福力太子因緣經

At that time, Śakra, Lord of the Devas, beheld how Prince Puṇyabala had obtained a karmic reward in this very life, endowed with rare and auspicious marks, and saw that gods and humans alike rejoiced. The mind of the Lord of the Devas was greatly astonished, and so he said to the prince:

"Today the prince diligently cultivates such surpassing conduct. Is there something that you seek?"

The prince replied:

"O Lord of the Devas, I seek to realize the fruit of Supreme, Perfect Enlightenment, to rescue and liberate all sentient beings from the ocean of birth and death, and to cause them to abide securely in the ultimate Nirvāṇa."

Then Śakra, Lord of the Devas, knew that Prince Puṇyabala earnestly sought Supreme, Perfect Enlightenment, and that his profound mind was unshakable as Mount Sumeru—truly in accord with his own intent. The Lord of the Devas praised him, saying:

"Excellent! Excellent! The Great Being possesses the power of a vast and supreme vow; surely he will swiftly realize Supreme, Perfect Enlightenment." Having spoken thus, the Lord of the Devas vanished.

Furthermore, sometime afterward, the king of a certain country had grown old and was near death, yet had not yet established a crown prince to receive the rite of consecration. At that time the royal clan, the ministers, and the people gathered together to deliberate: "What sort of person must we seek to succeed to the consecrated kingship?" Then a certain man said:

"Only one who possesses the power of merit and great renown is able to succeed to the throne."

Everyone agreed with this view. The king dispatched envoys to inquire and search everywhere. At that time Prince Puṇyabala, who was destined to inherit the kingship—his roots of goodness now unfolding—went out with his attendants to stroll among the garden groves.

As the prince walked, his path was level, and wherever he went there were no thorns or brambles, no tiles or gravel. Midway along the road, auspicious signs appeared: a fine drizzle drifted throughout the sky and, circling back, came to rest upon the crown of the prince's head. Birds of rare and lovely kinds wheeled and soared gracefully.

Boys and girls raised surpassing, subtle, and wondrous voices, leaping and dancing in joyful delight; everyone felt light and buoyant, exhilarated and uplifted, and they also heard, up in the open sky, voices of rejoicing.

The prince, seeing these signs, reflected: "These signs having appeared, it is certain that I shall succeed to the consecrated kingship." The prince entered the garden to enjoy its pleasures and blessings. In this garden there was a great Aśoka tree, its branches laden with blossoms in full bloom, and the prince lay down peacefully to sleep beneath the tree. Those who had accompanied the prince, delighting in the flowers and fruits, all roamed about the garden enjoying themselves, while the prince, through the majestic power of his merit and virtue, had a Nāga king present, and suddenly there sprang up from the earth a subtle thousand-petaled lotus, a blossom immense beyond measure, perfect in color and fragrance, of beauty without compare.

That Nāga king then used his spiritual power to set the prince upon the lotus blossom. At that moment the prince was wholly deep in slumber, and so the mealtime gradually passed; precisely at midday, all the shadows of the trees shifted, yet only the shadow of the Aśoka tree stood still, sheltering the prince's body as before, unmoving. Moreover, all the flowering trees in the garden inclined toward the Aśoka tree—an auspicious and lovely sign that gladdened the minds of all.

At that time Prince Puṇyabala dreamed that his body was atop something defiled; he also saw his body stained with defilement; he also saw himself licking all throughout the open sky with his tongue; he also saw his body standing within a lotus blossom; he also saw himself ascending to a mountain peak; he also saw everyone bowing in homage to him.

The prince awoke and contemplated the dreams that had just passed: "Inasmuch as I dreamed that my body was atop something defiled, surely I shall hold the consecrated kingship, rich, noble, and self-sovereign. According to the sign in which I saw my body stained with defilement, I ought to sit upon the lion throne. Inasmuch as I saw myself walking upon a mountain peak, then wherever I dwell shall ever be the most exalted place. Inasmuch as I saw everyone bowing in homage, then I am worthy to be the object of reverence for those people. Reflecting upon all such matters and these signs, I shall assuredly become a consecrated king."

At that time, the close ministers of that country had first dispatched men to search and inquire everywhere. Coming to that garden, they one after another beheld the surpassing and auspicious signs of the prince. They were filled with awe and submission: "This is a person of great power of merit, possessed of great renown." The envoys hurried back at once to report the whole matter in full. When the ministers heard what the envoys said, they were all greatly delighted, and in accord with the proper rites they prepared the things needed and entered the garden to confer the rite of consecration. Arriving there, they beheld the surpassing and excellent signs.

At that time Prince Puṇyabala was upon a subtle great lotus blossom, seated in the cross-legged posture. Because his power of merit had unfolded, the Four Great Heavenly Kings offered the adorned great lion throne of the heavens; Śakra, Lord of the Devas, offered a fine celestial canopy and jeweled whisks; the devas of Trāyastriṃśa offered adorned jeweled curtains and scattered down jeweled flowers like clouds. The Four Great Heavenly Kings and the hosts of celestial sons scattered down all manner of precious gems, played wondrous and lovely celestial music, and scattered down beautiful garments.

Throughout the country, the gardens and groves everywhere became pure, and nowhere were there thorns or brambles, stones or gravel; banners and streamers of precious silk were raised beside the roads, vessels of exquisite incense were set out, and rare flowers were scattered together with the flowers of the celestial palaces.

Śakra, Lord of the Devas, commanded the celestial son Viśvakarman to conjure great towers and pavilions of the four kinds of jewels throughout the garden, prepared for the prince to enjoy at will.

At that time, the ministers, beholding such rare and surpassing signs, marveled all the more and grew yet more reverent in obeying the prince's command. The prince sat upon the lion throne, and the ministers bowed in homage and honored him in accord with the proper rites to confer the consecration. The prince, having received the consecration, radiated light from his body that illumined all around to a distance of about one yojana, and this light dimmed the light of the sun.

At that time, among the assembly there was one group of people who, seeing this light, all said:

"This is King Vijayaprabha (King of Triumphant Light)."

There was another group of people who said:

"This is King Puṇyabala (King of the Power of Merit)."

When King Puṇyabala was about to enter the royal city, Śakra, Lord of the Devas, came before the king and, having presented offerings in accord with the proper rites, vanished.

King Puṇyabala, having entered the royal city, governed the realm well. The people were numerous, wealthy, and at peace; strife came to an end, enemies were subdued, and there were no longer bandits, disease, or famine. He loved and cared for the people as for an only child. The garden trees, flowers, and fruits all flourished luxuriantly, the grain crops were abundant, the rains were timely and the winds gentle, everywhere was moistened and thriving, and no one committed any offense.

Afterward, the four elder brothers of King Puṇyabala heard of this marvelous event and were all filled with awe, and they discussed among themselves: "Prince Puṇyabala has surpassed us by far, perfect in merit and wisdom. Because he possesses the power of merit, he has become a great king of the realm, supremely rich and noble—just in accord with our wish. Now we ought to go to where the prince is."

Then the four elder brothers went together to where King Puṇyabala was. Arriving there, they together offered their congratulations:

"May the great king's lifespan increase without measure."

They further praised him:

"Excellent, great king! Long ago you made a vow, and now you have been able to establish firm merit and wisdom. Since it is so, you have surpassed us, and in another country you preside over the kingship—all this accomplished through your surpassing power of merit. We brothers all admire you."

Then King Puṇyabala joyfully stepped down from the lion throne, respectfully greeted and inquired after them, and set out high and broad seats, inviting his elder brothers to be seated in order of rank. The elder brothers invited the king to return to his former throne. Once the seats had been arranged, the prince presented gifts of various kinds, as had been determined before. Having conferred together, they all gave rise to minds of joyful serenity.

King Puṇyabala, with a mind of reverence, presented gifts of various objects. They gathered together in this way for more than two or three days. The king wished to open the understanding of everyone, and of his elder brothers, as to what is the deed of merit and what is the lack of merit. He spoke these verses:

The one without merit falls into the hells,
Enduring much suffering and affliction without cease,
Or falls among the hungry ghosts, or as an animal,
Enduring the suffering of hunger and thirst and of heavy burdens.

The one without merit destroys his own body;
Without merit, he toils with the body of a servant;
Without merit, he falls into deafness and muteness;
Without merit, dull and stupid, he enters false views;

Without merit, he becomes entangled in the path of monsters;
The one without merit is ugly in form;
Without merit, he is ever born into a lowly lineage;
Without merit, his mind is troubled, and people detest the sight of him.

The one without merit is greatly deluded;
Without merit, he is ever scorned and mocked by others;
Without merit, whatever deed he undertakes,
Though he strives with all his might, he cannot accomplish it.

The one without merit has a coarse and rough body;
His gloomy appearance is disdained by all who see him;
The one without merit, wherever he dwells,
The green and flourishing grasses and trees turn withered and barren.

The one without merit is ever dissatisfied;
External circumstances harm him in the same way;
The evil ghosts and spirits, the Rākṣasas,
Often disturb and torment the one without merit.

For the one without merit, medicines that cure illness
Turn into harmful poisons, and the sickness grows worse;
Because of lacking merit, he must endure destitution,
And is further ever scorned and looked down upon by others.

The one without merit gives birth to children
Whose temperament is coarse and wicked, disdained by all;
The one without merit, though he has many kinsfolk,
They often part and scatter, and affliction arises.

The one without merit has his eyes ruined;
Manifold sufferings ever arise, continually born;
Many illnesses are all due to the cause of lacking merit;
Sick from childhood, he is hard to cure.

The one without merit endures much that is cruel and harsh;
The one without merit ever bears an evil reputation;
His hands and feet are crippled, his body incomplete;
When he speaks, those who hear him do not trust or agree.

Whatever possessions the one without merit has,
Kings, officials, floods, fires, and bandits consume them;
Without merit, he hears only words of hatred;
At every encounter, fear and terror often arise.

Without merit, though he dwells in a level place,
Wherever he lives, thorns and brambles spring up;
Should he till the soil or engage in trade,
Though he labors much, no profit arises.

For the one without merit, at all times and seasons,
Wealth and precious treasures all dissolve away;
Few in the world are concerned for him;
Truly he is unlovable, of no good benefit.

The signs of the one without merit are all like this;
The wise should know that they must be cast off.
The one with merit, in his deeds, skillfully upholds and protects,
And at all times suffers no loss.

The one with merit does his work without weariness,
Ever giving rise to a firm and valiant mind;
Like a parasol that gives cool shade, vast beyond measure,
He is able to ward off the evil rains.

Like a calf that follows its mother and is ever given suck,
The one with merit obtains all he wishes according to his desire;
Like the Kalpataru tree, pleasing to behold,
He ever attains all the fruits he seeks.

The one with merit ever has the strength of patient endurance,
And obtains the joyful mind of great auspiciousness;
With faith and conduct deep and firm, accordingly attained,
Life after life he is endowed with beautiful marks.

The one with merit, his fame resounds in every place;
He is endowed with much learning and wisdom;
All who see him give rise to a mind of love,
And he readily attains hearing, reflection, and remembrance.

The one with merit, at the time of death, is free of illness;
At the time of death he likewise gives rise to joy and gladness;
Evil and ugly signs do not appear before him;
He is far removed from fear and from suffering.

The one with merit, at the time of death, delights in the heavens;
The celestial palaces, towers, and pavilions appear before him;
The devas of Trāyastriṃśa, the devas of Yāma,
All the gods and humans come to receive and guide him.

The celestial sons of the Tuṣita Heaven,
The host of devas of Nirmāṇarati likewise,
The Paranirmita-vaśavartin devas of the Desire Realm,
All come to guard and protect the one with merit.

The one with merit is like the great Brahmā king;
Koṭis of hosts of devas all venerate and serve him;
In the realm of the thousand hosts of Brahmā devas,
He is vast, august, and sovereign.

When the elder brothers and everyone had heard these verses, their minds were all faithfully convinced toward King Puṇyabala. They were exceedingly joyful, and they asked that, in this life and in other lives, it be clearly revealed to them; all came to know that the power of merit is supreme.

At that time King Puṇyabala expounded extensively on merit for all to hear. Having opened their minds, he contemplated the open sky and silently said: "How joyful! Now I am able to cause it to rain down all manner of garments and precious treasures throughout the inside and outside of the royal city."

When the king gave rise to this thought, suddenly there fell from the heavens all manner of most beautiful garments and all manner of flowers, gems, and treasures that gladdened everyone, filling the inside and outside of the royal city. When this sign appeared, gods and humans alike rejoiced and were amazed, giving rise to a vast and pure faith, and together they raised their voices:

"How joyful! The celestial son is endowed with the power of merit, endowed with great majestic virtue."

Furthermore, afterward, the kings of the lesser countries, hearing of this matter, all reflected: "That king possesses great power of merit and is endowed with great renown. Now I ought to go there to honor and serve him."

Therefore the kings of the lesser countries gathered together in one place, each leading a fourfold army: elephant, cavalry, chariot, and infantry. They all came to where King Puṇyabala was, dismounted from their carriages, advanced, reverently bowed in greeting, joined their palms, and addressed him, saying:

"O celestial son of great merit, endowed with great renown, you are the great king of the realm, of supreme majestic virtue. Therefore, today we have come here to offer our allegiance."

King Puṇyabala earnestly inquired after them, comforting everyone. Thereafter they sat down in order of rank. Next, the ministers in attendance, each of them, distributed priceless and supremely exquisite gems and treasures, and further took up the Dharma-gate of the Ten Wholesome Deeds to gather in and transform everyone. At that time the kings of the lesser countries all obtained surpassing benefit, and all returned to their own countries.

Afterward, the father-king Cakṣurbala (Eye-Power) gradually came to hear of such a marvelous event. He first dispatched an envoy to the country of Prince Puṇyabala, and then he himself, together with his ministers in attendance, hastened on the journey day and night without pause. When the king arrived, out of his longing and love for his son, as soon as he saw his son, two streams of tears flowed down; rejoicing and weeping together, he raised a sorrowful voice, hurriedly dismounted from his carriage, came and took his son's hand, gazed upon him for a long while, and then the father-king said:

"I am your father, as you surely well know. I am now old and frail, and the governing of the realm has truly become difficult; I can no longer bear it. Now I entrust it to you, and you should take up the burden."

Having spoken thus, the father-king then took his own jeweled crown and placed it upon his son's head. As his father instructed, the son thereafter ruled over his father's realm.