大方便佛報恩經

Volume Four

06. CHAPTER SIX: EVIL FRIENDS

At that time, the great assembly surrounded the Blessed One, making offerings to him, revering, honoring, and praising him. The Tathagata then joyfully smiled and emitted from his forehead a four-colored halo of great compassion—blue, yellow, red, and white—which illuminated the ten directions, extending upward to the Akanistha Heaven and downward to the eighteen hells. When its rays shone upon the tormented and suffering body of Devadatta, he immediately became peaceful and at ease.

The great assembly then praised the Tathagata in unison:

“How precious! How precious! The Blessed One is truly endowed with great loving-kindness and great compassion, always regarding enemies and loved ones with an impartial mind. Devadatta has continually harbored venomous intentions and plotted to harm the Tathagata, yet the Blessed One not only feels neither fear nor resentment toward him, but even takes pity on him and emits the light of great compassion to shine upon him, bringing him peace and ease.”

The Blessed One then told the great assembly:

“It is not only in this lifetime that Devadatta has continually sought to harm me. In the distant past, Devadatta also repeatedly wished to harm me, yet I likewise forgave and delivered him through loving-kindness and compassion.”

At that time, the Venerable Ananda perceived that doubts had arisen in the minds of the great assembly. He rose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, knelt with his right knee upon the ground, joined his palms, and addressed the Buddha:

“Blessed One, how did Devadatta repeatedly seek to harm the Buddha in past lives?”

The Buddha told the Venerable Ananda:

“Listen carefully, and I shall explain this matter clearly for you. In the distant past, an incalculable number of years ago, there was a kingdom called Varanasi. In that kingdom a Buddha appeared in the world, named Vipasyin Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, Well-Gone One, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed One, Tamer of Persons to Be Tamed, Teacher of Devas and Humans, Buddha, Blessed One. The Buddha Vipasyin taught and transformed beings in the world for ten thousand years and then entered nirvana. His true Dharma endured for twelve thousand years, after which the age of the semblance Dharma began.

“During the age of the semblance Dharma, there was a king of Varanasi named Maharaja. The king was exceedingly intelligent and benevolent. He governed the kingdom according to the true Dharma and did not exploit his people.

He was sovereign over sixteen smaller kingdoms and eight hundred villages and settlements. He possessed five hundred white elephants and twenty thousand consorts, but he had no son. King Maharaja therefore performed rites of supplication to the deities of rivers, mountains, forests, and trees, praying for an heir.

After he had done so continuously for twelve years, both his first and second queens became pregnant. Upon hearing this news, the king was overjoyed. He personally attended to their food, drink, beds, and canopies, ensuring that both queens received everything they desired.

After ten months, the first queen gave birth to a prince whose body was well proportioned, whose features were handsome, and whose countenance was dignified. The second queen likewise gave birth to a son. The king was immeasurably delighted and summoned his civil and military officials, physiognomists, and brahmin masters to examine the two princes’ marks and give them names.

“The physiognomist asked:

“‘When the first prince was born, did any unusual sign occur?’

“The king replied:

“‘The mother of the first prince had always been ill-tempered, quick to anger, jealous, proud, and arrogant. But since giving birth to the prince, her disposition has completely changed. She has become gentle, cheerful, generous, and humble, and she is always smiling. Whenever she meets anyone, she speaks to them courteously and asks after their well-being, loving everyone as a mother loves her child.’

“The physiognomist said:

“‘It is through the merit and virtue of this child that his parents have been transformed in this way. He should therefore be named Prince Good Friend.’

“The physiognomist then asked:

“‘When the second queen gave birth to her prince, did anything unusual occur?’

“The king replied:

“‘The second queen had always been kindhearted and cheerful. Her speech was gentle, and everyone cherished her. But from the time she became pregnant, her temperament suddenly changed: she became irritable, resentful, jealous, and prone to cursing others.’

“The physiognomist said:

“‘It is through the karmic retribution of this child that his mother has been transformed in this way. He should therefore be named Prince Evil Friend.’

“From that time onward, the two princes gradually grew to maturity. By the age of fourteen, Prince Good Friend had shown himself to be exceptionally intelligent and benevolent. He frequently gave alms to the poor and needy and was therefore greatly loved and esteemed by his parents. Prince Evil Friend, however, was violent by nature. His parents often disliked him and did not wish even to look upon his face. Evil Friend therefore became jealous of his elder brother, frequently provoked discord, harbored resentment, and desired only to harm him.

“One day, Prince Good Friend went outside the city with his retinue to enjoy an excursion. The prince saw a man plowing a field. Wherever the plowshare passed, insects fled from beneath the earth and were immediately pecked up and eaten by birds. Seeing this, the prince was overcome with sorrow and compassion. Because he had been raised deep within the inner palace and had never witnessed such a thing, he asked his attendants:

“‘Why do these creatures kill one another? And why must that man labor so arduously?’

“His attendants replied:

“‘Your Highness possesses a kingdom because of the people; the people survive because of food and drink; and food and drink exist because people plow and cultivate various grains to sustain human life.’

“Upon hearing this, the prince appeared sorrowful and deeply moved. After traveling a little farther, he saw a group of people, both men and women, weaving cloth. They were drenched in sweat and appeared exhausted from their labor. The prince again asked:

“‘What are those people doing?’

“His attendants replied:

“‘Your Highness, they are weaving cloth to make garments with which people may cover their bodies and protect themselves from the cold.’

“The prince thought to himself, ‘For the sake of food to eat and clothes to wear, people must endure such hardship.’ After traveling a little farther, he saw people skinning oxen and horses and cutting the throats of pigs and goats. The prince immediately asked:

“‘What are those people doing, tearing those animals apart in that way?’

“His attendants replied:

“‘They are butchers who sell meat to earn their livelihood.’

“Upon hearing this, the prince appeared horrified and said:

“‘How strange! How can people be so merciless? Relying on their strength, they oppress the weak and take life to earn a livelihood, thereby creating grievances for which they must repay one another throughout countless lives.’

“After traveling a little farther, he encountered another group of people trapping birds, catching fish, oppressing the innocent, and allowing the strong to bully the weak. The prince again asked:

“‘What are those people doing?’

“‘Your Highness, they are trapping birds and catching fish in exchange for food to eat and clothes to wear.’

“Upon hearing this, the prince became sorrowful and shed tears, grieving that beings in the world continually create evil karma and must consequently endure immeasurable painful retributions. His compassion remained unappeased, and he ordered the carriage turned around and returned to the palace.

“When he arrived at the palace, the king saw that the prince appeared anxious and sorrowful and asked him the reason. The prince recounted to his royal father everything he had witnessed during his excursion outside the city. The king said:

“‘These things occur naturally and cannot be avoided. You should not grieve over them, my son, lest you harm your health.’

“The prince said:

“‘I now wish to ask one thing of my royal father. Would you be willing to grant it?’

“The king said:

“You are your father’s beloved son. Whatever you desire, speak it, and I shall grant your wish.”

The prince said:

“I wish to ask the royal father for all the stores of wealth and provisions, so that I may give them away to everyone.”

The king replied:

“Do as you wish; your father will have no regrets.”

Thereupon, Prince Good Friend ordered the keeper of the treasury to open the storehouses and use five hundred great elephants to carry the various treasures to the four gates of the city. He proclaimed throughout the kingdom that whoever needed food, clothing, or wealth could freely come and take what they wished. At that time, the prince’s fame resounded throughout the eight directions. People came from everywhere, and within a short time, two-thirds of the wealth in the treasuries had been exhausted. The keeper of the treasury immediately went before the king and reported:

“Your Majesty! The prince has given away two-thirds of the wealth in the treasuries. I beseech Your Majesty to reconsider.”

The king said:

“You must not act against the prince’s wishes.”

Some time later, the officials assembled to deliberate, saying, “The prosperity of the kingdom depends upon its treasuries. Now, if all the wealth in the treasuries is exhausted, the kingdom will be in peril.” Having concluded their deliberations, the officials went before the king and said:

“Your Majesty! The prince has already used two-thirds of the wealth in the treasuries. We beseech Your Majesty to restrain him.”

The king replied:

“We dare not act against our son’s wishes. You ministers should therefore find some tactful way to restrain the prince.”

The next day, when Prince Good Friend went to the treasury, he did not see the keeper there, and the treasury doors were tightly locked. The prince sent someone to summon the keeper, but he could not be found. The prince became displeased and said:

“How dare the keeper of the treasury act against my wishes? Or has my royal father ordered him to do so?”

After speaking, the prince suddenly came to his senses and thought to himself, “A filial son should not dissipate his parents’ wealth. I shall seek treasures myself and give them to sentient beings. If I cannot provide all sentient beings with food and clothing in abundance, according to their wishes, how can I be called the son of a great king?”

Having thought thus, the prince summoned the civil and military officials for counsel. The prince asked:

“What occupation enables a person to acquire the greatest wealth?”

The chief minister replied:

“In this world, one who wishes to become wealthy should first cultivate the land and grow crops, for this requires little capital but yields great profit.”

Another minister said:

“The occupation that brings the greatest profit is the raising of livestock, because animals reproduce very quickly.”

Yet another minister said:

“Whoever wishes to become exceedingly wealthy must go to sea in search of precious treasures. If one obtains the precious mani jewel, one may freely provide for all sentient beings, enabling them all to have everything they desire.”

Prince Good Friend said:

“Only this course accords perfectly with my intention.”

The prince immediately dismissed the officials and entered the palace to address his royal father:

“I now wish to go to sea in search of precious jewels. I beseech my royal father to grant permission.”

Upon hearing these words, which struck him like thunder beside his ear, the king choked with emotion and said to the prince:

“This realm and all the treasures in its storehouses belong to you. You may use them as you wish. Why must you go to sea in search of jewels? You were born and raised within the inner palace and have always lived amid silk and luxury. If you must now endure wind and dew, hunger and thirst, heat and cold, who will care for you? Moreover, the boundless ocean holds countless perils: evil spirits and venomous dragons, pounding waves and battering winds, whirlpools and submerged reefs, whales and sharks. Of tens of thousands who set forth, only one or two reach their destination. Now you ask to go to sea; your father cannot permit this.”

At that time, Prince Good Friend immediately prostrated himself upon the ground and addressed his royal father:

“If my parents do not allow me to go to sea in search of jewels, I shall relinquish my life here and will never rise again.”

The king and his consorts, seeing this, looked at one another and were speechless. After some time, they approached and entreated the prince:

“My son, rise and take food and drink.”

The prince said:

“If my parents will not grant my wish, I am resolved to fast until I die.”

The royal father and the consorts were overcome with sorrow and anguish and wept bitterly. Thus an entire day passed, yet the prince neither ate nor drank. Then two days, three days, and as many as six days passed, but the prince remained unmoved. His parents became exceedingly fearful, and on the seventh day they gently consoled and admonished him:

“My son, rise and take food and drink! This body survives only through food and drink. Without them, you will surely die.”

The prince said:

“If my parents are determined not to permit me to go to sea in search of jewels, I shall die here and never rise again.”

Thereupon, the chief consort addressed the king:

“Our son’s resolve is so firm that it will be difficult to move him. How could we bear to watch him relinquish his life here? I therefore beseech Your Majesty to have compassion and permit him to go to sea. Then there may still be one faint hope in ten thousand. But if we do not permit him, he will surely die here at once.”

Seeing that there was no way to prevent him, the king was compelled to consent. Prince Good Friend then rose joyfully and bowed at his royal father’s feet. The palace consorts, maidservants, and hundreds of thousands of people around them all asked one another:

“Is the prince alive or dead?”

The king replied:

“Today the prince has risen and is joyfully eating and drinking as usual.”

The king asked the prince:

“What treasure do you intend to seek by going to sea?”

The prince replied:

“Royal Father, I wish to find the precious mani jewel so that I may provide for all sentient beings and ensure that they lack nothing.”

Thereupon, the king issued a proclamation throughout the kingdom, saying:

“Prince Good Friend wishes to go to sea in search of the precious mani jewel. Whoever is willing to accompany the prince shall, upon returning, be granted enough wealth to remain free from want for seven generations. We shall fully equip the ships and provide provisions for the journey.” Upon hearing this proclamation, five hundred people joyfully assembled and went before the king, saying:

“Your Majesty! We willingly volunteer to accompany the prince.”

At that time, in the kingdom of Varanasi, there lived a mariner who was thoroughly familiar with the sea routes. He was, however, already eighty years old, and his eyesight had grown dim. The king of Varanasi went to him in person and said:

“We have only one son. Never before has he gone anywhere, yet now he wishes to go to sea in search of jewels. We have therefore come to trouble you to accompany him and guide our son.”

Hearing the king’s words, the mariner was deeply moved and began to weep. He then addressed the king:

“Your Majesty! The boundless ocean holds countless dangers and hardships. Of tens of thousands who set forth, only one or two reach their destination. Why does Your Majesty allow the prince to venture upon so perilous a path?”

The king said:

“The prince is resolute in his desire to go. We entreated him for many days, but he would not listen. Therefore, because we love our son so dearly, we dared not act against his wishes.” Hearing this, the mariner obeyed the king’s command and agreed to accompany the prince.

At that time, Prince Good Friend fully prepared provisions for five hundred people and had them transported to the seashore. Then the Prince’s younger brother, Evil Friend, thought to himself: “Our parents have always loved Good Friend more than me. Now Good Friend is going out to sea in search of precious jewels. If one day he obtains the jewel and brings it back, our parents will surely love Good Friend even more and despise me.” Having thought thus, Prince Evil Friend went to the King and asked permission to accompany Good Friend to sea in search of jewels. The King said:

-As you wish. If you encounter calamities along the way, you brothers must protect one another.

Upon reaching the sea, Prince Good Friend used seven anchors to moor the ship for seven days before setting sail. Each morning, just as the sun rose, Prince Good Friend sounded a drum and proclaimed:

-All of you, whoever wishes to go to sea may remain silent. But whoever still longs for parents, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and the pleasures of worldly life should return home and not follow me on my account. Why is this? Because the vast ocean is fraught with many dangers; among tens of thousands who set forth, only one or two reach their destination.

Whenever he made this proclamation, if everyone remained silent, one anchor was raised and placed against the side of the ship. He made the same proclamation each day until the seventh day, when all seven anchors had been raised and they began to hoist the sails and put out to sea.

Through the merit and compassion of the Prince, everyone crossed the great ocean and arrived safely at Precious Treasure Mountain without mishap. Upon arriving, Prince Good Friend sounded a drum and proclaimed:

-You should know that after traveling such a great distance, we have now reached our destination. You must therefore quickly gather treasures and return home—the sooner, the better. But the treasures here are extremely heavy and precious; nothing in Jambudvipa can compare with them. Therefore, do not greedily load too much, lest the ship, burdened by excessive weight, sink midstream and fail to return. Then all your arduous efforts would truly have been in vain.

Having finished his instructions, the Prince took leave of everyone, saying:

-You may return home without concern. I must journey onward to find the precious mani jewel.

Then Prince Good Friend and the navigator who served as his guide advanced onward. After traveling for seven days, they reached a place where the water came only to their knees. After another seven days, they reached a place where the water rose to their necks. Advancing for seven more days and crossing a stretch of silt, they came to a beach whose sand was entirely of white silver. The guide asked:

-Of what substance is this ground made?

The Prince replied:

-This ground is entirely of white silver.

The guide then said:

-Prince, look far into the four directions and see whether there is a range of White Silver Mountains.

-To the southeast, a range of White Silver Mountains can be seen.

-This road will lead to the foot of that mountain range.

When they reached the White Silver Mountains, the guide said to the Prince:

-Now we should proceed to Golden Mountain.

But at that time, the guide felt weary and utterly exhausted. He lay down and said to the Prince:

-I feel exceedingly weak. Before long, I will surely lose my life here. Therefore, Prince, summon your courage.

From here, travel eastward for about seven more days and you will reach Golden Mountain. From Golden Mountain, travel another seven days and you will come to a place where the ground is entirely covered with crimson lotus flowers. After passing through that place, you will reach a city made of the Seven Treasures.

The city’s foundations are entirely of yellow gold, its towers and pavilions are of white silver, its screens are of red coral, pearl nets are suspended above, and its seven concentric moats and ramparts are entirely of vaidurya. That is the city of the Great Ocean Dragon King. Within the right ear of that Dragon King is a wish-fulfilling mani jewel.

The Prince should go there and ask for it. If you obtain that jewel, you can cause the whole of Jambudvipa to abound in every kind of treasure, food, clothing, medicine, and joyous music. In short, whatever all sentient beings need can be fulfilled according to their wishes; therefore, it is called the Wish-Fulfilling Jewel.

If the Prince obtains that jewel, your long-cherished aspiration will surely be fulfilled.

Having said this, the guide breathed his last.

Then Prince Good Friend embraced the guide’s body and wept bitterly. With the guide’s death, the Prince had lost one whom he trusted. After covering the navigator with golden sand and burying him, Prince Good Friend circumambulated the grave seven times, paid homage, and took his leave.

From there, the Prince went straight to Golden Mountain. After crossing Golden Mountain, he saw blue lotus flowers growing all over the ground. Beneath the lotuses were many venomous snakes, also blue in color.

Those snakes were highly venomous and also blue in color. Those snakes were extremely deadly: anyone they bit would die; anyone who brushed against them would die; and anyone upon whom they spat venom would also die. Those venomous snakes coiled around the lotus stalks, staring at the Prince with glaring eyes and darting tongues.

Prince Good Friend then entered the contemplation of loving-kindness and compassion. Through the power of loving-kindness and compassion, he stepped upon the lotus flowers and proceeded straight toward the Dragon King’s palace, while the venomous snakes did him no harm. On the four sides of the Dragon King’s palace were seven concentric moats and ramparts.

Within them were many venomous dragons, their bodies coiled around one another and their heads facing one another as they guarded the city gates.

When Prince Good Friend arrived outside the city gate, he saw that the place was filled entirely with venomous dragons. The Prince brought forth a heart of loving-kindness and thought to himself: “If this body of mine were slain by those venomous dragons, all sentient beings in Jambudvipa would lose a great benefit.”

Then the Prince raised his right hand and said to the venomous dragons:

-You should know that, for the sake of all sentient beings, I now wish to have an audience with the Dragon King.

At once, all the venomous dragons opened a path for the Prince to pass through. After traversing the seventh moat and rampart, the Prince reached the city gate. There he saw two jeweled maidens, clad in silks and velvets, graceful and elegant. The Prince asked:

-Who are you?

The jeweled maidens replied:

-We are handmaidens of the Dragon King, charged with guarding the outer city gate.

The Prince then entered the middle gate and saw four more jeweled maidens, adorned entirely in white silver. The Prince asked:

-Are you ladies consorts of the Dragon King?

The jeweled maidens replied:

-No. We are merely handmaidens of the Dragon King, charged with guarding the city’s middle gate.

The Prince then entered the inner gate and saw eight jeweled maidens, adorned in yellow gold. The Prince asked:

-Who are you ladies?

The jeweled maidens replied:

-We are the handmaidens who guard the Dragon King’s gate.

The Prince said:

-Ladies, please go in on my behalf and inform the Great Ocean Dragon King that Prince Good Friend, son of the King of Varanasi in Jambudvipa, wishes to have an audience with the Dragon King.

The jeweled maidens immediately went in and reported this to the Dragon King. Upon hearing it, the Dragon King was astonished and thought to himself: “Unless this were a person endowed with abundant merit and a virtuous heart, he could never have traversed such long and perilous roads to reach this place.” Having thought thus, the Dragon King went personally to the gate to welcome Prince Good Friend into the palace.

The Dragon King's palace was made entirely of vaidurya; its couches and seats were fashioned from the seven precious substances, radiating such dazzling brilliance that the eyes were blinded upon beholding it. The Dragon King invited Prince Good Friend to be seated, and they conversed together. On that occasion, the Prince expounded the Dharma for the Dragon King, speaking of the merit of generosity and offerings, and of the blessed rewards in the human and heavenly realms. After listening, the Great Ocean Dragon King rejoiced and asked the Prince:

“You have crossed so many vast seas to come here. What is it that you seek?”

The Prince said:

“Great King, all sentient beings in Jambudvipa endure immeasurable suffering merely for food to eat and clothing to wear. Heedless of the great distance, hardships, and dangers, I have come here solely to ask for the wish-fulfilling mani jewel in Your Majesty's left ear. I wish to take it back and provide for all sentient beings, so that everyone may have ample food and clothing.”

The Dragon King said:

“Prince, please remain here for seven days, so that I may have the opportunity to make offerings to you.”

Prince Good Friend accepted the Dragon King's invitation. After seven days, the Dragon King presented the Prince with the mani jewel. Having received the jewel, the Prince bade farewell to the Dragon King and set out to return to Jambudvipa. The Great Ocean Dragon King then ordered the dragon deities to escort the Prince through the sky, and before long he reached the seashore of Jambudvipa.

Upon arriving there, Prince Good Friend met his younger brother, Evil Friend, and joyfully asked:

“Where are our companions now?”

Prince Evil Friend replied:

“Elder brother, our ship sank and everyone died. I alone survived by clinging tightly to a corpse that drifted ashore here. All the treasures were lost; not a single thing remains.”

Prince Good Friend said:

“Among all the treasures in the world, what could be more precious than one's own life? Though the treasures were lost, you survived. That alone is exceedingly precious.”

Prince Evil Friend said:

“That is not so. A person would rather die amid riches than live in poverty.”

Good Friend asked:

“Who said such a thing?”

Evil Friend replied:

“I once went to a charnel ground and heard ghosts and demons say so.”

Prince Good Friend was honest by nature, so he told Evil Friend the truth:

“Although you lost all your treasures, do not worry. I have obtained the wish-fulfilling mani jewel from the Dragon King.”

Evil Friend asked:

“Where are you keeping it?”

Good Friend replied:

“I have tied it within my topknot.”

Upon hearing this, Evil Friend became jealous and was filled with sorrow and anguish. He thought to himself, “Father and Mother have always been partial, loving Good Friend more than me. Now that Good Friend has obtained the mani jewel and is bringing it home, they will surely love him many times more and loathe me as though I were a thorn in their flesh.”

Having thought thus, Evil Friend said to his elder brother:

“To obtain such a jewel is exceedingly precious. Along the road, you must guard it carefully.”

Prince Good Friend then took the jewel from his topknot, showed it to Evil Friend, and instructed him:

“When you grow weary and sleep, I shall keep watch; if I sleep, you must stand guard.”

When Good Friend fell asleep and it was Evil Friend's turn to guard the jewel, Evil Friend immediately took two sharpened bamboo splinters, thrust them into his elder brother's eyes, seized the jewel, and fled. Good Friend cried out and called to his younger brother:

“Evil Friend! Evil Friend! A robber has stabbed me in the eyes and taken the jewel!”

But Evil Friend made no reply. Good Friend grew even more frightened and sorrowful, and cried aloud, “Perhaps my younger brother has been robbed and killed!” His anguished cries moved the ghosts and spirits. A tree deity, taking pity on him, came and told Good Friend:

“Your younger brother, Evil Friend, was himself the robber who stabbed you in the eyes, seized the jewel, and departed. Why do you still call out for Evil Friend, exhausting your breath and strength?”

Hearing the tree deity's words, Prince Good Friend choked with grief and was overwhelmed by sorrow, pain, and anguish.

As for Prince Evil Friend, after stealing the precious jewel, he returned to his native kingdom, appeared before his royal father, presented the precious jewel, and reported:

“Royal Father, through the merit of my good fortune, I survived. Prince Good Friend and our companions, being deficient in merit, perished at sea.”

When the King and the royal consorts heard Evil Friend say this, they wailed and wept, writhing in such grief that they fainted and fell to the ground. Those around them bathed the King's face with cold water, and only after a long while did he regain consciousness. The King and the consorts then asked Evil Friend:

“How were you able to bring this jewel back?”

Hearing the King's question, Evil Friend felt his heart twist in pain as though his bowels were being severed piece by piece, and he could not utter a word. He then buried the jewel in the garden.

As for Prince Good Friend, after the bamboo splinters had been thrust into both his eyes, he became blind. He groped his way about, no longer knowing which path to follow. Amid his suffering, he was also afflicted by hunger and thirst. It was difficult to remain alive, yet he could not even attain death. Thus he continued groping his way onward. One day, he arrived in the kingdom of King Lợi Sư Bạt. King Lợi Sư Bạt had previously promised the King of Varanasi that he would give his daughter in marriage to Prince Good Friend.

King Lợi Sư Bạt had hired a cowherd named Lưu Chinh to tend a herd of five hundred cattle. That day, utterly exhausted and unable to see the road, Prince Good Friend sat down in the middle of the path. The herd came rushing forward, jostling one another, but the lead ox immediately stopped and stood crosswise in front of Good Friend, preventing the others from trampling him. Only after the entire herd had passed did the lead ox move on. Yet after taking a few steps, it turned back and licked the Prince's eyes with its tongue, pulling out the two sharpened bamboo splinters.

The cowherd then approached from behind. Seeing Good Friend seated in the middle of the road, he asked:

“Who are you?”

Good Friend thought to himself, “If I recount everything that has happened, my younger brother will certainly suffer.” Having thought thus, he replied to the cowherd:

“I am a blind beggar.”

But when the cowherd saw that the beggar possessed an extraordinary appearance, he said:

“My home is nearby. Please come with me, and I shall provide for you.”

The cowherd then led Good Friend to his home, prepared abundant food and drink, and instructed everyone in the household:

“You must care for and attend upon this man just as you would care for me.”

More than a month passed in this way, but the members of the household began to grow weary and said among themselves, “Our household has no abundance to spare. How can we continue supporting this blind man forever?”

Hearing these words, Good Friend became sorrowful and remained awake throughout the night. The following morning, he said to the master of the house, the cowherd:

“I now wish to leave.”

The cowherd asked:

“Has something displeased you, causing you to wish to leave?”

Good Friend replied:

“Nothing at all. In truth, I do not dare trouble you indefinitely. If you have compassion for me, please be so kind as to give me a zither and lead me to a city, township, village, or hamlet where many people dwell, so that I may gradually earn my livelihood.”

The master of the house had no choice but to comply with Good Friend's wishes. After purchasing a zither for him, he led Good Friend to the city of King Lợi Sư Bạt, where the population was greatest, and then returned home.

Good Friend was skilled at playing the zither, producing tones that rose and fell, deep and melodious, captivating and enchanting all who heard them. Therefore, people in groups large and small gathered provisions for Good Friend, supplying him fully with food and clothing so that he would not suffer hunger or destitution. Moreover, Good Friend still had enough left over to support five hundred beggars throughout the streets of King Lishi La's city, so that they too had sufficient food.

The King had an orchard that was lush and verdant, but birds frequently came and ravaged it. The keeper of the orchard said to Good Friend:

“If you would be willing to drive the birds away for me, I will provide for you fully.”

“I am blind. How could I drive the birds away?”

The keeper of the orchard said:

“I have devised a way. I shall fasten small bells to nets and spread them over the treetops. You can sit beneath a tree, and whenever you hear the birds calling, you need only pull the ends of the cords.”

Good Friend replied:

“If that is so, I can do it.”

The keeper of the orchard then led Good Friend to sit beneath a tree, gave him his instructions, and departed. As he sat there with nothing to do, Good Friend took up his instrument and played to ease his mind. At that time, the daughter of King Lishi Ba entered the orchard with her maidservants to enjoy its beauty. Hearing the strains of music drifting through the air, the Princess looked toward the foot of a tree and saw a blind man. She approached him and asked:

“Who are you?”

Good Friend replied:

“I am a blind beggar.”

Upon hearing this, the Princess conceived affection for him and could not bear to leave him. The King sent people to find her, but the Princess resolutely refused to return and instead told a maidservant:

“Go back and bring me some food here.”

The attendant brought the food. After the Princess and the blind man had eaten and drunk, she returned and addressed the King:

“I beg the Royal Father to allow me to live with this blind man, that my wish may be fulfilled.”

King Lishi Ba said:

“Are you mad, or have you been possessed by a demon, that you would live with a blind man? Do you not know that your parents formerly promised you in marriage to Prince Good Friend, son of the King of Varanasi? Good Friend has gone to sea in search of jewels and has not yet returned. Why, then, do you now demand to become the wife of a blind man?”

The Princess replied:

“Even so, unless I die, I am utterly unable to leave him.”

Hearing his daughter speak with such resolve, the King dared not oppose her wishes. He had the blind man taken to a secluded chamber, where he was shut inside. The Princess then came to the blind man and said:

“Do you know that I now wish to join with you as husband and wife?”

Good Friend said:

“Whose daughter are you, that you wish to form a bond of marriage with me?”

The Princess replied:

“I am the daughter of King Lishi Ba.”

Good Friend said:

“You are a royal princess, while I am merely a blind beggar. How could we possibly live together?”

The Princess replied:

“I shall revere and care for you with all my heart and shall never dare to go against your wishes.”

After they had lived together for three months, the Princess one day had some business to attend to and left without informing her husband. It was not until evening that she returned. When she came home, Good Friend reproached her:

“You secretly went out without telling me. Where have you been that you return only now?”

The Princess replied:

“I did not act in secret.”

Good Friend said:

“Who can know whether you acted in secret or not?”

The Princess grew sorrowful and wept bitterly. She then made this vow:

“If I truly acted in secret, may both your eyes remain blind forever. But if I did not, may one of your eyes regain the clear sight it once possessed.”

As soon as she had made this vow, one of Good Friend's eyes suddenly flickered and then opened wide, restored to its former state—deep blue and radiant, like a star sparkling in the blue expanse of the sky! He was now able to see the Princess. She asked:

“Do you believe me now?”

Good Friend smiled. The Princess continued:

“You are truly ungrateful. I am the daughter of a great king, while you are but a lowly man. I have served you wholeheartedly, yet you did not trust me.”

Good Friend said:

“You do not know who I am.”

“You are a beggar—who else could you be?” the Princess replied.

“No. I am Prince Good Friend, son of the King of Varanasi.”

The Princess said:

“You are truly foolish and deranged! How dare you speak in this way?

“Prince Good Friend, son of the King of Varanasi, went to sea in search of jewels and has not yet returned. Yet you dare claim that you are Good Friend. Your reckless words cannot be believed.”

Good Friend said:

“From childhood until this day, I have never spoken a lie.”

The Princess said:

“Whether it is true or false, who could believe it?”

Good Friend said:

“If I am lying to you, may my other eye remain blind forever. But if I speak the truth, may that eye be restored to its former state, so that you may witness the truth of my words.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Good Friend's other eye regained its former clear sight and was no different from before. When both of Good Friend's eyes had been restored, his countenance became radiant, his form perfect, and his beauty beyond compare. Seeing this, the Princess rejoiced as though beholding a sage or holy being. She gazed over his entire body without wishing even to blink, then hurried into the palace and reported to the Royal Father:

“Royal Father, my husband is none other than Good Friend.”

The King said:

“You are deluded and deranged, possessed by demons, and thus dare to say such a thing. Prince Good Friend has gone to sea in search of jewels and has not yet returned, yet now you claim that beggar is the Prince.”

The Princess replied:

“Royal Father, I would not dare speak falsely. I beg the Royal Father to deign to come and see for himself.”

Hearing his daughter speak with such certainty, the King also wished to go and discover whether it was true. Indeed, as soon as he saw him, the King immediately recognized Prince Good Friend. His mind became troubled, and he thought to himself, “If the King of Varanasi learns of this, he will reproach me severely.” Having thought this, he apologized to Prince Good Friend, saying:

“Truly, I did not know.”

Prince Good Friend said:

“I beg the Royal Father, for my sake, to reward the cowherd.”

King Lishi Ba immediately bestowed gold, silver, provisions, and clothing upon the cowherd and also gave him all five hundred cows. The cowherd rejoiced and praised the Prince without end. He then thought to himself, “The kindness I showed Prince Good Friend was insignificant, yet the Prince has repaid me so generously. Truly, I am unworthy of it!” Having thought this, he stood before the assembly and proclaimed loudly:

“In this world, whoever plants a cause shall reap its fruit. The karmic fruit of generosity is indeed vast and inconceivable.”

At that time, countless people who witnessed this rejoiced and delighted. They all aroused the resolve to practice generosity, relieve the suffering of all beings, and seek realization of the path and attainment of Buddhahood.

Then, from the sky above, heavenly spirits praised and extolled the assembly, saying:

“Excellent! Excellent! It is indeed so!”

Now, before Prince Good Friend went to sea in search of jewels, he had kept one hundred wild geese in the palace. The Prince cherished them dearly and personally fed and cared for them. One day, the Queen Mother went to the geese and said:

“When the Prince was still at home, he always loved and cared for you. Now he has gone to sea and has not yet returned, and we do not know whether he is alive or dead. Do you miss and cherish the Prince?”

Hearing the Queen Mother speak, the flock of wild geese uttered mournful, sorrowful cries and made signs as though wishing to go in search of the Prince. The Queen Mother then wrote a letter and tied it around the neck of one of the geese. The goose spread its wings and soared aloft, circled once above the palace, and then flew straight toward the sea. Seeing this, the Queen Mother gained confidence, certain that this time she would learn what had befallen her son and whether he was alive or dead.

The bird flew out over the sea and searched everywhere, but did not find the Prince, so it turned back toward the mainland. While flying over the kingdom of King Lợi Sư Bạt, it saw from afar the Prince sitting before the royal palace. The bird immediately descended, came before the Prince, and chirped joyfully.

The Prince took the letter, reverently opened it, and read it. He then learned that his royal father and the Queen Mother had wept day and night in longing for him until their eyes had grown dim. The Prince thereupon wrote a letter recounting to his royal father and the Queen Mother everything that had happened.

He tied it around the goose’s neck and sent the bird back to present it to them. Rejoicing, the wild goose sped away upon the wind and before long returned to the kingdom of Varanasi.

The King and Queen Mother were overjoyed to receive the Prince’s letter. After reading it, they learned that the Prince had been harmed by his younger brother, Evil Friend, who sought to seize the precious mani jewel. Overcome with pain and anguish, the King immediately ordered Prince Evil Friend arrested, placed in fetters and a cangue, and confined in a dark prison. He then sent an envoy to King Lợi Sư Bạt, saying:

“Why does Your Majesty continue to detain the Prince, causing us such sorrow?”

King Lợi Sư Bạt immediately had carriages, horses, and provisions prepared. He then appointed an escort who raised banners and played music as they accompanied the Prince and Princess back to the kingdom of Varanasi.

Learning that the Prince was returning, his royal father and the Queen Mother were filled with joy. Riding upon a great elephant, they had music played, incense burned, and banners hung, and went far beyond the city to welcome the Prince. When all the people of the kingdom—great and small, old and young—heard that the Prince had returned safely, they were overjoyed and likewise went out to welcome him.

Upon arriving, Prince Good Friend approached his parents and bowed his head in homage to his royal father and the Queen Mother. Because their eyes had grown dim and they could not clearly see the Prince’s appearance, they felt him with their hands and asked:

“Are you truly our son, Prince Good Friend? Because we missed you and grieved for you so deeply, we have been reduced to this condition.”

After Prince Good Friend had paid homage to and inquired after his parents, he turned and expressed his gratitude to the ministers, soldiers, and people of the kingdom, and then dismissed them.

Prince Good Friend then addressed his royal father:

“Where is my younger brother Evil Friend now?”

“You should no longer mention that wicked man. He is presently confined in a dark prison and cannot be released,” the King replied to Prince Good Friend.

Prince Good Friend said:

“I beg my royal father to release Evil Friend so that we brothers may see one another.”

Only after Good Friend had entreated the King three or four times did the King consent to have the prison opened and Evil Friend brought forth. At that time Evil Friend came before Good Friend with his hands and feet shackled and a cangue around his neck. Seeing him thus, Good Friend immediately asked his parents for permission to remove his younger brother’s cangue, fetters, and chains. He then embraced Evil Friend and affectionately asked him:

“Have you suffered greatly? You carried the precious jewel back for me; where have you put it now?”

Only after being asked this three times did Evil Friend reply:

“It is buried in that garden.”

Prince Good Friend sent someone to dig up the jewel from the garden. He then came before his parents, knelt, lit incense, and made this invocation:

“If this jewel truly is a wish-fulfilling precious jewel, may it restore my parents’ eyes to the clarity they possessed before.”

As soon as he finished making this invocation, the eyes of the King and Queen were healed. Able then to behold their son’s face, the parents were filled with immeasurable happiness and boundless joy.

Early the following morning, on the fifteenth day of the month, Prince Good Friend bathed and cleansed himself, donned new garments, ascended a high tower, lit incense, paid homage to the wish-fulfilling precious jewel, and made this vow:

“For the sake of all beings in Jambudvipa, I endured countless hardships to obtain this precious jewel. I vow that, through this precious jewel, all beings shall henceforth be free from deprivation and suffering and shall enjoy abundance, peace, and happiness.”

A great wind then blew from the east, dispersing the clouds and mist, and the sky became clear and bright. All filth, refuse, and foul-smelling waste throughout Jambudvipa vanished, swept away by the wind. Then, through the wondrous power of the precious mani jewel, rain poured down across all Jambudvipa. Every river, pond, lake, moat, and canal overflowed with rice, grain, and all manner of delicious, fragrant foods. Afterward, excellent garments, golden earrings, bracelets, and bangles rained down. Finally, gold, silver, the seven treasures, and musical instruments descended like rain. In short, all things needed by sentient beings became abundant.

Thus did the bodhisattva, having aroused the mind of great loving-kindness and compassion and cultivated the practice of generosity, provide for all sentient beings and enable them all to enjoy abundance, peace, and happiness.

The Buddha told Ananda:

“The King of Varanasi at that time was my royal father; the Queen Mother at that time is now my birth mother, Lady Maya; Prince Evil Friend is now Devadatta; and Prince Good Friend is now none other than I, Shakyamuni Tathagata. Ananda! In past kalpas, Devadatta repeatedly sought to harm me with such evil intentions, yet I continued to treat him with loving-kindness, compassion, patience, and forbearance, relieving his suffering and bestowing kindness upon him. How much more so now that I have attained Buddhahood!”

When the Buddha taught this Dharma, hundreds of thousands of people attained the fruit of stream-entry, up to and including the fruit of arhatship. Another hundreds of thousands aroused the aspiration for anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, while immeasurable hundreds of thousands of sentient beings aroused the aspiration for the shravaka path and the aspiration for pratyekabuddhahood.

Ananda then addressed the Buddha:

“Blessed One, what should this sutra be called, and how should we uphold it?”

The Buddha said:

“This sutra is called the Sutra of the Buddha’s Skillful Repayment of Kindness by Providing All Sentient Beings with Everything They Need.”

Having heard the Buddha speak, the assembly rejoiced, paid homage, and withdrew.

*

Furthermore, although Devadatta was able to follow the Buddha into the monastic life, his jealousy was profound and he sought only fame and gain. Thus, although he read and recited a great many scriptures, he still could not escape the painful retribution of the Avici Hell. Devadatta became a close friend of Prince Ajatashatru, and the two held each other in great affection and trust. One day, Devadatta said to Prince Ajatashatru:

“You should ascend the throne and become king, while I shall become a Buddha.”

“That cannot be done, for my royal father is still alive.”

“You must find a way to kill your royal father, while I shall devise a plan to harm the Buddha. Afterward, you will become the new king and I shall become the new Buddha. Together we shall teach and transform sentient beings. Would that not be delightful?”

Prince Ajatashatru followed Devadatta’s incitement, returned home and killed his father, and then became king of Magadha.

Devadatta then said to King Ajatashatru:

“Now I wish to kill the Buddha so that I may become a Buddha.”

“The Buddha possesses many supernormal powers and already knows what we have been thinking. How, then, could he be killed? Moreover, the Buddha has great disciples by his side, such as Shariputra, Mahamaudgalyayana, Anuruddha, and others.”

“Great King, you must do your utmost to help me.”

Prince Ajatashatru said:

“How shall I help you?”

Devadatta replied:

“Your Majesty must issue a prohibition forbidding anyone from offering food or robes to the bhikshus.”

At that time, King Ajatashatru issued the following decree:

“Anyone who offers food or robes to the bhikshus shall have his hands and feet cut off.”

At that time, the Buddha and his disciples were staying on Mount Vulture Peak. After the King’s decree had been proclaimed, no one dared to make offerings to the Buddha. Therefore, when the Buddha and his disciples went on alms rounds, they all returned empty-handed, and this continued for seven days. At that time, the Venerable Shariputra and the great disciples had to use their spiritual powers to travel to other regions to seek alms. Devadatta then said to King Ajatashatru:

“Now all the Buddha’s great disciples are away, and only the Tathagata remains at his dwelling. Your Majesty should send someone to invite the Buddha to the palace for a meal offering. Meanwhile, have five hundred fierce black elephants made thoroughly drunk with wine. If the Buddha accepts the invitation and enters the city, release the drunken elephants and let them trample him to death.”

King Ajatashatru followed this scheme and immediately sent someone to invite the Tathagata. After accepting the King’s invitation, the Buddha entered the city of Rajagriha together with five hundred arhats. King Ajatashatru then ordered the five hundred drunken elephants to be released.

They charged forward ferociously, breaking trees and toppling walls, trumpeting and roaring as they ran straight toward the Tathagata. The five hundred arhats were so frightened that they flew up into the sky and circled above the Buddha. Ananda, however, clung tightly to the Tathagata, overwhelmed with fear.

The Tathagata immediately brought forth the power of loving-kindness and compassion and raised his right hand. From the tips of his five fingers, he emanated five great lions, which opened their mouths and roared. The five hundred drunken elephants were terrified and collapsed upon the ground.

The great assembly then surrounded the Tathagata and proceeded into the palace. King Ajatashatru came forth to welcome him, invited the Buddha to be seated, and begged forgiveness, saying to him:

“World-Honored One, this was not my fault; it was entirely Devadatta’s doing.”

The Buddha said:

“Great King, I know this. Not only in this lifetime has Devadatta constantly harbored malicious intentions and sought to harm me. Yet through the power of loving-kindness and compassion, I have always remained safe.”

King Ajatashatru joined his palms and said to the Buddha:

“World-Honored One, how did Devadatta seek to harm the Tathagata in past lives?”

The Buddha told Ajatashatru:

“Listen carefully! I shall explain this matter clearly for you. Innumerable kalpas ago, there was a king who delighted only in eating the flesh of wild geese.

The King appointed a man whose sole duty was to set nets and catch birds. At that time, a flock of five hundred wild geese was flying south from the north, when the leader of the flock had the misfortune to become caught in a net. The trapper rejoiced, rushed out from among the foliage, and seized the leader.

Another goose then cried out piteously and circled nearby, refusing to fly away. The trapper drew his bow and shot at it, but the goose showed no fear of bow or arrow. Instead, it descended and rolled close to the leader of the flock.

The geese in the sky also circled back and forth, resolutely refusing to leave. When the trapper saw the goose lamenting so grievously that blood flowed from its mouth, he thought to himself: ‘Even birds and beasts know how to love one another and will go so far as to disregard their own lives. How could I have the heart to kill them?’ Having thought this, he opened the net and released the leader.

Once freed, the two geese cried out joyfully, flapped their wings, and flew upward. Rejoining the flock in the sky, they flew away together, circling closely around one another.

“The trapper then returned and reported to the King:

“‘Your Majesty, today I trapped the leader of a flock of wild geese and should have brought it back to offer to you. But another goose cried out so piteously that blood flowed from its mouth. It did not fear my bow and arrow but circled nearby and refused to leave. Seeing this, I was moved with compassion and released them. Once freed, the geese sang joyfully and flew away with the flock, circling closely around one another.’

“After hearing this, the King became sorrowful and thought to himself: ‘Even birds and beasts know how to love and protect one another in this way.’

“Having reflected thus, he brought forth a mind of loving-kindness and thereafter vowed never again to eat the flesh of wild geese or order that birds be caught.

“Great King, you should know that the king of that time was none other than you in this present life. The trapper was Devadatta. The goose that cried so piteously that blood flowed from its mouth was Ananda. The flock of geese in the sky was the five hundred arhats, and the leader of the flock was the Tathagata himself. Today, Ananda’s heart was filled with compassion, and he remained attached to the Tathagata just as he had in the past, without any difference. The five hundred arhats who flew up into the sky were likewise the flock of geese of that former time. Devadatta has always wished to harm the Tathagata, but through the power of loving-kindness and compassion, the Tathagata has always remained safe and secure.”

When the Buddha taught this Dharma, hundreds of thousands of people attained the fruit of stream-entry, up to and including the fruit of arhatship, while others brought forth the aspiration for unsurpassed perfect enlightenment, the aspiration of shravakas, or the aspiration of pratyekabuddhas.

*

Furthermore, Devadatta’s malicious intentions did not cease, and he sought only to find a way to harm the Buddha. He thought to himself: “I shall now let my fingernails grow long and sharpen them. I shall place poison beneath them, then go before the Tathagata and pretend to bow at the Buddha’s feet. At that moment, I shall use my ten fingernails to claw the Buddha’s feet. Once the poison enters his body, the Buddha will surely die.”

Having conceived this plan, Devadatta resolved to carry it out. Not long afterward, he went before the Tathagata, bowed at the Buddha’s feet, and clawed them violently. But the poison was transformed into amrita, and the Tathagata’s body suffered no pain whatsoever.

Still unsatisfied, Devadatta again thought to himself: “Today the Tathagata is seated at the foot of Mount Vulture Peak. I shall climb to the summit and roll down a great boulder to kill the Buddha.” Having thought this, he climbed to the mountaintop and rolled down a boulder, injuring the Tathagata’s toe. Yet I regarded enemies and loved ones equally with a mind of loving-kindness and compassion.

Furthermore, in the distant past, innumerable kalpas ago, a Buddha appeared in the world who bore the titles Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, Well-Gone One, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed One, Tamer of Persons, Teacher of Devas and Humans, Buddha, World-Honored One. After that Buddha entered nirvana, during the age of the Semblance Dharma, there was a bhikshu who meditated alone in a forest. The bhikshu often had a louse upon him. Fearing that it might disturb him while he was meditating, he made an agreement with it, saying:

“When I am meditating, you must remain silent and lie still in one place. You must not disturb me.”

The louse obeyed. Some time later, a leech came by and asked the louse:

“How is it that your body is so plump and healthy?”

The louse replied:

“I live upon this master, who regularly practices meditation. He instructed me to eat and drink only at appointed times. I followed his instructions, and therefore my body has become so plump and handsome.”

“May I also follow your example?”

“Do as you please.”

The leech then fastened itself firmly upon the meditating bhikshu and sucked his blood. The bhikshu became distressed, immediately removed his robe, and burned it.

The Buddha said:

“The meditating bhikshu of that time is Mahakashyapa in this present life. The leech was Devadatta, and the louse was I myself.”

In former times, for the sake of gain and support, Devadatta sought to harm me. Even to this day, after I have attained Buddhahood, Devadatta, still craving fame and gain, caused the Buddha’s body to bleed; therefore, although still alive, he fell into hell. Devadatta has always harbored profound malice and sought to injure the Tathagata. Were these deeds recounted in full, they could not be exhausted even in an entire kalpa. Yet at all times I have regarded Devadatta with loving-kindness and compassion. Indeed, because I repeatedly encountered Devadatta, I was able swiftly to realize bodhi. Remembering the gravity of that kindness, I have always treated him with forgiveness.

At that time, the Tathagata immediately sent Ananda to hell to inquire after Devadatta and see how he was enduring his suffering. Ananda obeyed the command and departed. When he reached the gate of hell, Ananda said to the ox-headed jailer Abang:

“Please summon Devadatta for me.”

“Which Devadatta do you wish to see? All the Buddhas of the past had a Devadatta.”

“I wish to summon the Devadatta of Buddha Shakyamuni.”

Thereupon, Abang went inside and informed Devadatta that Ananda was standing outside and wished to meet him. Devadatta immediately came out and said to Ananda:

“Ananda, please come in. Does the Tathagata still think of me with compassion?”

“The Tathagata sent me to inquire whether you are able to endure the torments here.”

“Dwelling in this Avici Hell, I am like a bhikshu absorbed in the bliss of the Heaven of the Third Dhyana.”

The Buddha said:

“Great bodhisattvas cultivate skillful means in order to guide and receive sentient beings. Even if they must undergo birth and death and all manner of suffering, they do not regard it with distress. If anyone says that Devadatta is truly an evil man who must fall into Avici Hell, that person does not understand.”

The Tathagata then clearly revealed to the great assembly Devadatta’s wondrous secret practice and his great skillful means. At that time, immeasurable hundreds of thousands of bodhisattvas attained the patient acceptance of the non-arising of dharmas; immeasurable hundreds of thousands of people aroused the aspiration for unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment; and immeasurable hundreds of thousands of people attained the fruit of stream-entry, up to and including arhatship. From the sky, heavenly beings rained down many kinds of flowers, scattering them throughout the great assembly. They played celestial music, emitted a great radiance, and praised the Buddha, saying:

“How excellent! The Tathagata has taught a Dharma never heard before!”

When the entire great assembly had heard the Buddha teach the Dharma, they rejoiced with great delight, bowed their heads in homage, and withdrew.