佛說處處經 1.62

1.62

The Buddha said: 'There was a monk who went to an upāsikā's home for piṇḍapāta, and expounded the scripture for her. The upāsikā knelt down on both knees and wept. The monk expounded the scripture until midnight, and the upāsikā knelt without standing up. The monk said: "In my practice of preaching the scripture, I have never seen anyone so vigorous." The upāsikā replied: "In my home there was a donkey who brayed until midnight and then died; this is why my tears flowed." The Buddha said: 'Preaching scriptures does not lie in quantity; it is only a question of whether one has understanding and wisdom or not.' A monk, hearing the Buddha relate this matter, went and asked the Buddha: 'Explain to me an essential teaching that will enable me to attain the Way.' The Buddha said: 'Do not take what is not yours; take only what is yours.' Thereupon, the monk thought to himself: 'None of the myriad things in the world belong to me; goodness alone belongs to my family.' The monk then addressed the Buddha: 'I have understood.' The Buddha said: 'Understanding this is indeed the Way.' At that time, a monk who heard the Buddha speak these words went and asked the Buddha: 'Has Śāriputra attained this or not?' The Buddha said: 'Śāriputra has attained it completely.' The monk said: 'Why did Śāriputra scold me and brush my face with his kāṣāya?' The Buddha said: 'Call Śāriputra here and ask him.' Śāriputra said: 'I had no ill-will. The reason I scolded him was to cause him to practice forbearance. The reason I brushed his face with my kāṣāya was to purify his eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.' The Buddha said to the monk: 'This was done through Śāriputra's skillful means.' Thereupon, the monk rejoiced and immediately attained the path of an arhat.