Lecture No. 0404
Great Ocean of Lamrim
Lecture No. 0404
Date: 2022-02-17 ~ 2022-02-20
Topic: The Tale of the Impoverished Boy's Offering to the Buddha (III)
After receiving the Buddha’s teaching, the Impoverished boy happily left. He then arrived at the Elder Householder’s home to receive the 500 gold coins. When he returned home, he reported to his mother: “My compassionate and loving mother! These are the 500 gold coins and [I] wished to prepare the offerings to be made to the Buddha and the Sangha!” His mother responded: “Ah! Don’t you know? We are poor and lack of resources, and do not even have dining utensils and sitting cushions. How would it be feasible to offer the Buddha and his Sangha? But thinking about it, you can approach the Elder who employed you to update about this (matter), as isn’t his home very spacious? Perhaps [the offerings] can be held there!” [00:53]
Following his mother’s advice, the Impoverished boy quickly went to the Elder’s home and requested: “Elder! My home is very deprived now and lack resources, without tableware and seats, thus unable to accomplish the goal of wanting to make food offering to the Buddha and the Sangha. Can I boldly request to accomplish this matter inside your house, inviting Buddha and his Sangha over for a meal offering. Can this be done?” [01:22]
The Elder thought: “My house is newly completed and now that it can be used to make offering to the Buddha and his Sangha, it is an extremely auspicious event!” He agreed saying: “You can leave your items here! And go to invite the Buddha and his Sangha to this house to receive the offerings.” The Impoverished boy did so and left. The next day, the boy went to the Buddha’s abode, after paying homage to the Buddha, he said to the Buddha: “World Honoured one! [I] sincerely invite the Buddha to go over to the Elder’s place on the next day to accept humble offering!” The Buddha accepted his invite, and after paying reverence at the Buddha’s feet, the boy quickly went back to confirm the time with the Elder. [02:22]
Thereupon, the elder helped the Impoverished boy to prepare an array of exquisite food and drink. At dawn, he arranged the seating, placed large vessels of water for washing, and adorned the space with fragrant flowers. When all was ready, he sent a messenger to the Buddha with the message: “The meal is prepared. May the Blessed One know that the time has come.” Thus, the World-Honored One, donning his robes and carrying his alms bowl, proceeded to the elder’s residence, accompanied by the noble sangha. [02:59]
At that time, a group of six monks [ṣaḍvargika bhikṣu in Sanskrit] inquired of the Buddha’s attendant, “Who is hosting the Buddha and the Sangha today?” The attendant replied, “The son of a certain elder.” The six monks exchanged glances and said among themselves, “What sort of meal could a mere laborer provide? Let us first stop by a place we know and take some light refreshment.” They went to the particular household, where the host welcomed them, saying, “Venerable ones, please enjoy this offering.” After satisfying themselves, they then made their way to the elder’s residence, where the Buddha and the Sangha were being received. [03:33]
The World-Honored One and the assembly arrived at the Elder’s home. Upon entering, they washed their feet and took their seats. The Impoverished Boy personally served them, offering clean and exquisite food with heartfelt devotion, ensuring that all were fully satisfied. However, he noticed that the group of six monks seemed unable to partake the fine meal, and approached the Buddha and asked, “O World-Honored One! I see that some of the venerable ones are unable to consume the exquisite food. Will this affect my chance of being reborn in the deity realms?” The Buddha replied, “Noble one [Bhadanta in Sanskrit], even had you offered only seating, your merit would ensure rebirth in the deity realm, how much greater the reward, now that both the Buddha and the Sangha have received your offering!” [04:16]
When the poor young boy saw that the Buddha and the Sangha had finished their meals and set aside their bowls and utensils, he took a humble seat and sat before the Buddha to hear the wondrous Dharma. The Buddha taught him with compassion, guiding him to receive, understand, and uphold the teachings. With gentle words of encouragement, he filled the boy’s heart with deep joy and devotion. Then, [the Blessed One] rose from his seat and departed. [04:44]
At this very moment, five hundred merchants who had just returned from a sea voyage arrived in Rājagṛha. Entering the city amidst a grand festival, they found that no one was available to trade, and their valuable goods remained untouched, they then discussed among themselves, “With no trading opportunities, what are we to do? We do not even have a way to obtain food!” Among them was a man who had previously spent time with monks and was familiar with the customs of the Dharma. He advised the group, “Let us disperse and inquire where the Buddha and the Sangha have been invited to receive alms today. The household that hosted them will surely have food remaining. If we can find out which elder made offerings, we may be able to exchange goods of equal value for the provisions they have left!” [05:41]
The merchants found the elder’s residence and inquired, “Elder, now that the Buddha and the Sangha have finished their meals, there must be some food remaining. What would it cost us to obtain a portion?” The elder replied, “This food is not mine to give, it was offered by this young man.” Together with the elder, the merchants approached the Impoverished. The boy humbly said, “I have no need for payment, you are welcome to the food, freely.” The merchants gratefully accepted and ate until they were satisfied. After the meal, they turned to the elder and said, “Today you have gained immense merit, hosting the Buddha and the Sangha in your home, and feeding us as well!” But the elder gently corrected them, “This was not my offering. The feast was entirely provided by this young man.” Surprised and moved, the merchants asked, “Whose son is he?” The elder replied, “He is the son of such-and-such elder.” [06:44]
One of the merchant leaders exclaimed in astonishment, “This boy is the son of my old friend!” Without hesitation, he spread a large cloth on the ground, placed precious treasures upon it, and declared to the gathering crowd: “Let it be known to all, I heard of a saying, ‘Threads woven together make a robe; drops of water gathered fill a vessel’? If any among you wish to give, lay your offerings here!” [Moved by his words,] the merchants stepped forward one by one, contributing their own valuables. In no time, the offerings rose into a heap, shining like a mountain of treasure. [07:21]
The merchant leader earnestly urged, “Please, accept these gifts!” The Impoverished Boy, taken aback, replied, “I only wished to offer food, I never intended to receive anything in return.” The merchant responded warmly, “This is not a payment for the meal! Just one of these treasures could fund a hundred such offerings. This is no transaction, we give out of joy and gratitude!” Still, the boy hesitated and said, “Today’s offering was made with the hope of being reborn in the deity realms. Though your gifts are generous and sincere, I dare not accept them, I must not allow anything to hinder that aspiration!” [08:07]
The merchant leader asked, “Do you have faith in the Buddha?” The boy replied, “I do.” The merchant said, “If your faith is true, then seek the Buddha’s guidance, and follow whatever he instructs.” At once, the Impoverished Boy hurried to the Buddha, bowed at his feet, and earnestly asked: “O World-Honored One! Earlier today, after offering food to you and the Sangha, I shared the remaining provisions with five hundred merchants. Grateful and overjoyed, they gifted me a great many treasures. Should I accept them or not?” The Buddha answered simply, “Accept them.” [Still unsure,] the boy asked, “But, Bhagavān, could these treasures obstruct my rebirth in the deity realms?” The Buddha gently replied, “These are merely the fractional of your merit; the fruitional effect is yet to come.” Hearing this, the boy bowed deeply in gratitude, took his leave, and returned to accept the treasures. [09:19]
At that time, a chief elder in Rājagṛha passed away from illness, leaving no heir. The townspeople gathered in concern, saying, “Alas! The elder has died, and the position of chief now stands vacant. Who shall lead us?” One among them proposed, “Let us seek out a man of great merit and virtue, and appoint him as our new leader.” But others asked, “How can we recognize one who truly possesses such merit?” Then a wise man stepped forward with a suggestion: “Let us place various kinds of seeds into a clay vessel. Each candidate shall draw from it. Whoever draws seeds of the same color, again and again, shall be chosen as our chief [for this will be a sign of exceptional virtue and karmic merit].” [10:14]
Following the proposed plan, they placed various kinds of seeds into a clay vessel. One by one, the townspeople took their turn but each drew seeds of mixed colors. Only the Impoverished Boy consistently drew seeds of the same color, every single time. Though all had witnessed it with their own eyes, murmurs of doubt arose: “How can we appoint a mere laborer as our chief? Let us test him again!” They had him draw three more times, and each time, [without fail,] the result was the same. [10:57]
Witnessing this marvel, the people exclaimed in unison, “Ah! This is surely the blessing of the devas! Let us unite with one heart and invite him to be our noble leader!” And so, the entire city came together to honor and support the once-Impoverished Boy, appointing him as their new chief. The elder who had hosted the offering feast, deeply moved by these events, adorned his daughter with fine garments and precious jewels, and gave her in marriage to the newly appointed leader. At that very moment, through the power of the Impoverished Boy’s virtuous karma, treasures began to manifest spontaneously within his home. From that day forward, the people called him Sujāta [meaning “Well-Born” or “Born of Merit,”] [for his destiny had been transformed by the power of his goodness]. [11:38]
【广海明月 讲次: 0404】
讲次 | 0404 (2022-02-17 ~ 2022-02-20)
标题 | 贫生童子供佛记（三）
(更新日期: 2022年2月18日)
00:00
贫生童子得到了佛陀的教诲，欢欢喜喜地离开了。到了长者家，拿到了五百金钱，赶快跑回家，跑回到母亲的身旁禀告：“慈爱的妈妈！这是五百金钱，希望能准备供养佛陀和僧众了！”母亲说：“啊！你难道不知道吗？我们家境贫困，物资短缺，连餐具啊、坐垫都没有，想请佛陀和僧众的事哪办得成？不过想一想，你现在可以去报告那位雇你做工的长者，他们家是不是很宽敞啊？或许可以在那边办呢！”00:53
贫生童子听了母亲的劝告，就又赶快跑到长者的住处，请求说：“长者！我家现在很穷，物资短缺，连餐具和座位都没有，想请佛陀和僧众的事是没法完成的。可以胆敢请求您在您的屋里办理所需，迎请佛陀和僧众吃饭，这样可以吗？”01:22
长者就想：“我的新屋刚落成，就能供养佛陀和僧众，这真是一件再吉祥不过的事了！”便说：“那你就把东西留下吧！去请佛陀和僧众来这间屋子里接受供养。”贫生童子就留下东西而离开了。隔天，他就到佛陀的住处，礼拜佛陀的双足，长跪合掌，禀告佛陀：“世尊！请求您明天莅临长者家，慈悲接受微薄的供养！”世尊默然，接受了他的请求。他看到佛陀接受了，便礼拜双足而离去，并请长者知道了时间。02:22
于是那位长者就替他准备各种上好的饮食，在早晨的时候铺设座位，安放了大型的水器，而且布置了种种的香花，并派人禀告佛陀：“饮食准备好了，希望佛陀知道时间已经到了！”于是世尊就在早晨披着法衣、捧着钵，与圣众一起去到了长者家。02:59
这个时候，六群比丘就问了负责人说：“今天是谁家请佛陀和僧众啊？”答：“是某位长者的儿子。”六群比丘议论说：“他这劳力工人会有什么饮食呢？我们现在应该先去其他认识的地方吃一点小食。”到了那一家，对方说：“圣者！请用小食。”他们就都吃饱了，然后才去请佛受供的地方。03:33
世尊与大众到长者家，各自洗足，然后就座。贫生童子用干净的上好饮食亲手供养，让大家都饱足。他看到六群比丘吃不下这些美食，便到佛前请问：“世尊啊！我看到在场有一些圣者吃不下美食，这会不会障碍我生天啊？”佛说：“贤首！即使你只是布施座位，尚且必定能够生天，何况佛陀和僧众还接受你的饮食。”04:16
等贫生童子看到佛陀和僧众用完餐、收起了钵和餐具，便拿起矮小的座位去到佛前听闻妙法。佛陀为他说法，令他受持，并且鼓励他、让他欢喜，便离席而去。04:44
就在这个时候，有五百位商人从大海回来，经过王舍城。他们刚到的时候遇上了大节日，所带的珍宝找不到人交易，于是就互相讨论说：“既然没有交易要怎么办？饮食的需求也没有着落啊！”他们当中有个人以前跟比丘很熟悉，知道佛法的规矩，就告诉大家说：“我们可以分散去问今天哪个地方有供养佛陀和僧众，他们家一定有剩下的饮食，我们可以去找找。只要打听到哪位长者家已经供养了佛陀和僧众，我们就可以去用等量的价值换取食物哪！”05:41
于是他们就找到了那位长者家，请问说：“长者！佛陀、僧众用完餐后一定有剩，请问要用多少价值来换啊？”长者说：“这不是我的食物，是这位少年准备的饮食。”商人就和长者一起去找到了童子，贫生童子就说：“我不需要钱，可以直接奉送。”于是商人们痛快地吃饱了，吃饱之后都赞叹、对长者说：“您今天真是赚大了，在自己家里供养佛陀和僧众，也使我们这些商人得到了饱足啊！”长者又说：“这不是我的食物，是这位少年所设的供养。”商人们于是就问说：“现在这位少年是谁的孩子？”长者说：“是某某某长者的儿子。”06:44
其中有一个商主很惊讶地说：“这人就是我朋友的儿子！”于是他很快地就把一块大布铺在了地上，放上了珍宝，并宣告说：“各位要知道，我听说‘众缕成衣，滴水成器’，您如果有要布施的话，请放在这里吧！”于是商人们纷纷拿出宝物，不一会儿，宝物就堆积如山。07:21
商主就说：“啊！请接受这些东西吧！”贫生很惊讶说：“我只是想布施食物，没有想要东西的心。”商主说：“这可不是食物的酬劳！这当中的一个宝物，就能办成上百场的供养，这无关乎食物的酬劳，我们是以庆贺之心相赠啊！”童子说：“我今天准备这些食物是为了生天，您虽然送给我，我不敢拿，可不能因此妨碍我生天喔！”08:07
商主问说：“你信佛吗？”童子回答：“我信！”商主说：“如果信佛的话，可以去请问佛陀，看佛陀怎么教你就照着做吧！”贫生童子于是又跑去了佛前，礼拜佛陀的双足，禀告道：“世尊啊！我之前陈设供养还有剩下食物，送给了五百商人，让他们都得到饱满，他们很高兴地送给我很多很多珍宝。我是该接受这东西，还是不接受呢？”佛陀说：“接受吧！”童子说：“世尊！可别因为这些宝物障碍我生天呀！”佛陀说：“这是花报，果报还在后面呢！”于是长者子礼佛告辞，去接受珍宝了。09:19
当时王舍城里有一位担任首领的长者，不幸遇病身亡，却还没有儿子。众人就商议道：“啊！长者死了，首领的职位没人继承，该找谁来统领我们呢？”“应该一起找一位有大福德的人，把他立为首领吧！”众人议论说：“我们怎么样才能够知道谁是有大福德的人呢？”其中有一位智者告诉大家：“应该把各类种子放进一个陶器，让大家伸手去拿，如果谁总是能拿到同一种颜色的种子，我们就拥立这个人为首领。”10:14
大家就依此决议，把各类种子放进了一个陶器里边。众人探手进去，结果都拿到不同颜色的种子，唯独这个贫生拿到了同一种颜色的种子。众人虽然有目共睹，却还是想要议论一下：“我们怎么能够拥立劳力工人作为首领呢？还是再探几遍吧！”于是便要求重复拿三次，结果都还是拿到同一种颜色。10:57
众人看了，一致感到稀有，说：“喔！这是天神的保佑，我们现在可以团结一心，请他担任我们尊贵的首领了！”于是全城一起拥戴贫生为首领。设供的长者看到这件事情，就用许多珍宝、首饰打扮自己的女儿，将她嫁给了贫生。这时由于贫生的善业力量，家中忽然生出珍宝，因此众人就把贫生的名字改为“善生”了。11:38