Chapter 2 Section 1 The Origin of the Name of Shakyamuni Buddha

Buddhism was introduced to China from India with a history of more than 2,000 years, and it is believed and respected by the majority of Buddhists in our country. The teaching of Buddhism, "Don't do all evil, pursue all good", has produced incomparable power to purify the world and relieve people's troubles and pains.Just as Master Yuanying taught, "If you want to be free from worries, you must learn Buddhism. Knowing that there are causes and conditions is not to envy others." As a Buddhist believer, we should first have a general understanding of the brief history of Buddha Shakyamuni’s life and the teachings he said, from believing in Buddhism to understanding the principles of Buddhism, and then practicing according to the teachings.Through practice and certification, the goal of attaining the Tao and becoming a Buddha is finally achieved.This is a great cause and condition that takes the arousal of the Bodhi mind as the cause and the attainment of the Bodhi path as the fruit.The history of Sakyamuni Buddha is introduced as follows:

We must first know what kind of person Sakyamuni was and how he became a Buddha.Because there are many, many Buddhas in the worlds of the ten directions, the leader of our Saha world is called Shakyamuni Buddha.But with the name, there must be a reason for him.Why is this Buddha called Sakyamuni? The Chinese translation of "Sakyamuni" can be benevolent, and can be compassionate to all living beings with a benevolent heart, which is what Buddhism calls great compassion.Because the Buddha is able to bring peace and happiness to all beings, heals the pain of all beings, and saves all beings with great kindness and compassion. "Muni" is translated into silence in Chinese, which means that when the Buddha is practicing in the causal place, he will use the wisdom and light in his heart to return to the light, cut off troubles, and achieve complete wisdom. This is the wisdom and virtue possessed by the Buddha.The Buddha possesses the wisdom and compassion of benevolence and silence, self-interest and others, so his name is Sakyamuni Buddha.

But when did Sakyamuni Buddha, his two virtues of wisdom and compassion, and the solemn name of blessing and wisdom, start?It is said that before immeasurable kalpas in the past, there lived an ancient Buddha named Sakyamuni Buddha.He has great supernatural powers, he can observe the situation and teach, and save all living beings.One day, the ancient Shakyamuni Buddha observed a great bright potter named Guangchi.His good roots have matured and he should be saved.So the Buddha took two disciples, Ananda and Kassapa, to teach him in the pottery kiln of Daguangming.The potter was very excited when he saw the Buddha and his two disciples coming to his kiln.I thought, the kiln is full of mud and dust, very dirty, what should I do when the great and solemn Buddha Shakyamuni comes?Immediately, in a hurry, he quickly took a lot of straw, covered up the mud, and paved three seats.The Buddha was in the middle, and two disciples sat down on either side.Da Guangming pottery bowed respectfully to the Buddha.During the prostration, he thought in his heart that the name Shakyamuni Buddha possesses the two virtues of compassion and wisdom, as well as the adornment of blessing and wisdom, which is really wonderful.So he made a wish and said: May I become a Buddha in the future, my name will also be called Sakyamuni Buddha, and I will also have two disciples, Ananda and Kassapa.Later, after many lives, he practiced diligently and practiced hard, and followed his wishes.In this life, sitting under the bodhi tree, attaining enlightenment and becoming a Buddha, he is called Sakyamuni Buddha.

Another way of saying is that the name Sakyamuni Buddha was given to him by the ancient lamp-burning Buddha in the past.According to the "Diamond Sutra", it is said: "There is really no way to get Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. Therefore, the Burning Lamp Buddha gave me a prophecy. In this way, good man, in the next life, you should be a Buddha, No. Shakyamuni".It is said that in the past countless kalpas, one day, the boy Shanhui was walking on the road, and happened to meet the ancient Buddha who was also walking on the road.Boy Shanhui found a puddle of sewage on the ground, and thought that the Buddha walked barefoot, and the sewage would definitely stain the Buddha's feet.So suddenly, he threw himself on the ground, spread his precious hair on the sewage, and waited for the burning Buddha to walk over his hair.At that time, the burning Buddha saw the scene of the good and wise boy covering the mud with his hair, so he prophesied: "Good man, in the next life, you should be a Buddha, named Sakyamuni".

The two stories mentioned above profoundly illustrate that everything in the world is based on one's feelings, one's desires come true, and one's feelings must be responded to.Therefore, the "Lotus Sutra" says: "If people want to know, all the Buddhas of the three ages should observe the nature of the dharma world, and everything is created by the mind." As long as we can be sincere and sincere.Arouse Bodhicitta and diligently practice, there is no failure.Master Sheng'an said in the "Encouraging Bodhi Heart" first, "Taste and hear the key points of entering the Tao, the heart is the first, the urgent task of practice, and the vows are the first. If the vows are established, all living beings can be saved, and the heart can be enlightened. Buddha way can be achieved. If you don’t develop a broad mind and make firm vows, you will still be in the cycle of reincarnation even through the eons of dust, and although you have practiced, it will always be futile.”Here we can clearly see that Sakyamuni Buddha's name and attainment of enlightenment and attainment of Buddhahood all came from the place of causation, with a broad heart, firm vows and diligent practice.At the same time, we also see that no matter who in the world, for all things and all walks of life, can achieve great achievements, fame, morality, meritorious service, and career, there is no one who can't help but develop a broad mind at the very beginning, make a firm vow and work hard to achieve perfection. Purpose.Buddhism and world law, on this issue, although things are different, the reason is the same.