諸經要集 8.63

8.63

Furthermore, the Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa states: Countless asaṃkhyeya kalpas ago in the past, there was a great forest filled with many birds and beasts. A wildfire broke out on three sides simultaneously, leaving only one side bordering a body of water. Pressed to extremity, the beasts had no place to flee for their lives. The Buddha said: At that time, I was a deer of large body and great strength. With my forelegs spanning one bank and my hind legs resting on the other bank, I allowed the animals to step on my back and cross over. My skin and flesh were completely ruined, but through the power of maitrī-karuṇā, I endured it unto death. At the very end, a hare arrived; its energy was already spent. I forced myself to make an effort and endured so that it could cross over. Once it had crossed, my spine broke, and I fell into the water and died. Such deeds have existed for a long time, not merely now. Those who crossed over first were my present disciples; the last hare was the present Subhadra. The Buddha has practiced vigor with joy lifetime after lifetime, and even now does not cease.