only because of the previous vow that I have come to see the king." Having heard this, the king's mind opened in realization, and he sighed to himself, saying: "Now that deva was originally my wife. Going forth for one day, she immediately attained birth in heaven. Her divine aspiration is lofty and distant, looking down upon me as vile and base. Why should I not go forth now? I have once heard it said that a single fingernail of a deva is worth the entire land of Jambudvīpa. How could this one kingdom of mine be worth coveting?" Having spoken these words, he abdicated the throne to his son, went forth to cultivate the Way, and attained arhatship. Furthermore, a verse from the *Zhidu lun* states: