翻譯名義集 1.166

1.166

【Vasubandhu】 The *Records of the Western Regions* states: "Vasubandhu is, in the Tang language, Kin of the World (Shiqin). The old rendering Vasubandhu translated as Kin of Heaven (Tianqin) is erroneous. Saying 'Kin of Heaven' comes from the fact that the bodhisattva was a kin of the god Viṣṇu, hence called 'Kin of Heaven.' He went forth and received instruction under the Sarvāstivāda school, and originally came to this place from Northern India. Asaṅga ordered his disciples to go and welcome him; arriving at this saṅghārāma, they encountered and met him. Asaṅga's disciples stayed outside the doors and windows. After midnight, they recited the *Daśabhūmika Sūtra*. When Vasubandhu heard it, he was awakened and filled with remorse, for this was a profound and wonderful Dharma he had never heard before. The fault of slandering it had originated from his tongue; since the tongue was the root of the sin, it should now be cut off. He immediately took up a sharp blade and was about to cut off his own tongue. Then he saw Asaṅga standing there, who said to him: 'The Mahāyāna teaching is the ultimate true principle. It is praised by all Buddhas and revered by all sages. I intended to instruct you, and now you have awakened of your own accord; your awakening comes at the right time! What could be better than this? In the sacred teachings of the Buddhas, cutting off one's tongue is not true repentance. In the past you slandered the Mahāyāna with your tongue; now praise the Mahāyāna with your tongue. To make amends and renew yourself is still virtuous! If you shut your mouth and cease speaking, where lies the benefit in that?' Having spoken these words, he suddenly disappeared. Vasubandhu obeyed his instructions, and so did not cut off his tongue, but went to Asaṅga to consult and receive the Mahāyāna. Thereupon he investigated deeply and reflected thoroughly, composing Mahāyāna treatises to the number of over a hundred, which were all widely propagated."