菩薩從兜術天降神母胎說廣普經 7.5

7.5

「吾從村至村，從國至國，漸漸至清明城東門外。見五百梵志耆年宿德，學道日久日曝火炙形貌醜穢，吾即以五百金錢各與一枚。辭別入城，見城中人香水灑地除去塵穢，懸繒幡蓋行列端嚴皆欲出城，我小前行見一女人持花七枚，我時左右顧視，求香覓花了不能得，即問此女：『汝花可得者，吾欲買之。』女報我言：『此花王花，佛當入城將用上佛，不可得也。』菩薩復以善權方便，更告語女：『吾有寶錢五百枚，一花百錢，若見與者，出錢相付。』女貪得寶即以五花與之。行數十步，女自念言：『此人顏貌端正身披鹿皮衣，貪我五枚花不惜銀錢，此必有以。』迴頭喚言：『男子！卿用花為？』報言：『上佛。』時女聞佛名，即以二花持用寄我。我即出城，遙見佛來，諸天人民填塞道路，無有空缺地可禮拜。佛前有一汪水可受一人，吾即解髮布髮水中，即以此偈而讚歎佛：

"From village to village, from country to country, I gradually arrived outside the eastern gate of the city of Śuddhodana. I saw five hundred elder brahmacārins of long-standing virtue who had practiced the path for a long time, their appearances ugly and soiled from exposure to the sun and scorching by fire. I then gave each of them one of the five hundred gold coins. Taking leave, I entered the city and saw the people of the city sprinkling scented water on the ground to clear away dust and grime, hanging silk banners and canopies in neat and solemn rows, all wishing to go out of the city. I went forward a short distance and saw a woman holding seven flowers. At that time, I looked to the left and right, seeking perfume and looking for flowers, but could find none at all. I then asked the woman: 'If your flowers are available, I wish to buy them.' The woman answered me: 'These flowers are the king's flowers. The Buddha is about to enter the city, and they are to be offered to the Buddha; they cannot be had.' The Bodhisattva, again using skillful means, spoke further to the woman: 'I have five hundred precious coins, one hundred coins for a single flower. If you would give them to me, I will hand over the money to you.' The woman, eager to obtain the treasure, gave him five flowers. Walking several tens of paces, the woman thought to herself: 'This man is handsome in appearance and wears deer-skin clothing. He craved my five flowers and did not spare his silver coins; this must surely have a reason.' Turning her head, she called out: 'O man! What will you use the flowers for?' He replied: 'To offer to the Buddha.' Hearing the Buddha's name, the woman entrusted two flowers to me. I then left the city and saw from afar the Buddha approaching, with gods and humans filling the road, leaving no empty space on the ground where one could prostrate. In front of the Buddha, there was a puddle of water that could hold one person. I immediately untied my hair and spread it in the water, and praised the Buddha with this gāthā: