SA 1220（一二二〇） 拔毒箭

Thus have I heard:

Once, the Buddha was staying in the Deer Park at Isipatana near Varanasi. At that time, the World-Honored One spoke to the assembly of bhikṣus about the Dharma associated with the four noble truths, namely: this is the noble truth of suffering, this is the noble truth of the origin of suffering, this is the noble truth of the cessation of suffering, and this is the noble truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering.

At that time, Venerable Vāgīśa was in the assembly. He thought, "I will now praise the simile of pulling out the arrow in front of the World-Honored One." Having thought this, he immediately rose from his seat, adjusted his robes, joined his palms, and said to the Buddha, "Yes, World-Honored One! I wish to speak. Yes, Well-Gone One! I wish to speak."

The Buddha told Vāgīśa, "Speak as you wish!"

At that time, Venerable Vāgīśa spoke a verse, saying:

I now pay homage to the Buddha, who compassionately benefits
all beings, the foremost in pulling out the arrow, skillfully
treating various illnesses. The physician Kārpaṭika prescribes medicine, Bhadrika treats
medicine, and also the physician Jīvaka treats illnesses. Some illnesses
are slightly cured, considered well-treated, but later the illness recurs
and the patient dies with the illness. The great physician
of perfect enlightenment skillfully prescribes medicine for beings, ultimately eliminating
all suffering, no longer experiencing any existence. Up to hundreds
of thousands of kinds, the number of illnesses in the
nayutas, the Buddha completely treats them, ultimately reaching the end
of suffering. All the physicians who have come to the
assembly, I now inform you, having obtained the nectar-like Dharma
medicine, take it as you wish. The foremost in pulling
out the arrow, skillfully knowing various illnesses, the best among
treatments, therefore I bow to Gautama.

When Venerable Vāgīśa spoke these words, the bhikṣus who heard them were all greatly delighted.