菩薩從兜術天降神母胎說廣普經 7.5

7.5

"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: