Chapter 6 26-30

26. Water rises too Seven days later, the Buddha was very excited to return to the forest of the Bodhi tree.He spent the night there.Early in the morning, he came to the banks of the Neranja River to surprise Svasti.They sat and talked for a long time on the bank until the Buddha reminded him to continue cutting the kusai grass for the buffaloes.Buddha himself helped him before leaving him to go to the village to beg for food. The next afternoon, a group of village children came to the forest to visit the Buddha.Svasti's family also came.Shansheng even brought all her friends.They were very happy to see the Buddha again.Everyone listened carefully to what the Buddha told them about the year that had followed his farewell.The Buddha promised that Svasti would come back to pick him up as a monk when he was twenty years old.By then, Svasti's siblings should be able to take care of themselves.

The children told the Buddha that in the last few months a group of Brahmins had come nearby.They have as many as five hundred believers.Unlike monks, they didn't have their heads shaved.After braiding their hair, they tied it in a bun on their heads.They believe in the god of fire.The name of the Brahmin is Kasyapa.Everyone who met him respected him a lot. The next morning, the Buddha crossed the river and came to Master Kassapa's order.His followers live in very simple huts.All they wore were rough garments made of bark.None of them went to the village to beg for food, but the villagers would take food to support them on their own initiative.Moreover, they also raised some poultry for food and sacrifices.In a conversation with one of Kasyapa's disciples, the Buddha learned that Kasyapa was proficient in the Vedas and had good moral character.He also knew that Kassapa had two younger brothers, and they were both fire believers and had their own disciples.All three brothers believed that fire was the original element of the universe.Uruvila Kassapa was very popular with his two younger brothers.Nati Kassapa and his three hundred disciples lived on the banks of the Niram River in the north, about a day's journey away.Gaya Kassapa lived in Gaya with his two hundred disciples.

Kassapa's disciples took the Buddha to meet his master in his hut.Although Kassapa was old, he was still very energetic and alert.When he saw the appearance of this young civilian teacher, he immediately had a good impression of this visitor and treated him as a guest of honor.Kassapa invited the Buddha to sit on a tree outside the door, and then the two talked gracefully.The Buddha's familiarity with the Vedas surprised Kasyapa.But what he didn't even expect was that the Buddha had grasped some concepts in the Vedas that even he didn't understand clearly.After the Buddha explained to him a very profound passage in the Atharva Veda and the Rig Veda, Kassapa realized that what he thought he understood was actually missing the point.What surprised Kasyapa even more was the young monk's deep knowledge of history, scriptures and Brahman rituals.

At noon that day, the Buddha accepted Kassapa's invitation to have a meal with him.The Buddha neatly folded his coat into a cushion, sat on it and ate silently.Seeing the peaceful attitude and majestic face of the Buddha, Kasyapa was also infected and fell silent. They continued to talk that night.The Buddha asked, "Master Kassapa, can you explain to me why offering fire can lead to liberation?" Uruvila Kassapa did not answer immediately.He knew very well that an ordinary or superficial answer would be difficult to satisfy this different monk.Kassapa first explained why fire is an element of the universe.And its source is Brahma.In the fire hall of the order, there is always a torch of holy fire lit.It is the symbol of Brahma.The worship of fire is mentioned in the Atharva Vedic scriptures.Fire is life.Without fire, life cannot exist.Fire is the source of light, warmth, and the sun.It keeps plants, animals and humans alive.It can drive away the darkness, resist the cold, and bring joy and vitality to all beings.Fire makes it possible to cook food and reunite people with Brahma after death.Just because fire is the source of life, it is Brahma itself.Agni, the god of fire, is just one of the thousands of manifestations in the Brahma world.On the fire altar, Agni's form is two-headed.One symbolizes the function of fire in everyday life; the other represents the sacrifice made by fire and its return to the source of life.Fire worshipers perform forty kinds of fire worship rituals.A believer must keep the precepts, practice different practices, and recite scriptures before he can reach the path of liberation.

Kasyapa himself is very opposed to those Brahmins who use power to oppress society for profit and satisfy their selfish desires.He believes that these people are just using chanting rituals for profit.And the reputation of traditional Brahmanism has been damaged because of the existence of these Brahmins. The Buddha asked: "Master Kassapa, what do you think of those people who think that water is the fundamental element of life, and that only water can make people clean, so they can be combined with Brahma?" Kasyapa hesitated for a while.He thought of the hundreds of thousands of people who were bathing at that moment in the Ganges and other holy rivers to cleanse themselves of their sins.

"Gautama, water does not really liberate people. Water flows downward. Only fire rises upward. After we die, it is also because of fire that our bodies turn into smoke and rise." "Master Kasyapa, that's not entirely true. The white clouds in the sky are also a form of water. Therefore, the water will also rise. In fact, the smoke itself is just evaporated water. Clouds and smoke will eventually return to Liquid. I'm sure you know that everything is in a cycle." "But all things come from the same fundamental element, so they all return to that element."

"Master Kasyapa, everything depends on each other to survive. It is like this leaf in my hand. Earth, water, heat, seeds, trees, clouds, sun, time, space all lead to this leaf. The factors that can exist. There is only one thing missing, and the leaves cannot survive. All living things, whether organic or inorganic, are caused by mutual conditions. The source of one thing is the source of everything. Please take a closer look. Is it Can't you see that the leaf in my hand is in response to the interrelationships of the laws of the universe, even including your perception, can it be so?"

It was dusk, almost dark.Kassapa invited the Buddha to spend the night in his house.It was the first invitation of the kind he had ever made to anyone.However, he had never encountered such an extraordinary monk.But the Buddha refused on the grounds that he was accustomed to sleeping alone.He said that he would rather spend the night in the Fire Sacrifice Hall, but I don't know if it is possible. The Brahmin said: "For the past few days, a large snake has been haunting the Fire Temple. We have tried everything we can, but we have not driven it away. Don't sleep there, my friend, I am afraid I will be in danger. That is why we recently I have no choice but to perform the ceremony outside. Please sleep in my house, it is safer.

The Buddha replied: "Please don't worry, I will not be in danger living in the Fire Temple." The Buddha recalled the situation when he was practicing penance in the wilderness.Wild beasts walked by him without hurting him.Sometimes when he sat quietly, a giant snake would crawl in front of him.He knew that if one was careful not to frighten the animals, they could do no harm to man. Seeing the Buddha's insistence, Ying Ye only said: "If you really want to sleep in the Fire Sacrifice Hall, of course you can. How long you like to stay is definitely not a problem."

That night, the Buddha entered the Fire Sacrifice Hall.In the central altar burns a fire of many candles.On one side of the room stood a pile of sandalwood for outdoor ceremonies.The Buddha believed that the serpent must be in the woodpile, so he meditated on the other side, using his folded coat as a cushion.He sat till late at night.Near the end of his meditation, he saw a large snake coiled in the middle of the room and staring at him.The Buddha said softly to it: "Good friend, for your safety, you should go back to the forest." Buddha's voice is full of love and understanding.The big snake stretched slowly and crawled out of the door.The Buddha is also stretched out, lying on the ground to sleep.

When he woke up, the bright moonlight was shining on his sleeping place from the window.The moon on the 18th is extraordinarily bright and bright.He thought that walking meditation in the moonlight would be very pleasant.So he patted the dust off his coat, put it on, and walked out of the Fire Sacrifice Hall. At dawn, the temple caught fire for unknown reasons.Everyone who saw it immediately shouted for help.Although everyone went to the river to save water and put out the fire, the fire was so fierce that it was difficult to control it.In the end, five hundred believers had no choice but to watch the Fire Sacrifice Hall burn to the ground. Uruvela Kassapa was also among the group of believers watching.When he thought of the young monk with whom he had talked so congenially the day before, his heart was filled with grief.He reckoned that this talented and virtuous monk would die in the sea of ​​fire.If Gautama would come to his house, he would still be alive.While still meditating, the Buddha appeared.Seeing flames from a distance, the Buddha immediately returned to see what he could do to help. Heaving a sigh of relief, Yingye walked up excitedly, clung to the Buddha's hand, and said, "My friend Gautama, I thank God that you are still alive! You are really all right! I am very happy!" Putting his hand on the Brahmin's shoulder, the Buddha smiled and said, "Thank you, my good friend. I am really fine." The Buddha knew that there would be a Dharma meeting held that day.In addition to his five disciples, there are at least one hundred nearby villagers participating.Lectures will be held after lunch.The Buddha meant that his presence might make Kasyapa unnatural, so he went to the village to beg for food.After receiving the offering, he walked to the lotus pond to eat.After that, he stayed there all afternoon. Later in the afternoon, Ying Ye came to look for him.Seeing the Buddha by the pool, he said, "My friend Gautama, we have been waiting for you for lunch, but you have never appeared. Why don't you join us for lunch?" Buddha said he didn't want to be there when the puja was going on. "Why don't you want to attend my puja?" Kassapa asked. Buddha just smiled.The Brahmin didn't ask any more questions.He knew that the young monk saw through his thoughts.Gotama is really thoughtful and considerate for others! They sat by the pool and talked.Kasyapa said: "Yesterday you said that a leaf is formed due to different supporting conditions. You also said that the existence and generation of human beings is the same. But when all these external conditions disappear, those individuals Where did you go again?" The Buddha replied: "Human beings have always been bound by the concept of constant self, thinking that things have individual eternal existence. We believe that after death, his individual still exists and will be one with his original Brahma. But Yingye, my friend, is a fundamental misunderstanding that has disoriented us for generations. "You should know that all dharmas arise due to conditions, and all dharmas also perish due to conditions. This exists because that exists, and this does not cause that to not exist. This is born so that arises, and this ceases to cause that to cease. This is the cause and condition that I have personally experienced in meditation. The method of arising. In the true nature, there is nothing independent or eternal at all. There is no individuality, high or low. Yingye, you have tried to visualize your body, feelings, thoughts, thoughts and consciousness Is it? A person is the union of these five aggregates. They are like a river in which not even a single constant element can be found, changing forever." Youlou Pinuo Yingye was silent for a while.Next, he asked: "So are you advocating animism?" Buddha smiled and shook his head. "No. Avatarism is just one of the many prejudices. This concept is as wrong as the concept of eternal individuality. Kassapa, please look at the water of the lotus pond. I do not mean that the lotus and the Water doesn't exist. I'm just saying that both water and the lotus are produced in response to the interrelationship of many other factors, and none of these factors is individual or permanent." Kasyapa raised his head and looked at the Buddha. "If there is no self, why do we practice the Tao to achieve liberation? Who will be liberated?" The Buddha looked deeply into the eyes of this Brahmin friend.His eyes were as radiant as the sun, but at the same time as gentle as the moonlight.He smiled and said, "Kassapa, find the answer from your own heart." They returned to the order together.Uruvila Kassapa insisted on giving up his hut to the Buddha that night.And he himself would use the house of his first disciple.The Buddha thus realized how much respect Kassapa's disciples had for their master. 27. The Burning of World Law Every morning, Kassapa would bring some food to the Buddha so that he would not have to go to the village to beg.After lunch, the Buddha would take a solitary walk around the tree-lined path or around the lotus pond.Later, Kassapa would compete with him under the tree or by the pool.Getting along with the Buddha for a long time made Kasyapa understand how wise and virtuous the Buddha is. One night, the torrential rain continued until dawn.On both sides of the Nelian Chan River, the water level soared to the point of disaster.Nearby farmland houses were flooded by the flood.Boats rushed out to rescue people.Although Kassapa's followers were able to reach the high ground in time, they found no sign of Gautama.Kasyapa sent several small boats to look for him.Finally, he was spotted standing on a distant hill. The flood receded as fast as it rose.The next morning, the Buddha walked down the mountain holding his bowl and went to the village to inspect the situation of the villagers affected by the flood.Fortunately no one was drowned.The villagers all told the Buddha that since they did not have much property, the loss was naturally minor. Kassapa's disciples began rebuilding their temples that had been destroyed by fire and their houses that had been washed away by the floods. One afternoon, as the Buddha was standing with Kassapa on the banks of the Niranajana River, Kassapa said, "Gautama, you told me the other day about visualizing a person's body, feelings, thoughts, thoughts, and consciousness. Afterwards , I have practiced this kind of meditation and visualization, and I began to understand that a person's feelings and thoughts can determine the quality of his life. I also realized that in the five rivers, there is really no permanent nature At the same time, I also learned that the so-called independent individual is illusory and unreal. The only thing I don't understand is that if we have no self-nature, why should we practice the way of transcendence? Who will be liberated?" The Buddha asked, "Kasyapa, do you admit that suffering is the truth?" "Gautama, I certainly accept that suffering is a fact of life." "Do you agree that pain happens for a reason?" "I agree that if there is pain, there must be a reason." "Kashyapa, when the cause of suffering exists, suffering exists. When the cause of suffering is eliminated, suffering should also disappear." "Yes, I can see that when the cause of the pain is removed, the pain itself will also disappear." "The main cause of suffering is ignorance, that is, a wrong view of the reality of the world. It is ignorance to think that what is not permanent is constant. It is also ignorance to think that what has no self-nature has its own nature. Greed, hatred, jealousy, and countless All afflictions are caused by ignorance. The way of liberation is to see the truth of things deeply, and to experience the impermanence, selflessness and mutual relationship of all dharmas. This is the way to eliminate ignorance. Get rid of ignorance , the pain is transcended. This is the real liberation. The liberation itself does not need the individual of the self at all.” Uruvela Kassapa sat silently for a while, and said: "Gautama, I know that what you say is what you have personally experienced. Your words are not just expressing concepts. You said that liberation comes from diligent meditation and meditation. Obtained by insight into the truth of things. Do you think that all rituals, worship and chanting are useless?" Buddha pointed to the other side of the river and said, "Kasyapa, if a person wanted to cross the river to the other side, what would he do?" "If the water is shallow, he can wade across. If it's deep, he'll have to swim or take a boat." "I agree too. But what if he can't wade, swim, or take a boat? And if he just knows how to stand on one bank and look at the other, and pray that the other bank will come to him, then what will you say about this?" What do people think?" "I'd say he's downright stupid!" "Exactly, Kasyapa! If a person does not eliminate the obstacles of ignorance and knowledge, he will not be able to cross the river to the other side of liberation. Even if he prays all his life, it will be in vain!" Kasyapa burst into tears suddenly and fell on the ground at the Buddha's feet. "Gautama, I have wasted most of my life. Please accept me as a disciple now and give me a chance to learn the way of liberation from you." The Buddha helped Kassapa to stand up and said, "I will never hesitate to accept you as a disciple, but what about your five hundred disciples? After you leave, who will guide them?" Kassapa replied, "Gautama, let me speak to them tomorrow morning. Tomorrow afternoon, I will let you know my decision." The Buddha said: "All the village boys in Uluvelo call me Buddha." In the early morning of the next day, the Buddha went to beg for food in the village of Uloupino.After that, he went to sit in the lotus pond.In the afternoon, Kassapa came to him and told the Buddha that his five hundred disciples also agreed to take refuge in the Buddha as their teacher. On the second day, Uruvela Kassapa and his followers shaved off their beards and hair, and threw all the hair, together with all the utensils for offering sacrifices to the Vulcan, into the Nirenlian River.They bowed to the Buddha and recited three times: Since I have converted to the Buddha, I have practiced the Taoist teacher in this life.Self-refuge to the Dharma, it is the way of understanding and loving-kindness.Since taking refuge in the Sangha, a community living in harmony and awareness.The sound of them reciting the sentence of the Three Refuges echoed throughout the forest. After the initiation ceremony, the Buddha explained the Four Noble Truths and how to observe one's breath, body and mind to the new monks.He also taught them how to beg for food and eat in silence.He also charged them to release the animals they had raised for sacrifice and food. That afternoon, the Buddha met with Kasyapa and his ten major disciples, and explained to them the basic principles of the way of awakening and discussed the best way to organize the Sangha.Kassapa was a leader who was proficient in this area.After discussing with the Buddha, he arranged for capable and experienced monks to train the young monks, just like the Buddha's system in Sarnath. The next day, Nati Kassapa, Uruvela Kassapa's younger brother, came with his disciples in shock to find his elder brother.He and the three hundred disciples who lived in the lower reaches of Uloupino saw a lot of braids and fire ritual objects floating in the river the day before.They therefore feared catastrophe for the Order and their elder brother.When Nati Kassapa arrived at Uruvela, it happened to be begging time.When he saw no one, he really thought that the order would be killed.But when the monks returned from begging for food one by one, they realized that the religious group had vowed to convert to Gautama.When Uruvira Kassapa and the Buddha came back and saw his younger brother, he was very happy.He asked his brother to go for a walk in the woods with him.They were out for a while.On his return, Nati Kassapa announced that he and his three hundred disciples also wanted to take refuge in the Buddha.The two brothers sent someone to find another brother, Gaya Kassapa.In this way, within seven days, Gaya Kassapa was ordained as a monk together with his two hundred disciples.The three brothers have always been known for their love for each other.They shared the same ideals and became devout disciples of the Buddha together. After a day of begging, the Buddha called all the monks to the mountain of Gaya.Hundreds of monks ate in silence with the Buddha and the three Kasyapa brothers.After lunch, they all turned their eyes to the Buddha. The Buddha sat on the boulder calmly and serenely, and said: "Bhikkhus, all the dharmas of the world are burning. What is burning? The six sense organs, the eyes, the ears, the nose, the tongue, the body, and the mind are all burning. Six The dusty objects sensed in this way—color, sound, smell, taste, touch, and dharma—are all burning. The six kinds of consciousness—eye consciousness, ear consciousness, nose consciousness, tongue consciousness, body consciousness, and consciousness—are all burning. They are burned with the flames of greed, hatred and delusion. They are also burned with the flames of birth, old age, sickness, death and suffering, anxiety, restlessness, fear and despair. Monks, every feeling, whether it is sweet or bitter or neither sweet nor bitter, is burning.Feelings arise from the senses, sense objects, and sense consciousness.Feelings are burned with the flames of greed, hatred, and delusion.Feelings are fueled by the flames of birth, old age, sickness, death and pain, anxiety, restlessness, fear and despair. "Monks, do not let the flames of greed, hatred, and delusion consume you. Realize clearly the impermanence and interdependence of all phenomena, so as not to become slaves to the great wheel of birth and death formed by the senses, sense objects, and sense consciousness." Nine hundred monks listened attentively.Everyone was deeply moved.They were all happy to have found a way that taught them to see through the reality of the world and achieve liberation.Firm confidence surges in the heart of every monk. The Buddha stayed in Gaya for three months to teach the monks, and they all made great progress.The Kasyapa brothers became Buddha's right-hand men, sharing the work of teaching the Sangha for him. 28. Palm Grove The time finally came for the Buddha to leave Gaya for Rajgaha.That morning Louvila Kassapa asked the Buddha for permission to have the entire Sangha of monks give him a ride.The Buddha didn't want to, but Kassapa made him understand that nine hundred monks walking together is not the trouble he imagined.There are many woods around Rajagha for them to rest.As for begging, they can go to many villages or even cities there to make friends with the local residents.What's more, their number has begun to exceed the supply of Gaya residents.In Rajagha City, everything will be more convenient.Seeing that Uruvila Kassapa was so familiar with Magadha's situation, the Buddha agreed to let the monks go with him. The Kasyapa brothers divided the monks into thirty-six teams of twenty-five each.Each team is assigned an older monk to lead.This kind of arrangement is more helpful to the progress of each monk's practice. It took them ten days to reach Rajagha.Every morning, they go to the small village to beg for food, and then go to the woods or fields to eat.After eating, they began to walk in small groups again.All those who saw the monks walking past peacefully made a deep impression on their minds. When they were about to reach Rajagha, Uruvela Kassapa led them into the palm forest, where the Shinnupoling Temple is located.Palm Grove is just two miles south of the capital.The next morning, the monks went into the city to beg for food with their bowls.They lined up single file, divided into small groups, and walked with steady and slow steps.They held their bowls peacefully and looked straight ahead.Following the instructions of the Buddha, they stood in front of each house for a while, rich and poor, without selection.If no one came out, they continued to the next room.As they wait in silence, they watch for breath.And after they accept offerings, they will bow to express their thanks.They never comment on the food being good or bad.Sometimes, after offering food, the lay people will ask the monk to answer some questions about the world law, and the monk will try his best to answer him seriously.A monk would tell the lay people that he belonged to Gautama Buddha's Sangha.He will also explain the Four Noble Truths, the Five Precepts and the Noble Eightfold Path to lay people. All the monks would go back to the palm grove for a quiet lunch before noon.Then, they would listen to the teachings of the Buddha.Afternoons and evenings are used for meditation.Therefore, after noon, no one will see the monks in the city. After two weeks, the presence of the Buddha's Sangha was felt almost throughout the city.In the cool afternoon, many lay people would come to the palm grove to meet the Buddha and learn the way of awakening.Before the Buddha had the opportunity to visit his friend, the young King Bimbisara had heard that the Buddha was in the city.He was sure that this new teacher was the young monk he had met on the mountain.So he ordered to drive to the palm grove.Many carriages followed his car, because he also invited hundreds of venerable Brahmin priests and scholars to accompany him.When they reached the edge of the forest, the king took the queen and his son, Prince Aheshi, out of the car first. The Buddha knew that the king was coming, so he and Uruvila Kassapa came out to meet him and other guests in person.The monks were sitting around on the mud floor waiting for the Buddha to speak.So the Buddha asked the king, queen, prince and guests to sit down together.King Bimbisara introduced all his friends whose names he remembered to the Buddha, while other Brahmins had to introduce themselves.Among the many guests, many are familiar with the Vedas or come from different religious sects. Most of them have heard the name of Uruvela Kassapa, and some of them have met him before.But none of them had ever heard the name of Buddha.They were very surprised to see Kasyapa respecting the much younger Shakya Gotama so much.They were whispering, everyone wanted to know whether Gautama was Kasyapa's disciple or Kasyapa was Gautama's disciple.Aware of this confusion of speculation, Uruvila Kassapa stood up and walked towards the Buddha.He clasped his palms together and spoke respectfully and clearly: "Gautama, the Enlightened One, the most honorable teacher in my life - I am your disciple, Uruvila Kassapa. Please allow me to pay my deepest respect ’” Then, he prostrated himself on the ground and bowed to the Buddha three times.After the Buddha helped Kasyapa to get up, he asked him to sit beside him.All the Brahmins are still.When they looked over and saw the nine hundred monks in robes sitting solemnly, their respect for the Buddha was even more profound. The Buddha taught the way of awakening.He explains the impermanence and interdependence of all things.He told them that the path of awakening can eliminate delusions and transcend suffering.He explained that meditation and understanding are obtained from keeping the precepts.His voice sounded like a bell, warm like a spring day, soft like light rain, and strong like a raging tide.More than a thousand people were listening.No one dared to breathe vigorously or move their clothes so as not to disturb the Buddha's wonderful voice. King Bimbasara's eyes became brighter every moment.The more he listened, the happier he became.Many of his doubts and worries disappeared one by one.There was a big smile on his face.After the lecture was over, King Bimbasara stood up with his palms together.He said: "World Honored One, when I was young I had five wishes. Now I have all of them fulfilled. The first wish was to be crowned king. I have already got it. The second wish is to meet a An enlightened teacher. This is also fulfilled. The third wish is to have the opportunity to pay homage to this teacher. This has been fulfilled today. The fourth wish is to have such a teacher who can show me the truth. This is also I have been fulfilled today. And the fifth wish is to be able to understand the enlightenment of the Enlightened One. I have even fulfilled this wish just now. World Honored One, your wonderful teaching has given me a deep understanding of the world. I beseech you, World Honored One. Accept me as your lay disciple." The Buddha smiled, accepting his request. The great king invited the Buddha and his nine hundred monks to come to the palace to accept his offerings on the day of the full moon.Buddha readily agreed. All the other guests stood up and thanked the Buddha.Twenty of them expressed their wish to be accepted as disciples.Then, the Buddha and Uruvela Kassapa accompanied the king, queen and little prince Ajatashap out of the forest. The Buddha knew that in less than a month, two seasons would come and it would be impossible to return to his hometown.Therefore, he decided to stay in the Palm Grove for three more months with the nine hundred monks.He knew that three months of practice would make the Sangha stronger and more stable when he was about to leave.He will leave in spring, the season of clear skies and young leaves. King Bimbasara immediately began preparations for a feast for the Buddha and monks.He planned to receive them in the palace's expensive brick-floored hall.He summoned all the people to welcome the Buddha and the Sangha by hanging lanterns in the streets.He also invited many others to attend, including dignitaries and their families.Even children who are about the same age as Prince Ajatatasut, who has not yet reached the age of twelve, are also invited.Knowing that neither the Buddha nor the monks wished to be slaughtered because of them, he ordered that only delicious vegetarian food be prepared for offerings.They had a total of ten days to prepare. 29. Origin Over the next few weeks, many aspirants came to ask for acceptance as a monk.Many of them are educated and wealthy children.The chief disciple of the Buddha presided over the ordination ceremony and taught the new monks the basic practice methods.Many young men and women came to Palm Grove to seek the Three Refugees. One day, Ke Chenru presided over a conversion ceremony for nearly 300 people.After the ceremony, he explained the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha to the believers. "Buddha is an awakened person. An awakened person can see the nature of life and the universe. Therefore, an awakened person is not haunted by illusion, fear, anger and desire. An awakened person is an A free person is full of peace and joy, love and understanding. Our teacher, Master Gotama, is a fully awakened person. He guides us in this life to correct our ignorance so that we too are awakened. Every day we Everyone has Buddha nature. We can all have Buddha nature. Buddha nature is the instinct to awaken and transcend all ignorance. If we all practice the way of awareness, our Buddha nature will become brighter day by day. One day, We can also get freedom, peace and joy. We have to find our Buddha nature within ourselves. Buddha is the first treasure. "Dharma is the six realms that lead to awakening. It is what the Buddha taught to help us transcend the prisons of ignorance, anger, fear and desire. It leads to freedom, peace and joy, and enables us to love and understanding of all people and things. Understanding and love are the two most beautiful fruits of the path of awakening. Dharma is the second treasure. The Sangha is a group of people who practice the way of awakening, people who practice Buddhism side by side.Group practice is important if you want to practice for liberation.People who practice alone often encounter obstacles in their practice that affect their ability to achieve awakening.Therefore, both monks and lay believers should take refuge in the Sangha.The Sangha is the third treasure. "Young people, today you have taken refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. With their support, you will not be aimless or lost, but will make real progress on the path of enlightenment. I have taken refuge in the Triple Gem myself for two years. Yes. Today you also make vows fellow practitioners. Let us celebrate together taking refuge in the Three Jewels. These three jewels have been stored in our hearts since time immemorial. Let us now practice the path of liberation together so that these three jewels Shine forth from within us." These young people were deeply inspired by Koo Chenru's words.They all felt a surge of new vitality in their hearts. During the same period, the Buddha accepted two more eminent disciples into his Sangha.They are Shariputra and Mu Jianlian.They were originally disciples of the famous ascetic master Sanjaya who lived in Rajagha.The followers of Sanjaya are called Boli Brajaka.Sariputta and Mu Jianlian are very good friends, and both of them are highly respected for their intelligence and open-mindedness.They had promised each other that whoever just proved the Dao would immediately tell the other. One day, seeing Bhikkhu Ma Sheng begging for food in Rajagha City, Shariputra was immediately captured by Ma Sheng's peaceful appearance.He thought, "This man seems to have attained the Way. I knew I would find such a man! I will ask who his teacher was and what his teachings were." Sariputta accelerated his pace to catch up with Ma Sheng, but stopped suddenly so as not to disturb the monk's quiet begging.Shariputra decided to wait for him to finish begging before going up to ask him for advice.After Ma Sheng's bowl was full, he left.At this time, Shariputra clasped his hands in respect, and said: "Samana, you exude peace and stability. Your virtue and understanding are fully revealed from your walking posture, facial expressions, and your every word and smile. May I ask your kindness?" Who is the teacher, where do you practice, and what is the method that your teacher teaches?" Ma Sheng looked at Sariputra, and then smiled kindly.He replied: "I practiced under the master Gautama of the Shakya family. He is also called the Buddha. He is currently living near the temple of Shennupilin in the palm grove. Shariputra's eyes are shining brightly." "What are his teachings? Can you share them with me?" "The teachings of the Buddha are profound and wonderful. I have not grasped all of them. You should go and listen to the teachings of the Buddha yourself." But Shariputra continued to beg Ma Sheng: "I beg you, just a few words, please share with me the teachings of the Buddha. It will be like a treasure to me. I will definitely come to learn later .” Ma Sheng smiled, and then recited a very short verse: 'All dharmas are born of karma, All dharmas are extinguished, I am a great Samana, Often say so. ' Shariputra suddenly felt happy and relieved, as if a strong light appeared in his heart, and the flawless Dharma flashed by there.After bowing and thanking Ma Sheng, he rushed to find his good friend Mu Jianlian. When Mu Jianlian saw the brilliance on Shariputra's face, he asked: "My brother, what makes you so excited? Have you found the way of truth? Please tell me quickly!" Shariputra told Mu Jianlian about everything.When he recited the gatha to Mu Jianlian, Mu Jianlian also felt a flash of light lit up his heart.Instantly he sees the universe as an interwoven web.This is because that is, this is born because of that, this is not because of that, this is not because of that, and this is not because of that.After understanding the law of dependent origination, the belief that everything has a creator naturally dissipated.He now understands how to break the wheel of birth and death.The door of liberation opened immediately before his eyes. Mu Jianlian said: "Brother, we must go to see the Buddha immediately. He is our long-awaited teacher." Although Shariputra agreed, he reminded him: "However, what should we do with the two hundred and fifty Boli Brajaka brothers who have always trusted us as their elders? We cannot resolutely leave them. We have to tell them our decision first." So they went to the place where Doripharajaka used to meet for meditation and explained to them their choice to leave the place to become a disciple of the Buddha.Hearing this news, Boli Borajaka was very sad.Without their guidance, neither of them had the confidence to sustain it.So they also expressed their wish to follow them and become Buddha's disciples. Shariputra and Mujianlian went to Master Sanjaya and told him the situation.他恳求他们说:“只要你们留下，我便会将教团交由你们掌管”他同样地说了三次，但舍利弗和目健连己立定了主意。 他们说:“敬爱的师父，我们起初求道的目的都是希望得到解脱，而并非想做宗教领袖。如果我们不懂真理正道，又怎能领导别人呢?我们必定要寻访乔答摩大师，因为他已找到了我们一直以来寻找的大道。” 其他的簸利婆罗阇迦随着舍利弗和目健连在删阇耶面前伏在上礼辞，然后他们便起程离开了。他们抵达棕树林后，一起伏在地上望陀收他们为比丘。佛陀为他们宣说四圣谛之后，便接纳了他们加入僧团。这次授戒仪式之后，在棕树林的比丘数目达一仟二佰五十之多。 30.竹林 那是月圆之日。佛陀与他的一仟二佰五十个比丘持着钵进入王舍城内。他们踏着平稳缓和的脚步。城里的街道上布满了彩灯和鲜花。人群挤在街道两旁欢迎佛陀和僧伽。当比丘们行到大路的交汇点，蜂拥的民众实在令佛陀和比丘们无法通过。 正当优楼频螺迦叶不知所措的时候，一个手持六弦西他琴，边弹边唱的年青伙子走出来。他的歌声清脆如银铃。当他从人群中行过的时候，他们都让开给他通过。这一来，佛陀和比丘们也都可以才继续前行了。迦叶认出这个乐者是一个月前才在他的引领下皈依三宝。他唱着的歌词深深表达着他的感受: “在这清新的春晨， 大觉者穿过我们的都城， 一仟二佰五弟子随行， 脚步缓和、平稳，祥光遍照。 一边陶醉在年青人的曲中，群众一边望着佛陀在他们前面经过。歌者继续唱: “身为您的弟子，感恩安慰， 让我们歌唱，歌唱您无尽的爱心与智慧， 引导我们觉悟知足常乐之真理。 也让我来歌颂僧伽， 歌颂你们追随佛陀的觉醒之道。 " 年青人继续边行边唱，给佛陀和比丘们开路，直至到达王宫的入口。这时，他才向佛陀鞠躬礼敬，然后瞬间便消失在人群中。 在六千随从的倍同下，频婆娑罗王出来亲迎佛陀。他带佛陀和比丘们到宫里的前院。这里早已搭起很多篷帐以在烈日下供他们凉荫。佛陀被尊请上坐院里的中座。所有给比丘的座位也经专意安排。佛陀上座后，频婆娑罗王便请其他人入座。大王和优楼频螺迦叶分别坐在佛陀的两旁。 阿阇世太子奉上一盆水和一条毛巾给佛陀清洁手足。其他的侍从则用同样的方法侍奉比丘们。接着，素宴便正式开始，桌上摆满了各式各样的菜。大王亲自将食物放入佛陀的钵中，而毗提拨王后和共他仆人则侍奉比丘们。佛陀和比丘都在食前念诵。频婆娑罗王和他的嘉宾在进食的时候都默不作声。六千宾客都被佛陀和比丘的和颜悦色深为感动。 佛陀和一仟二佰五十个比丘进食完毕后，他们的钵全被拿去清洗而复还。这时，频婆娑罗王转过来向佛陀合掌礼敬。意会至大王的心意，佛陀开始为大家说法。他讲授五戒为导致家庭和乐、国家太平之道。 “第一戒是不杀。受持此戒可长养慈悲心。众生皆惧死亡。正如我们自己爱惜自己的生命，我们也同时应该爱惜众生的生命。我们除了不去夺取别人的生命，也应该避免伤害别类生命。我们应与人、动物和植物和谐和处。如果我们滋养爱心，痛苦就会相应而减，而快乐的生活就会随之而生。国民如都能受持此不杀之戒，整个国家都必定会和平安稳。当人民都尊重彼此的生命，国家必定富强，而外来的侵扰也便容易应付得多了。就是国防设备完善，也没有必要动用。军队士卒也便可以用他们的时间去修桥补路、开荒建坝，造这些有建设性的工作了。 “第二戒是不偷盗。我们没有权去夺取他人用劳力换来的财产。试图抢夺他人的财物就是破戒。骗取或以欺压手段强取都是偷盗。从他人的血汗劳力图取暴利也是破戒。假使每人都受持此戒，社会平等便会萌芽，而劫杀也必然很快止灭。 “第三戒是不作不道德的性行为。性关系只限于夫妇之间。持此戒能在家庭里建立互相信任和快乐，同时免除其他人的不必要痛苦。如果想有快乐而又有时间帮助国家民旅，就必需避免三妻四妾。 “第四戒是不妄语。不要说会导至离间或仇恨的说话。出口必要是真言。是就是是，非就是非。言语可以建立信心与快乐，但也可以产生误会与憎恨，或甚至杀戮与战争。因此出言必需谨慎。 “第五戒是不饮用酒精或剌激品。酒精和刺激品都会使人丧失理智。一个人醉酒的时候，很多时会令自己、家人或其他人蒙受痛苦。受持此戒可保身心的健康。此戒应该时刻遵守。 “如大王与各位高官都严持五戒，国家必大受裨益。陛下，帝王是国家的舵手。他必需有很高的察觉力，分秒都知道国家发生着什么事。如果你能令到部属明白和坚守五戒的话，这五条和谐平安的生活原则是可以使摩揭陀更为强盛的。” 高兴至极，频婆娑罗王站起来向佛陀鞠躬礼谢。毗提拔王后手拖儿子阿阇世，行到佛陀面前来。她教太子合掌礼敬佛陀，然后说道:“佛陀世尊，阿阇世太子和四百个小孩今天都同时在场。不知道你可否教他们爱与觉察之道呢?” 王后再向佛陀鞠躬。佛陀微笑。他伸手出来拖着小太子的手。王后示意叫其他的小孩上前。他们都是来自名们望族，身上穿着极华丽的衣服。男男女女都带着金环于手碗或脚跟。女孩更穿土闪闪生光的纱丽。阿阇世太子坐在佛陀脚下。这时，佛陀想起他很久以前在迦昆罗卫国的蕃樱桃树下与一班贫苦村童的野餐。他默默的对自己承诺，日后回乡时，必定要访寻他们，与他们分享法义。 佛陀对小孩们说:“孩子们，在我为人之前，我曾经生为泥土和石块、植物、雀鸟和许多的其他动物。你们也一样曾径是泥土和石块、植物、雀鸟和动物。或许你们今天与我一起在这里，是因为我们在过去世有过特殊的关系。也许我们曾带给大家喜乐或衷伤。 “我今天想为你们讲一个很多世以前发生的故事。它是关于一只苍鹭、一只蟹、一棵鸡蛋花树和很多的小虾小鱼。那一世，我是那棵鸡蛋花树。也许你们其中有人是那苍鹭、蟹或小虾。这个故事里，苍鹭又坏又狡滑，是只给别人痛苦和死亡的家伙。苍鹭也令我，这棵花树受苦。但我从那些痛苦中，学到很重要的一课，那就是如果你欺骗和伤害别人，到头来你自己也会被欺骗和受到伤害。 我是生长在一个清香莲池附近的一棵鸡蛋花树。池里一条鱼也没有。但离那里不远的地方，却有个很浅的死水塘，里面住着很多小鱼小虾和一只蟹。苍鹭发现塘里有这么多的鱼虾，便想出了一个计策。他坐在塘边，脸上表现得挺愁恼可怜的样子。 “鱼和虾问他:苍鹭先生，你为何这么懊恼?” “我正在想着你们这可怜一群的生活。你们的塘又泥又脏。你们又缺乏食物。我真替你们的苦命感到不安。” “哪你有办法帮助我们吗，苍鹭先生?，塘里的小动物问道。” 其实，如果你们让我把你们一一带到那边不远处清凉的莲池里，你们应该可以得到更多食物。 “我们也想相信你，但一向以来，谁有听过苍鹭会关心鱼虾的。可能你只是想骗我们，把我们吃掉罢了。 “你们为何如此多疑?你们应该当我是个慈祥的世伯。我是没有必要骗你们的。那边其的有个很大而又满载清水的莲池。你们不信的话，我可以带你们中其一个先往视察。他回来便可以告诉你们我是否在说真话了。 “虾和鱼经详细商讨后，决定让一条年长的鱼跟苍鹭前去莲池。这条鱼身上多刺，鱼鳞坚硬如石。除了游得很快，他也能在沙上活动自如。苍鹭把他担在嘴里，飞去莲池。他把老鱼放进池里好让他能仔细视察一番。这莲池真的十分宽敞，池水清新凉快，又有很充足的食粮。当他回到旧塘，便将一切情况报告。 “肯定了苍鹭的好意，鱼虾都央求苍鹭把他们搬到莲池。狡滑的苍鹭当然答应。他一一把鱼衔在嘴里，然后飞去。但这一次，他并非把他们带到莲池。他飞往那棵鸡蛋花树，将鱼放在树的桠枝上，撕下他的肉来吃，剩下的鱼骨则扔到树脚下。他就是这样，逐渐一一把鱼吞噬。 “我就是那棵鸡蛋花树，所以我见证这一切的发生。虽然我十分愤怒，但却没法阻止苍鹭。一棵鸡蛋花树的根牢牢的抓着泥土。它只会长出枝叶和花朵。它不能四处走动。我也不能大叫来警告鱼虾真实的情形。我就连把树枝伸长来阻止苍鹭把鱼吃掉也做不到。我只有坐观惨况。每次苍鹭杷鱼肉撕下的时候，我都感到无限痛苦。我觉得自己的树桠快将干涸，而树枝也将断掉。一滴滴像眼泪的像眼泪的液汁聚集在我的树皮上。不过，苍鹭没有察觉到。连续几天，这样把鱼吃掉。当鱼已全部吃光，他开辟始打虾的主意了。在我脚下堆起的鱼骨，就足够装满两个大箩。 “我知道身为一棵鸡蛋花树的职责，是要用芬芳的花朵美化森林。但我当时实在被苍鹭的所作所为和自己的无能为力折磨得很痛苦。假如我是一只鹿或一个人，我便可以做点事。但被树根系在地上，我完全动弹不得。我当时发愿，如果我将来生为动物或人，我必定会尽力去除强扶弱。 当所有的鱼和虾都被苍鹭吃尽，便只剩下那只蟹。仍然未满足，那只苍鹭对蟹说道:'世侄，我已把所有的鱼虾都搬到莲池去快快乐乐的生活。这里现在只剩下你一个，你一定很是寂寞了。让我也把你搬到莲池吧。 ' “你怎样带我去?” “就像我带其他的一样，用我的嘴巴。” “我滑掉下来怎办?我的壳会破成碎” “不用担心，我是会很小心的。” “蟹细心考虑。也许苍鹭真的把鱼虾都运去了莲池，但如果他都把鱼虾们骗去吃掉，那也不是没有可能的。于是，蟹便想了一个办法来确保自己的安全。他对苍鹭说:'世伯，我怕你的嘴巴不够力把我担起，倒不如你飞时我抓着你的颈背为好。' “苍鹭只好同意。他等蟹爬到他的背上抓紧，然后便飞到空中。但他没有把蟹带到莲池，而又是把他带到鸡蛋花树那里去。” “世伯，你为何不把我放入莲池?为什么我们在这儿着地?” “哪有苍鹭会把鱼虾搬到莲池?世伯，我不是施恩的。你看到鸡蛋花树下的鱼骨虾壳吗?你的生命也将在此处终结。” “世伯，鱼虾们或许被你骗到，但我没那么容易上当。快把我带到莲池，否则我用抓将你的头割掉。” “蟹把利抓插入苍鹭颈里。刹时的刺痛令苍鹭大喊出来:'别这么用力，!我会立刻带你到莲池！我答应一定不会把你吃掉！” 苍鹭把蟹带到莲池，准备把他放在水边。但蟹仍不肯把他的抓放松。想起所有被他蒙骗而丧命的鱼虾，他禁不住把利抓割入苍鹭的颈里，直至他的头脱落。这时，蟹才自己爬进水里去。 “孩子们，我当时是那棵鸡蛋花树。这一切我都亲眼看到。我学到了如果我们对别人慈爱，别人也会对我们慈爱;如果我们对别人残忍，迟早我们自己也会遭逢同样的命运。我发愿在我的所有未来世，都会全力去帮助人。” 小童觉得故事很好听。他们被鸡蛋花树的痛苦所感动，更同情那些无助的小鱼小虾。他们又鄙视苍鹭欺诈残暴的行为，但十分欣赏蟹的精明果断。 频婆娑罗王起立。他合掌鞠躬，对佛陀说:“世尊，我们老幼都上了重要的一课。我真希望阿阇世太子会把您的话牢记心中。我们国家也真有福泽能得到您的光临。如您允许的话，我现在希望送给您和僧伽一份薄礼。” 佛陀继续望着大王，等着他再伸述说明。过了一会的肃静，大王继续说:“大概离王舍城以北两里左右，有一个很大很美的园林，名叫竹林。那里恬静清凉，十分怡人。里面还住着很多的松鼠。我想把竹林送给您和您的僧团，以供您们作说法修行的道场。授教慈悲的伟大导师，请您接纳我这份心意。” 佛陀思巧了一会。这是僧团首次被供土地作寺院。他的比丘在雨季中肯定需要有地方下榻安居。佛陀作深呼吸，然后微笑点头，以表示接纳大王的厚意。频婆娑罗王欢喜若狂。他知道有了寺院在这里，佛陀便将会在摩揭陀逗留多些时间。 当天在场的嘉宾有很多是婆罗门教的要领人物。其中很多都不满大王这样做，但却不敢表露意见。 大王传令拿来一个盛满了清水的金瓶。他把水倒在佛陀的手上，隆重的宣布:“师傅，这些水流在你的手上，就代表着竹林已转送给你和你的僧伽了。” 大王把竹林赠送给佛陀的仪式，这才完毕。供奉之宴也就此结束。佛陀和他的一仟二佰五十个比丘，也开始离开王宫了。