賢愚經

Chapter Forty-Six: The Deva of the Pure Abode (Śuddhāvāsa)

Thus have I heard. At one time the Buddha was dwelling in the country of Śrāvastī, in the Garden of Anāthapiṇḍika in the Grove of Jeta.

At that time, around dusk, there appeared a ray of bright and dazzling radiance from the heavens, shining down upon the Jeta Grove. Within that radiant light there was a person, tall and beautiful, whose body emanated a light like that of a diamond. He flew down and entered to pay homage to the Buddha. He bowed three times and circumambulated three rounds, then knelt upright with palms joined together and addressed the Buddha, saying:

"I bow in reverence to the World-Honored One! I dwell in the heaven of the Pure Abode (Śuddhāvāsa). I have heard that you have appeared in the world to deliver sentient beings, becoming a field of merit for the realms of humans and gods. I consider such an occasion most difficult to encounter, and with a heart of utmost sincerity and reverence, I respectfully invite the World-Honored One and the assembly of monks to accept tomorrow my offering of a meal and of bathing?"

The Buddha praised his heart that sought merit and consented to his invitation. Having received the Buddha's assent, he flew back to the heavens and brought down delicious and precious foods from the celestial palace, together with articles for bathing and garments to wear, to the Jeta Grove. He himself conjured forth a bathhouse, with water tempered to be neither hot nor cold, with oils to anoint and herbs to cleanse, fully provided with every necessity; then he ascended to invite the Buddha to come and bathe. When the bathing was finished and the World-Honored One had returned to his chamber, he came up and addressed him, saying:

"I bow in reverence to the World-Honored One! The time for the meal has arrived. I humbly beg that you witness and accept this meal."

When the Buddha and the assembly of monks had finished bathing, they arranged their robes, went forth to the dining hall, and having taken the midday meal, they returned again to their original seats.

I then rose to my feet, approached the World-Honored One, knelt upright with palms joined together, and asked, saying:

"I bow in reverence to the World-Honored One! This person from the heaven of the Pure Abode who offered the bathing today—what meritorious deeds did he formerly perform, that he should obtain a body so beautiful and fine, with awe-inspiring virtue, dignified and majestic, his surrounding radiance shining brilliantly like a mountain of jewels? I humbly beg that you tell us so that we may know."

The Buddha said: "Ānanda, if you wish to know, then listen attentively!"

"Yes, I bow to the World-Honored One! I shall listen with full attention."

"This person, at the time of the Buddha Vipaśyin, was a poor man. He regularly went out to work for hire in order to support himself. One day he heard the Buddha Vipaśyin speak of the great merit of making an offering of bathing.

He was filled with joy and wished to obtain that merit! He strove to work for hire and gained a little rice and money, with which he bought the various goods used for bathing, together with foods. When he had arranged everything, he went to invite the Buddha and the assembly of monks to his home to receive his offering.

By reason of that merit, when he died he was born in the heaven of the Pure Abode and possessed radiant light. Ānanda, you should know that this person—not only does he today invite me and the assembly of monks to receive his offering, but also at the time of the Buddha Śikhin, who had descended into the world, he made such an offering; and at the time of the Buddha Kāśyapa he likewise made an offering as he has done today.

This person not only made offerings to the seven Buddhas, but hereafter he will also make offerings to a thousand Buddhas of the Worthy Aeon (Bhadrakalpa), just as he has done today."

When he had finished speaking, the Buddha bestowed upon him the prediction that after a full hundred asaṃkhyeya aeons he would attain Buddhahood, with the title Pure Body (Śuddhakāya), complete with the ten epithets, and would convert sentient beings beyond all measure and number. At that time I and the fourfold assembly, each and every one, rejoiced and with one voice declared:

"The coming of the Tathāgata into the world is of great benefit to all the myriad kinds of sentient beings! Just as this Deva of the Pure Abode made but a small offering, yet his blessed recompense is exceedingly vast!"

The Buddha praised them, saying: "What you have said is excellent indeed! The Tathāgata comes into the world with the single purpose of rescuing the multitude of living beings from suffering, and of bringing benefit to all—nothing more!"

Having spoken thus, he then expounded the True Dharma for the great assembly to hear. When they had heard it, some attained the fruit of the once-returner and the fruit of the non-returner; and some gave rise to the aspiration to seek the supreme path of Bodhi. Each and every one rejoiced, gave thanks with reverence, and withdrew.