Treat other people's countries as you would treat your own; treat other people's homes as you would treat your own; treat others as you would treat yourself. Therefore, if princes are benevolent to each other, they will not start wars; if families are benevolent to each other, they will not take advantage of each other; if people are benevolent to each other, they will not hurt each other. If there is benevolence between king and minister, there will be favor and loyalty; if there is benevolence between father and son, there will be love and filial piety; if there is benevolence between brothers, there will be harmony. If all people in the world were benevolent, the strong would not bully the weak, the majority would not bully the minority, the rich would not insult the poor, the noble would not be arrogant to the lowly, and the cunning would not deceive the foolish. If the world is full of benevolence, then all evils and resentments in the world will no longer arise, so this is something that benevolent people praise. -Mozi's Works-Jian Ai
Lord Rahula, the son of the Buddha, asked the Buddha, how can I realize that my consciousness body and all the appearances in the external realm do not exist a real me? The Buddha said: For happy feelings, one should think of its painful side (the short-lived happiness); for painful feelings, one should be aware of the depth of the pain (desire, anger, ignorance); for feelings that are neither happy nor painful, one should be aware of its impermanence (nothing permanent, like dew or lightning) This is called right view. - "Saṃyukta Āgama"
There was an elder in Savatthi City named LiQiMi. He has seven children, and after they reach adulthood, they marry one after another. The seventh youngest son married a bride named Vaishali, who was very wise, knowledgeable, and good at making decisions. LiQiMi made extensive investigations among the wives of his children and felt that the youngest son's wife was the most virtuous, knowledgeable and talented, so he completely entrusted the management of the family business to the young woman. The young woman is good at getting along with others, and all the wives are happy to be dispatched by her, and the whole family is happy. Vaishali also influenced the countryside and became famous far and wide. At that time, King Pasenadi regarded the virtuous woman Vaishali as a rare figure among women. King Pasenadi admired Vaishali very much and wanted to use her transcendent talents to become a model for women in the country. Therefore, King Pasenadi honored Vaishali with special honor and recognized her as his adopted sister.
One year, Vaishali was pregnant with a strange fetus. After the month was over, thirty-two meaty eggs as big as goose eggs were produced one after another. Everyone in her family thought it was strange. Not long after the eggs were born, each one broke apart on its own, and a good man with a good appearance came out of each egg. Later, when they were raised, they were all very brave and strong. The strength of one person could defeat a thousand people. Everyone calls them the pillars of the country. Thirty-two children have grown up, and each of them has chosen a wife. Their wives are all daughters of powerful men of the generation. When the virtuous woman Vaishali heard that the Buddha was born, she worshiped the Buddha and made offerings to him, and invited the Buddha and his disciples to come to her home to accept the offerings. The Buddha preaches the Dharma to the whole family, young and old. Except for one who has never been enlightened. The rest all get Sotapanna fruit.
Who is not enlightened? He is the last person to come out of the meat egg. When everyone was seated and listening to the Tathagata's teachings in silence, as if they were tasting delicious food, only the youngest son was absent-minded. He listened but did not listen, just like chewing wax. Before the meeting ended, he slipped out, walked to the garden alone, took out the elephant, climbed on the elephant's back, and wandered outside. He walked to the bridge outside the royal city and saw the young master of the prime minister's family coming towards him in a precious carriage. The youngest son of Vaishali was very playful. Relying on his strength, he stretched out his hands on the bridge to lift the young master from the carriage and gently threw him into the ditch under the bridge. Although the attack was not very violent, it had already damaged the body and almost resulted in a murder. After a while, the young master went back and cried in front of his father. The father said to the young master: "This man is strong. And he relies on the king's power, so it's hard to argue with him. We have to secretly seek revenge!"
Later, the prime minister devised a poisonous plan. He asked the craftsmen who made riding whips to make thirty-two removable hollow riding whips for him. The whip is embedded with seven treasures, which is very valuable and beautiful. In addition, he asked the blacksmith to make thirty-two calamus leaf-shaped sharp knives from pure steel. He took two things home. Put the steel knife into the hollow whip, paint the joints with good paint, and give it to the thirty-two sons of the Vaishali family. When all the sons of Vaishali got this whip, they liked it very much and never left their hands. They often went in and out of the royal city holding this beautiful and precious whip. Although they passed in front of the king, they did not shy away. The king also paid no attention to their behavior because of his admiration for their mother Vaishali. According to the national law at that time, no one was allowed to bring a weapon when meeting the king. When the prime minister saw them passing in front of King Pasenadi with a whip, he thought that the opportunity for revenge had come, so he slandered the king and said: "The sons of Vaishali are young and strong. The strength of one person is worth a thousand. Now, they want to rebel. Each of them made a sharp knife and hidden it in the horse whip. Please pay attention." For his own interests, the king was very frightened. The king ordered the guards to search the thirty-two people. After checking the riding whips, they found that there was indeed a knife in each riding whip. The king immediately ordered the killing of these thirty-two people. After the killing, the king was still angry and put the thirty-two heads into a box and sealed it tightly. Then the king sent someone to give the box to his adopted sister Vaishali.
On that day, Vaishali also invited the Buddha and his disciples to her home to receive offerings. When she saw the king's gift, she mistook it for an offering and was eager to open it, but the Buddha stopped her from opening it until everyone had finished lunch. The Buddha taught about impermanence, suffering, emptiness, etc. At that time, Vaishali attained the fruit of Anagami. After the Buddha left, she opened the box and saw thirty-two heads. Because she had given up her desires, she was no longer upset, but she said: "What a tragedy! What a pain! Life is subject to death and cannot last long. Traveling across the five realms, why do people have to suffer like this!"
The relatives of the thirty-two daughter-in-law's family were filled with resentment after hearing the terrible news. There are those who like to cause trouble. They say a few words to add fuel to the fire and provoke a fight. Everyone said that the king was unjust and killed good people in vain. Such a violent master should be punished urgently. Then they gathered their troops and horses to take revenge. King Pasenadi was so frightened that he sought refuge from the Buddha and sought protection from the Buddha.
They led the troops to attack the royal city, but King Pasenadi was not found. Knowing that he was at the Buddha's place, they led their troops to the place where the Tathagata taught the Dharma, and surrounded Jetavana densely. Ananda, a disciple of the Buddha, saw that the king had killed the thirty-two sons of Vaishali's family, and the relatives of the wife's family wanted to take revenge, so he put his hands together and asked the Buddha: "What is the reason why the thirty-two sons were killed by the king?" The Buddha told Ananda: "In the past, thirty-two people stole a cow and took it to an old mother's house with the intention of killing the cow. The old mother was delighted and helped the thirty-two people prepare their killing tools. When they were about to kill the cow with a knife, the cow knelt down and begged for its life. Thirty-two people were determined to kill the cow. The cow swore before its death: 'If you kill me now, I will never forgive you in the next life.'" The Buddha told Ananda: "The cow at that time is now King Pasenadi.Those who stole cattle at that time were these thirty-two sons. The old mother at that time is now Vaishali. One killing karma will last for many kalpas and many lives, and repay it with interest. Because the old mother helped evil at that time, every time She will definitely have something to do with any evil retribution, and she will feel miserable. She heard the Buddha's teachings in this life, and was fortunate to be liberated and realize Anagami." After hearing what the Buddha said, the relatives of the woman's family calmed down their anger, and each said: "These people The retribution of being killed turned out to be because they had sown their own seeds at that time. Only one cow was killed, but this is still the case today. If we kill more people, wouldn't it be more serious!" So they led many people to follow the Buddha's teachings, they followed the precept not to kill. - "Buddha's Sutra on Virtues and Fools"
King Pasenadi had a daughter who was born with an ugly face, not like a human being, ugly as a Yaksha. The king then ordered the palace officials not to let outsiders see the princess, so as not to lose the dignity of the royal family. Gradually, the princess has grown up and is ready to get married. The king felt very embarrassed about the important matter of the ugly girl's marriage. After thinking about it, he had no good plan.
The king then gave instructions to several senior officials who were diligent and careful among the officials, saying: "Please inquire carefully for me. If there is a descendant of a wealthy family whose family fortune is in decline and cannot afford to marry, bring him here." . ”
An old minister brought a poor man into the palace, led him to a secluded place, and reported to the king. The king was very happy, put on casual clothes, went to the poor man, and said, "I have a daughter who has grown up, but her face is ugly. I find it difficult to choose a son-in-law for her. I heard that your family is a wealthy one, but your family is in decline and you cannot afford a wife. I am very willing to marry her to you now, and I will provide all your daily needs."
The poor young man knelt before the king and said, "Even if the king gives me a foolish maid, I will be grateful and accept it. What's more, you gave me your daughter."
The king immediately gave the ugly girl to the poor man, built a palace and a house for him, and installed a seven-fold door, ready to be locked for many years. The key was given to the prince-in-law to wear with him. Outsiders were not allowed in, and insiders were not allowed to go out. Daily necessities and expenses were provided by the king, and the prince consort was given a great title. The stone that had been in the king's heart for many years was now put down, and one can imagine his spiritual happiness.
In order to keep in touch with each other, the wealthy families held an entertainment party once a month and took turns being the host. During the gathering, everyone else was in couples, and only the consort came alone. Everyone privately discussed that if the princess was not a peerless beauty, she must be a first-class ugly woman. Otherwise, why not let her show off to others? Some of the nosy ones said, "He won't let the princess go out to attend the party. We should come up with a plan and won't stop until we see the princess!"
So they prepared a trap and treated the consort with great hospitality. After sitting at the table, he played finger-guessing with him, got the prince-in-law drunk until he was drunk, found a bunch of keys from his body, and pushed out five representatives and went straight to the prince-in-law's house.
That day, after the prince-in-law went out to attend the meeting, the princess was upset at home and blamed herself deeply: I don’t know what kind of sins I have planted in my previous life? I was forbidden by my father and hated by my husband, who locked me in a dark room and could not see the sun or people outside. However, her thoughts changed: I was lucky enough to be born when the Tathagata was born, and I heard people say that the Buddha Dharma is boundless. Anyone who is suffering can sincerely repent and pray, and he will be saved by grace. Therefore, the princess sincerely prayed: I hope that the World Honored One will have mercy on me, come to me, teach me a lesson, remove my sins, and free me from bondage. The Buddha knew it, so he appeared in the sky. The princess worshiped devoutly. She raised her head and instantly saw the Tathagata's hair, which was rare. She saw the Buddha's face again, which was like a full moon. Then she saw the whole body, with thirty-two features, which were extremely beautiful. The princess was filled with joy and respect, and the gloomy atmosphere in her heart was immediately relieved. Her gentle and kind nature suddenly emerged, and at the same time, her bad appearance and rough skin were eliminated. The wonderful appearance is as strict as a goddess, and the posture is unique in the world. The Buddha preached the Dharma, transformed the mind, and eliminated annoyances and sins. The princess's mind was clear, and she immediately obtained Sotapanna.
At that time, the five representatives opened the door and entered. Seeing that the princess was like a celestial being, with divine light overflowing, they did not dare to look at her. They hurriedly exited, locked the door, and tied the key to the consort. The consort sobered up and slowly walked home. When he entered the house, he saw a woman with extraordinary appearance. He was surprised and suspicious and asked who she was. The princess replied: "I am your wife. Because of my heavy karma, I have suffered from my ugly appearance. For twenty years, I have been sitting in silence in the dark hell. Because I worshiped the Buddha sincerely, and sincerely felt it, the World Honored One appeared, and the thirty-two signs of light suddenly illuminated my body. My heart is as clear as water, and all worries are gone, so much so that my appearance has changed."
When the king heard that the princess had received the kindness of the Buddha, she changed her face and cleansed her heart, and she suddenly became a wonderful person like a heavenly being, he sent a carriage to welcome the princess into the palace to meet her and express the happiness of family relationship. When the king saw that the princess had changed into a wonderful form, and she was like a heavenly being, he was very happy. He immediately ordered his chariot and drove to the Buddha with the princess, the princess, the prince-in-law, and all the attendants, and worshiped devoutly. The king put his palms together and asked the Buddha: "How blessed is this girl to be born in the king's family and enjoy riches? What kind of karma has she done? So that she has an ugly appearance, with skin like a withered tree and appearance like a yaksha. I only wish, World Honored One, Reveal them one by one."
The Buddha told the king: The beauty and ugliness of all people in the world are caused by their past karma. The retribution of sins and blessings follows people like shadows. It is not accidental. In the past, there was an elder who was extremely wealthy and always kept a Pratyeka Buddha in his home. That Pratyekabuddha hides his wonderful appearance and often appears in gross, ugly appearance to test people's hearts. At that time, the elder had a little daughter who, seeing the Paccekabuddha coming every day, felt disgust in her heart and cursed him. Later, when Pratyekabuddha was about to enter Nirvana, he made various changes for the great elder's family. He soared into the sky, his body emerged from water and fire, surged from the east to the west and disappeared from the east. The same happened in the south and north. All the changes were astounding and wonderful. The elder's daughter was respectful and frightened, so she immediately repented and blamed herself. She only hoped that the venerable would forgive her, "I am really ignorant, disgusting and venomous. I have offended the saints, so don't worry about it." Pratyekabuddha listened to her confession and nodded slightly.
The Buddha told the king: "The woman at that time is now the princess." Because she had an unkind heart, she insulted and cursed the Pratyekabuddhas, and made bad mistakes, so from then on she often suffered from ugly appearance. Later, when she saw Pratyekabuddha changing his magical powers, she changed her mind and hurriedly repented and confessed her sins, so she became the most beautiful person again. Because her family has always made offerings to Pratyekabuddhas for a long time, and the offerings have passed through her hands, she has achieved great merit and achieved wealth and honor from generation to generation, until she is liberated. ——"The Buddha tells the Sutra of Virtue and Foolishness. The ugly girl changes her appearance"