根本說一切有部毘奈耶雜事

Fascicle Seven

(Continuation of Recitation Two, Separate Section Two.)

– The occasion was in the city of Shravasti. Although the Group of Six Bhikshus were already advanced in years, they were still habitually restless. The other bhikshus said:

– You are already in the evening of your lives, yet you still have not ceased being restless.

Hearing this, they remained silent and said to Nanda and Upananda:

– Those black-bowl fellows are truly meddlesome and ought to be taught a lesson. Let us humiliate them and make them ashamed.

After deliberating, the Group of Six devised a scheme.

At that time, many senior bhikshus went and sat quietly beneath trees in a secluded forest. The Group of Six went there, saw them absorbed in meditation, and, taking account of the direction of the wind, set fires on three sides. They then went to a distant place and watched. When the senior bhikshus saw the fire approaching, they became frightened, rose, and fled in the direction of the smoke.

Seeing this, the Group of Six said:

– You old men have still not put an end to restlessness. Why did you suddenly run away in such disorder?

They replied:

– Venerables! Do you not see the fierce fire burning through the forest? What is strange about running away?

The Group of Six said:

– Could it be that the precepts established by the Blessed One apply in ordinary circumstances but may be violated in times of danger?

They replied:

– Was it perhaps you who started this fire?

The Group of Six laughed loudly and said:

– We did it deliberately to humiliate you.

The bhikshus reported the matter to the Buddha. The Buddha said:

– Bhikshus must not set fire to a wilderness. Whoever violates this incurs an offense of sthulatyaya.

– The occasion was in the city of Shravasti. Two bhikshus, one old and one young, were traveling together through the countryside. The elder had many robes and other articles, while the younger possessed only the three robes. The elder said to the younger:

– Venerable, carry my robe bag for me. I am very weary and wish to rest my shoulder for a while.

The younger said:

– I would like to say a few words, but please do not become angry or reproach me.

He replied:

– Say whatever you wish. Who would become angry or reproach you?

The younger said:

– Elder, do you not see that wherever the precious Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha go, offerings are presented to them? Why burden yourself by accumulating these foolish possessions?

The elder said:

– Good sir! If you will not carry them, no one is forcing you. But let me ask: are you my preceptor or my teacher, that you should admonish me about my affairs?

The younger remained silent. The elder thought, “I shall deal with this young fellow.” That evening, they both lodged temporarily in a monastery. The Sangha of that monastery had previously established the following regulation:

– Anyone without a dependence-teacher may not stay here.

The monastery steward said to the two visiting bhikshus:

– You have just arrived; please receive your bedding.

After receiving his bedding, the elder said to the younger:

– Go and receive your share.

The younger replied:

– I do not yet have a dependence-teacher. I shall receive bedding after I have found one.

After meeting the senior leader of the assembly and paying homage, the younger said:

– Senior, please grant me dependence.

He asked:

– Good sir, with whom did you come here?

He replied:

– With the bhikshu named....

The senior said:

– Good sir! Go and ask him to be your dependence-teacher. Do not allow him to say that the senior leader of the assembly has alienated our disciple from us.

Hearing this, the younger went to ask another bhikshu. He proceeded throughout the entire monastery, but no one anywhere consented. Finally, he returned to the room, knocked on the door, and called:

– Homage to the senior!

A voice asked:

– Who are you?

He replied:

– I am.... May you be well. Senior, do you know that the assembly in this monastery has made a rule that anyone without a dependence-teacher may not remain here even for one night? Please grant me dependence.

The elder replied:

– Good sir! That is indeed an excellent rule. Even if the Sangha did not enforce it, I would. Earlier you said to me, “Do you not see the Three Venerable Ones? Why accumulate so many foolish possessions?” Yet now you say, “Homage to the senior.” How utterly contradictory! With such arrogance, who would become your dependence-teacher? Go and seek another dependence-teacher as you please.

Having said this, the elder remained silent and did not open the door. Throughout the night, the younger sat suffering on the ground until dawn. The bhikshus reported the matter to the Buddha. The Buddha said:

– One should not travel through the countryside without a dependence-teacher. Bhikshus should not stubbornly harbor resentment like lions. The Sangha must not arbitrarily establish such a harsh regulation, thereby causing that bhikshu unjust suffering. Any bhikshu who travels through the countryside without a dependence-teacher, or who causes distress to others by establishing an unlawful regulation, incurs an offense of transgressing the Dharma.

– At one time, the Buddha was traveling through Magadha and staying in the palace of the yaksha Bakula on Mount Moku. The bhikshu Nagapala was serving as his attendant. In the darkness of night, amid a light drizzle and flashes of lightning, the Blessed One was walking in meditation in the open air. It is the customary rule of all Buddhas that, until the Blessed One has lain down to rest, his attendant may not lie down before him.

At that time, Shakra, Lord of the Devas, surveyed the whole world with his divine eye and saw that, in the palace of the yaksha Bakula, the Blessed One was walking in meditation in the open air during the dark night, amid a light drizzle and flashes of lightning. Shakra thought, “I should go and pay homage to the Blessed One.” He conjured a beautiful palace of beryl, carried it above the Blessed One as a shelter, and walked in meditation behind him.

When children cried at night, the people of Magadha would commonly frighten them into silence by saying:

– The yaksha Bakula is coming to eat you.

Seeing that the night was far advanced but the Blessed One had still not lain down and continued walking in meditation, the bhikshu Nagapala thought, “I shall impersonate the yaksha Bakula and frighten him.” He covered himself with a large, long-haired blanket, went to the walking path, and tried to frighten the Blessed One, saying:

– The yaksha Bakula is coming!

The Buddha said to Nagapala:

– You foolish man! You use the yaksha Bakula to frighten the Sugata. The Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Awakened One, has long been free from fear; not the slightest alarm remains in either his body or mind.

Seeing the bhikshu Nagapala commit such an unlawful act, Shakra, Lord of the Devas, became displeased and said to the Blessed One:

– Are there still persons of this kind within the Buddha’s Dharma?

The Buddha said to Shakra, Lord of the Devas:

– You should know that the house of Gautama is exceedingly vast and contains many different kinds of people. Do not despise this man, for in a future life he will attain an excellent Dharma.

Shakra bowed at the Buddha’s feet and returned to his celestial palace. The Buddha thought, “This fault arose because the bhikshus wore large blankets with the hairy side facing outward. I now prescribe that any bhikshu who wears a blanket in this manner incurs an offense of transgressing the Dharma.”

After hearing that the Buddha had made this rule, bhikshus traveling through the countryside with a caravan reached a place inhabited by cowherds. On a cold night, they used long-haired blankets that were foul-smelling and infested with lice and bedbugs. They wished to turn the hairy side outward before covering themselves, but they feared violating the precept and dared not reverse them. The bhikshus reported the matter to the Buddha. The Buddha said:

– A blanket may be worn with the hairy side outward only when one is sitting still. One must not walk in meditation while wearing it so. Whoever violates this incurs an offense of transgressing the Dharma.

Summary Verse Three of Separate Section Two:

Non-felt: permitted and not permitted;

On filthy ground, do not set down the bowl;

For robes, three kinds are allowed;

Know that belts are also of three kinds.

– The occasion was in the city of Shravasti. The Buddha told the bhikshus:

– If you obtain a sleeping mat made of cotton, long-haired felt, or kausheya, I permit either the Sangha or individuals to use such things as they wish. If superior-grade kausheya felt is obtained, it may be used only by the Sangha and not by an individual.

– The occasion was in the city of Shravasti. Early one morning, while a bhikshu was wearing his robes and carrying his bowl to seek alms in the city, his upper robe slipped down. In haste, he placed his bowl on the ground to adjust his robe. Brahmin householders saw this and criticized him, saying:

– The Shakyan ascetics are mostly unclean; they put their bowls down in filthy places.

The bhikshu reported the matter to the Buddha. The Buddha said:

– Whoever carelessly places his bowl on the ground incurs an offense of transgressing the Dharma.

To secure their robes, the bhikshus were permitted to make fastenings. They used thorn needles to sew the robes, thereby damaging them. The Buddha said:

– You should not do this.

They then tied them with silk thread.

The Buddha said:

– You should not do this. A fastening should be made at the shoulder, with a button attached at the chest.

The bhikshus did not know how to make such buttons. The Buddha said:

– There are three kinds of buttons:

1) Shaped like a poppy fruit;

2) Shaped like a gardenia fruit;

3) Shaped like a wild pear.

When the fastening was attached directly to the edge of the robe at the shoulder, it quickly tore away. It should therefore be attached about four finger-widths inward from the edge. They attached it directly to the robe, causing the robe to tear. The Buddha said:

– Two layers should be sewn together, and a looped buttonhole should be made so that the button is fastened within the double layer of cloth. The button should be placed at the edge of the robe in front of the chest, where the robe has three layers. That is where the button should be attached. Whoever acts otherwise incurs an offense of transgressing the Dharma.

– The occasion and place were as before. While a bhikshu was going for alms, his lower robe slipped down. He placed his bowl on the ground to adjust it. When worldly people saw this, they became displeased and criticized him:

– The Shakyan ascetics do not know what is clean and what is filthy. They put their bowls anywhere on the ground.

The bhikshu reported the matter to the Buddha. The Buddha said:

– One must securely fasten the lower robe before entering a village.

They bound it too tightly with cords, causing the robe to wear out quickly. The Buddha said:

– Do not use cords; use a waistband.

The bhikshus did not know how to make a waistband. The Buddha said:

– There are three kinds of waistband: the first is flat, the second square, and the third round. Whoever makes one in another form incurs an offense of transgressing the Dharma.

Summary Verse Four of Separate Section Two:

The story of Mallika and Virudhaka;

Next, the rule concerning ornaments;

Golden cords and objects worn on the body—

None of these should be kept.

– The occasion was in the Banyan Grove at Kapilavastu. At that time, in a certain village belonging to Mahanama of the Shakyan clan, the administrator suddenly died. The people went and reported to Mahanama:

– The steward has just died. Please send someone else to manage the affairs of the village.

Mahanama said to a young man standing nearby:

– Young man! Go for the time being and inspect the affairs of the village. Later, I shall appoint a successor to the steward.

The man went to the village and administered it properly. He remitted to Mahanama all the revenue from the land, which was greater than before, yet no one resented him. Mahanama asked:

– You have remitted more land tax than before. Have you been habitually coercing the people?

He replied:

– Great lord! I collected the taxes according to the law and never caused the people suffering.

Mahanama then asked the villagers:

– Has this young man oppressed anyone in the village?

They replied:

– No one bears him any resentment.

Mahanama then appointed him as their chief. He collected taxes fairly according to the law, neither oppressing nor plundering anyone, and served as the official administrator governing the village. This young man married a maiden of a Brahmin family. Before long, a son was born to them, and in the following year they had a daughter named Bright Moon. The girl was properly raised. As she grew, she became intelligent and wise, with a form of unsurpassed beauty, and everyone in the village praised her loveliness.

Later, her father became ill. Although medicines were used to treat him, his condition did not improve. All the annual tax revenues from the village were spent on his treatment, leaving nothing, and he had to borrow further funds from outside the village to meet the expenses. His illness grew steadily worse, and at last he died. The villagers went and reported to Mahanama:

– Great lord, the steward has passed away.

Mahanama asked:

– Has the village remitted its taxes this year?

They replied:

– They collected much tax this year, but it was all spent on medicines for his illness. Even that was insufficient, so they borrowed more from another village.

Mahanama said:

– Whatever remains to them should be used to repay the debt.

The people replied:

– Nothing remains except his wife, one son, and one daughter. The daughter is named Bright Moon. She is intelligent and knowledgeable, with an incomparable bearing, and everyone in the village praises her beauty.

Mahanama said:

– Allow the mother and son to support themselves, but summon the daughter here.

The villagers released the mother and son and brought Bright Moon to Mahanama. In Mahanama’s household was an old woman who regularly performed two tasks: frying cakes and gathering flowers. The old woman said to Mahanama:

– I am old and cannot perform both tasks. Please give me this young girl as a companion.

He replied:

– As you wish.

The old woman said to Bright Moon:

– Child, go into the grove and gather flowers. I shall remain at home and attend to making cakes.

The girl gathered flowers, fashioned them into a beautiful garland, and presented it to Mahanama. Mahanama was delighted and said:

– This garland is very beautiful. Leave it here and go.

He summoned the old woman and asked:

– Why were there fewer flowers before, whereas today there are more?

She replied:

– Great lord, previously my close relatives came asking for flowers, and I gave some to them, but now I no longer do so. Moreover, my eyes are dim and I cannot see clearly. The young girl Bright Moon sees clearly when gathering flowers, and therefore obtains more.

Mahanama said:

– Then let this girl remain in the garden. Each day she shall gather many flowers, fashion them into a garland, and bring it to me.

For this reason, he gave the girl the name Mallika, “Beautiful Garland.”

One day, after receiving her portion of food and while on her way into the garden, Mallika encountered the Buddha, the Blessed One, entering the city for alms. Seeing the excellent marks of the Buddha on the road, Mallika’s heart became filled with reverent faith. Gazing upon his honored countenance, she stood still and earnestly thought, “Because in the past I never made offerings to a true field of merit, I am now so poor and lowly. If the Buddha, the Blessed One, will accept my food, I shall offer this meal to him.” Knowing the girl’s thought, the Blessed One extended his bowl and said:

– Good daughter! You wish to offer your food; place it in this bowl.

With a reverent heart, she placed her portion of food in the Buddha’s bowl, bowed at his feet, and said:

– By this merit, may I cast off my lowly body, be free from poverty and suffering, and attain great wealth and nobility.

Having made this vow, she bowed to the Buddha and departed. On the road, Mallika suddenly met a friend of her father. This man was skilled in reading bodily marks. Seeing that Mallika possessed unusual marks, he asked:

– What do you desire?

Mallika began to weep.

He asked again:

– Why are you so sorrowful?

She replied:

– Uncle, Mahanama has taken me as a slave girl.

The man said:

– Niece, give me your hand so that I may examine your marks.

When she held out her hand, the old man looked at it and spoke this verse:

Whoever has upon her palm

The interwoven mark of a wheel,

Though born in a lowly station,

Shall become the wife of a king.

Whoever has upon her palm

Marks of cities, towers, and terraces,

Though born into a lowly house,

Shall become the chief consort of a great king.

Whoever has a mouth like a lotus pool

And a voice like the sovereign of geese,

Though born into a lowly house,

Shall become the chief consort of a great king.

You should not be sorrowful;

You will certainly escape from slavery,

Enjoy the highest wealth and honor,

And become the chief consort of a great king.

Mallika bowed in thanks to the old man and returned to the garden.

One day, King Prasenajit arrayed the four divisions of his army and went out of the city to hunt. The horse he was riding suddenly bolted beyond control and carried the king to Kapilavastu, into Mahanama’s garden. Mallika saw him and said:

– Hail, Great King!

The king asked Mallika:

– To whom does this garden belong?

She replied:

– It is Mahanama’s garden.

The king dismounted, and the girl tied his horse to a tree. The king said:

– Bring me water. I wish to wash my feet.

Thinking, “I should find warm water for the king to wash his feet,” the girl went to a place where the sun shone upon the water, scooped up a full measure with a lotus leaf, and presented it to the king for washing his feet. The king then said:

– Bring me water to wash my face.

Thinking, “Warm water should not be used for washing the face,” the girl stirred the water with her hand until it was moderately cool and presented it to the king. After washing his face, the king again said:

– Bring me water to drink.

Thinking, “Only cold water can quench thirst,” the girl drew water from deep within the pond and presented it to the king. After drinking, the king asked her:

– Are there three kinds of water in this garden?

She replied:

– There are not three kinds of water in the garden. There is only water from one place.

The king asked again:

– If there is only one kind of water, why did you just bring me three different kinds?

The girl explained to the king what she had done. After hearing her, the king thought, “This girl is skilled in knowing the proper method for each occasion.” He said to her:

– I wish to sleep. I need you to massage my feet.

The girl massaged the king’s feet while he rested. When the king was sound asleep, she thought, “Kings are exalted and noble; they inevitably have many enemies and few who cherish them. The king is now sleeping soundly, and I fear that some wicked person may come and harm him. If I do not close the gate and guard him, and someone harms the king, both my master and I will certainly be held guilty.” To protect him, the girl immediately closed the garden gate.

At that time, the four divisions of the army, searching for the king, reached the garden and called out:

– Is the king here?

Although she heard them, the girl still refused to open the gate. Awakened by the commotion of the troops outside, the king asked her:

– What is that noise?

She replied:

– Some people have come asking where the Great King is and demanding that the gate be opened.

He asked:

– Who closed the gate?

She replied:

– I closed it.

– Why did you close it? the king asked.

She replied:

– I thought that kings are exalted and noble, so they have many enemies and few who cherish them. The king was sleeping soundly, and I feared that some wicked person might come and harm you. If I did not close the gate and protect you, and you were suddenly injured, both my master and I would certainly be held guilty. Therefore, I closed the gate.

After hearing this, the king praised her, saying:

– Excellent! This girl possesses marvelous resourcefulness.

The king then asked:

– How is Mahanama, the owner of this garden, related to you?

She replied:

– I am Mahanama’s servant.

The king said:

– You are not of lowly rank; you are Mahanama’s daughter. Why do you not tell me the truth?

The girl remained silent.

The king then told her to enter the city and report to Mahanama:

– King Prasenajit is in his garden.

The girl hurried away and reported everything to Mahanama. On hearing the report, he went with many people to the garden, taking fine food, incense, and flowers. Upon seeing King Prasenajit, Mahanama acclaimed him:

– Hail, Great King!

After exchanging greetings, he attended the king while he bathed, then presented him with fine garments, scented ointments, garlands, and an abundance of delicious food. After the meal, as they conversed, the king asked Mahanama:

– How is this young girl related to you?

He replied:

– She is a servant.

The king said:

– She is not a servant; she is your daughter. Give her to me.

Mahanama said:

– There are many Shakyan maidens whose wondrous beauty surpasses hers many times over. Why does the king not choose one of them?

The king replied:

– This girl is precisely the one I require. I need no other.

Mahanama said:

– If that is so, I shall arrange the complete rites and present her to you.

The king said:

– Excellent!

Mahanama immediately adorned the city and swept the roads. He arrayed Mallika in all kinds of ornaments and seated her upon a great elephant. In a spacious place, a bell was sounded and a proclamation made to everyone in Kapilavastu and to those who had come from other regions:

– Mallika, daughter of Mahanama of the Shakyan clan, is about to be presented to King Prasenajit of Kosala as his chief consort.

Escorted by all the people of the city and with the complete ceremonial array of troops, King Prasenajit welcomed Mallika and returned with her to his kingdom.

When the queen mother heard that the king had taken a slave girl as his consort, she was deeply grieved and angrily thought, “He is no worthy son. He troubled me while in my womb, and after I gave birth to him and raised him to maturity, he has finally become the husband of a lowly woman.”

Upon returning to the city, the king said to Mallika:

– Go and pay your respects to the great lady.

Mallika went to the great lady, bowed her head in homage, and embraced both her feet. When Mallika’s soft hands touched her feet, the queen mother suddenly felt her body and mind overwhelmed with bliss. Only after a long while did she recover, and she said:

– Behold this lowly girl with her beautiful body! She will surely bring ruin upon my city of Kosala.

At that time, King Prasenajit had two chief consorts. One was named Varshakara, and the other Mallika. When he was joyfully together with Mallika, the king would often praise Varshakara, saying:

– Mallika, you should know that the consort Varshakara possesses unsurpassed beauty.

Mallika asked the king:

– When may I see her?

The king replied:

– Before long, you will see her.

When he was with Varshakara, the king would often praise Mallika, saying:

– Varshakara, you should know that the consort Mallika’s flesh is tender and soft, a rarity in the world.

Varshakara asked the king:

– When may I behold her?

The king replied:

– Before long, I shall let you meet her.

By continually praising each to the other, the king caused them to admire one another and desire to meet.

Later, during the third month of spring, a hundred flowers bloomed in profusion, the plants and trees flourished, and the waters of the ponds were clear and blue. Amid the brilliant flowers, peacocks, parrots, geese, wild geese, orioles, and mandarin ducks flew together and vied with one another in melodious song.

One day, in a beautiful garden, the king, surrounded by the women of the palace, roamed everywhere in amusement. When the king rested, the palace women delightedly gathered flowers and fruit, wandering wherever they wished. At that time, Varshakara had grown weary and stood resting while holding a branch of an ashoka tree. Passing nearby and seeing her, Mallika mistook her for the tree deity, approached, and bowed at her feet. At the touch of Mallika’s hands, Varshakara immediately swooned.

Just as she regained consciousness, the king saw Mallika beside Varshakara and ordered the palace women to return to the palace. Later, when the king praised Mallika in Varshakara’s presence, Varshakara asked:

– When may I meet Mallika?

The king said:

– You have already met her.

Varshakara replied:

– I do not remember meeting her.

The king said:

– I shall remind you of your meeting. Recall that when you were standing in the garden holding a branch of the ashoka tree, Mallika came to you and touched your feet with her hands.

Varshakara asked:

– Was that person Mallika?

– Yes, said the king.

Varshakara said:

– Now I understand! I must be greatly beloved by the Great King, for you passed over one whose body is so beautiful and soft and deigned to come to me.

In Mallika’s presence, when the king praised Varshakara, Mallika asked:

– When may I meet Varshakara?

The king said:

– You have already met her.

Mallika replied:

– I have never met her!

The king said:

– I shall remind you. Beneath the ashoka tree, you bowed at Varshakara’s feet.

Mallika asked:

– Was that Varshakara?

The king said:

– Yes!

Mallika said:

– Great King, I know that you love me greatly, for you passed over a woman of such beauty and deigned to come to me.

Everyone throughout the kingdom knew that King Prasenajit had two consorts, Mallika and Varshakara. Mallika’s softness was unsurpassed, while Varshakara’s beauty was incomparable.

The bhikshus had doubts and asked the Blessed One:

– Venerable Sir! What wholesome karma did Mallika and Varshakara perform, through the power of which one has a soft and delicate body while the other possesses incomparable beauty?

The Blessed One said:

– The ripened fruits now experienced by these two women all arise from karma they performed and brought to maturity... as extensively explained elsewhere. Bhikshus, in the past, in a great city, a Brahmin married a wife. Before long, a son was born to them, and several years later they had a daughter. When the brother and sister had just grown up, both parents fell ill and died. Overwhelmed by this exceedingly sorrowful event, the youth thought of entering the forests and mountains. He led his younger sister into the wilderness, where they gathered flowers and fruit to sustain themselves.

– Bhikshus! A great venomous snake has five harmful qualities. What are the five? First, it is greatly prone to anger; second, it long bears resentment; third, it does evil; fourth, it is ungrateful; and fifth, it is highly venomous. You should know that women likewise have five faults: first, they are greatly prone to anger; second, they long bear resentment; third, they do evil; fourth, they are ungrateful; and fifth, they are highly venomous.

– In what sense are women highly venomous?

– Ordinarily, women harbor intense sensual desire in their hearts. When that maiden reached maturity, sensual desire became strong within her. She said to her brother, “I can no longer live by eating flowers and fruit. Let us go down to a place where people dwell and seek food.” Her brother led her out of the mountain forest, and together they went to a Brahmin’s house to beg for food. Hearing two voices calling, the master of the house came outside, saw them, and asked:

– Does a hermit also have a wife?

The brother replied:

– She is my younger sister, not my wife.

The man asked:

– Has she been betrothed?

– No, the brother replied.

The householder said:

– If so, why not give her to me in marriage?

He replied:

– My sister has renounced the evil ways of the world.

Driven by intense desire, the younger sister said to her brother:

– It is not that I cannot live in the forest by eating fruit, but I cannot endure the torment of the afflictions. Therefore, I left the mountain forest with you to dwell among people. Please give me in marriage to this Brahmin.

The brother said:

– I truly cannot give you in marriage, for that is an evil worldly practice and not something I do. You may act as you wish according to your worldly inclination.

Understanding the girl’s intention, the Brahmin entered his house, assembled his relatives, and married her. The younger sister said to her brother:

– From now on, live with me in this house, but stay in a separate room.

The brother said:

– I do not seek sensual pleasures. I delight only in going forth.

She said:

– First make me a promise, and afterward do as you wish.

He asked:

– What promise?

She replied:

– If you attain an excellent fruit, come and see me.

Saying, “Excellent! It shall be as you wish,” the brother took his leave. He went forth among the hermits and, through the power of wholesome roots from former lives, cultivated the thirty-seven factors of awakening. Without a teacher, he awakened by himself and attained the fruit of a pratyekabuddha.

He thought, “Previously, I made a promise to my younger sister. I should go and see her.” The pratyekabuddha went to her house, rose into the air, and displayed spiritual transformations. From his upper body he emitted blazing fire, and from his lower body he poured clear water. Having manifested many wondrous signs, he descended to the ground. At the sight of these spiritual powers, the minds of ordinary people were transformed, just as a great tree falls to the earth. His younger sister bowed at his feet and said:

– Elder brother, you have attained sublime and excellent virtues!

He replied:

– Indeed.

She said:

– You must still eat and drink to sustain your body. Seeking merit, I ask permission to make offerings to you. Please remain here.

He replied:

– You must not decide on your own. Ask your husband.

The younger sister said to her husband:

– You should know that my elder brother has gone forth, perfected the moral precepts, and attained the foremost and most sublime fruit in the world. I wish to make offerings to him but dare not decide on my own. If you consent, I shall offer him provisions for three months.

He replied:

– Good lady! Had he not gone forth, even if I were unwilling, I would still have to provide him with everything he needed. How much more so now that he has gone forth and attained an excellent fruit of the path! Make offerings for three months as you wish.

Seeing these offerings of food, the husband’s former wife thought, “The household wealth is shared. She knows how to seek merit; why should I not do likewise?” She said:

– Your elder brother is also one whom I revere. I wish personally to make offerings to him every other day.

The younger wife replied:

– As you wish, elder sister.

The pratyekabuddha’s younger sister, wishing to preserve harmony with the other woman, placed fine, delicious food underneath and ordinary food on top. She brought it to the former wife and said:

– I have brought this food as an offering to my elder brother. Please rejoice in the merit.

On the days of her own offerings, the former wife likewise wished to preserve harmony with the younger wife, so she placed ordinary food underneath and fine food on top. She brought it to the new wife and said:

– I have brought this fragrant and delicious food as an offering to your venerable elder brother. Please rejoice in the merit.

– Bhikshus, you should know that Mallika was the younger sister of that pratyekabuddha. Because she offered her elder brother refined and delicious food, through the power of this merit her body remained soft and delicate for five hundred lifetimes. Varshakara was the former wife who placed fine food on top as an offering to the pratyekabuddha. Through this meritorious karma, she possessed a beautiful form for five hundred lifetimes... until, in this present life, her appearance became unsurpassed.

Bhikshus, you should know that black karma leads to black results, white karma leads to white results, and mixed karma leads to mixed results. You should abandon both black and mixed karma and cultivate white karma... as extensively explained before. Bhikshus, you should train in this way.

Later, the consort Mallika became pregnant. That same night, the wife of a Brahmin minister also conceived, and she endured much suffering because of the pregnancy. After nine months, Mallika gave birth to a son. His form was handsome, and everyone delighted in looking at him. Twenty-one days later, the relatives assembled to perform the child’s naming ceremony. The king said:

– Carry this child to the queen mother and ask her to give him a name.

Obeying the king’s command, the ministers carried the child and presented him to the queen mother. She said:

– Did I not say before, “Behold this slave girl with her beautiful, soft body! She will surely bring ruin upon my city of Kosala”?

A minister said:

– It is indeed so. Before the child was born, the queen mother foretold an inauspicious event. Therefore, he should be named Virudhaka, “Ill-Born.”

On the day Virudhaka was born, the minister’s wife also gave birth to a son. When a full month had passed... as above... the relatives assembled to perform the naming ceremony. Everyone discussed the matter and said:

– While carrying this child, his mother endured much hardship, and during his birth she suffered greatly again. Therefore, he should be named Matriduhkha, “Mother’s Suffering.”

Eight nurses attended Prince Virudhaka... as extensively explained elsewhere. Matriduhkha was likewise cared for by eight nurses and raised to maturity. A Brahmin must study all kinds of arts and occupations to their fullest extent.

On one occasion, Prince Virudhaka and Matriduhkha went out of the city to hunt. The prince’s horse suddenly bolted and carried him to the Shakyan garden at Kapilavastu. The garden keeper reported to his masters:

– Prince Virudhaka has entered the garden.

Hearing this, the Shakyans discussed the matter among themselves:

– Let us advance quickly. We wish to kill Virudhaka; this is truly the right moment.

They all armed themselves and prepared to leave the city. Seeing this, the elders asked them:

– Where do you intend to lead these troops?

They replied:

– Prince Virudhaka has entered the Shakyan garden.

The elders said:

– He is a guest who has just arrived and has not yet offended us. Be patient for the time being.

Hearing this, they withdrew into the city.

The four divisions of the army, searching for the prince, also arrived and roamed everywhere through the garden. The garden keeper reported to the city:

– Virudhaka’s four divisions of troops have entered the garden and devastated it.

Hearing this, the people grew still more enraged. With heightened might, they set out from the city together, intending to slaughter them. The elders again asked:

– Where do you intend to go after leaving the city?

They replied:

– Prince Virudhaka has led the four divisions of his army to destroy our garden. We intend to kill him.

The elders said:

– Be patient for the time being.

When Virudhaka learned that the Shakyan troops intended to come and harm him, he hurriedly led his army back to his kingdom, leaving only one man behind to listen secretly to the Shakyans’ discussions. When the Shakyan forces reached the garden, they searched and found only that man. They asked:

– Where is the lowborn son Virudhaka now?

He replied:

– He has just departed.

The Shakyans discussed the matter among themselves, saying:

– If we had captured Virudhaka, we would first have cut off his hands.

Some said they would have cut off his feet, while others said they would have torn out his heart. They continued:

– Now that he has escaped, what can we do?

They then ordered people to dig up and remove, to a depth of the knees, the earth upon which Virudhaka had walked or stood. They filled the pits with soil from elsewhere, demolished and remade the places, anointed with scented water the walls against which Virudhaka had leaned or which he had touched, rearranged the flowers, and swept the entire garden clean.

After witnessing all these actions, the man whom Virudhaka had left behind returned to the city of Kosala. He went before Virudhaka, paid homage, and stood to one side. Virudhaka asked:

– What did the Shakyans say about me?

He replied:

– Prince, their words were exceedingly vicious. I dare not repeat them.

Virudhaka said:

– They spoke evil words, so let them bear the consequences. Tell me truthfully whatever you heard and saw. I wish to know clearly what they did.

The man then recounted all the events described above. On hearing them, Virudhaka became furious and said to his attendants:

– Remember this well. After my royal father dies and I succeed to the throne, you must recount this event and remind me of it. This is the foremost of my enmities, and therefore I must exterminate the Shakyan clan.

Matriduhkha said:

– Excellent! The prince’s words are deeply satisfying. Please remain resolute. When you succeed to the throne, I shall remind you.

THE MULASARVASTIVADA

VINAYA MISCELLANEA

End of Fascicle Seven.