Chapter 7 31-35

On the second day, the Buddha and several disciples came to the bamboo forest.This is the ideal environment that meets the needs of the Sangha. It is surrounded by a lush bamboo forest of nearly one hundred acres, including different varieties of bamboo trees.Lake Galanta in the middle of the forest is just used for bathing and washing by monks.They can even walk and meditate on the shore of the lake.The abundance of bamboo trees also made it easier to build houses for elderly monks.The Buddha's major disciples, including Kaochenru, Kasyapa and Sariputta, were very satisfied with the bamboo forest and immediately began planning to arrange everything there.

The Buddha said: "The rainy season is not a good time to travel far. The monks need a place to practice in the rain. With this place, they can avoid getting sick and avoid trampling the insects and ants washed on the ground by the rain. From now on , I hope that the monks will live in one place during the rainy season. We can inform the local lay believers to come and offer food during the three-month retreat. They can also benefit from the teachings of the monks at the same time." This is the origin of the monastic residence during the monsoon season. Under the supervision of Mujianlian, the young monks were responsible for building houses for the older monks out of bamboo, thatch and earth.Although the Buddha's house is small, it is still very elegant.A clump of golden bamboo grows behind the house, and a taller clump of green bamboo grows on the other side, which is very cool.Bhikkhu Nasara Samara built a low wooden platform for the Buddha to sleep on, and put a large clay jar behind the house for him to wash and wash.Nassamara, a young bhikkhu, was a disciple of Uruvela Kassapa in the past.He was arranged by Kasyapa as the Buddha's entourage in the bamboo forest.

Sariputta also arranged for a lay disciple to transport a large bell from the city for use in the Bamboo Grove Abode.They hung the big clock on a big tree by Lake Galanta.When it is time to review and meditate, the big bell will ring to remind the monks.This becomes an important part of mindfulness practice.The Buddha taught monks to stop and watch their breath whenever they heard a bell ringing. The disciples at home also helped them a lot.Kassapa explained to them the meaning of the summer retreat. "This period of time is to give the monks the opportunity to learn directly from the Buddha the practice of the path of liberation. They will also have more time for themselves to practice diligently. At the same time, they can avoid trampling on the rainy season. Insects. You can help the monks by offering food during these three months. If possible, it is best to bring food in a moderate amount every day, no more or less. Whether you are rich or poor, just bring one or two pieces of baked goods. If you are full, you can also stay to listen to the daily teachings of the Buddha or the great disciples. Therefore, the summer retreat is equally beneficial to monks and lay people."

This is enough to prove that Kassapa monks and lay disciples are equally outstanding.He is in charge of liaising with the lay family and making arrangements for all feeding and other offerings.He made sure that no monk lacked personal robes, begging bowls, cushions, towels, and water filters. On the first day of wisdom formation, the Sangha followed the order carefully set by the Buddha and his disciples.The wake-up clock strikes four o'clock in the morning.After cleaning, the monks practice walking meditation by themselves.They continued walking and sitting meditation in turn until the daylight broke through the tops of the bamboo trees.This is usually the time for begging.But now that there are lay people coming to offer food, the monks have more time to study the Dharma more deeply and discuss the problems encountered in practice with individual teachers who rely on them.Those monks who were chosen as teachers were all monks with profound cultivation.Ma Sheng, Kasyapa, Shariputra, Mu Jianlian, Eda and Manan Tie Li are each responsible for leading ten to thirty monks.Every newly joined monk will have a mentor who is like an elder brother to guide him in practice.Both Kasyapa and Shariputra established this system in person.

Before noon, the monks gathered by the lake, holding begging bowls and waiting in line.Food will be distributed equally.Afterwards, they sat on the grass by the lake and ate.After eating, they would clean their bowls and sit facing the Buddha.From time to time, the Buddha preached teachings that were aimed at the practice of monks, but also helpful for lay practitioners.Sometimes, he will teach some teachings for lay people, and at the same time, it will benefit the monks.When Xiaolan was present, the Buddha would speak some French suitable for them, and most of these were stories from his past lives.

Sometimes, one of the Buddha's great disciples would teach on his behalf.At this time, the Buddha will listen to the letter peacefully, so that when they speak clearly and clearly, he will give them a little encouragement.After the Dharma meeting, all the believers will go home, while the monks will take a short rest until the noon bell rings again, and then they will go back to walking meditation and sitting meditation.The bhikkhu practiced until midnight before quitting to rest. The Buddha sat in meditation until late at night.Especially on moonlit nights, he likes to move his bamboo platform outside to meditate in the cool night air.When it was almost dawn, he liked to do walking meditation by the lake again.The Buddha, who is always happy, relaxed and peaceful, does not need as much sleep as a young monk.Kassapa also meditated until late at night.

King Bimbasara came to the Bamboo Forest Abode very piously.He no longer brought as many entourages with him as he did when he went to Palm Grove.Sometimes he would come with Queen Vitiyan and Prince Ajatasutut.But more often, he came alone.He would park his carriage outside the forest and go to the Buddha's hut by himself.One day, after seeing monks listening to the Dharma in the rain, he asked the Buddha for permission to build a lecture hall there for the monks to use during lunch or listening to the Dhamma in rainy days.After the Buddha agreed, the construction of the lecture hall began immediately.Its area can accommodate a thousand monks and a thousand lay people, making it one of the most useful facilities of the monastery.

The Buddha and the great king often sit and talk on the bamboo platform.So Nassamara made some simple bamboo chairs for the Buddha to receive guests.One day, when the Buddha and the king were sitting in a chair talking, the king said, "I actually have another son that you have never seen. I really hope that he and his mother can meet you, the Buddha. He is not from Queen Vitiyan. His mother's name is Ambali. She doesn't like the formal life in the palace, and she doesn't value status. She only cherishes her personal freedom. I provide them with various needs, including a beautiful mango grove. Xu Bo Jia is a young man who has no interest in military and political affairs, but is smart and hard-working. He lives near the city and studies medicine. I love them very much, and I hope you will do the same for them. My merciful lord, if you agree to Xu Bojia met with his mother, and I arranged for them to come to the bamboo forest in a short time."

Buddha smiled and agreed.His Majesty put his palms together and resigned with gratitude in his heart. At the same time, two very special guests came from the Buddha's hometown of Kapilavatthu.They were Kaludali, an old friend of the Buddha, and Channa, his former coachman.They brought a very special warmth to the Abode. After being away for seven years, the Buddha also wanted to know the news of his family.He asked Kaludali about his father, queen, Yasodhara, Nanda, Sundari Nanda, his friends, and of course his son, Rahula, whom he had not forgotten.Although Lian Lu Tuli was chatting and laughing as usual, but his face was inevitably marked by the years.Channa also looks a lot older.Buddha sat with them outside his house and talked for a long time.He learned that Kaludali is currently serving as a high-ranking official in the court and is one of the most trusted advisers of King Jingfan.Two months ago, they had learned of the news that the Buddha had preached and was preaching in Magadha.Everyone in the family was happy about this, especially the king, queen and Qu Yi.When the king asked Kaludali to come to the bamboo forest to find the Buddha, Kaludali was also very excited.The three days of preparations before the departure made him so nervous that he couldn't sleep.It was Yasodhara who suggested that he come with Channa.When Channa knew that Kaludali was willing to take him along, he burst into tears of joy.After a month's journey, they arrived at the Bamboo Forest Abode.

According to Kaludali, the king's health has declined a lot in recent years, but his mind is still sharp.He has several talented ministers to help him manage the affairs of the country.Gotami was as active as ever.Prince Nanda is already engaged to a noblewoman, Kala Noli.Nanda was young and handsome, and liked to dress up, but the king worried that he lacked maturity and stability.Sundari Nanda, the Buddha's younger sister, is already slim, beautiful and noble.As for Yasodhara, she no longer wore jewelry from the day the Buddha left.She lived very simply, and sold all her expensive clothes, and donated the money to the poor.When she heard that the Buddha only had one meal in the middle of the day, she followed suit.With the help of Queen Gotami, she continued her work of helping the poor and the weak.Rahula was seven years old.His dark eyes sparkled with intelligence and determination.His grandparents loved him as much as they had loved Buddha.

Channa identified all that Kaludali told the Buddha.News from home warmed Buddha's heart.Finally, Kaludali asked the Buddha when he could return to Kapilavastu.The Buddha said: "I will come back after the rainy season. I don't want to leave this group of young bhikkhus who have not yet started their practice. After this period of retreat, I should be able to leave them at ease. But Kaludali! Channa! You Why not stay for a month or so to try life here! Then there should be enough time for you to go back and tell the king my return date after the rainy season." Of course Kaludali and Channa were very happy to stay at the Bamboo Grove Abode.They became good friends with many monks, and even tried to live a peaceful and happy life as a monk.They also learned how to practice awareness in their daily lives to nourish the body and mind.Kaludali spent a lot of time observing the Buddha.He was deeply moved by the calmness of the Buddha.Buddha has clearly reached a state where he no longer pursues desires.Buddha is like a fish swimming freely in the water, or a cloud floating peacefully in the sky.He is fully present in the present moment. The Buddha's eyes and smile are the proof that he has obtained spiritual liberation.He will no longer be bound by anything in this world, but he has the most love and understanding for others.Kaludayi realized that his old friend had left him far away on the spiritual path.For a while, Kaludali found himself yearning to live a life of peace and tranquility like a monk.He felt that he could give up all the meritorious service, power and position, as well as the worries that such a life brought.He only lived in the bamboo forest for seven days, and he had privately expressed to the Buddha that he wanted to be ordained as a monk.The Buddha was also a little surprised by this, but he smiled and nodded in acceptance. Channa also wanted to become a monk.But because of his responsibility to the king's family, he thought it was appropriate to ask Yasodhara to resign first.Therefore, he planned to wait until the Buddha returned to Kapilavastu before making this request. One afternoon, Shariputra and Moggallana brought an ascetic named Tigala to meet the Buddha.Di Jialuo is as famous as Chanjaye.At the same time, he is Shariputra's uncle.When he knew that his nephew had followed the Buddha as a teacher, he was very curious to know what the Buddha taught.When he asked Sariputta and Moggallana to give him an explanation, they suggested that he meet the Buddha directly. Tigala asked the Buddha, "Gautama, what do you teach? What are your teachings? Personally, I don't like any theoretical teachings. I don't believe in them at all." The Buddha smiled and asked: "Then do you believe in the doctrine that you don't believe in any theory? Do you believe in 'doctrine of non-belief'?" Somewhat unexpectedly, Tigala replied, "Gautama, it doesn't matter whether I believe it or not." The Buddha said gently: "Once a person is staggered by certain theories and dogmas, he immediately loses all freedom. If a person is paranoid that what he believes is the only truth, he will think that all other views are wrong. Disputes Conflicts and conflicts are all generated by narrow vision and views. They can expand endlessly, waste precious time and even lead to war. Attachment to opinions is the greatest obstacle to the spiritual path. People who are bound by narrow views will be hindered. Too messy to open the door to truth. "Let me tell you a story. It's about a young widower and his five-year-old son. The man loved his son more than his own life. One day he had to go out on errands and left his son alone in the house. After he went out, a group of bandits entered the village and plundered the whole village. They took his son away. When he returned from outside, he found that the whole house had been burned down, and there was a charred corpse of a child lying nearby. He thought that his son had been brutally killed. He robbed the sky and cremated the rest of the body there. Because he loves his son, he put the ashes in a bag and always carried them with him. Several months later, his son got rid of Surveilled by the bandits, he stole home. It was late at night, and he knocked on the door vigorously. But because his father was holding the ashes and mourning and crying, the constable ignored the door. It was his son who called out loudly, telling himself It was his son, and he ignored it. He was convinced that his son was dead, and he thought it was just some naughty boy in the neighborhood who was teasing him. In the end, his son had to wander with him. In this way, their father and son really Goodbye forever. "You see, my friend. If we hold on to some beliefs as absolute truth, perhaps we will end up like this widower one day. If we think we have done what is right, when the truth does come, we will There is no way to open the door of my heart to accept it." Tigara asked, "What about your teaching? If others follow what you teach, aren't they also trapped in narrow-mindedness?" "What I teach is not a theory or a philosophy. It is not a theoretical inference or a hypothesis in thinking. It is not like some philosophical theories, which try to explore the basic principles of the universe. Earth, water, fire, wind, or gods , or whether the universe is finite, infinite, short-lived or eternal. All thinking and speculation about the truth are like ants crawling around the edge of a round basin and can never go anywhere. What I am teaching is not philosophy. It It is the result of empirical experience. You can verify it yourself from your own experience. I say that all things are impermanent and undifferentiated self. These are my own. You can do the same. I say that everything is based on Other things are conditioned to arise, live, and pass away. Nothing arises from a single source. I have witnessed this truth for myself, and you can do it too. My purpose is not to explain the universe, but It is to help lead others to experience reality directly. Words cannot explain reality. Only personal experience will allow us to see reality for what it is." Tigala exclaimed: "Wonderful, wonderful, Gotama! But what if someone takes what you teach as a theory?" Buddha fell silent, then nodded. "Tigara, you're asking a good question. Although what I teach is not a theory, it is inevitable that some people will think so. I want to make it clear that what I teach is the method of experiencing reality, not the real world. Just as the finger pointing to the moon is not the moon. A wise man uses his finger to make himself see the moon. A person who mistakes his finger for the moon will never see the real moon. All I teach is The method of practice should not be attached to or worshiped. What I teach is like a raft used to cross a river. Only a fool will reach the other shore, the shore of liberation, and carry the raft around." Di Jialuo put his palms together. "Lord Buddha, please teach me how to be free from painful feelings." The Buddha said: "There are three kinds of feelings, likes, dislikes, and indifference. The roots of the three come from the experience of the body and mind. Feelings, like other material and spiritual phenomena, come and go. The method I teach is Be deeply aware of the source and nature of your feelings, whether they are pleasant, unpleasant, or neither. When you see the source of the feeling, you will understand its nature. You will find that the feeling is not constant, And gradually you will no longer be disturbed by its arising and passing away. Almost all feelings come from a wrong view of reality. Get rid of the wrong view and the suffering will naturally end. The wrong view makes people put the impermanent As a constant. Ignorance is the source of all suffering. We practice the path of awareness to get rid of ignorance. One has to see things thoroughly to understand its true nature. One cannot break ignorance by chanting and making offerings." Sariputra, Moggallana, Kaludali, Nassamara, and Channa all listened to the Buddha's explanation to Tigala.Shariputra can best understand the meaning of the Buddha.He felt that his heart was as bright as the sun.Unable to hide his joy, he joined his hands and bowed to the Buddha.Then, Tigara, who was deeply moved by the Buddha's words, also fell down in front of the Buddha.Both Kaludali and Channa were moved by the situation.They feel that it is something to be proud to be close to the Buddha.Their confidence in the avenue has grown even stronger. A few days later, Queen Vitiyan and an attendant came to the bamboo forest to offer food to the Sangha.At the same time, she brought a young frangipani tree to plant outside the Buddha's house to commemorate the stories he told the children in the palace. Under the guidance of the Buddha, the Sangha made great progress in their cultivation.The intellect, diligence and leadership of Sariputta and Moggallana made them leaders in the Sangha.They organized and led the Sangha in cooperation with Kochenru and Kasyapa.But despite the growing reputation of the Sangha, some began to slander the Buddha and the Sangha.Many of them are followers of other religions who are jealous of the king's strong support for the Sangha.Lay disciples would come to Zhulin Abode to express their concern about these rumors.It seems that some people who live in Rajagha are dissatisfied with the fact that there are so many young rich men who become monks.They worried that in the near future, all the masters in Rajagha City, Runxiu, would no longer be able to find a satisfactory husband.They warned everyone that the incense lamps of many families may not be able to continue. Many monks were displeased to hear such rumors.But when the Buddha knew about it, he comforted the monks and lay people: "Don't worry about these things. Such gossip will stop automatically sooner or later." Just as the Buddha expected, within a month, no one heard these gossips again. up. Two weeks before the end of the monsoon retreat, an exceptionally beautiful woman visited the Buddha.She came in a white carriage drawn by two white horses.Accompanying her was a boy about sixteen years old.Her dress and manner were very refined and elegant.She asked a monk to lead the way to the Buddha's house, but when they arrived, they found that the Buddha had not yet returned from walking meditation.So the young monk asked them to sit on bamboo chairs outside the Buddha's house and wait. Not long after, the Buddha returned, accompanied by Kaluchali, Sariputta and Narsamara.Both the woman and the boy stood up and bowed respectfully.After the Buddha asked them to sit down again, he sat down on another bamboo chair.It turned out that the lady was Amobali, and the young man was the son of King Bimbasara, Xubojia. Kaludali had never seen such a beautiful woman.He had just been ordained as a monk for a month, so he didn't know whether he should look at the beauty or not.So he lowered his eyes and looked at the ground.Nassamara had the same reaction.Only the Buddha and Shariputra looked straight into the woman's eyes. Shariputra looked at Amobali, and then at the Buddha. He saw the natural and relaxed eyes of the Buddha.His face is like a beautiful full moon.The Buddha's vision is clear and kind.Shariputra's ease and joy permeated into his own heart at that moment. Ambali also looked directly into the Buddha's eyes.No one has ever looked at her like Buddha.For as long as she could remember, every man who saw her felt uncomfortable or lusted after her.But the Buddha's gaze was like he was looking at a cloud, a river, or a flower.She seemed to think that the Buddha could see what was going on in her heart.She clasped her hands together and introduced herself and her son to everyone. "I am Amobali, and this is my son who is studying medicine, Suboka. We have long admired your name, and we have been looking forward to meeting you today." The Buddha asked Umbrakka questions about his studies and his daily life.Xu Boka replied politely one by one.Buddha could see that he was a kind and intelligent young man.Although the same father and mother as Prince Ajatatasatta, he clearly has a deeper personality than the prince.Xu Bojia was full of admiration and love for the Buddha.He told himself that after finishing his studies in the future, he must settle near the bamboo forest so as to be close to the Buddha. Before meeting the Buddha, Ambali thought he was just like other famous teachers she had met.But she now realizes that she has never met anyone like Buddha.His eyes were full of indescribable kindness.She felt that he fully understood the pain locked in her heart.The Buddha's gaze on her alone has dissolved a large part of her pain.With tears in her eyelids, she said to the Buddha: "Master, I have always been miserable. Although I have enough food and clothing and rich money, my life has been meaningless all the time. Until today, this is the happiest thing in my life." one day." Ambali was originally a very good song and dance artist, but she didn't just perform for people.No matter how much money she is willing to give her, she will not perform for people who behave badly or are not in her favor.When she was sixteen, she experienced a heart-wrenching love affair.After that, she met Prince Bimbisara, who was young at that time, and both fell in love.She bore him their son Xuboka.But no one in the palace was willing to accept Ambali and her son.Some members of the royal family even threatened that Xu Bojia was just an abandoned baby picked up by the prince on a roadside.Because of these false accusations, Amobali's self-esteem was greatly hurt.Because the people in the palace became jealous of her, she had no choice but to endure the humiliation.In the end, she finds that her freedom is the only thing worth preserving.She has never wanted to live in the palace from the beginning, and she vowed never to give up her freedom again. The Buddha said to her gently: "Beauty, fame and wealth, like other phenomena, have birth and death. Only the peace, joy and freedom derived from meditation are true happiness. Ambali, you Cherish every moment you have left in your life. Don't let yourself get lost in mindless or pointless entertainment. It's very important." The Buddha told Amabali how she could rearrange her daily life, practice breathing, meditate, work mindfully and observe the five precepts.She was very happy to receive these precious admonitions from the Buddha.Before leaving, she said, "I have a mango grove outside the city, which is cool and peaceful. I hope you and your monks will consider visiting there. It will be a great honor for me and my son. Lord Buddha, please Please consider my invitation." Buddha accepted with a smile. After Amobali left, Kaluchali asked to sit beside the Buddha.Then Samara asked Shariputra to sit on another chair.He himself remained standing.Several passing bhikkhus also came to join their conversation.Sariputta looked at Kaludali and smiled.He also looked at Nasamara and smiled.Then he said to the Buddha: "My Lord, how should a monk treat beauty? Does beauty, especially the beauty of a woman, hinder the practice?" Buddha smiled.He knew that Shariputra was not asking this question for himself, but for other monks.He replied: "Monks, the true nature of all dharmas is beyond beauty and ugliness. Beauty and ugliness are just concepts created by our minds. They are inseparable from the five aggregates. In the eyes of an artist, everything can be considered as Beautiful, anything can be considered ugly. A river, a cloud, a leaf, a flower, a ray of sunshine, or a golden afternoon, all have different beauty. The golden bamboo next to us is also very beautiful. But maybe There is no beauty that can attract a man more easily than the beauty of a woman. If he is fascinated by beauty, he will lose his moral karma. "Monks, when you have attained enlightenment by seeing through, you will see that the beautiful is still beautiful, and the ugly is still ugly. But since you have all attained liberation, you will not be tied to any of them. When A liberated person looks at beauty, and at the same time he will see that it contains unbeautiful parts. This person will understand all impermanence and emptiness, including all beautiful and ugly. Therefore, he will not be fascinated by beauty. fans, and will not resist ugliness. "The only beauty that will not fade and cause distress is compassion and a liberated heart. Compassion is unconditional love without hope. A liberated heart is not affected by the environment and external factors. Compassion and liberated The most true beauty is the heart. The peace and joy in beauty is the true peace and joy. Monks, practice diligently, and you will realize true beauty.” Kaludali and the other monks found the Buddha's words very useful. The rainy season is finally over.The Buddha suggested that Kaludali and Chennai should go back to Kapilavatthu first to spread the news that the Buddha was about to return.Therefore, Kaludali and Channai immediately prepared to leave.Kaludayi is now a stable and peaceful monk.He knew that people in Chengdu would be very surprised when they saw his current appearance.He was looking forward to announcing the news of the Buddha's return to his hometown, but at the same time he felt a little regretful about leaving the bamboo forest where he had only lived for a while. After Kaluchali informed King Ding, Queen and Yasodhara Buddha of his return date, he held a bowl alone and met Buddha on his way back to Kapilavastu.Kaludayi walked with the peaceful and gentle pace of a bhikkhu.He walked day and night, stopping only in small villages to beg for food.Wherever he went, he told the local residents the news that Prince Siddhartha had returned to his hometown.Nine days after leaving Kapilavatthu, Yingludali met the Buddha and his three hundred monks and walked together.Moggallana, Kochenru and Kasyapa brothers all stayed at the Bamboo Grove Abode with other monks. At the suggestion of Kaludali, the Buddha and three hundred bhikkhus spent the night in the Nikuli Garden, three miles south of Kapilavatthu.The next morning, they went to the city to beg for food. Seeing 300 monks wearing robes and walking slowly with bowls peacefully and solemnly, Ju Liang in the city was deeply impressed.The news of their arrival quickly spread to the palace.King Jingfan ordered to get up and go to meet his son in person.The queen and Yasodhara waited anxiously in the palace. When the king's chariot entered the eastern part of the city, they encountered a monk.The charioteer first recognized Siddhartha. "My lord, he is over there! He walks first, and his robes are longer than those of other monks." Excited, the king also recognized that the man in the orange robe was his son.The Buddha exudes majesty and seems to be surrounded by a halo of glory.He is holding a begging bowl, standing in front of a dilapidated house.In his calm concentration, begging was the most important thing in his life at that moment.The king saw a ragged woman come out of the house and put a small potato into his bowl.The Buddha bowed politely to the woman and accepted.Then, he went to the next house.The king's carriage was some distance away from the Buddha.The king told Che Yi to stop.He got out of the car and walked towards the Buddha.At this time, the Buddha saw his father approaching.They walked towards everyone. The king walked in a hurry, but the Buddha still walked with a peaceful and relaxed pace. "Siddhartha!" "Father!" Nasamara stepped forward to hold the bowl in his hand for the Buddha, so that he could hold the king's hand with both hands.Tears streamed down the King's wrinkled cheeks.Buddha looked at his father with warm love in his eyes.The king understood that Siddhartha was no longer a prince, but a very respected spiritual teacher.Although he wanted to hug Siddhartha very much, he was afraid that this would not be appropriate.Therefore, he just bowed to his son with palms closed, like a king bowing to a spiritual teacher. The Buddha turned his head and said to Shariputra: "The bhikkhus have finished begging for food. Please take them back to the Niguli Garden first. Then Samara will accompany me to the palace before eating. We will return to the Sangha in the afternoon. .” Shariputra bowed and turned to take the monks back. The king looked at the Buddha for a long time before saying: "I thought you would go home first to see your family. Who knew you would go to the city to beg for food first. Why don't you go back to the palace to eat?" Buddha smiled at the king. "Father, I am not coming back alone. I am traveling with the Sangha. I am also a member of the monks. Just like other monks, I have to beg for food." "But is it necessary for you to beg for food in the slum areas here? No one in the Shakya tribe has ever done that." Buddha smiled again. "Maybe no Shakya ever did this, but all monks did. Father, begging is a practice that helps monks develop humility and equality. To me, a small gift from the poor Potatoes from the king are the same as being offered by the emperor. A monk can transcend the boundaries of rich and poor. On my path, all are equal. Everyone, no matter how poor he may be, can also attain Liberation and enlightenment. Begging didn't lower my dignity. It just recognized the inherent dignity of all people." King Jingfan was a little dumbfounded.The prophecies of the past have been fulfilled.Siddhartha really became a spiritual teacher whose virtuous glory spread all over the world.Holding the king's hand, the Buddha walked back to the palace with him.Then Shamolo followed. It was only the shouting of an attendant at the sight of the monk that led to the scene where Queen Gotami, Yasodhara, Sundari Nanda, and young Rahula saw the King and Buddha from the terrace.When the king and the Buddha were approaching, Yasodhara turned to face Rahula.She pointed to the Buddha and said, "Ai'er, have you seen the monk who is holding his grandfather's hand and is approaching the gate of the palace?" Rahula nodded. "That monk is your father. Go and call him. He has something very special to teach you. You go and ask him." Rahula ran down the stairs, and within a short while, he had arrived at the front yard of the palace.He ran to the Buddha.The Buddha knew immediately that the child approaching him was Rahula.He opened his arms to embrace his son.Still panting, Rahula said, "Dear monk, Mother said you have something special to teach me. What is it? Can you show me?" The Buddha touched Rahula's cheek, smiled and said, "Do you want to know what I want to teach you? Don't worry, I will teach you it slowly after a while." Still holding the father's hand, the Buddha took the child's hand again.The three of them entered the palace together.When Queen Gotami, Yasodhara, and Sundari Nanda came down from the upstairs, they saw the King, Buddha, and Rahula entering the royal garden.The spring sun is warm and comfortable.Birds and flowers are everywhere.The Buddha sat down on a marble bench with the king and Rahula.He also asked Nassamara to sit down.At that moment, Queen Gotami, Yasodhara, and Sun Rinanda entered the garden. The Buddha immediately got up and walked towards the three of them.Queen Gotami looked very healthy.She is wearing a green bamboo sari.Qu Yi was as beautiful as before, but his face was a little paler.Her sari was as white as new snow.She didn't wear any jewelry at all.Buddha's sixteen-year-old sister, in a full-coloured sari that framed her jet-black eyes.All of them clasped their palms together and bowed deeply to the Buddha.The Buddha also clasped his hands and bowed in return.Then, he called out: "Mother! Qu Yi!" At the sound of him calling her name, both women burst into tears at the same time. The Buddha took the queen's hand, led her to sit on a stool, and asked, "Where is my brother Nanda?" The queen replied, "He has gone away to practice martial arts and should be back soon. Do you know your sister? Do you say she has grown up a lot?" Buddha looked up at his sister.He hasn't seen her in seven years. "Sundari Nanda, you are a young girl now!" The Buddha followed Nasodhara and held her hand gently.She was so moved that the hands held by the Buddha were trembling.She was brought to sit next to Queen Gotami.Then the Buddha himself sat down.When walking back to the palace just now, the king asked the Buddha many questions.But now no one spoke, even Rahula was silent.The Buddha looked at the King, Queen, Yasodhara and Sundari Nanda.The joy of reunion appeared on everyone's face.After a moment of silence, the Buddha spoke: "Father, I have returned. Mother, I have returned. Qu Yi, look, haven't I returned to you?" Again, the two women started crying again.Their tears are shed with joy.The Buddha let them weep quietly, but asked Rahula to come and sit beside him.He stroked the child's hair affectionately. Gotami wiped away his tears with a corner of the sari, looked at the Buddha and said with a smile, "You have been away for a long time, more than seven years. Do you know how strong a woman Qu Yi is?" "Mother, I have always been aware of her profound courage. You and Yasodhara are the most courageous women I have ever known. You have not only given your husbands understanding and support, but you have also been a role model for strong women. With you I've been lucky in my life. It makes it easier to do what I do." Nasodhara just smiled, but didn't speak. The king said: "You have told me some of the hardships in the process of seeking the way and going to penance. Can you tell them again, and then go on?" 佛陀约略地述说他漫长的寻道历程。他告诉他们与频婆娑罗王在山上的相识，以及优楼频螺的贫苦村童。他又提及他的五个同修异行的朋友和在王舍城与比丘们接受的隆重供宴。每人都静心聆听，就连罗睺罗也一动不动。 佛陀的语气温和亲切。他没有说太多细节和有关苦行的时期。他用他的说话来把醒觉的种子种植在他至亲的心里。 一个侍从走过来在乔答弥耳边细语。王后也同样给他回应。不久，那个侍从在园里准备了用午饭的桌子。食物刚放上去，难陀便出现了。佛陀很高兴地与他招呼。 “难陀!我离开时你还不过十五岁。你现在已是成人了!” 难陀笑着。王后告诫他说:“难陀，正确的向你兄长行礼。他现在是僧人。合掌向他鞠躬吧。” 难陀鞠躬后，佛陀也鞠躬向他的弟弟回礼。 他们一起移至餐桌。佛陀嘱那先沙摩罗坐在他旁边。一个侍婢把水端来给他们洗手。大王问佛陀:“你的钵里有什么食物?” “我乞得一个马聆薯，但我发觉那先沙摩罗却什么也没有。” 净饭王站起来。“请让我从桌上供奉你俩一些食物。”耶输陀罗替大王拿着大盆的食物，让大王给两位比丘供食。他把香米白饭和咖哩杂菜放进他们的钵内。看见佛陀和那先沙摩罗都专注寂静的吃，其他的人都以他们作榜样。只有鸟儿继续在园里歌唱。 他们吃过午饭后，王后再请大王和佛陀到云石凳上坐下。二个仆人奉上一盆橘子，但只有罗睺罗吃它，因为其他人都已沉醉在佛陀的经历里。乔答弥王后比其他人发问得多。当大王听到佛陀形容他在竹林精舍的房子时，他提议替他在尼拘律园也建一间同样的。他又表示他希望佛陀能多留数月，以便对他们宣说大道。乔答弥王后、耶输陀罗、难陀和孙陀莉难陀都欣然同意大王的建议。 最后，佛陀说是时候他回到尼拘律园与其他比丘会合。大王站起来说:“我想如摩揭陀的国王一般，请你和你的比丘到我的王宫里应供。我也会同时邀请所有王族和政要到来，好让他们可以听你说法。” 佛陀表示他很乐意接受这个邀请。他们决定七日后聚宴。耶输陀罗表示希望在东宫私自设宴款待佛陀和那先沙摩罗。佛陀也接纳她的邀请，但认为最理想的日期，是在大王的供宴后几天。 大王本想下令用马车送佛陀和那先沙摩罗回去的，但佛陀拒绝了。他解释说他比较喜欢步行。于是，他们全家一起陪同两位比丘步出王宫的外闸。跟着，他们便合上双掌，向两位比丘拜别。 悉达多回归的消息很快便传遍整个迦毗罗卫国。而每天上午在城里缓步乞食的比丘，更给居民确定了这个消息。很多家庭对于供养比丘和听他们说法都显现得非常热烈。 净饭王命国民把街道用旗帜和鲜花布置，以欢迎佛陀和比丘到王宫受供。他又同时立刻安排在尼拘律园建造几间小房子给佛陀和他的大弟子居住。很多人都前来尼拘律园与佛陀和比丘会面。他们都被这位前太子在街头乞食所感动。佛陀回乡，已成为城中的热门话题。 乔答弥和耶输陀罗本想前去探望佛陀，但因为忙于筹备供僧之宴，所以未能成行。大王准备邀请数千宾客，包括全部政府要员和他的大弟子居住。很多人都前来尼拘律园与佛陀和出丘会面。他们都被这位前太子在街头乞食所感动。佛陀回乡，已成为城中的热门话题 乔答弥和耶输陀罗本想前去探望佛陀，但因为忙于筹备供僧之宴，所以未能成行。大王准备邀请数千宾客，包括全部政府要员和所有在城中任职政治、文化以及宗教团体的人士。他又下令全部的供菜都要是素食。 难陀太子是唯一找到时间去探望佛陀的人。他听佛陀为他解说醒觉之道。他很关心和仰慕他的兄长，也觉得自己对比丘的平静生活十分向往。他甚至询问佛陀他会否适合做一个好的比丘，但佛陀只是微笑。他知道难陀虽然是个有高尚情操和善良心地的青年，但他并没有足够强烈的意义感和责任感。和佛陀一起的时侯，难陀就会很想出家。但当他回到宫中时，他所见所想的便只会是他美丽动人的未婚妻，卡拉诺莉。有时，难陀自己也很想知道佛陀对他的不羁会有怎样的看法。 供僧的宴会终于来临了。全城里，包括王宫在内，都布满鲜花彩旗来欢迎佛陀和他的僧团。城里的居民都为欢迎这个民族英雄的回归而忙个不停。乐师在群众排列两旁的街道上演奏着美妙的音乐。每人都极力争取一睹佛陀风采的机会。乔答弥和耶输陀罗亲自迎迓所有大王邀请的宾客。瞿夷更遵照王后的意思，穿上高雅的纱丽和带上首饰，以示尊重这次的盛宴。 佛陀和比丘踏着他们缓和的步伐。当他们经过时，很多人都合掌鞠躬礼敬。父母都让小孩骑在背上好使他们可以看到比丘。人群中不时传出拍掌和欢呼声。在这热闹的气氛中，比丘们继续专注地随着他们的呼吸步行。 净饭王在王宫的门外迎接佛陀和比丘。他引领他们进入内院。虽然这个年青僧人曾经是太子，有些人仍不明白为何他们要对他如此礼重，但所有的宾客都依然以大王作榜样，合掌向佛陀深深鞠躬。 佛陀和比丘们都入座后，大王便命侍从把食物献上。他亲自奉侍佛陀。耶输陀罗和乔答弥则指挥仆人侍奉其他的宾客，包括了婆罗门、苦行者和苦行者。依着佛陀和比丘的习惯，每人都默默的吃。饭食完毕，当所有的钵都拿去洗净而复还，大王便合着双掌站起来。他礼请佛陀对在座的人开示法要。 佛陀先静下来一会，以感觉一下在座的众宾客。他知道他们对他离开七年的经历感到兴趣，于是他便首先把它简述一遍。之后，他便宣说无常无我和缘起法。他告诉他们在日常生活中要修习专注和觉察，使自己可以深入体会一切事物。这样，痛苦才得以终止，而他们才会得到平和与喜悦。他又说拜祭供奉和诵经，并不是解脱的有效方法。 佛陀说教四圣谛:痛苦的存在、痛苦的原因、痛苦的消灭、和导致痛苦消灭之逍。他申说:“除了生、老、病、死之苦，很多其他的痛苦，都是自找的。由于无明与妄见，人所说所作的，都往往会给自己和他人带来痛苦。瞋罣、愤怒、多疑、嫉妒和气恼都会产生痛苦。这全部都是由于缺乏觉察。你们自创的苦恼就像一间火宅，把你们困在内里，不能自拔。向神祗祷告是帮不了你们重获自由的。你们必需看清楚你们的内心和外境，以能拔除所有的妄见，因妄见才是痛苦的根源。找到了痛苦的根源，才能明白痛苦是什么。一旦明白了痛苦是什么，你才可以不为它所缠缚。 “有人对你发怒，你当然也可还以对他发怒。但这只会增加痛苦。如果你是行觉察之道，你便不会以发怒作反应。你会把心平定下来，去寻求那人对你发怒的原因。经深切的察思，你一定可以找到那人恼怒的因由。假如你所发现的，是与你自己的错误行为有关，你一定会愿意承担令他恼怒的责任。如果你发觉自己没错，你便应该尝试找出他对你误会的原因。这样，你才可以帮助他去明白你真正的本怀，而避免再令大家增加痛苦。” “王上和所有贵宾!所有的痛苦都可以因深切的了解而排除。在觉察之道上，我们以细观呼吸来保持专注。我们以守持净戒来建立定力和达到了悟。戒律是导至平和快乐的生活原则。持戒可以帮助我们更容易集中，因而使我们在生活上可做到更加察觉和专注。” 专念能栽培出我们照亮自心和外境真性的能力。有了这种能力，我们才会真正了解一切事物。 “有了理解，我们才可以去爱。当我们了解一切，所有痛苦也就可以消解。真正解脱之道其实就是了解之道。了解就是慧(prajna)。这种了解只可以从深入洞察一切事物的真性而得。戒、定、慧就是导至解脱之道。” 佛陀稍停一会，然后微笑。他再继续说:“但痛苦只不过是生命的一方面。生命的另一面，是美妙的一面。我们一旦看到这一面，幸福、平和与喜悦便垂手可得。当我们的心摆脱了缠缚，我们便可以直接与生命的神奇美好接触。真正掌握到无常、无我和缘起法的真谛，我们就可以看到自己的心怀是何等的奇妙了。我们可以看到自己的身体、紫竹的枝叶、金黄的菊花、清澈的泉水和皎洁的月亮，都是如何的美妙神奇。” “因为我们一直被困在自己的痛苦之中，我们便失去了对生命美好一面的感觉。当我们破了无明，那无限平和、喜悦、解放以至涅盘的境界便会显现。涅盘就是去除贪、瞋、痴。它是平和、喜悦和自由出现。各位来宾，找点时间去细望一缕清泉或一线晨光。你可经验到平和、喜悦和自自吗?如果你仍是被困于忧恼哀伤的牢狱之中，你便没可能经验到宇宙的奥妙美好，包括你自己的呼吸和身心。我所发现的消除忧悲苦恼之道，是需要去深深体会这些痛苦的真性。我曾与很多其他的人分享此道，而他们也都可以替自己成功的找到此道。” 每人都深受佛陀的开示所感动。大王、王后和耶输陀罗的心都充满快乐。他们都希望再学多些关于怎样洞察一切事物的真性，以求得到解脱和开悟。法会之后，大王陪同佛陀和比丘到门外。宾客都一致恭贺大王有一个有这样成就的儿子。 尼拘律园很快便被改建成为一所寺院。那里的稀古无花果树正好作荫乘谅。很多新的比丘被剃度。又有很多在家人，包括一些释迦族的，都受持了五戒。 在王后和罗睺罗的陪同下，耶输陀罗常到尼拘律园探访佛陀。她听佛陀说法，又私底下请教佛陀有关修行与扶弱助贫的关系。佛陀教她怎样修习观息和禅定以达至心里的平和喜悦。她也明白到如果没有平和喜悦，是很难真正帮助别人的。她学会了要用深切的了解去增加自己的爱心。她又很高兴发觉自己可以在帮助别人的时候，同时锻炼自己的觉察力。平和喜悦是可以在工作之中获得的。途径与目的其实并不是两回事。 至于乔答弥王后，她也在修行上有着很大的进步。