出三藏記集 1.13

1.13

The junior monk took the robes and bowl and returned to the saṃgha. Meanwhile, Ānanda reflected, seeking to exhaust his residual fetters. Sitting in meditation and pacing in walking meditation, he diligently sought the Way. This Ānanda possessed much wisdom but little concentration; thus he did not attain the Way immediately. Only when concentration and wisdom are balanced can one attain it swiftly. As the final watch of the night was about to pass, utterly exhausted, he stopped to rest and reclined towards his pillow. Before his head reached the pillow, he was suddenly enlightened, like a flash of lightning illuminating the darkness so that one sees the path. Ānanda thus entered the vajra-like samādhi, crushed all the mountains of afflictions, attained the three knowledges and six supernormal powers, was endowed with the eight liberations, and became an arhat of great power. That very night, he went to the door of the saṃgha hall, knocked upon the door, and called out. Mahākāśyapa asked: “Who is knocking on the door?” He answered: “I am Ānanda.” [Mahākāśyapa] asked again: “Why have you come?” He answered: “Tonight I have exhausted all outflows.” [Mahākāśyapa] further said: “I will not open the door for you. Come through the keyhole!” Ānanda said: “Yes.” He then used his supernormal power to enter through what was not a doorway, bowed to the feet of the saṃgha, and repented. Mahākāśyapa said: “Do not take offense at me anymore.” Mahākāśyapa stroked his head with his hand, [saying]: “I purposely did this to cause you to attain the Way; bear no resentment. I feel the same toward you. Since you have personally realized it, it is just like drawing a hand through empty space with nothing adhering to it; the mind of an arhat is also like this. Return to your original seat.”

At that time, the saṃgha again deliberated together: “Gavāmpati has already entered extinction. Who else can compile the Dharma repository?”

Aniruddha said: “This Venerable Ānanda, among the Buddha's disciples, constantly attended closely upon the Buddha; having heard the sūtras, he could retain them, and the Buddha constantly praised him. Ānanda alone should compile the Dharma repository.”

At that time, Mahākāśyapa stroked Ānanda's head and said: “The Buddha entrusted you with the command to uphold the Dharma repository. You ought to repay the Buddha's kindness. Where did the Buddha first preach the Dharma? The Buddha's great disciples who could protect and maintain the Dharma repository have all entered extinction; only you alone remain. Now, in accordance with the Buddha's intention and out of pity for sentient beings, you should compile the Dharma repository.”

Thereupon, Ānanda respectfully paid homage to the saṃgha and sat upon the lion seat. Then Mahākāśyapa spoke this verse: