In the past, when Buddha Kassapa was in the world, there were two brothers who became a monk to learn Buddhism together. That elder brother kept the precepts and sat in meditation, and devoted himself to studying Buddhism, but did not give charity. That younger brother accumulates blessings but often breaks the precepts. Later when Sakyamuni became a Buddha, that elder brother had become an Arahant, because he had never cultivated a blessing before, so he couldn't have enough to eat every time he went out to beg for food. That younger brother was reincarnated among elephants because he broke the vows in the past, but he still had a lot of surplus. Although he was a beast, he was loved by the king, and the king gave him food for hundreds of families. So there is a saying: "If you cultivate blessings but do not cultivate wisdom, you will become an elephant with a jewellery. If you cultivate wisdom but do not cultivate blessings, you will become an Arhat but you will receive very few offerings." There is only Buddha, known as a saint who has both merit and wisdom, because his merit and wisdom are both sufficient at the same time。
Think about impermanence about things in the world, as well as people's body and mind, even praise, ridicule, slander, praise, profit, decline, pain, and happiness, and don't be attached to anything. With a compassionate heart, you can increase your mind. By accommodating all sentient beings in your heart, you can eliminate sin. Observe your breathing, observe your own mind, and you can get liberation. -The teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni to Venerable Rahula
With all wisdom, extensively give to all sentient beings. Although the heart of generosity arises, there is no request or gain.
The relationship between lotus and Dharma:
Flowers and fruits grow at the same time, cause and effect are interdependent, there is an effect in the cause, and there is a cause in the effect ;
Get out of the silt without staining, purified consciousness is born in troubles and the world;
The lotus root is empty but not empty, and the Dharma is empty but not empty.
Be attached to nothing. -"Buddhist Biography"
Changping warehouse is a granary set up in ancient times to adjust grain prices and relieve famine. Grain is collected when the price is low, and sold at the same price when it is expensive.
When Zhang Guaiya was the governor of Chengdu, he dreamed that a fairy-Zhenjun Zifu summoned him. Soon after the conversation, he heard someone report: "Huang Jianji, who lives at the west gate of the city, is here." Then a Taoist man with a scarf and hair came in. The courtesy that Zhenjun gave that person was very thorough.
The next morning, Zhang sent someone to the west gate to invite Huang Jianji to come, his appearance and attire really looked like he had seen in that dream. Zhang asked Huang what kind of deeds he usually does.
Huang replied: "I haven't done any good deeds, but every time the wheat matures, I buy the wheat with 300 yuan, and the next year when the wheat is immature and the people have difficulty buying food I will sell. The price per bucket is still the original price when I bought it. For me, there is no loss, but for the people, it is a temporary relief. That's all."
After hearing this, Zhang sighed deeply, and ordered his subordinates to help Huang to sit on the best seat and pay tribute to him.
Things like Huang Jianji's liquidation can be imitated everywhere. As long as the people in one place benefit from it, the surrounding areas will imitate and practice.
Correcting the fault is the only way to get away from suffering and get happiness. -"Buddhist Biography"
Lay Vimalakirti asked the Bodhisattvas: "What is Dharma without distinction?"
Some bodhisattvas say that there is no difference between birth and death; some bodhisattvas say that there is no difference between dirt and pureness; some bodhisattvas say that there is no difference between appearance and emptiness. …
Manjushri said: For all dharma, there is no verbal explanation, no expression, no mind, and no question and answer to describe it, that is Dharma without distinction.
After Manjushri finished speaking, he asked the Vimalakirti: "Each of us has told us our views on the Dharma without distinction. What do you think is Dharma without distinction?"
Lay Vimalakirti heard this question and was silent.
Therefore, Manjushri said: "Okay! There is no word and language to express what is Dharma without distinction, it is really Dharma without distinction."
When the Bodhisattvas discussed the above view on the Dharma without distinction, the five thousand bodhisattvas in the audience entered the Dharma without distinction.
When the Buddha was alive, there was a city of people who had evil opinions and did not believe in the teachings of the Buddha. The Buddha sent Venerable Maudgalyayana to teach the group. As soon as Venerable Maudgalyayana got there, they sincerely obeyed the enlightenment. The Buddha said, "The people in this city have a special relationship with Maudgalyayana. In the past, Maudgalyayana was a woodcutter. He saw countless bees in the mountains, flying to sting him. He warned:'You all have Buddha nature, don't cause harm to others. If I practice and realize the Dharma, I should come to save you.” So the swarms of bees are scattered. The people in this city today are the gathering bees of that day. Because Maudgalyayana once made a vow to teach them, so in this life Venerable Maudgalyayana can teach them as soon as he goes."
Among the Buddha's disciples is a monk named Hearing 20 billion, also known as 2 billion ears. He was a famous musician who was born in a rich family. His parents loved him so much that they refused to let his feet rest on the dirt ground. So a lot of black hair grows under Hearing 20 billion’s feet.
One day, Hearing 20 billion heard what the Buddha said, and he was very moved, so he made a wish to be a monk and live a life as a monk with only one a meal in the mid of the day. His parents were very opposed, but they couldn't stop Hearing 20 billion’s enthusiasm for spiritual practice.
Therefore, the originally spoiled Hearing 20 Billion, under the assiduous practice, his body gradually weakened, but he was still not enlightened. Later, he felt that he could hardly support it, so he wanted to return to the vulgar as the protector of the Buddha and use Dana to seek enlightenment.
The Buddha knew the heart of Hearing 20 billion, so he walked to the place where he practiced, and said to Hearing 20 billion: "It's a good thing that you came out of home and use music to help me propagating Dharma. But now you are happy to practice along. Except for sitting meditation, nothing else can attract your attention. I want to ask you, what happens if the strings are too tight when you play the piano?"
"Buddha! The strings will break if they are too tight!" Hearing 20 billion replied.
"Too loose?"
"No sound!"
"Cultivation is the same as playing the piano," the Buddha said compassionately: "Don't be too tight, nor too loose. Too tight or too loose is easy to cause problems. Relax your mind, and everything should be moderate."
After hearing that, Hearing 20 billion followed the Buddha's instructions to practice, his heart calmed down, and soon he was enlightened and attained Arahantship.