諸經要集 9.96

9.96

Furthermore, the Zabaozang jing says: The Buddha said: Formerly, there was a king of Kāśi named Evil Acceptance (Duḥprasaha). He committed extreme unrighteousness, tormenting the common people, behaving cruelly and tyrannically. When merchants came from the four distant quarters with rare and superior goods, he levied taxes on them and seized them, not paying their price. For this reason, precious goods within the kingdom eventually became extremely expensive; people circulated reports of this and his bad repute spread far and wide. At that time, there was a parrot king in the forest who heard travelers speaking of the king's evil. He thought to himself: “Although I am a bird, I still know that this is wrong. I should now go there and speak the good path to him. If that king hears my words, he will surely say: ‘Even that king of birds possesses good words; how can a king of men be criticized by him?’ Perhaps he will be able to reform.” He immediately flew high into the king's park, circled, and descended into a tree. Just then, the queen entered the park for an excursion. At that time, the parrot fluttered its wings, chirped, and spoke to her, saying: “The king is now exceedingly cruel and tyrannical. He harms the myriad people, and the poison reaches even the birds and beasts; all sentient beings cry out in lamentation, and humans and animals harbor resentment and distress. The sound of their wailing is heard throughout the world. The queen shares in this oppression, no different from the king. How can the father and mother of the people be like this?” Having heard this, the queen was filled with blazing wrath: “What kind of little bird is this, mouthing insults at me?” She sent someone to lie in wait and catch it. At that time, the parrot was neither startled nor afraid, and entered the captor's hands. When the queen obtained it, she immediately gave it to the king. The king said to the parrot: “Why did you insult me?” The parrot replied: “I spoke of the king's unrighteousness in the desire to benefit you; I did not dare to insult the king.” Then the king asked: “What unrighteousness is there?” It replied: “The king has seven unrighteous deeds that can imperil the king's own person.” He asked: “What are the seven?” It replied: “First, indulging in women and not respecting the true and upright. Second, being addicted to wine and drunkenness and not caring for the affairs of state. Third, being covetous of board games and not cultivating propriety and respect. Fourth, hunting and killing living beings with no compassion at all. Fifth, being fond of uttering evil speech and never speaking kindly. Sixth, doubling the levies, labor, and punishments beyond the regular standards. Seventh, robbing the people's wealth contrary to justice. These seven things can imperil the king's person. Furthermore, there are three things that ruin the kingdom.” The king again asked: “What are the three things?” It replied: “First, being close to corrupt, sycophantic, and wicked people. Second, not attaching oneself to the worthy and superior, and not accepting good words. Third, being fond of attacking other kingdoms and not nurturing the common people. If these three are not eliminated, the time of ruin will come morning or evening. As a king, the entire land looks up to and relies upon you. A king should be like a bridge, conveying the myriad people across. A king should be like a balance scale, equal to both the close and the distant. A king should be like feet, not deviating from the traces of the sages. A king is like the sun, illuminating the world with goodness. A king is like the moon, granting coolness to all things. A king is like parents, nurturing with kindness and pitying with compassion. A king is like heaven, covering all things. A king is like the earth, bearing and sustaining the myriad creatures. A king is like fire, burning away evil misfortunes for the myriad people. A king is like water, moistening the four quarters. You should be like the wheel-turning sage kings of the past, using the ten paths of good action to teach and transform sentient beings.” When the king heard these words, he felt deeply ashamed: “The parrot's words are most sincere and earnest. I, as a king of men, have acted without principle. I truly will comply with its teaching, revere it as my master, and receive and practice correct conduct.” At that time, once the transforming influence was practiced within the country, his bad repute was extinguished. The queen and ministers all gave rise to loyalty and respect, and all the people rejoiced without exception. The parrot king of that time was myself; the king of Kāśi of that time, Evil Acceptance, was the present chief minister; and the queen of that time was the present chief minister's wife.