翻譯名義集 1.161

1.161

【Deva】 Here translated as "Heaven" (Tian). He was a disciple of Nāgārjuna. In the city of Pāṭaliputra, the saṅgha was humiliated by non-Buddhists, and for twelve years they did not strike the gaṇḍī. Deva made it sound once more and subdued the heterodox paths. Deva once entered a temple of Maheśvara; the statue in the temple was made of gold, sixty feet high, with eyes of lapis lazuli. It possessed great supernatural efficacy, so that those who prayed to it invariably obtained what they sought, and it would glare with moving pupils. Deva said to it: "Spiritual you may be! But originally a spiritual power instructed beings; yet you rely on yellow gold and lapis lazuli to show off your majesty to the world. How contemptible is this?" He then climbed a ladder and chiseled out the spirit's eyes. The multitude all said: "The spirit has been insulted!" Deva said: "If one wishes to know the spirit's wisdom, it originally has no pride; if the spirit knows my mind, what insult is there?" At night he prepared lavish offerings, and the next day made sacrifice to the spirit. The spirit took human flesh form, yet lacked a left eye. Approaching the sacrifice, it sighed and said: "To be able to make such an offering is truly rare! But I lack an eye; why do you not give me an eye?" Deva immediately gouged out his own eye and offered it. As soon as he gouged it out, another grew in, and he gave ten thousand eyes in all. The spirit was greatly pleased and asked what wish he sought. Deva said: "My words rely on no other, but [people] do not yet accept them in faith." The spirit said: "As you wish." It then vanished and was seen no more. The spiritual principle was deeply communicated, and all were convinced in faith.