(偈116)
应急速行善，竭止心作恶，
延缓行善者，心喜于邪恶。
（注：恶-贪rāga，瞋dosa，痴moha）
Make haste in doing good, restrain your mind from evil, for the mind of him who is slow in doing good delights in evil.
应急速行善，竭止心作恶，
延缓行善者，心喜于邪恶。
（注：恶-贪rāga，瞋dosa，痴moha）
Make haste in doing good, restrain your mind from evil, for the mind of him who is slow in doing good delights in evil.
# 含义 Meaning
行善要趁早, 并且要制止心, 不要去作恶, 若迟疑, 则心易于造作恶行。
One should make haste in doing good deeds; one should restrain one's mind from evil; for the mind of one who is slow in doing good tends to take delight in doing evil.
* 故事集 Story
一位穷苦婆罗门的慷慨奉献 09-116
沙瓦提城里有一对夫妇，他们只有一件外套，所以夫妇两人无法同时外出。因此，太太白天去精舍，先生就利用夜晚前往精舍。有一天晚上，先生听完佛陀的说法后，整个人法喜充满，心中强烈地想把这件唯一的外套供养给佛陀。但是他明白，如果供养出去，他们夫妇两人就没有任何外套了。他因此犹豫不决而迟疑着，就这样，初夜和中夜过去了，后夜来临时，他在心里告诉自己：「如果我再迟疑下去，就要失去断除世间苦的机会了。我要立刻供养这件外套。」他于是把外套放在佛陀的脚下，并大声叫着：「我战胜自己了！我战胜自己了！」
高沙喇国巴谢那地王也在听法的群众中。当他听到这些话时，就派人去调查原因。在得知这是那位婆罗门供养佛陀外套时所发出的声音时，他说这不是平常人可以做得到的事，值得赞赏。国王就要手下送一件布料给这婆罗门，奖赏他虔诚的信仰和慷慨供养。不过，这婆罗门把国王赏赐的布料也供养给佛陀。国王因此又赏赐他两件布料，这婆罗门也同样的把它们供养给佛陀，不管国王奖赏几件布料（每次都是上一次的两倍），他都全数供养佛陀。最后当国王赏赐他三十二件布料时，他在国王的要求下，留下一件给自己，另一件给太太，其余的三十件全部供养佛陀。
国王接着说，这婆罗门真正做到难舍能舍的事，应该给予更适当的奖赏。国王就派人回宫中拿来两件非常昂贵的天鹅绒地毯，将它们赏赐给这婆罗门。他用这些地毯做成两件覆罩，其中一件供养给佛陀。后来，国王再到揭达林给孤独园时，看见婆罗门供养佛陀的覆罩时，心里十分高兴，又赏赐这婆罗门一番。
其他比库知道这婆罗门的事情之后，就问佛陀：
「为什么这婆罗门所做的善业，现世就立刻得到报应呢？」
「这婆罗门如果初夜时就供养，那么他所得到的奖赏会更多。但他是在后夜才供养，奖赏就少了。一个人若要布施，应该马上做，若迟疑，回报既慢且少。更有甚者，可能甚至就不布施了，毕竟人心容易做恶业。
The Story of Culekasataka 09-116
There was once a brahmin couple in Savatthi, who had only one outer garment between the two of them. Because of this they were also known as Ekasataka. As they had only one outer garment, both of them could not go out at the same time. So, the wife would go to listen to the discourse given by the Buddha during the day and the husband would go at night. One night, as the brahmin listened to the Buddha, his whole body came to be suffused with delightful satisfaction and he felt a strong desire to offer the outer garment he was wearing to the Buddha. But he realized that if he were to give away the only outer garment he had, there would be none left for him and his wife. So he wavered and hesitated. Thus, the first and the second watches of the night passed. Came the third watch and he said to himself, "If I am so miserly and hesitant, I will not be able to avoid falling to the four Lower Worlds (apayas); I shall now offer my outer garment to the Buddha." So saying, he placed the piece of cloth at the feet of the Buddha and cried out "I have won" three times.
King Pasenadi of Kosala, who was among the audience, heard those words and ordered a courtier to investigate. Learning about the brahmin's offering to the Buddha, the king commented that the brahmin had done something which was not easy to do and so should be rewarded. The king ordered his men to give the brahmin a piece of cloth as a reward for his faith and generosity. The brahmin offered that piece of cloth also to the Buddha and he was rewarded by the king with two pieces of cloth. Again, the brahmin offered the two pieces of cloth to the Buddha and he was rewarded with four. Thus, he offered to the Buddha whatever was given him by the king, and each time the king doubled his reward. When finally, the reward came up to thirty-two pieces of cloth, the brahmin kept one piece for himself and another for his wife, and offered the remaining thirty pieces to the Buddha.
Then, thinking again commented that the brahmin had truly performed a very difficult task and so must be rewarded fittingly. The king sent a messenger to the palace to bring two pieces of velvet cloth, each of which was worth one hundred thousand, and gave them to the brahmin. The brahmin made those two pieces of valuable cloth into two canopies and kept one in the Perfumed Chamber where the Buddha slept and the other in his own house above the place where a bhikkhu was regularly offered alms-food. When the king next went to Jatavana monastery to pay homage to the Buddha, he saw the velvet canopy and recognized it as the offering made by the brahmin and he was very pleased. This time he made a reward of seven kinds in fours (sabbacatukka), viz., four elephants, four horses, four female slaves, four male slaves, four errand boys, four villages and four thousands in cash.
When the bhikkhus heard about this, they asked the Buddha, "How is it that, in the case of this brahmin, a good deed done at present bears fruit immediately?" To them the Buddha replied "If the brahmin had offered his outer garment in the first watch of the night, he would have been rewarded with sixteen of each kind; if he had made his offering during the middle watch, he would have been rewarded with eight of each kind; since he had made his offering only during the last watch of the night, he was rewarded with only four of each kind." So, when one wants to give in charity, one should do so quickly; if one procrastinates, the reward comes slowly and only sparingly. Also, if one is too slow in doing good deeds, one may not be able to do it at all, for the mind tends to take delight in doing evil.
(偈117)
若人已作恶，不应数重犯，
莫喜于作恶，积恶乃痛苦。
If a person commits evil, let him not do it repeatedly; he should not delight in it, for the accumulation of evil is painful.
# 含义 Meaning
人若已经作恶, 切忌再犯, 不可沉溺其中, 不知自拔, 恶贯满盈时, 必定受苦报。
If a man does evil, he should not do it again and again; he should not take delight in it; the accumulation of evil leads to dukkha.
* 故事集 Story
克制性欲 09-117
从前有一位比库名叫斯亚沙卡，他对修行出家的生活不满意，并且有自慰的习惯。当佛陀知道他的行为时，告诫他不要做会导致他远离清净修持的行为。佛陀也因此制定比库不可沉溺于感官享乐的戒律。佛陀说这种行为要加以谴责。
“这种行为会使人产生痛苦。”佛陀说。
The Story of Thera Seyyasaka 09-117
Once there was a thera by the name of Seyyasaka, who was in the habit of masturbating. When the Buddha heard about this, he rebuked the thera for doing something that would lead one farther away from the attainment of Magga and Phala. At the same time, the Buddha laid down the discipline prohibiting such indulgence in sexual pleasures, i.e., Samghadisesa Apatti, offences which require penance and suspension from the Order. Then, the Buddha added, "This kind of offence can only lead to evil results in this world as well as in the next."
(偈118)
若人已行善，应当数重作，
欢喜于行善，积善乃安乐。
If a person performs merit, let him do it repeatedly; he should delight in it: for the accumulation of merit is blissful.
# 含义 Meaning
人若已造善业, 应持续做善业, 善业多必受乐报
If a man does what is good, he should do it again and again; he should take delight in it; the accumulation of merit leads to happiness.
* 故事集 Story
女天神照顾马哈咖沙巴尊者 09-118
## 马哈咖沙巴 = 摩诃迦叶 (十大弟子 / 头陀第一)
有一次，马哈咖沙巴尊者停留在毕钵离穴洞中，并且入禅定长达七天之久。当他出定后，希望提供机会给一个人，让他能够供养刚出定的修行人，就在这时候，他看见一位年轻的女子正在煮食物，就站在她门口化缘。年轻的女子看见马哈咖沙巴尊者时，满心欢喜，她恭敬的说：「尊者！希望我这谦卑的供养，能够使我明白究竟真理。」马哈咖沙巴尊者接受她的供养后，向她说随喜：「希望你的愿望能够实现。」
后来，她被毒蛇咬到而丧生。她往生为三十三天的天神，拥有天神的一切荣耀。她知道自己所以能往生三十三天为天神，是因为供养马哈咖沙巴尊者的关系，所以十分感激他，便决定继续做善事，使福报能持续下去。她每天清晨都到精舍去打扫周边环境，把水壶装满水，并且做其它的工作。马哈咖沙巴尊者刚开始的时候以为是年轻沙马内拉的服务，后来，他发现竟然是一名女天神在做这些工作，就劝她不要再来精舍，避免别人说闲话。听完马哈咖沙巴尊者的话后，她非常生气，哭泣着向尊者恳求：「请你不要毁了我的福报！」
这时候，佛陀听见她的哭声，便放光安慰她说，虽然善事非常重要，但身为年轻女子，单身来精舍服务并不值得鼓励。
The Story of Lajadevadhita 09-118
## Thera Mahakassapa (The ten principal disciples/ Top Master of ascetic training)
At one time Thera Mahakassapa stayed in the Pippali cave and remained in sustained absorption in concentration (samapatti) for seven days. Soon after he had arisen from samapatti, wishing to give someone a chance of offering something to a thera just arisen from samapatti, he looked out and found a young maid frying corn in a field-hut. So he stood at her door for alms-food and she put all the pop corn into the bawl of the thera. As she turned back after offering pop corn to the thera, she was bitten by a poisonous snake and died. She was reborn in Tavatimsa deva world and was known as Laja (pop corn) devadhita.
Laja realized that she was reborn in Tavatimsa because she had offered pop corn to Thera Mahakassapa and felt very grateful to him. Then she concluded that she should keep on doing some services to the thera in order to make her good fortune more enduring. So, every morning she went to the monastery of the thera, swept the premises, filled up water pots, and did other services. At first, the thera thought that young samaneras had done those services; but one day, he found out that a female deva had been performing those services. So he told her not to come to the monastery any more, as people might start talking if she kept on coming to the monastery. Lajadevadhita was very upset; she pleaded with the thera and cried, "Please do not destroy my riches, my wealth." The Buddha heard her cries and sent forth the radiance from his chamber and said to the female deva, "Devadhita, it is the duty of my son Kassapa to stop your coming to the monastery; to do good deeds is the duty of one who is anxious to gain merit."
Then the Buddha spoke the above verse, at the end of the discourse, Lajadevadhita attained Sotapatti Fruition.
(偈119)
恶业未成熟，恶人自庆幸，
恶果成熟时，恶人方知苦。
Even an evil-doer sees good as long as evil doesn’t ripen; but when it bears fruit, then he sees the evil result.
# 含义 Meaning
造作恶业的人, 在恶报未成熟时, 可能享乐, 一旦恶报成熟, 则承受恶报。
Even an evil person may still find happiness so long as his evil deed does not bear fruit; but when his evil deed does bear fruit he will meet with evil consequences.
(偈120)
善业未成熟，善人自埋怨，
善果成熟时，善人方知福。
Even a good person sees evil so long as good doesn’t ripen; but when it bears fruit then the good one sees the good result.
# 含义 Meaning
造作善业的人, 在业报尚未成熟时, 可能受苦, 一旦业报成熟, 则享受善报。
Even a good person may still meet with suffering so long as his good deed does not bear fruit: but when it does bear fruit he will enjoy the benefits of his good deed.
* 故事集 Story
给孤独长者与守护精灵 09-119 & 120
给孤独长者是揭达林给孤独园的捐献者。他不仅乐善好施，同时也是佛陀的虔诚信徒。他每天前往揭达林给孤独园三次，向佛陀顶礼问讯。清晨的时候，他会带着米粥前去，白天的时候带适当的食物，夜晚的时候，则是医药和花。后来，他的家道中衰，但由于对佛法有信心，他不受贫穷影响，每天继续供养。一天夜晚，住在他家的守护精灵在他的面前现身，告诉他：「我是守护精灵，长久以来你一直供养佛陀，从不为自己的未来打算，现在才会如此穷困。此后不要再供养佛陀了！好好照顾你的事业，再做一个富翁吧！」
给孤独长者听完守护精灵这些话后，就要求它离开他家。因为他的修持非常好，这守护精灵无法抗拒他的要求，只好离开，但却无处可去，想回去，又怕给孤独长者。只好去找沙咖天帝，沙咖天帝建议它做件善事，回报给孤独长者，然后，请求他原谅。沙咖天帝接着说：「有些商人向给孤独长者借贷，至今未还，他的祖先也埋藏了很多的财富，但却被冲入海底，还有一些无主的财富藏在某某地方。去吧！把这些财富全找回来，塞满给孤独长者的家！」这守护精灵照着沙咖天帝的话去做，给孤独长者就又发达起来了。
当守护精灵告诉给孤独长者，它的所作所为后，给孤独长者允许它回来他家，并且带它去见佛陀，佛陀告诉他们两人：「人可能在很长的时间内无法享受善业的善报，也没受到恶业的报应，但善恶业报迟早总会成熟的。」
The Story of Anathapindika 09-119 & 120
Anathapindika was the donor of the Jetavana monastery, which was built at a cost of fifty-four crores. He was not only generous but also truly devoted to the Buddha. He would go to the Jetavana monastery and pay homage to the Buddha thrice daily. In the mornings he would bring along rice gruel, in the day-time some suitable rich food or medicine and in the evenings some flowers and incense. After some time Anathapindika became poor, but being a sotapanna he was not shaken by misfortune, and he continued to do his daily acts of charity. One night, the spirit guarding the gate to the house of Anathapindika appeared to him in person, and said, "I am the guardian of your gate. You have been offering your property to Samana Gotama with no thoughts of your future. That is why you are now a poor man. Therefore, you should make no more offerings to Samana Gotama and should look after your own business affairs and get rich again"
Anathapindika drove the guardian spirit out of his house for saying such things, and as Anathapindika was a sotapanna the guardian spirit could not disobey him and so had to leave the premises. He had nowhere to go and wanted to return but was afraid of Anathapindika. So, he approached Sakka, king of the devas. Sakka advised him first to do a good turn to Anathapindika, and after that, to ask his pardon. Then Sakka continued, "There are about eighteen crores taken as loans by some traders which are not yet repaid to Anathapindika; another eighteen crores buried by the ancestors of Anathapindika, which have been washed away into the ocean, and another eighteen crores, which belong to no one, buried in a certain place. Go and recover all these wealth by your supernatural power and fill up the rooms of Anathapindika. Having done so, you may ask his pardon". The guardian spirit did as instructed by Sakka, and Anathapindika again became rich.
When the guardian spirit told Anathapindika about the information and instructions given by Sakka, about the recovery of his riches from underneath the earth, from within the ocean and from the debtors, he was struck with awe. Then Anathapindika took the guardian spirit to the Buddha. To both of them the Buddha said, "One may not enjoy the benefits of a good deed, or suffer the consequences of a bad deed for a long time; but time will surely come when his good or bad deed will bear fruit and ripen".
Then the Buddha spoke the above verse, at the end of the discourse, the guardian spirit of the gate of Anathapindika's house attained Sotapatti Fruition.
(偈121)
莫轻视小恶，云我无殃报，
小水渐滴落，亦能盈水瓶。
愚人积小恶，乃至罪满贯。
Do not disregard evil, saying, “It will not come to me”; by the falling of drops even a water-jar is filled; likewise the fool, gathering little by little, fills himself with evil.
# 含义 Meaning
不可小视恶业, 不要以为「我不受恶报」, 要知道, 点滴之水也可充满水瓶； 同理, 愚痴的人虽然少许少许作恶, 但必定会有恶贯满盈的一天。
One should not think lightly of doing evil, imagining "A little will not affect me"; just as a water-jar is filled up by falling drops of rain, so also, the fool is filled up with evil, by accumulating it little by little.
* 故事集 Story
粗心大意的比库 09-121
有位比库每次从精舍拿卧榻、长凳或小凳去使用后，就把它留在外面，任其日晒雨淋。其他比库谴责他的粗心大意时，他就反驳：「我又不是故意的！况且，也没有多大的损坏。」所以，他依然故我。
佛陀知道他的习性后，就请他来，并告诫他：「比库！不可以这样子处理事情，你不应该轻视恶行，即使它非常微细，如果变成习惯，小小过失也会变成大错！」
The Story of a Careless Bhikkhu 09-121
This bhikkhu, after using any piece of furniture, such as a couch, a bench or a stool belonging to the monastery, would leave it outside in the compound, thus exposing it to rain and sun and also to white ants. When other bhikkhus chided him for his irresponsible behaviour, he would retorted, "I do not have the intention to destroy those things; after all, very little damage has been done," and so on and so forth and he continued to behave in the same way. When the Buddha came to know about this, he sent for the bhikkhu and said to him, "Bhikkhu, you should not behave in this way: you should not think lightly of an evil, however small it may be, because it will become big if you do it habitually."
(偈122)
莫轻视小善，云我无福报，
小水渐滴落，亦能盈水瓶。
贤人积小善，乃至福满堂。
Do not disregard merit, saying “It will not come to me;” by the falling of drops even a water-jar is filled; likewise the wise man, gathering little by little, fills himself with good.
# 含义 Meaning
不要轻蔑善业, 不要以为「好处轮不到我」, 要知道, 点滴之水也可以充满水瓶; 同理, 智者虽然少许少许作善业, 必定会积聚一身的善业。
One should not think lightly of doing good, imagining 'A little will not affect me'; just as a water-jar is filled up by falling drops of rain, so also, the wise one is filled up with merit, by accumulating it little by little.
* 故事集 Story
供养少的富翁 09-122
从前，沙瓦提城中有一男子听完佛陀的说法后，大受感动，决定信受奉行。在那次的说法中，佛陀劝人不仅自己要布施，更要劝导他人也布施，因为如此，所获得的功德会更大。这男子就邀请佛陀和众多比库第二天到他家接受供养。他接着告诉每户街坊邻居，明天要供养佛陀和众多比库，希望他们能随份供养。这时候，有一位名字叫做毕拉潘达卡的富翁，看着这男子家家户户去穿梭时，心里咕噜着：「这讨厌的家伙！怎么不估量自己的能力，独自供养比库就好了，却要央求大伙儿跟他一齐供养呢？」所以他就要这男子拿钵来，然后放进一些米、奶油和蜂蜜。这男子把富翁供养的这些东西单独放，不和其他人的供养品混淆。富翁不晓得为什么他的供养品要单独放，他怀疑这男子如此做，是要别人知道身为富翁的他，却小气地只布施这么少的东西，好羞辱他，所以就派人跟着去看个究竟。
这男子把富翁布施的东西分成一小部分一小部分，然后将它们放入装有其它供养品如米、咖哩和甜肉的各个壶罐中。这样子，富翁就可以获得较多的功德。富翁的仆人回去报告男子的处理方法时，富翁不知道这男子的意图。第二天，他携把刀子前去供养的地方，只要这男子敢公开他供养的东西这样少，他就要杀了这男子。
但这男子向佛陀说：「尊者！这次的供养布施，是大家共同供养的。任何人供养的多少无关紧要。每个人都虔诚、慷慨供养。所以，希望所有人都获得相同的功德。」
富翁听完这男子的话后，明白自己误会别人了，就请这男子原谅：「朋友！请原谅我对你心怀恶意。」佛陀听到富翁的表白后，告诫富翁：「即使非常细微的善行，也不可以轻视。如果经常做小小的善行，它也会变成巨大的善业。」
The Story of Bilalapadaka 09-122
Once, a man from Savatthi, having heard a discourse given by the Buddha, was very much impressed, and decided to practise what was taught by the Buddha. The exhortation was to give in charity not only by oneself but also to get others to do so and that by so doing one would gain much merit and have a large number of followers in the next existence. So, that man invited the Buddha and all the resident bhikkhus in the Jetavana monastery for alms-food the next day. Then he went round to each one of the houses and informed the residents that alms-food would he offered the next day to the Buddha and other bhikkhus and so to contribute according to their wishes. The rich man Bilalapadaka seeing the man goings round from house to house disapproved of his behaviour and felt a strong dislike for him and murmured to himself, "O this wretched man! Why did he not invite as many bhikkhus as he could himself offer alms, instead of going round coaxing people?" So he asked the man to bring his bowl and into this bowl, he put only a little rice, only a little butter, only a little molass. These were taken away separately and not mixed with what others had given. The rich men could not understand why his things were kept separately, and he thought perhaps that man wanted others to know that a rich man like him had contributed very little and so put him to shame. Therefore, he sent a servant to find out.
The promoter of charity put a little of everything that was given by the rich man into various pots of rice and curry and sweetmeats so that the rich man may gain much merit. His servant reported what he had seen; but Bilalapadaka did not get the meaning and was not sure of the intention of the promoter of charity. However, the next day he went to the place where alms-food was being offered. At the same time, he took a knife with him, intending to kill the chief promoter of charity, if he were to reveal in public just how little a rich man like him had contributed.
But this promoter of charity said to the Buddha, "Venerable Sir, this charity is a joint offering of all; whether one has given much or little is of no account; each one of us has given in faith and generosity; so may all of us gain equal merit." When he heard those words, Bilalpadaka realized that he had wronged the man and pondered that if he were not to own up his mistake and ask the promoter of charity to pardon him, he would he reborn in one of the four lower worlds (apayas). So he said, "My friend, I have done you a great wrong by thinking ill of you; please forgive me." The Buddha heard the rich man asking for pardon, and on enquiry found out the reason. So, the Buddha said, "My disciple, you should not think lightly of a good deed, however small it may be, for small deeds will become big if you do them habitually."
Then the Buddha spoke the above verse, at the end of the discourse, Bilalapadaka the rich man attained Sotapatti Fruition.
(偈123)
伴少而货多，商人避险道，
爱命避毒药，避恶当亦然。
As a merchant, with a small escort and great wealth, avoids a perilous route, as one who loves life avoids poison, even so should one shun evil things.
# 含义 Meaning
财富多但护卫少的人, 不走险路; 同理, 珍惜生命的人避免恶源, 人不应该造作恶业。
Just as a wealthy merchant with few attendants avoids a dangerous road, just as one who desires to go on living avoids poison, so also, one should avoid evil.
* 故事集 Story
危险的旅程 09-123
摩诃达那是沙瓦提城的一位富商。有一次，一群抢匪计划抢劫他，却苦无下手机会，他们打听到摩诃达那将搭载装满贵重商品的车子外出，并且知道他也邀请一群比库同行，因为彼此的目的地相同，摩诃达那甚至答应比库们，会提供比库们一路上所需要的任何东西。这群抢匪打听到确实的消息后，就先行出发，并且在路上躲了起来，等待摩诃达那一行人车的来临。
但摩诃达那抵达抢匪躲藏的森林外围时，就停了下来，准备停留几天之后再上路。这些抢匪知道他们要驻扎几天，就准备动手抢劫。而这时候摩诃达那也知道有人要打劫他，便决定打道回府，抢匪探听到车队要回去了，就又躲到回去的路上。这时候，村子里的一些人向摩诃达那通风报信，说抢匪已经移往他们回去的路上。
摩诃达那最后又决定停留在村子里几天，并且把这决定告诉同行的比库，比库们就自行回沙瓦提城。回去之后，他们向佛陀报告这次行程取消的原因。佛陀告诫他们：「比库，摩诃达那知道远离被抢匪围困的旅程，珍惜生命的人远离有毒的人、事、物。同理，有智慧的比库了解人生就像充满危险的旅程，所以要精进努力，不犯恶行！」
The Story of Mahadhana 09-123
Mahadhana was a rich merchant from Savatthi. On one occasion, five hundred robbers were planning to rob him, but thy did not get the chance to rob him. In the meantime, they heard that the merchant would soon be going out with five hundred carts loaded with valuable merchandise. The merchant Mahadhana also invited the bhikkhus who would like to go on the same journey to accompany him, and he promised to look to their needs on the way. So five hundred bhikkhus accompanied him. The robbers got news of the trip and went ahead to lie in wait for the caravan of the merchant. But the merchant stopped at the outskirts of the forest where the robbers were waiting. The caravan was to move on after camping there for a few days. The robbers got the news of the impending departure and made ready to loot the caravan; the merchant, in his turn, also got news of the movements of the bandits and he decided to return home. The bandits now heard that the merchant would go home; so they waited on the homeward way. Some villagers sent word to the merchant about the movements of the bandits, and the merchant finally decided to remain in the village for some time. When he told the bhikkhus about his decision, the bhikkhus returned to Savatthi by themselves.
On arrival at the Jetavana monastery they went to the Buddha and informed him about the cancellation of their trip. To then, the Buddha said, "Bhikkhus, Mahadhana keeps away from the journey beset with bandits; one who does not want to die keeps away from poison; so also, a wise bhikkhu, realizing that the three levels of existence* are like a journey beset with, danger, should strive to keep away from doing evil."
Then the Buddha spoke the above verse, at the end of the discourse, those five hundred bhikkhus attained Sotapatti Fruition.
*The three levels of existence are:
(a) Kamabhava, the level of sensuous existence; comprising the eleven realms of sense desire;
(b) Rupahbava, the level of fine material existence: comprising sixteen of the realms of Brahmas;
(c) Arupahbava, the level of non-material existence; comprising four realms of the upper Brahmas.
(偈124)
设若手无伤，手可持毒药，
无伤毒不患，不作恶无殃。
If there is no wound on one’s hand, one may carry poison. Poison does not harm one who has no wound. There is no evil for him who thinks no evil.
# 含义 Meaning
手掌若没有伤口, 就可以捧持毒药, 毒药不会伤害没有伤口的人; 同理, 不作恶业的人不受恶报。
If there is no wound on the hand, one may handle poison; poison does not affect one who has no wound; there can be no evil for one who has no evil intention.
* 故事集 Story
猎人全家领悟佛法 09-124
王舍城中有一年轻的富家女确实了解佛法。有一天，一位名字叫做拘古塔米他的猎人到城里来贩卖兽肉。这年轻女孩一眼瞥见他时，就深深爱上他而跟随他，后来并且与他结婚，一起住在一个小村落里。时光荏苒，他们总共生育了七个孩子，也都长大成人，各自结婚了。一天清晨，佛陀观察世间，发现这对夫妇一家人就要领悟佛法了，就前往这猎人设置在林子里的陷阱去，并且在陷阱附近留下自己的脚迹，然后坐在离陷阱不远的灌木阴影下。不久之后，猎人来查看陷阱，发现没有动物落入陷阱，但却在陷阱不远处发现有人的脚迹。他断定有人比他更早到这里来，并且放掉陷阱中的动物，所以当他发现正坐在灌木下的佛陀时，他认定佛陀就是放走动物的人。他一时怒火中烧而取出弓箭，准备向佛陀射去，正在拉弓时，却全身僵住，无法动弹，像一座雕像。他的孩子们这时正好赶来，他们也认为坐在灌木下的佛陀是父亲的敌人，便取出弓箭，准备射佛陀，但也像他们父亲一样，全都动弹不得。
猎人的太太和所有的儿媳妇在家中等不到丈夫们回来，也都赶来了，当她看见猎人和所有的孩子都拿箭向着佛陀时，大声地叫：「不可杀死我父亲！」
猎人听见太太的叫声时，心中想着：「前面树下的人一定是我丈人。」他们的孩子们也想着：「这人必定是我的外祖父。」有了这个想法之后，关爱之心油然生起。这时候猎人太太又说话了：「放下你们的弓和箭，向我的父亲顶礼问讯吧！」佛陀知道这时候猎人和他的孩子们内心全部都没有杀意了，就让他们能够动身子。他们放下弓箭后，一齐向佛陀顶礼问讯，并且在听闻佛陀说法后全部明白佛法。
佛陀回精舍后向其他比库叙说猎人全家的事。比库就问：「世尊！已经了解佛法的猎人太太帮助丈夫和孩子们准备外出打猎的弓箭和罗网，仍然不算犯杀生之罪吗？」
佛陀说：「证初果的人不杀生，他们不愿意众生为人所杀。猎人的妻子只是遵从猎人的命令而准备弓和箭，她心中从没有帮助丈夫去杀生的念头。手掌若没有伤口，不会受毒药感染；同理，她没有作恶的意图，所以她没有犯任何的恶业。」
The Story of Kukkutamitta 09-124
At Rajagaha there was once a rich man's daughter who had attained Sotapatti Fruition as a young girl. One day, Kukkutamitta, a hunter, came into town in a cart to sell venison. Seeing Kukkutamitta the hunter, the rich young lady fell in love with him immediately; she followed him, married him and lived with him in a small village. As a result of that marriage, seven sons were born to them and in course of time, all the sons got married. One day, the Buddha surveyed the world early in the morning with his supernormal power and found that the hunter, his seven sons and their wives were due for attainment of Sotapatti Fruition. So, the Buddha went to the place where the hunter had set his trap in the forest. He put his footprint close to the trap and seated himself under the shade of a bush, not far from the trap.
When the hunter came, he saw no animal in the trap; he saw the footprint and surmised that someone must have come before him and let cut the animal. So, when he saw the Buddha under the shade of the bush, he took him for the man who had freed the animal from his trap and flew into a rage. He took out his bow and arrow to shoot at the Buddha, but as he drew his bow, he became immobilized and remained fixed in that position like a statue. His sons followed and found their father; they also saw the Buddha at some distance and thought he must be the enemy of their father. All of them took out their bows and arrows to shoot at the Buddha, but they also became immobilized and remained fixed in their respective postures. When the hunter and his sons failed to return, the hunter's wife followed them into the forest, with her seven daughters-in-law. Seeing her husband and all her sons with their arrows aimed at the Buddha, she raised both her hands and shout: "Do not kill my father."
When her husband heard her words, he thought, "This must be my father-in-law", and her sons thought, "This must be our grandfather"; and thoughts of loving-kindness came into them. Then the lady said to them, ''Put away your bows and arrows and pay obeisance to my father". The Buddha realized that, by this time, the minds of the hunter and his son; had softened and so he willed that they should be able to move and to put away their bows and arrows. After putting away their bows and arrows, they paid obeisance to the Buddha and the Buddha expounded the Dhamma to them. In the end, the hunter, his seven sons and seven daughters-in-law, all fifteen of them, attained Sotapatti Fruition.
Then the Buddha returned to the monastery and told Thera Ananda and other bhikkhus about the hunter Kukkutamitta and his family attaining Sotapatti Fruition in the early part of the morning. The bhikkhus then asked the Buddha, "Venerable Sir, is the wife of the hunter who is a sotapanna, also not guilty of taking life, if she has been getting things like nets, bows and arrows for her husband when he goes out hunting?" To this question the Buddha answered, "Bhikkhus, the sotapannas do not kill, they do not wish others to get killed. The wife of the hunter was only obeying her husband in getting things for him. Just as the hand that has no wound is not affected by poison, so also, because she has no intention to do evil she is not doing any evil."
(偈125)
若害善良者，清净无秽者，
恶业归愚人，如逆风扬尘。
Whoever harms a harmless person, one pure and innocent, upon that very fool the evil recoils like fine dust thrown against the wind.
# 含义 Meaning
如果伤害与人无害、清净无染的人, 将会自作自受, 如同在逆风的地方洒灰尘。
If one wrongs a person who should not be wronged, one who is pure and is free from moral defilements, viz., an arahat, the evil falls back upon that fool, like fine dust thrown against the wind.
* 故事集 Story
猎人被自己的猎狗攻击 09-125
可拉是个猎人，一天早上，他和一群猎狗去打猎。路上，他遇见一位比库正在化缘。他认为这是不祥的预兆，心里就嘀咕着：「看见这令人讨厌的人，我今天一定不会有什么收获！」那一天，他真的什么也没猎到。回家的路上，他又遇见那位比库正好从城市里化缘回来。他一时愤怒难消，就放狗追咬比库，还好这比库跑得快，赶紧爬上树，猎狗才咬不着他，猎人走到树下，用弓箭头去刺比库的脚底，比库异常疼痛，无法再护持袈裟，袈裟就从身上滑落，正好罩在树下猎人的身上。
这群猎狗看见黄色的袈裟，以为比库跌了下来，便飞快扑上去，狂肆乱咬，比库在树上看见这情况时，赶紧折了一截干树枝，向猎狗掷去，这群猎狗才发现它们攻击的竟然是它们的主人，而不是比库，因此四处逃窜。猎狗跑掉后，比库就从树上下来，却发现猎人已经被猎狗咬死了。他心中一阵难过，不知道是否要为猎人的死负责，因为他的袈裟罩住猎人的身体才造成猎狗的攻击。
比库就去面见佛陀澄清心中的疑惑。佛陀安慰他：
「你不须为猎人的死负责，你也没有违反道德戒律。事实上，猎人恣意伤害一位他不该伤害的人，才会得到如此悲惨的果报。」
The Story of Koka the Huntsman 09-125
One morning, as Koka was going out to hunt with his pack of hounds, he met a bhikkhu entering the city for alms-food. He took that as a bad omen and grumbled to himself, "Since I have seen this wretched one, I don't think I would get anything today," and he went on his way. As expected by him he did not get anything. On his way home also he again saw the same bhikkhu returning to the monastery after having had his alms-food in the city, and the hunter became very angry. So he set his hounds on the bhikkhu. Swiftly, the bhikkhu climbed up a tree to a level just out of reach of the hounds. Then the hunter went to the foot of the tree and pricked the heels of the bhikkhu with the tip of his arrow. The bhikkhu was in great pain and was not able to hold his robes on; so the robes slipped off his body on to the hunter who was at the foot of the tree.
The dogs seeing the yellow robe thought that the bhikkhu had fallen off the tree and pounced on the body, biting and pulling at it furiously. The bhikkhu, from his shelter in the tree, broke a dry branch and threw it at the dogs. Then the dogs discovered that they had been attacking their own master instead of the bhikkhu, and ran away into the forest. The bhikkhu came down from the tree and found that the hunter had died and felt sorry for him. He also wondered whether he could be held responsible for the death, since the hunter had died for having been covered up by his yellow robes.
So, he went to the Buddha to clear up his doubt. The Buddha said, "My son, rest assured and have no doubt; you are not responsible for the death of the hunter; your morality (sila) is also not soiled on account of that death. Indeed, that huntsman did a great wrong to one whom he should do no wrong and so had come to this grievous end."
Then the Buddha spoke the above verse, at the end of the discourse the bhikkhu attained arahatship.
(偈126)
有识生胎中，作恶堕地狱，
行善升天界，漏尽得涅槃。
Some are born in a womb; evil-doers (are reborn) in hell; the virtuous go to heaven; the Arahants attain nibbāna.
# 含义 Meaning
有人转生为人, 作恶的人堕落恶趣(注)， 正直的人往生天界, 漏尽的人则证入涅槃。
Some are reborn as human beings, the wicked are reborn in a place of continuous torment (niraya). The righteous go to the deva world, and those who are free from moral intoxicants (viz., the arahats) realize Nibbana.
* 故事集 Story
首饰工匠殴打无辜的比库 09-126
从前，沙瓦提城里有位首饰工匠，他每天都供养一位已经证得阿拉汉果的比库。有一天，这首饰工匠正在处理一块肉时，高沙喇国巴谢那地王派遣一位使者送来一颗红宝石，请他加以切割、修饰后再送还国王。首饰工匠就用沾染鲜血的手拿取红宝石，把它放在桌子上，然后到屋子里洗手。这时候，工匠的宠物鸟以为染有血迹的红宝石是块肉，就当着比库的面，用嘴把红宝石挑起来，并且吞下肚子。工匠洗手出来后，发现红宝石不见了，就问妻子和孩子们说：「红宝石那里去了？」他们都说没有拿红宝石。最后，工匠询问比库，比库也说没拿红宝石，但工匠却不满意比库的回答。他认为既然其他外人，只有比库在场，所以只有比库才有可能拿走红宝石。他告诉妻子，他要鞭打比库，比库才会认罪。
但他妻子回答说：「过去十二年来，这比库一直是我们的宗教老师，而且我们也从来没看见他做任何坏事，不要毁谤他。宁可接受国王的惩罚，也不可毁谤修行的人。」
但工匠却听不进去她的劝告。他找出一条绳子，把比库绑紧，然后，用棍子毒打，比库因此头破血流。这时，宠物小鸟看见血，以为又是肉，想要再吃，就飞到比库身边。但这时候工匠怒不可遏，使尽全力一踢，刚好踢中小鸟，当场死亡。比库看见小鸟倒地，就说：「请看看小鸟是否已死？」工匠鲁莽地说：「你也会像小鸟一样死掉。」比库确定小鸟死了，就轻声说道：「弟子，是这小鸟吞下红宝石的！」
工匠听见比库这么说，就把小鸟的腹部切开，果真在小鸟的胃里发现红宝石，这时候他才明白自己犯下大错，因而颤栗害怕。他恳求比库原谅，请他以后继续来他家化缘。比库回答他说：「这不是你的错，也不是我的错。这是我们累世以来所结的业缘，这只是我们轮回的债而已，我对你没有丝毫恨意。事实上，这是因为我进入居士家的后果，从今以后，我再也不进任何人的家，我只会站在门口。」
不久之后，比库因为伤重而不治，但已证得涅槃。这小鸟却往生成工匠的儿子。工匠死后，堕入地狱。而工匠妻子由于当时善心对待比库，死后往生到某一天界。
(注）众生若堕入四恶趣，受报之后，仍可能因为过去的善业往生善趣。
The Story of Thera Tissa 09-126
Once, there was a gem polisher and his wife in Savatthi; there was also a thera, who was an arahat. Every day, the couple offered alms-food to the thera. One day, while the gem polisher was handling meat, a messenger of King Pasenadi of Kosala arrived with a ruby, which was to be cut and polished and sent back to the king. The gem polisher took the ruby with his hand which was covered with blood, put it on a table and went into the house to wash his hands. The pet crane of the family seeing the blood stained ruby and taking it for a piece of meat picked it up and swallowed it in the presence of the thera. When the gem polisher returned, he found that the ruby was missing. He asked his wife and his son and they answered that they had not taken it. Then, he asked the thera and the thera said that he did not take it; but he was not satisfied. As there was no one else in the house, the gem polisher concluded that it must be the thera who had taken the precious ruby: so he told his wife that he must torture the thera to get admission of theft.
But his wife replied, "This thera had been our guide and teacher for the last twelve years, and we have never seen him doing anything evil; please do not accuse the thera. It would be better to take the king's punishment than to accuse a noble one." But her husband paid no heed to her words; he took a rope and tied up the thera and beat him many times with a stick, as a result of which the thera bled profusely from the head, ears and nose, and dropped on the floor. The crane, seeing blood and wishing to take it, came close to the thera. The gem polisher, who was by then in a great rage, kicked the crane with all his might and the bird died instantaneously. Then, the thera said, "Please see whether the crane is dead or not," and the gem polisher replied, "You too shall die like this crane." When the thera was sure the crane had died, he said softly, "My disciple, the crane swallowed the ruby."
Hearing this, the gem polisher cut up the crane and found the ruby in the stomach. Then the gem polisher realized his mistake and trembled with fear. He pleaded with the thera to pardon him and also to continue standing at his door for alms. To him the thera replied, "My disciple, it is not your fault, nor is it mine. This has happened on account of what has been done in our previous existences; it is just our debt in samsara; I feel no ill will towards you. As a matter of fact, this has happened because I have entered a house. From today, I would not enter any house; I would only stand at the door." Soon after saying this, the thera expired as a result of his injuries.
Later, the bhikkhus asked the Buddha where the various characters in the above episode were reborn, and the Buddha answered, "The crane was reborn as the son of the gem polisher; the gem polisher was reborn in niraya; the wife of the gem polisher was reborn in one of the deva worlds; and the thera, who was already an arahat when he was living, realized Parinibbana."
(偈127)
非隐于虚空，海洋洞穴中，
欲避恶果者，世间无避处。
Not in the sky, nor in mid-ocean, nor in a mountain cave, is found that place on earth where abiding one may escape from (the consequences) of one’s evil deed.
# 含义 Meaning
不论逃到天空、海中或山洞, 作恶的人都无法逃避恶报。
Not in the sky, nor in the middle of the ocean, nor in the cave of a mountain, nor anywhere else, is there a place, where one may escape from the consequences of an evil deed.
* 故事集 Story
恶报无法逃避 09-127
一群比库出发前往佛陀的住处。他们在路上的村子暂时休息。一些村民就煮了食物要供养。这时候，一间房子着火了，火焰直冲上天，一只正好飞过的乌鸦，不幸被火烧到，跌下来死掉了。这群比库看着死去的乌鸦，心想只有佛陀有智慧解释这乌鸦做了什么恶业，才会如此死去，所以吃完供养的食物后，他们就继续上路。
另有一群比库，欲搭船前往佛陀的住处。当他们的船正在大海的中央时，无法再前进，船上的人就抽签，想找出谁是不吉祥的人，结果连抽三次，都指出船长的妻子是不幸的人，这时候，船长抱歉的说：「大伙儿不需因为一位不幸的女人而丧生。在她脖子上绑上沙袋，丢到海里去吧！我就不会再看见她了。」船长的妻子就被人照着船长的话丢进海里，船也可以再前进了。靠岸后，比库们下了船，继续他们的行程。他们也急于想请教佛陀，船长不幸的妻子究竟做了什么恶业，而会被丢到海中。
同时，还有第三批的比库也要去面见佛陀。一天晚上，他们走到一处精舍附近，便请求能在那附近借宿一宵，于是他们被引导到一处山洞。但半夜时，突然掉下来一大块石头，挡住了洞口。第二天，精舍的比库发现大石挡住山洞口时，就到村子里去找人来帮忙，但还是无法移动大石，这群比库只好一直被困在洞里。直到第七天，大石奇迹似的自洞口移开，这群比库这才出来，继续他们的行程。他们也想去请问佛陀，是什么样的因缘令他们被关在洞中。这三团比库后来在路上碰面了，他们互相交换所见和亲身经验的事，然后一起前进。
佛陀告诉第一群比库：「比库们！从前有一位农夫，他有一只非常懒惰且倔强的公牛。农夫无法要这牛做事，它不是躺着反刍，就是睡觉。农夫发了几次脾气，最后，愤怒地用草绳绑住牛的脖子，放火烧死它。因为这恶业，农夫受到很多的苦痛，而且在过去的几生中，他都被烧死，以偿还剩余的业报。」
至于第二批比库的问题，佛陀如此回答：「从前有一位妇女，有一只狗，不管她到那里去，也不管她在做什么，这狗总是跟着她，结果有些年轻的男孩就取笑她。她非常生气，感当十分羞辱，想要杀死这狗。她便用装满沙子的罐子绑在狗的脖子，然后丢到河里，狗就溺死了。由于这恶业，她受到很多的苦痛，而且在过去的几世里，都被人投入河中溺死，偿还剩余的恶报业（注）。」
佛陀也回答第三批比库的问题：「比库们！有一次，七个牧牛人看见一只蜥蝪走进地面的裂缝中，他们出于玩乐的心理，把所有裂缝的出口全部封住，然后走开，忘记那只蜥蝪仍在其中。七天后，他们才想起来，赶忙回去，打开出口让蜥蜴出来。由于这恶业，你们七人才会一起被关七天，而且没有任何食物吃。」
这时候，一位比库说道：人若做恶业，绝对无法逃避恶报。不管他 （她）是在空中，地上或水上。」
「是啊！比库！你说的不错，甚至在空中或任何地方，没有地方可以躲避恶业的！」佛陀如是说。
备注：这只狗的某一前世是这位妇人的丈夫，在生死轮回的洪流中，每个人都曾经是别人的六亲眷属。由于强烈炽热的爱恋，这只狗无法远离这妇人，所以佛陀劝诫世人，爱恋系缚世人最紧。
The Story of Three Groups of Persons 09-127
The first group: A group of bhikkhus were on their way to pay homage to the Buddha and they stopped at a village on the way. Some people were cooking alms-food for those bhikkhus when one of the houses caught fire and a ring of fire flew up into the air. At that moment, a crow came flying, got caught in the ring of fire and dropped dead in the central part of the village. The bhikkhus seeing the dead crow observed that only the Buddha would be able to explain for what evil deed this crow had to die in this manner. After taking alms-food they continued on their journey to pay homage to the Buddha, and also to ask about the unfortunate crow.
The second group: Another group of bhikkhus wore travelling in a boat; they too wore on their way to pay homage to the Buddha. When they were in the middle of the ocean the boat could not be moved. So, lots were drawn to find out who the unlucky one was; three times the lot fell on the wife of the skipper. Then the skipper said sorrowfully, "Many people should not die on account of this unlucky woman; tie a pot of sand to her neck and threw her into the water so that I would not see her." The woman was thrown into the sea as instructed by the skipper and the ship could move on. On arrival at their destination. the bhikkhus disembarked and continued on their way to the Buddha. They also intended to ask the Buddha due to what evil kamma the unfortunate woman was thrown overboard.
The third group: A group of seven bhikkhus were also on their way to pay homage to the Buddha. On the way, they enquired at a monastery whether there was any suitable place for them to take shelter for the night in the neighbourhood. They were directed to a cave, and there they spent the night; but in the middle of the night, a large boulder slipped off from above and effectively closed the entrance. In the morning, the bhikkhus from the nearby monastery coming to the cave saw what had happened and they went to bring people from seven villages. With the help of these people they tried to move the boulder, but it was of no avail. Thus, the seven bhikkhus were trapped in the cave without food or water for seven days. On the seventh day, the boulder moved miraculously by itself, and the bhikkhus came out and continued their way to the Buddha. They also intended to ask the Buddha due to what previous evil deed they were thus shut up for seven days in a cave.
The three groups of travellers met on the way and together they went to the Buddha. Each group related to the Buddha what they had seen or experienced on their way and the Buddha answered their questions.
The Buddha answer to the first group: "Bhikkhus, once there was a farmer who had an ox. The ox was very lazy and also very stubborn. It could not be coaxed to do any work; it would lie down chewing the cud or else go to sleep. The farmer lost his temper many times on account of this lazy, stubborn animal; so in anger he tied a straw rope round the neck of the ox and set fire to it, and the ox died. On account of this evil deed the, farmer had suffered for a long time in niraya, and in serving out the remaining part of his punishment, he had been burnt to death in the last seven existences."
The Buddha's answer to the second group: "Bhikkhus, once there was a woman who had a pet dog. She used to take the dog along with her wherever she went and young boys of the city poked fun at her. She was very angry and felt so ashamed that she planned to kill the dog. She filled a pot with sand, tied it round the neck of the dog and threw it into the water; and the dog was drowned. On account of this evil deed that woman had suffered for a long time in niraya and in serving the remaining part of her punishment, she had been thrown into the water to drown in the last one hundred existences."
The Buddha's answer to the third group: "Bhikkhus, once, seven cowherds saw an iguana going into a mound and they dosed all the seven outlets of the mound with twigs and branches of trees. After closing the outlets they went away, completely forgetting the iguana that was trapped in the mound. Only after seven days, they remembered what they had done and hurriedly returned to the scene of their mischief and let out the iguana. On account of this evil deed, those seven had been imprisoned together for seven days without any food, in the last fourteen existences."
Then, a bhikkhu remarked, "O indeed! There is no escape from evil consequences for one who has done evil, even if he were in the sky, or in the ocean, or in a cave." To him, the Buddha said, "Yes, Bhikkhu! You are right; even in the sky or anywhere else, there is no place which is beyond the reach of evil consequences."
Then the Buddha spoke the above verse, at the end of the discourse all the bhikkhus attained Sotapatti Fruition.
(偈128)
非隐于虚空，海洋洞穴中。
欲避死魔者，世间无避处。
Not in the sky, nor in mid-ocean, nor in a mountain cave, is found that place on earth where abiding one will not be overcome by death.
# 含义 Meaning
不论逃到天空、海中或山洞, 人都不免于一死。
Not in the sky, nor in the middle of the ocean, nor in the cave of a mountain, nor anywhere else, is there a place where one cannot be oppressed by Death.
* 故事集 Story
善觉王阻挡佛陀的去路 09-128
善觉王是迭瓦达答的父亲，也是佛陀的丈人，他基于两个原因对佛陀十分反感，第一、佛陀抛弃他的女儿亚寿塔拉(耶输陀罗)，舍弃世间，第二、他的儿子迭瓦达答认为佛陀是他的对头。
有一天，他知道佛陀要来化缘，就喝醉酒，挡住佛陀前来的路。当佛陀和比库前来时，他拒绝让路，反而派人告诉佛陀：“我无法让路给佛陀，因为佛陀比我年轻太多了。”这时候佛陀和比库发现路被挡住了，就转回头。他却又派人秘密跟随佛陀，看佛陀怎么说，然后回报给他。
佛陀转身的时候告诉阿难达：“善觉王因为拒绝让路给佛陀，已经造下恶业，不久就要受到业报。”
善觉王知道佛陀的预测时，誓言采取特别的预防措施，以证明佛陀的话是错误的。他要求他的侍卫加强保护，执勤时要更机警。
佛陀知道善觉王的措施时说：“比库们！不管善觉王是否住在尖顶高塔，高高的天空上、海洋或山洞，他都无法逃避所作恶业的业报。”
七天后进餐的时候，善觉王钟爱的一匹马不知何故受到惊吓而大声嘶鸣，并且愤怒地踢脚。王听见马惊惶的声音时，忘了要格外小心的事，而想要亲自去照顾爱马，就往门外走去，但却跌落楼梯而摔死了，并往生恶趣。
不管多么努力，愚蠢的善觉王仍然逃避不了所作恶业的业报。
The Story of King Suppabuddha 09-128
King Suppabuddha was the father of Devadatta and father-in-law of Prince Siddhattha who later became Gotama Buddha. King Suppabuddha was very antagonistic to the Buddha for two reasons. First, because as prince Siddhattha he had left his wife Yasodhara, the daughter of King Suppabuddha, to renounce the world; and secondly, because his son Devadatta, who was admitted into the Order by Gotama Buddha, had come to regard the Buddha as his arch enemy. One day, knowing that the Buddha would be coming for alms-food, he got himself drunk and blocked the way. When the Buddha and the bhikkhus came, Suppabuddha refused to make way, and sent a message saying, "I cannot give way to Samana Gotama, who is so much younger than me." Finding the road blocked, the Buddha and the bhikkhus turned back. Suppabuddha then sent someone to follow the Buddha secretly and find out what the Buddha said, and to report to him.
As the Buddha turned back, he said to Ananda, "Ananda, because King Suppabuddha had refused to give way to me, on the seventh day from now he would be swallowed up by the earth, at the foot of the steps leading to the pinnacled hall of his palace." The king's spy heard these words and reported to the king. And the king said that he would not go near those steps and would prove the words of the Buddha to be wrong. Further, he instructed his men to remove those steps, so that he would not be able to use them; he also kept some men on duty, with instructions to hold him back should he go in the direction of the stairs.
When the Buddha was told about the king's instructions to his men, he said, "Bhikkhus! Whether King Suppabuddha lives in a pinnacled tower, or up in the sky, or in an ocean, or in a cave, my word cannot go wrong; King Suppabuddha will be swallowed up by the earth at the very place I have told you."
On the seventh day, about the time of the alms meal the royal horse got frightened for some unknown reason and started neighing loudly and kicking about furiously. Hearing frightening noises from his horse, the king felt that he must handle his pet horse and forgetting all precautions, he started towards the door. The door opened of its own accord, the steps which had been pulled down earlier were also there, his men forgot to stop him from going down. So the king went down the stairs and as soon as he stepped on the earth, it opened and swallowed him up and dragged him right down to Avici Niraya.
No comments:
Post a Comment