Dighanikaya 4.304_10

4.304_10

Atha bhagavā tassajjhāsayaṃ viditvā – ‘‘catūsu iriyāpathesu katarena dassessāmī’’ti cintetvā ‘‘ṭhitako nāma nīcopi ucco viya paññāyati. Nipannovassa attānaṃ dassessāmī’’ti ‘‘ānanda, gandhakuṭipariveṇe mañcakaṃ paññāpehī’’ti vatvā tattha sīhaseyyaṃ kappesi. Rāhu āgantvā nipannaṃ bhagavantaṃ gīvaṃ unnāmetvā nabhamajjhe puṇṇacandaṃ viya ullokesi. Kimidaṃ asurindāti ca vutte – ‘‘bhagavā onamitvā oloketuṃ na sakkhissāmī’’ti nāgacchinti. Na mayā, asurinda, adhomukhena pāramiyo pūritā. Uddhaggameva katvā dānaṃ dinnanti. Taṃ divasaṃ rāhu saraṇaṃ agamāsi. Evaṃ bhagavā akhuddāvakāso dassanāya.

Then the Blessed One, knowing his disposition, thought: “In which of the four postures should I show [myself]?” and considered: “One standing up appears tall even if short. I will show myself to him lying down.” Having said, “Ānanda, prepare a couch in the precinct of the perfumed chamber,” he adopted the lion's posture there. Rāhu came and looked up at the reclining Blessed One with neck craned, like the full moon in the midst of the sky. And when it was asked, “Why is this, lord of the asuras?” [he replied,] “Blessed One, [thinking] ‘I will not be able to bend down and look,’ I did not come.” “Not with downcast face, lord of the asuras, were the perfections fulfilled by me. Only having made them facing upwards was the gift given.” On that day Rāhu went for refuge. In this way the Blessed One is no small opportunity for viewing.