根本說一切有部毘奈耶雜事

Volume Twenty-Three

Internal summary verse:

Ngưu Hộ, the hunter, and the lion,

Releasing the bow, the deva grants long life and refuge,

Mãnh Quang proceeds toward the yaksha,

Killing a man, the sound of the alms bowl, and the dream.

One day, just after awakening, King Mãnh Quang thought: “After I die, will Crown Prince Ngưu Hộ possess sufficient wisdom and ability to inherit the throne? I should test his resourcefulness.”

Summoning Ngưu Hộ, the king said:

– There are a few matters in the palace that I must attend to for seven days. In the meantime, you may govern the kingdom in my stead.

Obeying the king’s command, the crown prince supervised the realm, appropriately rewarding what was beneficial and punishing what was harmful. A man and a woman who had committed adultery were brought before him by the officials. Upon seeing them, the crown prince asked them both:

– Do you love one another?

They replied:

– We love one another.

Having heard this, the crown prince said to the officials:

– Since they love one another, why should I not accommodate their wishes?

The crown prince told his attendants:

– From this day forward, adultery shall not be prohibited.

When people heard this, they freely committed transgressions. In matters of state, however, the crown prince exercised very strict control. After seven days, the king emerged from the palace and asked Tăng Dưỡng:

– After I die, will Crown Prince Ngưu Hộ be able to succeed to the throne?

He replied:

– He will be able to succeed to the throne, but in regard to adultery, he gives people free rein to commit misconduct.

The king asked:

– Why is that?

Tăng Dưỡng then related the entire matter in detail.

The king thought: “He feels no jealousy concerning other men’s women, but would Ngưu Hộ also feel no jealousy concerning his own wives and concubines? I shall test him.”

At that time, a visitor from Gandhara in the north was staying in the city. Hearing that this man was intelligent, the king said to him:

– Can you engage in illicit relations with Ngưu Hộ’s chief consort?

Hearing this, the man covered his ears and said:

– If I commit such an unlawful act, there will be no way for this servant of yours to remain alive.

The king said:

– The king requires this deed, so there is no offense. If you do not do it, you will be disobeying the king’s command.

He replied:

– Great King, I must of course obey your command, but the matter cannot be rushed. It can be accomplished only by proceeding gradually.

The king said:

– Whatever must be done step by step, do as you see fit.

He replied:

– Great King, you must first provide me with the expenses to build a large shop near the crown prince’s residence, so that I may use it as a means of finding an opportunity to become close to them.

In accordance with his words, the king provided the man with money and materials. He erected a shop and displayed many counters filled with fragrant goods for sale.

A maidservant of the crown prince’s mother-in-law came to that shop to buy fragrances. The Gandharan asked:

– Young girl, for whom are you buying these?

She replied:

– Crown Prince Ngưu Hộ’s mother-in-law sent me to buy them.

He asked:

– What is her name?

She replied:

– Her name is ... and her clan name is ...

The shopkeeper said:

– She belongs to the same clan as my mother, so I regard her as my own mother.

Having said this, the shopkeeper accepted only a little money but gave her many fragrances.

When the maidservant returned home, the mother asked:

– Why did the same amount of money formerly purchase only a few things, while today it purchased so many?

After the maidservant related the entire matter in detail, the mother said:

– Excellent! That man is my son.

This happened three times, and seeing so many goods, the woman was delighted.

Then one day, the shopkeeper said to the maidservant:

– Please tell Mother that I wish to visit her.

When the maidservant conveyed the message, the mother said:

– Let him come.

The maidservant went and informed him, and the shopkeeper carried many fragrant goods to that house. When they met, he embraced the mother and wept. The mother asked:

– Why are you weeping?

He replied:

– Mother, because you look exactly like my own mother, my heart was moved and so I wept.

The mother said:

– I am your mother. Do not weep any longer.

The man caused deep affection to arise between them. Ngưu Hộ’s wife was standing nearby, and the mother called to her:

– Daughter, come here. Embrace his feet and earnestly show him reverence.

After the woman had acted according to her mother’s words, the shopkeeper asked:

– What is this elder sister’s name?

She replied:

– Her name is ...

The shopkeeper said:

– My elder brother’s wife at home has the same name, and their appearances are also alike. She is therefore my elder brother’s wife.

The mother said:

– Excellent!

From that time onward, they became increasingly close.

After returning home, the shopkeeper devised a treacherous scheme and pretended to be ill, lying down to rest. When he saw the maidservant come to buy scented ointment, he said:

– Young lady, I am gravely ill. Why has Mother not come to visit me even once?

She replied:

– She does not know that you are ill. I shall return and tell her.

After the maidservant informed her, the mother came to visit and asked:

– My beloved son, what illness are you suffering from?

He replied:

– I am gravely ill.

The mother said:

– You should consult a physician and take medicine appropriate to the illness.

He replied:

– Mother, medicine cannot cure this illness. Having contracted this illness, I shall certainly die.

The mother replied:

– Son, do not grieve. What must be done to cure your illness?

He replied:

– There is a remedy for the illness, but it cannot possibly be obtained.

The mother said:

– So long as such a remedy exists, I shall arrange everything.

He replied:

– Mother, if Ngưu Hộ’s chief consort would secretly make love with me, my illness would be cured.

Upon hearing this, the mother became very angry and said:

– You are a wretched man. How could you seek to possess a royal consort and still preserve your life?

Having said this, she shook out her robe and departed.

The shopkeeper then carried out his treacherous scheme. He drew up a deed declaring that, after his death, his house and all his property would be given to the crown prince’s mother-in-law, and sent the document to her. After reading it, her anger subsided, and the mother thought: “I became angry and turned my back on him, yet he has shown me profound kindness, and his affection has not diminished. Such a person is difficult to find. Because of this, I shall ask my daughter what she thinks. We must not allow this matter to cause him to lose his life.”

She summoned her daughter and said:

– The shopkeeper has long shown us affection and kindness. He is your husband’s younger brother. Now that he is ill, why do you not go and visit him?

– Mother, can no physician treat him?

She replied:

– That illness is difficult to cure, and he may die. I heard him say that if he could make love with his elder brother’s wife, the illness would be cured.

The young woman angrily said:

– He is a wretched man who wishes to commit an unlawful act with a royal consort. How could he avoid losing his life today?

The mother said:

– High and low status are not fixed. How can you know what the future holds? Do you know by whom the sovereign was originally born?

She replied:

– I do not know.

The mother said:

– He was born of a scorpion, yet now he is king and commands many soldiers. Your husband was born of a wealthy householder’s wife, and he too will become king. You should make love with this man. If you bear a son, he will become king—what harm could there be?

Persuaded by her mother, the woman agreed to the secret liaison. The mother sent word to the Gandharan:

– Seeing how earnest you are, my daughter has consented. Be mindful of the proper time to come and meet her.

Upon receiving the news, the shopkeeper informed the king:

– The matter is about to be accomplished. Have Ngưu Hộ leave his home for a short while.

The king thought:

– After I die, Ngưu Hộ will become king, and Ngưu Hộ’s son will inherit the imperial succession. If the Gandharan fathers a son with the royal consort and that son becomes king, my lineage will be cut off. They should therefore be given medicine that will prevent them from conceiving a child.

The king gave medicine to the Gandharan and instructed him:

– Before you commit the unlawful act with her, take this medicine.

The king said to Ngưu Hộ:

– Leave your home for a short while. I have a separate matter to arrange.

Ngưu Hộ did not return home. After taking the medicine, the Gandharan secretly had relations with the woman, and the two then slept together in the same place.

Thinking that the deed must already have been completed, the king said to Ngưu Hộ:

– You may return home.

Upon arriving home, the crown prince saw the Gandharan and his own wife lying asleep together with their arms hanging loose. He gently lifted their arms and covered them both with a robe.

They slept together throughout the night until morning. Thinking that no one had seen them, the man returned to his shop.

The following day, the king said to the crown prince:

– Last night, I dreamed that my wife was having illicit relations with another man.

He replied:

– Great King, you saw it in a dream, whereas I saw it with my own eyes.

The king asked:

– What did you see?

The prince recounted everything in full. The king asked:

– Did you not feel jealous of her?

He replied:

– I was not jealous.

The king asked:

– Why was that?

He replied:

– Great King, please listen. Ever since I was born, I have possessed knowledge of my former lives. Recalling a previous life, I was the wife of a merchant. My husband took merchandise to trade in a distant land. I said:

– I wish to accompany you.

My husband said:

– Who will attend upon and serve you? The journey is so arduous that you cannot accompany me.

Seeing the wife weeping, another person said to the merchant:

– Your wife is weeping because she wishes to accompany you.

After hearing the merchant explain the hardships, they said:

– Let her come with us; I will provide for her.

The merchant allowed his wife to accompany him. When they reached a dangerous stretch of road, five hundred bandits came, plundered the caravan, killed the merchant, and all committed illicit acts with the merchant’s wife. Later, when the bandits destroyed another caravan, they captured a young woman, and all of them became fond of her. Seeing this, the other woman grew jealous and thought, “Why should this woman compete with me for my husbands?” She therefore ordered someone to cast the young woman into a well and kill her.

Great King, that woman of former times is now I. I reflected that in the past, even committing sexual acts with five hundred men did not satisfy me; how much less could a single man ever be enough! Recalling that event, I feel no jealousy toward women. From this one should understand that ignorant people in the world commonly install women within the palace so that they may guard one another. Properly speaking, men should guard against women; why then have women guard men?

The king said:

– It is just as you say. To relinquish jealousy is difficult in this world. Although this principle is correct, I am not yet able to put it into practice.

At that time, there was a hunter in the city of Ujjayinī. His wife was exceedingly beautiful, and so he loved her dearly. When he wished to go hunting, he thought, “If I go into the forest and leave my wife at home, I fear that she will commit illicit acts with another man. Yet if I do not go, I have no livelihood by which to sustain us. Therefore, we should go into the forest together.”

They went into the forest together, lived in a leaf hut, hunted and killed birds and beasts, and sold them in exchange for provisions.

One day, while out hunting, King Fierce Radiance spurred his horse forward. The king’s horse became frightened and bolted to the hunter’s dwelling. Recognizing the king, the hunter called out a greeting. The king dismounted and rested in the shade of a tree.

The hunter thought to himself, “How could I offer meat left over from the previous night to a consecrated great king? I should obtain fresh meat to serve him.” He then took his bow and arrows and went into the wilderness.

The king looked all around and saw that the hunter’s wife had a pleasing form, whereupon desire arose in him. Bound by lust, the two committed an illicit act together. Meanwhile, the hunter caught fresh game and brought it back. Seeing the king committing an immoral act with his wife, he became enraged and thought, “This king has acted unlawfully, so I shall kill him.” But then he reconsidered, “How could I harm the great king over an insignificant woman?”

Suddenly, a lion came and killed the hunter. As he was dying, he felt loving-kindness toward the king, and therefore was reborn in the heaven of the Four Great Kings.

Seeing that the woman’s husband had died, the king thought, “This young woman had relations with me; I should not cast her aside.”

The king therefore comforted her and kept her by his side.

The king’s ministers searched everywhere until they reached the king and asked:

– Whose woman is this?

He replied:

– Within my domain, how could anything fail to belong to me? Take her back and install her in the inner palace.

The king called off the hunt and returned to the city. There were many palace women in the king’s inner apartments. The king thought, “This hunter had only one young wife and lived alone with her in a deserted forest, yet even he could not guard her. How, then, could I guard so many palace women?”

The king then rang bells, blew conches, and beat drums, proclaiming throughout the cities and villages:

– Let everyone know! Whether you are local inhabitants or have come from afar, listen to what I say. I grant all the women in the palace their freedom. According to their own inclinations, they may freely go about and have relations with men outside the palace. I shall not regard this as an offense.

The king also announced to the women in the palace:

– I grant you freedom. At night you may leave the palace and go wherever you wish for pleasure. When you hear the drum, however, you must return. Anyone who disobeys this order will be put to death.

All women delight in men; how much more so those confined within the depths of the palace. Thus, at night all the palace women went outside to seek men and consort with whomever they pleased. Only Lady Bliss, the mother of Niu Hu, and Starlight remained inside because of their devotion to the king.

The king said to Lady Bliss:

– You may go outside and seek another man.

She replied:

– I truly cannot abandon the king to go outside and seek another.

The king then said to Starlight:

– Why do you not go and seek a man outside?

Starlight was young and beautiful and found it difficult to restrain her sensual desire. She frequently longed for other men; although she lived in the palace, her heart yearned to go outside. Hearing the king’s words, she silently accepted his permission. At night, she went into the marketplace and approached a handsome young incense seller, saying:

– Come and make love with me.

He replied:

– Hold the lamp for a while. Wait until I have finished calculating my expenditures, and then we may do as we please.

The young man had accumulated so many accounts that it was difficult to finish calculating them. He therefore continued his calculations throughout the entire night until dawn. When Starlight heard the drum, she could delay no longer. She threw the lamp to the ground and made for the door. The young man said:

– Stay a little longer so that we may make love.

– I cannot remain. The king has commanded that when the drum sounds, anyone who has not returned to the palace will be beheaded. I do not have two heads, so how could I remain any longer?

Having said this, she left. When they met, the king asked:

– Starlight, did you enjoy yourself with a man outside?

She replied:

– I did not have even a moment to spare.

– Why not?

She recounted everything to the king in full. The king remained silent and then once again issued the same proclamation as before, allowing all the palace women to go out freely at night and have relations as they pleased. News of this spread even to other lands.

King Radiance Arisen of Kauśāmbī heard that King Fierce Radiance had issued a decree allowing all his palace women to go outside at night on their private affairs. He therefore asked his minister Yugandhara:

– I have heard that King Fierce Radiance allows his palace women to go and do whatever they please. I wish to travel there and enjoy myself with them for a while.

The minister replied:

– King Fierce Radiance and Your Majesty have often been at odds. If your enemy learns that you have come there in person, he will certainly do you harm.

– When a man undertakes something, whether for good or ill, he must be resolute. You remain here; I shall go there.

The minister replied:

– Since Your Majesty has made up your mind, who would dare detain you? I only beseech you to exercise caution on your journey.

King Radiance Arisen was exceedingly fond of women and paid no heed to his minister’s warning. He traveled to the city of Ujjayinī, and at night he encountered Starlight. After learning who she was and seeing that her beauty was unparalleled in the world, he said:

– Beautiful Starlight, daughter of the kṣatriya lineage, come here and enjoy yourself with me.

She replied:

– As you wish. Spread out the mat.

The king said:

– You spread it out.

Both were proud and argued back and forth, neither willing to spread out the mat, until dawn arrived. When the drum sounded, the young woman prepared to leave. The king said:

– Stay and enjoy yourself with me.

She replied:

– The king has decreed that when the drum sounds, anyone who has not returned to the palace will be put to death. I have no time to remain any longer.

Tinh Quang immediately slipped the gold ring from the king’s finger and brought it back to the palace. King Xuat-Quang also returned to his own country.

King Manh Quang asked:

– Did you enjoy pleasure with any man?

She replied:

– No, I did not.

When the king asked the reason, she recounted the entire affair and produced the ring:

– This belonged to that man. I slipped it off and brought it back here.

After examining the seal on the ring, the king said to Tang Duong:

– King Xuat Quang brought his entire great army into the city without anyone knowing, and secretly sought pleasure with one of my palace women. How could you let him escape?

He replied:

– Great King, he came in secret, and I had not anticipated it. If he returns, I shall certainly not allow him to escape.

After returning home, King Xuat-Quang heard what had been said, yet spoke to the great minister Du-Kien-Na as before. The great minister remonstrated:

– Previously, the king went there secretly, and they did not know, so they allowed you to return safely to your country. Now that king is maintaining strict defenses. If Your Majesty goes again, you will certainly not return safely. It would be better not to go.

Although he tried his utmost to dissuade him, the king would not listen and set out nonetheless, so the great minister had to accompany him. Upon reaching the city of On-the-ny, they lodged in a house.

Learning of this, Tang Duong dispatched many strong men with drawn swords to guard the house on every side and ordered:

– If anyone inside this house is a woman, let her leave; if it is a man, detain him.

Realizing that they had fallen into such circumstances, Du-Kien-Na thought:

– Seeing the king in peril, I must not secretly abandon him. I must devise some means for him to escape!

He immediately had the king put on a female servant’s clothing and carry a water jar on his head. He then ordered someone to stand behind him, driving him onward with a stick and saying, “Go quickly and fetch water. The king is waiting to bathe.”

At that time, the guards took him for a female servant and did not stop him. Upon reaching the bank of a pond, the king threw away the jar and fled.

Tang Duong entered the house and, unable to find the king, found only Du-Kien-Na. He brought him before his own king and reported that it was because of this man that King Xuat Quang had escaped.

Before the king, Du-Kien-Na said:

– It is through my king that I am able to sustain my life. Therefore, helping him escape was truly in accord with righteousness. These officials receive stipends from Your Majesty, yet allowed my king to escape. Was that in accord with righteousness?

The king severely rebuked Tang Duong:

– How could you openly allow the wicked king of an enemy country, who came here to commit an illicit deed, to escape? It would be well if you could find another way to capture him. If you cannot capture him, you must undergo severe punishment.

Hearing this decree, Tang Duong was terrified and pondered a means to accomplish it.

A craftsman skilled in mechanisms had recently arrived there from the South. Tang Duong asked him:

– You possess intelligence and skill. Can you construct such-and-such a mechanism?

He replied:

– I have studied how to make such things and hope that I can succeed.

Tang Duong then took the royal seal bearing the great elephant Vi-son and proclaimed throughout the city that the great elephant Vi-son had escaped and no one knew where it was. After the news had been heard both near and far, Tang Duong said to the craftsman:

– You should make an image of the elephant Vi-son according to its former appearance.

Obeying the order, the craftsman constructed a mechanical elephant. Inside this mechanical elephant there was room for fifty men, together with a large quantity of elephant dung and water. Tang Duong commanded:

– Operate the mechanism so that this elephant travels near the country of Kieu Thiem Ty and remains there. If the king comes with the four divisions of his army to see it, make the elephant flee. If the king comes alone, seize him, confine him inside the elephant, and hasten back to our country.

Upon receiving the order, the craftsman did as instructed and made the elephant stand at a place not far from Kieu Thiem Ty.

At that time, cowherds, shepherds, and laborers saw the strange elephant and gathered together to examine it. Some said that the elephant had come from the mountain forests. Others said that this was King Manh Quang’s lost great elephant, which had strayed far away and reached this place. Someone went to report the matter to the king, saying that he had heard that King Manh Quang possessed the great elephant Vi-son, which was unsurpassed in the world, and that through the king’s meritorious power it had come there of its own accord. From near and far, a thousand kotis of people assembled to see it.

Hearing this, the king was greatly delighted. He ordered Du Kien Na to beat the drum and announce the news throughout the capital, to command the four divisions of the army to carry many nets and ropes, and to go with all the people outside the city to see and capture the great elephant.

In accordance with the king’s command, the officials carried out their respective duties, and everyone streamed forth together like clouds gathering over the fields.

Seeing the king’s army approach, the men inside made the elephant flee into the distance.

The great minister reported:

– Your Majesty was formerly highly skilled in capturing elephants. How can we lure it close?

The king said:

– Let the four divisions of the army withdraw, and I shall go alone to see it.

The soldiers withdrew, and the king advanced alone with his pipa, which produced wondrous sounds. When the men inside the elephant saw the king approach alone, they made the elephant stand still. As soon as he came beside the elephant, those men emerged, seized the king, took him into its belly, and operated the mechanism so that it sped like the wind back to their own country.

When King Xuat Quang was captured, the entire great army cried aloud, “The king has been captured by brigands! The king has been captured by brigands!” They then reinforced their troops and pursued them as far as the frontier. The great minister said:

– We have reached their territory and must go no farther. We should return. The king has already been taken captive; let us devise another means.

After King Xuat Quang had been captured, they brought him back to the city of On The Ny. The great minister Tang Duong led King Xuat Quang before King Manh Quang and reported:

– Great King, this is King Xuat Quang.

Upon seeing him, the king was greatly delighted and ordered the bells rung and the drums beaten. People hurriedly assembled, hundreds of thousands of kotis of them, completely filling all the roads. The king commanded Tang Duong:

– In accordance with the law of the realm, put Xuat Quang to death.

The official reported:

– King Xuat Quang possesses consummate knowledge of the methods for training elephants. If Your Majesty kills him, these methods will be lost as well. You should send someone to study under him. Once that person has mastered his wondrous art, it will not be difficult to kill him.

The king said:

– If so, you should study it.

He replied:

– If I do so, he will become my teacher. How then could I kill him? To act in that way would truly violate worldly propriety.

The king asked:

– Who is capable of learning it?

He replied:

– The princess Thien Tho is diligent by nature, intelligent, and discerning, as everyone knows. If the princess is made to study it, she will certainly master the art in all its subtlety.

Following this counsel, the king said to the princess:

– There is a man endowed with eighteen ugly marks. He is highly knowledgeable in manuals for training elephants. With a curtain placed between you, you may go and study under him. Later, I shall learn it from you. But you must not look upon that ugly man’s face. Anyone who sees it will certainly die.

The princess studied the military manual from behind the curtain.

In Kieu-Thiem-Ty, Du-Kien-Na thought, “I must seek news of the king. If he is still alive, I shall devise a way to rescue him. If he is no longer alive, I shall find someone else to succeed him.”

Du-Kien-Na had a younger sister named Kim Man, who was clever, resourceful, and many times wiser than her elder brother. He said to her:

– Younger sister, go to the city of On The Ny and inquire after the king. If His Majesty is still alive, you should devise a way to rescue him. If he has passed away, bring someone else back to succeed him.

Having heard this, Kim Man silently considered the matter. She changed her clothing and disguised herself as a female non-Buddhist mendicant, putting on filthy garments. Traveling gradually, she reached the city of On The Ny. Upon arriving, she asked the gatekeeper:

– Is King Xuat Quang still alive?

He asked:

– What enmity do you have with that king?

She replied:

– He killed both my husband and my son and confiscated my property.

– That king is not dead. He is teaching the princess the military manual for training elephants.

They went in turn to inquire at the four gates of the royal city, but at each gate they received the same reply. Kim Man tried every possible means to seek help from others and, concealing her presence and identity, managed to meet King Xuat Quang. After looking carefully in all four directions, she lowered her voice and asked:

– Great King, are you still alive?

The king also looked all around in alarm and replied:

– My dear, I am still alive.

She found a way to approach Thien Tho and asked:

– Young lady, from whom are you learning the art of training elephants?

She replied:

– Mother, there is a man possessing all eighteen ugly marks. I study with him from behind a curtain.

– How could there be a man possessing all eighteen ugly marks? That is none other than the majestic and handsome King Xuat Quang, endowed with excellent marks rarely found in this world. Who deceived you by uttering such malicious words? If you do not believe me, raise the curtain and look, she said.

Upon hearing this, the princess's heart overflowed with joy. She immediately raised the curtain to behold the king's countenance, and loving desire arose in her like a violent wind. She said:

– Mother, it is just as you said. Is there any way to enable the king to unite with me in secret?

– Now I tell you: although this is a far-reaching aspiration and such an opportunity is difficult to encounter, since you yourself love him, the time is indeed right. He is a properly consecrated kshatriya king. I shall find a way to fulfill your wish.

When both parties learned of this, they were mutually delighted and pleased, and Thien Tho and the king came to love each other deeply.

At that time, Kim Man sent word to her elder brother:

– Please be at ease and do not worry further. Princess Thien Tho is now learning the art of training elephants from King Xuat Quang.

On receiving the news, her elder brother concealed five kinds of necklaces beneath his clothes, put on a garment of grass over them, called himself Spring Blossom, and, feigning madness, went to the city of On-The-Ny. He lay and sat upon the broad streets, uttering mad words in song:

In spring one should roam and play,

In spring one should seek delight.

I myself am Spring Blossom;

Come, let us go sightseeing together.

If anyone recognized him and said that he was Du Kien Na, he would secretly give that person gold and jewels at once. If someone did not know him and called him a madman, he would not trouble to utter a word in reply. Whatever clothing and food he received at the residences of the royal family and great ministers, he gave to the hungry. Gradually, he secretly made his way to King Xuat Quang and discussed their plan with him.

One day, Princess Thien Tho said to Xuat Quang:

– If my father discovers this, he will certainly put us to death. We must devise a means of escape; that is the best course.

Xuat Quang replied:

– If so, you should say to your royal father, “I have learned elephant handling only from books, but I have never personally seen an elephant being made to advance and retreat. I beg the king to give me the female elephant Hien Thien, so that I may ride her as I please and see whether her movements conform to the scriptures.”

When the princess reported this matter, the king told the keeper of the elephants:

– Give the female elephant Hien Thien to Thien Tho for her unrestricted use.

The princess rode the elephant out at various times: sometimes departing in the morning and returning at noon, sometimes leaving late in the day and returning at dusk, sometimes coming and going irregularly at the beginning or end of the night, and sometimes departing at night and returning early the next morning.

Then, as part of Du Kien Na's plan for their escape, he carried elephant dung out through the city gate. The gatekeeper asked:

– What will Spring Blossom do with that dung?

He replied:

– The king is holding a banquet throughout the Garden of Joy.

Taking this for the speech of a madman, no one paid him any attention.

He mixed the dung with grass and hung it from tree branches along both sides of the road to Kieu Thiem Ty. When he carried out a jar filled with elephant urine, the gatekeeper saw him and asked about it. He replied:

– The king is holding a banquet, and this will be used as a beverage.

Everyone laughed, and in the end they did not inspect it. He returned to the road along which they intended to flee and hung the jar from a tree branch.

King Xuat Quang, the minister, Kim Man, and Thien Tho then agreed upon a time and place. At the appointed time, King Xuat Quang and Thien Tho rode the female elephant to the meeting place. There they joined the minister and Kim Man, who carried a vina of wondrous sound, and joyfully set out together. The king played the vina, and the minister sang:

Together they ride Hien Thien,

While the lovely vina sounds in harmony;

Thien Tho and Spring Blossom

Wave their hands and return together.

The king himself is the caravan leader,

Who has returned to Kieu Thiem Ty.

My aspiration has been fulfilled;

How joyful is this song!

After they had departed, much time passed without their entering the palace. King Manh Quang asked Tang Duong:

– Why has Thien Tho not entered the palace for so long?

After searching, Tang Duong learned that they had fled and reported:

– King Xuat Quang has ridden away on the elephant Hien Thien, taking Thien Tho with him, and has fled the city.

On hearing this report, the king became furious and ordered:

– Mount the great elephant Vi-son, pursue that wicked man, and bring him back before me.

Tang Duong immediately mounted the great elephant and set out. Seeing the great elephant running swiftly and about to overtake them, Du Kien Na took the elephant dung hanging from the tree branch and threw it upon the ground, and they continued to flee. Encountering the foul stench, the great elephant would advance no farther. While it drew back, the female elephant ran far ahead. After they had traveled many yojanas, the great elephant caught up again. Du Kien Na threw the jar of elephant urine upon the ground. The stench repelled the great elephant, and they once again escaped ahead. Only upon reaching the border of their own realm were they free from fear.

– This is their border; I should turn back. Otherwise, even this great elephant may be captured.

Thinking thus, Tang Duong, unable to fulfill his purpose, returned to his country in disappointment.

When he reached the city, the king asked:

– What news is there?

He replied:

– They have returned to their own country and can no longer be apprehended.

On hearing this report, the king was filled with sorrow and rested his cheek upon his hand.

After returning to his realm, King Xuat Quang was as one restored from death to life. He invited ascetics, brahmins, eminent merchants, relatives, acquaintances, the poor, and others. From near and far, they came in an unbroken stream to the king. The king convened a great assembly, established a place for giving alms, and enjoyed himself freely with his consort Thien Tho.

One day, while together with Thien Tho in an upper chamber, the king said in jest:

– By means of a fabricated stratagem, I succeeded in bringing you here.

The consort said:

– My father likewise used a deceitful stratagem to imprison you until only your life remained.

The king said:

– If I do not bring your father back to the city of Kieu-Thiem-Ty and make him learn the weaver's trade, I am not worthy to be called King Xuat Quang.

The consort became angry and remained silent.

King Xuat Quang said to Du Kien Na:

– Can you put an end to my sorrow?

He replied:

– What do you wish to do?

– Tie a long rope around King Manh Quang's neck, drag him back here, and make him learn the weaver's trade.

He replied:

– I have safely brought the elephant Hien Thien and Thien Tho here, yet matters have now come to what the king has said, and I have still not put an end to your sorrow. Your servant will consider whether this can be accomplished.

After devising a plan, he informed the king that it could be done. He then gathered the necessary merchandise in the city of On-The-Ny and found an able caravan leader and a beautiful woman. He adorned the woman fully with necklaces and made her appear to be the caravan leader's wife. Once everything had been arranged, the caravan set out and eventually arrived at the city of On-The-Ny.

Hearing that a great caravan had arrived in his city, King Manh Quang personally went to inspect the collection of taxes from them. Entering the encampment, the king asked:

– Where is the caravan leader?

A guide showed him the place. The king went there, opened the door, and entered. In the central chamber, he encountered the caravan leader's wife, whose extraordinary countenance was unlike anything he had ever seen. Her beauty was unsurpassed, and no one in the city could compare with her.

A defiled passion arose in the king's mind, and he asked:

– Noble lady, come and enjoy pleasure with me.

The young woman replied:

– Here is the bed and bedding. If you desire them, do as you please.

Already bound by sensual desire, there was nothing he would not do. The king immediately lay down and coupled with her. While the king’s mind was utterly confused and he knew neither what came before nor what followed, the caravan leader covered him completely with cloth and ordered four men to carry away the entire bed. Everyone cried out, “Let us leave the city of Ujjayini through the rear gate!” and they all departed together. Some among the attendants rang bells and chanted:

In this world, a mosquito devours the moon,

King Vaisravana is pressed to repay a debt,

The earth and trees fly up to the heavens,

A courtesan carries King Fierce Radiance away.

Seeing this joyous commotion, all the merchants in the city said that the caravan was about to depart, and so they followed along.

The people in the city did not know where the king had gone. Tăng Dưỡng was terrified and searched everywhere for him.

The caravan then brought King Fierce Radiance back to the kingdom of Kausambi. The officials rejoiced and said:

“Great King, the royal realm flourishes, and all your wishes have been fulfilled.”

When King Fierce Radiance was brought before him, King Radiance Forthcoming said:

“Put him in fetters and make him learn the weaver’s trade, but do not let anyone inform Thiên Thọ.”

One day, the king and Thiên Thọ ascended a high tower to enjoy the view.

At that time, because of some minor business, King Fierce Radiance came out of the weavers’ quarters. Seeing him from the high tower, King Radiance Forthcoming asked Thiên Thọ:

“Do you recognize that man?”

The king naturally had a broad forehead. The princess looked closely and immediately recognized him. Tears fell and soaked her robe as she thought:

“Now this evil king has imprisoned my father and reduced him to such suffering. If I do not kill this wicked king, I am no longer worthy of being called Thiên Thọ. Though I shall kill him with my own hand, I must do so without letting him know.”

Being naturally intelligent, the king knew that the princess harbored resentment, so he told a minister:

“I have now taken my revenge upon Fierce Radiance. Have his body bathed, give him delicious food, adorn him properly, and then release him to return to his kingdom.”

They obeyed the king’s command, carried out each task in due order, and released the other king to return to his country.

Thiên Thọ thought:

“If I devise a way to kill him at once, his cunning mind will surely make him suspicious. I should let some time pass and wait for another day.” She then forced herself to smile and speak cheerfully to dispel all appearance of sorrow.

One day, Thiên Thọ put on filthy clothing and lay upon a broken bed. Seeing her, Radiance Forthcoming asked:

“What is the matter?”

She replied:

“The heavenly deity is angry with me.”

He asked:

“What do you lack? Have you made a vow and failed to perform the offering of thanks?”

She replied:

“What I formerly promised cannot be fulfilled.”

He asked:

“What did you promise that has caused you such sorrow? Whatever you require, I shall provide in full.”

She replied:

“Formerly, when my father held you captive, I made this prayer to the heavenly deity:

“‘If the king and I return safely to Kausambi, I shall fast from food and drink together with the king for seven days and nights. At the end of the seventh day, I shall wind beautiful flower garlands from his toes to the crown of his head, carry him in a palanquin to the top of the city wall, hold a great almsgiving assembly on the king’s behalf, and invite a full complement of one thousand brahmins to receive magnificent offerings.’ Now the Great King has many consorts. How could you still favor me? Reflecting in this way, I am certain to die.”

The king said:

“So it was for my sake that you prayed to heaven. Grieve no more; I shall do everything.”

From then onward, Thiên Thọ made preparations to kill the king. She tethered two dogs beneath the city wall and fed them fine meat every day, raising them until they grew so large that they could consume an amount of flesh equal to a human body. Then she and the king sincerely fasted from food and drink for seven days, but at night she secretly ate and drank her fill.

The king was determined to fast for seven days, so his body became weak and he could neither walk nor stand.

When the seven days were complete, Thiên Thọ told the garland maker to use coarse cords to make many fragrant garlands and bring them quickly. She then commanded Du-Kiện-Na:

“Today the Great King has completed the period of observance. Adorn the royal city for a great almsgiving assembly and make offerings to more than one thousand brahmins. All the ministers must carry out their duties swiftly, but they must not be allowed to know the secret affairs within the palace.”

Du-Kiện-Na obeyed her command. The roads were swept and sprinkled with scented water; incense was burned, canopies were raised, and flowers of every kind were scattered everywhere. The city was as delightful as the Garden of Joy. Drums were beaten and music played throughout the city, the sounds resounded, and dancers whirled about.

Amid this tumult, Thiên Thọ brought the king onto the city wall and laid him upon the ground. She bound him with the garland cords from his feet to the crown of his head, leaving no place uncovered, and then pushed him down to the foot of the wall. The two dogs fought over him and devoured all his blood and flesh, leaving only his bones. Then flesh-eating creatures such as hawks, eagles, vultures, and wolves came and gnawed and pecked at the remaining bones.

Seeing this, the people in the city were horrified and shaken. Word spread among them: “The Great King himself stood upon the city wall to watch the great assembly, fell from the corner of the wall, and died. Then dogs devoured his flesh.”

On hearing this, everyone wailed loudly, tore their hair, and beat their breasts, and the cries resounded throughout the city.

The bhiksus all scattered and departed, some going elsewhere and others returning to Anathapindika’s Grove.

The ministers gathered together and deliberated: “Why did the Great King personally ascend the city wall? And how could there have been dogs beneath the wall that came to devour the king’s flesh?”

After investigating, they discovered the garlands and then understood that Thiên Thọ had devised the evil scheme to murder the king. Enraged, they built a house of red copper, confined Thiên Thọ inside it, and set it on fire, causing her to suffer until she died. Thus one should understand: when will vengeance answered with vengeance ever cease?

The bhiksus all had doubts and asked the Blessed One:

“Venerable Sir, what karma did King Radiance Forthcoming formerly create, through the power of which he was devoured by dogs in this life?”

The Buddha said:

“Bhiksus, King Radiance Forthcoming created karma in the past. Now that the causes and conditions have converged, its result has appeared. Just as a violently flowing current cannot be stopped, no one could undergo in his place the karma that king had created. Bhiksus, the result of created karma does not occur outside the four great elements; rather, one experiences its painful or pleasurable result within one’s own skandhas, dhatus, and ayatanas. As a verse says:

Though a hundred kalpas may pass,

Karma once created is never lost;

When its causes and conditions are complete,

One personally undergoes its result.

“Bhiksus, in the past, in a certain capital city, there lived a brahmin minister. At that time no Buddha was present; only Pratyekabuddhas appeared in the world. They cherished the poor and destitute and delighted in dwelling in secluded places. In that world, they alone were fields of merit. One such Pratyekabuddha journeyed among the people, arrived at that city, and passed the night in a tranquil forest. Early the next morning, he put on his robe, took up his alms bowl, and entered the city to seek alms.

“At that time, the minister led a pack of dogs out of the city to hunt. When he saw this faultless Pratyekabuddha, who bore the marks of a great person, he unleashed the dogs to devour his flesh.

“Bhiksus, what do you think? Do not think that the minister was some other person. He was none other than the present King Radiance Forthcoming. He unleashed dogs to devour a guiltless noble being. Through the power of this karma, for five hundred lives he was repeatedly devoured by dogs and died. Bhiksus, you should know that one who creates purely black karma receives a purely black result; one who creates purely white karma enjoys a purely white result; and one who creates mixed karma undergoes a mixed result. For this reason, you should abandon both black and mixed karma and cultivate white karma. Bhiksus, you should train in this way.”

After King Radiance Forthcoming of Kausambi died, King Fierce Radiance of Ujjayini was free of enemies and lived in peace and happiness. One day, while in the lofty palace hall, the king engaged in an improper conversation with his ministers and asked them:

– In which city or village is there a beautiful courtesan?

Someone said:

– Great King! In the city of Takshashila, within the realm of King Viên Thắng, there is a young and beautiful courtesan skilled in the sixty-four arts. Throughout the entire human world upon this earth, no man has ever beheld her without becoming infatuated.

As soon as the king heard of her beauty and intelligence, desire arose in him, and he said to Tăng Dưỡng:

– Even if one searched in distant places, it would be difficult to find such a woman. I should go to her and enjoy pleasure with her.

He replied:

– Great King, King Viên Thắng has long harbored enmity toward you. He ordinarily resides in the city of Takshashila. If you go there alone and he learns of it, the outcome will surely not be good.

The king said:

– My mind is resolved and cannot be changed. Remain here; I shall set out on the journey.

He replied:

– It is difficult to oppose the command of my sovereign. Please go as you wish, but you must be cautious.

The king mounted his great elephant Vi Sơn and traveled toward that city. Along the way, he left the elephant at Mount Thạch Chữ and entered the city alone. Upon arriving, the king removed from his neck an exceedingly beautiful jeweled necklace worth many millions and gave it to the courtesan so that they might unite in pleasure.

At that time, the ministers, the people, and the brahmins were all astonished when they could not find the king and did not know where he had gone. They discussed the matter among themselves: “The king is no ordinary man. Wherever he has gone, someone must know.”

Someone said:

– The king has everything he needs within the palace. Where else could he be seeking anything?

Someone else said:

– We should all go and ask Tăng Dưỡng.

When they arrived, they asked:

– At present, we do not know where the Great King has gone.

He replied:

– Why are you in such haste to see the king? Restrain yourselves; before long you will see him again.

They asked:

– When shall we see him?

He replied:

– After twenty full years.

The people angrily said:

– You have killed the king and are plotting to establish yourself in his place; therefore, you utter such unrighteous words. If we see the king within seven days, all will be well. If we do not see him, we shall enthrone another king and put you to death.

Hearing this, Tăng Dưỡng remained silent, his heart filled with sorrow.

At that time, the Queen Mother, the Great Lady and mother of Ngưu Hộ, saw that Tăng Dưỡng was sorrowful. She summoned him and asked:

– What matter now causes you such sorrow?

He replied:

– Lady, the great brahmins and the ministers said this...—and he related everything as above. How, then, could my heart not be grieved?

The Lady said:

– Mix honey with ghee, blend it with rice bran, fill a golden tray with it, and take it to the horse stable. Kneel before the horses and say:

– Whoever is able to reach the realm of Takshashila within this very day should eat the bran mixed with ghee and honey from this golden tray.

Although they heard these words, none of the horses ate. At that time, there was an old and emaciated horse standing alone to one side with drooping ears. He approached that horse, holding the golden tray in his hands, and spoke as before. Upon hearing him, the horse approached the tray and ate everything.

When he reported this matter to the Lady, she said:

– Go and saddle it. If you see it assume a strange form, do not be afraid. Stand before it and display heroic courage and commanding valor. When a man possesses courage, no creature will despise him.

He went to the horse. Just as he was about to place the saddle upon its back, the horse suddenly reared up, transformed its appearance, and said:

– Good man, have you ever seen a horse such as this?

He drew his sword and said:

– Wise yaksha horse, have you ever seen a horseman such as this?

It replied:

– I have not.

He said:

– Wise yaksha horse, it would be best if you resumed your former appearance and ran. If you do not go, I shall cut off your head and cause your blood to flow upon the ground.

The horse said:

– Good man, let us make an agreement: if you promise never to bring me back to this place, I shall go.

He replied:

– If you agree to journey with me, I shall not betray your trust.

Tăng Dưỡng then mounted the horse and traveled to the city of Takshashila.

THE MŪLASARVĀSTIVĀDA

VINAYA KṢUDRAKAVASTU

End of Fascicle Twenty-Three.