Dharma Wheel

The Giving of King Sarvada

Nāgārjuna’s Preamble: Perfect Dāna in Two Body Types

Additionally, the bodhisattva possesses two kinds of bodies. The
first is the body produced from the karma of the fetters. The second
is the Dharma body. Fulfillment of dāna pāramitā in both of these
bodies is what is intended by perfectly fulfilling dāna pāramitā.
Question: What is meant by fulfillment of dāna pāramitā within
the body produced from the karma of the fetters (saṃyojana)?
Response: This refers to when one has not yet gained the Dharma
body and to when the fetters have not yet been brought to an end.
One becomes able to give completely of all that one possesses, both
inwardly and outwardly, including all manner of precious objects,
and including one’s head, eyes, marrow, brain, country, wealth,
wives, and sons, doing so without one’s mind moving or turning
away from it. Take for instance Prince Sudinna who made a gift
of his two sons to a brahman. (Chinese textual note: In our language,
this [Sudinna] means “fine fondness.”) Next, he relinquished his wife,
and even then, his mind still did not turn away from continuing on
with this practice.

Story: King Sarvada Turns Himself In

This is also exemplified by King Sarvada (Chinese textual note: In our
language, this [“Sarvada”] means “giving everything.”) who was vanquished
by an enemy country and who then fled and hid in the
furthest reaches of the forests. He encountered a brahman from a
faraway country who sought to receive alms from him. As for himself,
his country had been crushed, his family had been wiped out,
and he had been forced to flee alone and go into hiding.
Because he felt pity for [the brahman’s] hardship in having come
from afar and yet having gotten nothing, he said to the brahman, “I
am King Sarvada. The new king has sent men out who are trying
very hard to find me.” He then immediately tied himself up and
gave himself to [the brahman] who then gave him over to the new
king and received great wealth and valuables [in reward].

PuerAzaelis wrote:!!!!!

Drolma, holy ...

You still exist!

Nicholas Weeks wrote:

PuerAzaelis wrote:!!!!!

Drolma, holy ...

You still exist!

Her post was actually from 2010, but being the last one in bumped set, the date is changed to now.

Furthermore, the person who upholds the precepts always succeeds
in being revered and supported by people of the present
era. His mind is blissful and does not experience regret. He has no
shortage of either clothing or food. When he dies, he is born in the
heavens and then, later, he gains the Buddha Path. For the person
who upholds the precepts, there is no matter in which he is not successful.
For a person who breaks the precepts, everything is lost.

Story: The Man with the Marvelous Vase

This situation is analogous to that of the man who constantly made
offerings to a god. As this man was poverty-stricken, for twelve full
years he single-mindedly made offerings seeking to gain wealth
and nobility. The god felt pity for this man, and manifested himself before
him, and asked, “What is it that you seek?”
The man replied, “I’m seeking to gain wealth and nobility. I
desire to have it occur that I may obtain everything I wish for.”

The god then gave him a vessel known as “the vase of virtue”
and told the man, “Everything you need will come forth from this vase.”

After the man got it, there was nothing which he wished for that
he did not gain. After he acquired the ability to get anything he
wished for, he built himself a fine house complete with elephants,
horses, and carriages and also came to possess an abundance of the
seven kinds of jewels. He gave generously to all of his guests so that
they were never wanting in any respect.
One of his guests inquired of him, “You used to be poverty-stricken.
How is it that now you have come by such wealth as this?”

The man replied, “I received this celestial vase. The vase is able
to put forth all of these different kinds of things. It’s on account of
this that I have gained such wealth.”
The guest asked, “Would you show me the vase and something
which it has put forth?”
He immediately brought out the vase. From within the vase, he
drew forth all manner of objects. Then, in prideful carelessness, he
began to dance about on the top of the vase. The vase was immediately
shattered. At the very same time, all of the different sorts of
things which it had produced all simultaneously disappeared.

Conclusion
One who upholds the precepts is just like this. He receives all manner
of marvelous bliss and there is no wish which he does not realize.
If, however, a person breaks the precepts—if he becomes pridefully
careless and gives free reign to willfulness—he will become just
like this man who broke the vase and lost everything.

Story: The Patience-Cultivating Rishi

This is exemplified by the rishi who practiced kṣānti. He dwelt in
a great forest where he cultivated patience and practiced kindness.
At that time King Kali brought his courtesans along with him as he
entered the forest to wander and sport about. Having finished his
refreshments and meal, the King took a short nap.

The courtesans wandered off amongst the flowers and trees and
then saw this rishi. They offered their reverential respects and then
stood off to one side. At that time, for the sake of the courtesans,
he spoke in praise of kindness and patience. His words were so
fine and marvelous that the listeners could not get enough. They
remained a long time and would not leave.

King Kali woke up and failed to see his courtesans and so picked
up his sword and followed along behind so as to catch up with them.
He saw them standing before the rishi. He became filled up with
arrogance and jealousy. With hate-filled glowering, he brandished
his sword and demanded of the rishi, “Just what are you doing?!”

The rishi replied, saying, “I’m abiding here in the cultivation of
patience and the practice of kindness.”

The King said, “I’m now going to put you to the test. I’m going
to take a sharp sword and slice off your ears and nose. I’m going
to chop off your hands and feet. If you don’t get angry, then we’ll
know that you cultivate patience.”

The rishi said, “Do what you will.”

The King immediately drew forth his sword, sliced off his ears
and nose, and then chopped off his hands and feet. He then asked,
“Has your mind moved or not?”

He replied, “I cultivate loving-kindness and compassion. The
mind has not moved.”

The King said, “You are just a single person here. You have no
power in this situation. Although you claim that you have not
moved, who would believe it?”

The rishi then straightaway made a vow, “If I truly cultivate loving-
kindness and patience, the blood ought to turn into milk.” The
blood immediately transformed into milk.

The King was both greatly frightened and delighted. He then
left, leading away the courtesans with him. On account of his
actions toward this rishi, the dragons and spirits of the forest then
set loose a cataclysmic storm with thunder and lightning bolts. The
King was mortally wounded by it and, sinking away, was unable
even to return to the palace.

Thus it is that it is said that one should be able to practice patience
even in the midst of torment and chaos.