A man from Lanxi County in Zhejiang Province is named Tong Jifei. He had a medicine shop in Chongming. In the Gui Chou year of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty, he bought a lot of eels and released them. A few days later, Tong Jifei dreamed that many eels spewing water to fight fires, and a god beside him said: "This is to repay the life-saving grace." After Tong Jifei woke up, he didn't know the meaning of this dream. Before long, a fire broke out in his neighbor's house, and the fire was about to reach his medicine shop. At this time, the wind direction suddenly changed, and Tong's drugstore was spared the fire. Only then did Tong Jifei realize that what he saw in his dream was the reward he got from saving the eels. [Notes] This year, I commissioned Xu to create a statue of the Kṣitigarbha. In the first month of the second year, I respectfully invited the Kṣitigarbha statue to Kunshan. Xu's letter included this incident, so I knew the details.
Excerpted from An Shiquan Book "Wenchang Emperor Silently Doing Good Virtue": The eels repay the kindness of life-saving
In the Wanli Ji Chou Year of the Ming Dynasty, Wang Yanxu, a boat owner in Taiyuan, Shanxi, borrowed 1.8 taels of silver from a rich man, and died before repayment.
One day, the rich man saw Wang Yanxu walking into the bullpen with a white belt on his waist. After a while, the family announced the good news that the cow had given birth to a calf. The rich man approached the calf and saw that there were white stripes on the calf's waist. When the calf grows strong, the rich man asks bull seller to take it for sale, and asks to collect only 1.8 taels of silver.
When the bull seller met Ho butcher on the way, he sold it to him for 1.8 taels of silver. Later, another farmer saw that his calf were very strong and wanted to buy it for farming. Ho butcher increased the price to 2.6 taels of silver and sold the calf to the farmer.
This calf is good at plowing the fields, and it doesn't need anyone to take care of it. One day, the calf died under the rock for no reason, and the farmer was very angry. Soon he learned that the calf was sold from the rich man's house, and he went to ask the rich man why the calf was only sold for 1.8 taels of silver with Ho Butcher. The rich man said: "This calf was reincarnated by Wang Yanxu. He only owed me 1.8 taels of silver." Ho Butcher heard this and suddenly realized: "Wang Yanxu once owed me 0.8 taels of silver, so I sold 0.8 taels of silver more.” After a while, the farmer suddenly said, “I once owed Wang Yanxu the money and the money has not been repaid, so now I spend money to buy a calf and the calf died for no reason, so it can be regarded as paying off the old debt.” Therefore, everyone lamented the incredible karma.
Excerpted from An Shiquan Book "Wenchang Emperor Silently Doing Good Virtue": One calf pays three debts
When Gautama Buddha was in the world, there was an elder in the city of Shravasti. The elder's concubine, named Vaishali, is unparalleled in intelligence. King Pasenadi treated her as a younger sister. Vaishali had thirty-two sons, all of whom were brave enough to defeat a thousand people. Her youngest son, one day riding an elephant across the bridge, met the prime minister's son, and because of conflict, he threw him under the bridge.
The prime minister harbored a grudge and conspired to avenge him, so he made thirty-two horsewhips decorated with seven kinds of treasures, hid the sharp blade in the horsewhip, and went to Vaishali’s home to give one to each person as gift. Then he whispered to the king, saying that these thirty-two brothers are invincible in the world, with a conspiracy of rebellion, and there is a hidden edge in every whip. The king immediately sent someone to search, and it was so. The king believed that it was true and cut off the head of the thirty-two brothers. Then the 32 heads were put into a box, sealed tightly, and sent to Vaishali's home.
On this day, Vaishali was inviting Buddhists and monks to eat at home. When she saw that the king sent the box, she thought it was to help her in the fast, and she wanted to open the box with joy, but the Buddha stopped her. After the monks had eaten, the Buddha explained the Dharma for her, and Vaishali realized Anāgāmi at the moment. Then the Buddha asked her to open the box and see the thirty-two heads. Because Vaishali had already cut off her desire for love at this time, there was no hatred in her heart.
But the wives and relatives of the thirty-two brothers, who were all noble families, immediately assembled their soldiers and horses to avenge the king. At that time, the king was very frightened and hurried to the Buddha's residence. The brigade of soldiers and horses immediately circled the Jetavanavihara, waiting for the opportunity to kill the king. Ananda asked the Buddha for sake. The Buddha said: "In the past lives, these thirty-two people stole a cow and came to an old woman's house to prepare for slaughter. The old woman was very happy to prepare them for killing equipment. After the cow was killed, they all had a meal together. The cow at that time is the king of today. Those who stole the cow at that time are the thirty-two brothers who are now killed. The old woman is the present-day Vaishali. These thirty-two people were often killed by others during multiple rebirths because of the killing of the cow. Because the old woman was happy to see the killing at that time, she has often been sorrowful of these thirty-two people being killed in her many lives."
So the relatives of the thirty-two widows listened to what the Buddha said, and their anger stopped, and they did not dare to attack the king again, and confessed to the king together. The king also eliminated the old grievances and did not hold them accountable.
[Notes] There are also previous causes and effects for the thirty-two people being reborn in noble families. The Buddha said: "When Kassapa Buddha was in the world, there was a woman who used incense to paint the tower, and thirty-two people came to help her. Therefore, for many lives, they have been born in noble families and are always mothers and children. And now, She met the Buddha and was able to comprehend the Dharma."
Excerpted from An Shiquan Book "Wenchang Emperor Silently Doing Good Virtue": Thirty-two Heads
The 17th day of November in the lunar calendar is Amitabha's birthday. Amitabha
There are two parrots in the family of Elder Sudatta in Shravasti, who are clever and able to understand people's words. When they see the bhikkhu coming, they will first tell their family members to come out to greet them. When Ananda saw them, he told them the Four Noble Truths. They were very happy when they heard the Dharma.
They perched on trees and were eaten by wild cats due to bad karma in previous lives. Because of the merits of listening to the Dharma, they reincarnated in the Cāturmahārājika heaven after death. The Buddha said: "These two parrots will be born in the Trāyastriṃśa after their lives in the Cāturmahārājika heaven expire. After their lives in the Trāyastriṃśa expire, they will be born in the Yāma. After their lives in the Yāma expire, they will be born in Nirmāṇarati. After their lives in Nirmāṇarati expire, they will be born in Para-nirmita-vaśa-vartin. After their lives in Para-nirmita-vaśa-vartin expire, they will be reincarnated into Nirmāṇarati, and in turn will be reincarnated to the Cāturmahārājika heaven. They go back and forth like this after seven times, and then they will be born in the human world and become two monks to practice the Dharma. One named Tanmo and the other named Xiutanmo and they will attain Arahantship." [Note] Although these parrots have heard of the Four Noble Truths, they were still eaten by wild wild cats. It can be seen that fixed karma is difficult to escape. Although being eaten by wild cats, they will eventually leave the Three Realms by attaining Arahantship. From this we can see that it is extremely necessary to hear the Dharma. Those who recite the Buddha for survival in the Pure Land, if they practice diligently and make a great vow, whether or not they can die safely, even if they are bitten by a snake or a tiger, it will not prevent them from going to the Pure Land. Excerpted from An Shiquan Book "Wenchang Emperor Silently Doing Good Virtue": The story of the parrots
Dharma is non-attachment. Even the Buddha is not attached to the Dharma. As recorded in the Lotus Sutra, after Prabhutaratna appeared in the world, no one asked him to talk about the Dharma, so Prabhutaratna entered Nirvana and did not talk about the Dharma. Another example is Suśānta Buddha, because his disciples have not matured the opportunity for enlightenment, Suśānta Buddha enters Nirvana, leaving behind the Transforming Buddha and transforming sentient beings in one kalpa. Our teacher, Buddha Shakyamuni, did not speak for 57 days after becoming a Buddha. He said to himself: "The Dharma I have enlightened is very profound and difficult to understand. All sentient beings are bound by the world's laws, and no one can understand. With such a profound truth, it’s better to enter Nirvana silently.” At this time, all the Bodhisattvas, together with Śakra and Brahmā King, asked the Buddha to teach the Dharma for all beings. The Buddha was only talking about the Dharma because of his compassion for all beings. Buddhas are not attached to Buddhism, which just reflects the original intent of Buddhism. So the scripture says: Even if it is Dharma, it should be abandoned after enlightenment, let alone not Dharma.
Missing the Buddha can eliminate all kinds of troubles and sins of previous lives. -"Commentary on the Great Perfection of Wisdom" The missing must correspond to separation from everything, must correspond to liberation, and must correspond to precepts, meditation, and wisdom, and it must not correspond only to the divine aspect.
King Ajatashatru used sesame oil from Hundred husks to light up lights on the road from the gate of the palace to the Jetavana (in the south six mile of the city of Shravasti) to make offerings to the Buddha and his disciples. At that time, a poor old woman was very emotional when she saw the king lighting a lamp and doing good deeds, so she took out her only two cents to buy oil, which she also used to light a lamp and to make offerings to the Buddha and his disciples. At that time, two cents could only buy 40 milliliters Oil, and the oil sellers gave her 60 milliliters more as a reward for her sincerity.
It was estimated that the oil was not enough to keep the oil lamp burning until midnight, so the old woman vowed to herself: "If I can obtain the Dharma like a Buddha in future generations, I hope this lamp will not go out all night." Some of the lights lit by the king were bright that night, and some lights are dim, showing different performances. Only the lamp lit by the old woman was bright all night long.
The next morning, Maudgalyayana fanned the old woman's lamp with his cassock, and the light became brighter. The Buddha told Maudgalyayana: "This lamp is not extinguished by your mighty power. This poor old woman has supported 18 billion Buddhas in her past lives, and will be a Buddha in another 30 kalpas. The name of the Buddha is The light like Mount Sumeru Tathagata. It’s because she has never given alms in her previous life, so she is poor in this life." Excerpted from An Shiquan Book "Wenchang Emperor Silently Doing Good Virtue": "The Poor Lady offers a Light"
Suddenly lighting a lamp in the dark place where it is difficult to go, is like putting bright eyes for the blind, and like keeping the afterglow of the sun when night is about to fall. For those who travel at night, there is no better benefit than this. Because there are lights at night, the eyes are clear, so those who donate to the lights should be rewarded with the eyesight. If you have a lamp, you have no worries, so those who donate to the lamp should be rewarded with joy. If you have a lamp, you will not be able to step on the mud and dirt. Therefore, those who donate to the lamp will be rewarded with cleansing of the body and mind. If there is a lamp, you will hear the sound of the dog barking without panic. Therefore, those who donate to the lamp deserve nothing to fear.If there is a lamp, it does not make people suspicious. Therefore, those who donate to the lamp should be rewarded by people who feel that their actions are open and honest. If there is a lamp, it will not be injured by falling, so those who donate to the lamp will be rewarded with health and no disease. If you have a lamp, you will not degenerate into streams, rivers and wells. Therefore, those who donate to the lamp will be rewarded with longevity. There are so many benefits to lighting a night light. Who says lighting can only illuminate pedestrians?
Secular people don’t know where life comes from, and they don’t know where to go after death. They enter into a twin for a while, are born out of a twin, and always rotate in the darkness. Who is the one who lights up our future? Since the Buddha said: "If you want to know the cause of the past life, the recipient in this life is. If you want to know the results of your future reincarnation, you can see what you do in this life." With this sentence, the karma of past lives and future lives is illuminated by a lamp as a guide. By practicing the ten virtues, you can be reincarnated in heaven. By observing the five precepts, you can be reincarnated as a human being. If you take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, you will not fall into the world of three evils. Only the Buddha has ignited the lamp of wisdom for all living beings!
When Buddha Shakyamuni and Ānanda traveled through the countries, they would pass through the city of Brahmin. The king of the city had heard of the Buddha's virtue and was worried that the people would follow the Buddha, so he stipulated that anyone who gave food to the Buddha or listened to the Buddha's speech should hand over five hundred gold coins to the government.
When the Buddha and Venerable Ananda came to the city, all the doors were closed. The Buddha was about to leave the city with his bowl empty. At this time, there was an old maid from a wealthy family who went out to pour out the sour leftovers, and saw the solemn appearance of the Buddha, the light around him, and the Buddha's bowl was still empty. She thought that such a goddess, who should have eaten the food of heaven, now condescends to beg in person, must be for the sake of compassion for all living beings. So the old maid developed pure confidence and wanted to make good offerings to the Buddha, but she suffered from her own inability. So, she said to the Buddha ashamed: "I want to make offerings to you, but I don't have the ability. Now there are some poor meals here, you can take them if you need them."
The Buddha knew that the old maid had faith and a pure heart, so he reached out and took the leftovers with a bowl. The Buddha smiled and illuminated the world with light. Ānanda asked the Buddha why he laughed. The Buddha said that this old maid will be reincarnated in the heavens or the human world for 15 kalpas because of giving food to the Buddha, and will not fall into hell, hungry ghost, or animal realm, and then she will be reincarnated in the body of a man, and then he will become a Pratyekabuddha and enter Nirvana without remainder.
When the Buddha was speaking, a brahmin next to him heard him. The brahmin said, "How can the Buddha's words be trusted? Can a bowl of sour and smelly leftovers be given away to get such a big reward?"
The Buddha stuck his own tongue to the hairline of his own head and face, and asked the brahmin, "Have you ever seen a person with such a tongue tell a lie?" The brahmin said, "The book says that a person whose tongue can cover his nose speaks no lies. Now, your tongue can even cover your hairline, it must not be a lie! I believe you are telling the truth, but I still don’t understand why a bowl of sour leftovers can bring such great blessings?” Buddha Ask: "What is the strangest thing you have ever seen?" The brahmin said, "I have seen a Nyagrodha tree whose shade can cover five hundred merchants' vehicles and still have shade." The Buddha asked, "How big is the seed of the tree?" The brahmin said, "One third of a mustard seed." The Buddha said, "The earth is originally a mindless thing, and the seed of a tree is so small, but under the nourishment of the earth, it can become a very large tree. The old maid gave alms with confidence and purity, and it was almsgiving to the Buddha, just like the best seeds are sown in the field of most perfect blessing field, and the results are of course even more incredible.”The brahmin was enlightened, and the Buddha explained the Dharma for him. After he heard the Dharma, the brahmin realized the primary achievement. So, the brahmin shouted to all the people in the city that they should come out and listen to the Buddha's teaching of the nectar-like Dharma. So the people in the city no longer cared about five hundred gold coins and all went out to meet the Buddha. The king of the city also led his ministers to greet the Buddha. Later, people all over the city had pure faith. - "Commentary on the Great Perfection of Wisdom"