諸經要集 9.32

9.32

Furthermore, the Avadāna-sūtra says: Long ago, in the kingdom of Kaśmīra, there were two brothers. The elder brother left the household life and attained the state of an arhat; the younger brother remained at home, managing the household business. Often the elder brother would come to instruct him, urging his younger brother to practice generosity, keep the precepts, cultivate goodness, and produce merit: 'In the present you will have a good reputation, and upon death you will be born in a good realm.' But the younger brother replied, 'Brother, you have now left the household life; you have no worries about public or private affairs, nor do you care for wife, children, fields, estates, wealth, or treasures. I have these duties, yet you repeatedly admonish me. I have no use for your teachings.' Later, falling ill, he died and was born among oxen. Driven by men, he was laden with salt to enter the city. The elder brother, coming out from the city, happened to see him, and immediately preached the Dharma for him. At that time, having heard it, the ox choked with grief and became despondent. Seeing this, the ox's owner said to the man of the Way, 'What have you said that has made my ox so sorrowful and unhappy?' The man of the Way replied, 'This ox in its previous life was originally my younger brother. In the past, he owed you a debt of one coin for salt; therefore he fell among oxen to repay your labor.' Hearing this, the ox's owner said to the man of the Way, 'Your brother was formerly a close friend of mine.' At that time, the ox's owner said to the ox, 'I now release you and will no longer work you.' Hearing this, the ox was deeply moved, and with wholehearted focus practiced buddhānusmṛti. Casting itself into a deep ravine, it died immediately, and was born in the heavens, where it enjoyed supreme bliss. By these causal conditions, if a person incurs a debt, it must be repaid.