佛說觀佛三昧海經 7.8

7.8

The Buddha said to Ānanda: "What is meant by the Tathāgata going to the kingdom of Nagarahāra, to the champaka flower forest of the ancient ṛṣi mountain, by the pool of the poisonous dragon, into the rākṣasa cave north of the blue lotus spring, south of the cliff of Mount Anāsi? At that time there were five rākṣasīs in that cave who transformed into female nāgas and consorted with the poisonous dragon. The dragon then brought down hailstorms, and the rākṣasīs indulged in wanton depredations, so that famine and pestilence had already lasted for four years. The king was then terrified. Sacrificing to spirits and deities was of no avail, and when he summoned various sorcerers to cast spells on the poisonous dragon, the rākṣasas' baleful aura was so overpowering that their spells did not work. The king had this thought: 'If I could obtain a divine person to drive away these rākṣasas and subdue this poisonous dragon, with the exception only of my own body, I would begrudge nothing else.' At that time there was a brahmacārin, intelligent and full of wisdom, who addressed the king, saying: 'Great King! In the city of Kapilavastu there is the son of King Śuddhodana! On the day of his birth, myriad spirits attended him, and seven treasures appeared as auspicious omens. Asita read his marks: "If he remains in the realm, he shall become a wheel-turning sage king; if he takes no delight in the world, he will become a self-realized Buddha." Now his Path is accomplished, and he is named Śākyamuni. His body is enormous, sixteen feet high, with the thirty-two primary marks and the eighty secondary characteristics. His feet tread upon lotus blossoms, his nape is adorned with the light of the sun, and his physical form is stately and dignified like a mountain of true gold.' When the king heard these words, his heart was filled with great joy. Turning toward the place of the Buddha's birth, he took refuge and made obeisance, saying: 'If the brahmacārin's words are truly real and not false, there is indeed a Buddha who has appeared in the world named Śākyamuni! Yet according to my science of physiognomy, only after nine kalpas should there be a Buddha named Śākyamuni! How is it that today the Buddha-sun has already risen? Why does he not take pity and come to this realm?' A voice in the air spoke, addressing the great king: 'Do not doubt; the Buddha Śākyamuni, through his energetic and heroic vigor, has transcended nine kalpas.' Having heard these words, [the king] knelt long once more, joined his palms, and praised him: 'The Buddha's penetrating and luminous wisdom must know my mind. May he deign in his loving-kindness and compassion to grace this kingdom with his presence.'"