Biography of Subhuti, the first solution to emptiness
Biography of Subhuti, the first solution to emptiness
Biography of the Buddha’s Ten Great Disciples
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Subhuti – The first solution to the emptiness
Subhūti (須菩提) was one of the ten disciples of the Buddha. in Theravada Buddhism regarded as a disciple “Deserving of gifts” and “remote and peaceful” in Mahayana Buddhism. It is assumed that you understand emptiness first.
Subhuti – the first solution to the emptiness
1. Empty good omen
The great sage Buddha’s speeches on the universe and life are so numerous that they are really vast and boundless. There is no doubt that all of the Buddha’s teachings are centered on Mahayana, and in Mahayana they are centered on Prajna. What is Prajna? The best explanation is the wisdom of awareness of “emptiness”.
Emptiness is too mysterious and difficult to understand. It is not right to say “existence” and it is not right to say “nothing”. Emptiness is not something that can be explained with words, nor can it be understood with the mind. Under the Buddha’s seat, among the 1,250 disciples of the great Arhat, the one who can truly understand the truth of emptiness and realize the wonderful meaning of emptiness is Venerable Subhuti who is the first to understand emptiness.
Speaking of Subhuti, we know from the auspicious omens of his birth that he is an extraordinary and peculiar figure.
It turned out that on the day the Venerable was born, all the treasures and utensils in the family suddenly disappeared. The whole family was very worried, so they quickly asked the fortune teller to come back for divination. After divination, the astrologer said: “This is a gratifying thing. Your family gave birth to a noble son, and all the gold and silver treasures in the room will be empty when the noble son is born, which symbolizes that he is the first person to unravel emptiness! Just name him “Kongsheng”!
This is a matter of great auspiciousness, he will not be bound by worldly fame and fortune in the future, even if he is named “Shanji”.
The words of the fortune teller stabilized the hearts of the whole family. From then on, some people called him “Kongsheng” and others called him “Shanji”. It was not until three days later that the treasures and utensils in the Venerable’s house were restored to their original state. . The venerable who is the first to understand emptiness, the first sign of birth is really extremely rare, a rare thing in ancient and modern times.
2. The little philanthropist who gives
When Subhuti was young, before he took refuge in the Buddha, his views on the world and his dealings with others were already different
He grew up in a wealthy family, and his parents loved him very much, but he was unwilling to be a slave to gold and silver since he was a child. The money his parents gave him also came and went at any time to help the poor. If you encounter a beggar in scanty clothes on the road, you will even take off your coat and donate to others, and you will run home in only your shorts.
His parents are not stingy with money, but they often disagree with their beloved son’s behavior. Sometimes they call him to their side and admonish him: “Kongsheng! It’s not good for you to behave like this. You don’t ask for any reason for your own money. You take it to someone else; you wear your own clothes, and you take them off for others, how ugly you are naked!”
Subhuti replied gently and respectfully to his parents: “I don’t know why, but in my heart, I feel that everything in the world is closely related to me, and all people seem to be in the same body as me. People are born naked, why are they naked? Isn’t that bad? Giving what’s yours to others, what’s the difference between me and me?”
After listening to Subhuti’s words, his parents said unhappily, “You are so weird. You don’t know how to use your money, and you don’t know how to wear your own clothes. On the contrary, you are not afraid of being laughed at when you tell those inexplicable truths. From now on, if you don’t change, I will lock you up at home and not let you go out!”
But Subhuti still did not change his nature of being kind and charitable, so his parents shut him up at home. This was just Subhuti’s luck. After that, he stayed at home every day to read books on Indian religion and philosophy at that time, which made him understand the problems of life. With a further level of awareness, he often proudly said to his parents: “Everything in the universe seems to be reflected in my heart, but my heart seems to be empty. If there is no great wisdom and great enlightenment in the world No one is qualified to discuss the state of mind of a liberated person with me, and no one understands the world in my heart.”
Young Subhuti, his parents listened to his bold words, and then thought of the strange things in his home when he was born, and the strange people and strange stories, the parents couldn’t help but secretly marvel at their beloved son.
3. Return to the seat of the Buddha
Once, the Buddha was preaching in the hometown of Subhuti, and the local people said that the Buddha was a wise man. When it comes to wisdom, no one in the world can compare with the Buddha.
Such arguments had already reached Subhuti’s ears, and his parents followed the villagers and all converted to the Buddha.
Subhuti’s family has always believed in the traditional Brahmanism. Why did his parents follow the villagers and convert so easily? At this time, it was Subhuti’s turn to feel that his parents were strange.
One day, Subhuti’s father said to him: “Kongsheng! You often think that you are very wise and have understood the truth of life, but you are far behind the Buddha. The Buddha not only has great wisdom, but also has great wisdom. With great compassion and supernatural powers, since the Buddha came to this place, almost all the people in the village have converted to him. I also want to respectfully invite the Buddha to make offerings at home, and hope that you can stop your arrogance in front of the Buddha.”
Subhuti was very dissatisfied, and he replied: “The Buddha in your eyes is certainly a wise man, but in my eyes, he may be very ordinary.”
Although Subhuti said so, what kind of person is the Buddha? Why is there such a big moving force? In Subhuti’s heart, which was always calm, there was a huge wave. He couldn’t wait to see the Buddha when he came to his home to receive offerings. He thought, what if the Buddha is busy and can’t come? So in the night of this day, Subhuti secretly went to see the appearance of the Buddha.
The night is cool and breezy, a winding moon hangs high in the sky, and the stars are twinkling, like a curious Subhuti laughing.
Subhuti walked alone to the place where the Buddha was preaching. The Buddha was sitting on a high dharma seat, surrounded by torches, and there were tens of thousands of audience kneeling below, ah! There seems to be light shining from behind the Buddha!
This is not like a person in the human world. This appearance is too perfect and majestic. The Buddha’s transformed body is beyond Subhuti’s imagination.
The earth was peaceful, and tens of thousands of listeners held their breaths, daring not to make a sound. At this time, only the sound of the Buddha’s Dharma was circulating.
Buddha said: “There should be no competition in the world. There is no distinction between people and me. When we are together, we are one.”
“All dharmas are born from the combination of causes and conditions, and nothing can exist independently. Since I and all dharmas depend on each other for survival, giving compassion and grace to all living beings looks like a human being, but it is actually of great benefit to myself! ”
The sound of the Buddha’s Dharma is very kind, and the truth that the Buddha said moved Subhuti very much. Subhuti huddled among the crowd and secretly put his palms together to pay homage to the Buddha.
After the Buddha preached, he returned to rest in the quiet room prepared by the believers. Subhuti lingered at the door. He wanted to meet the Buddha, but he had no courage.
The Buddha seemed to know Subhuti’s intentions. He stood at the door and asked, “Who are you! Come and sit in my room, and I will talk to you!”
“I am Subhuti, I hope the Buddha accepts me as a disciple!”
“Oh! Subhuti is you. I have long heard that you are the smartest young man in the village. Very good. Only a truly smart person can truly believe in and practice the Dharma. Do your parents know?” Buddha said compassionately and kindly. ask.
“I think my parents will be very happy to know. I am very honored to have Buddha as my teacher.”
The Buddha liked Subhuti very much, and from then on Subhuti became an outstanding disciple of the Buddha’s Sangha.
4. Beg for wealth not beg for poverty
After Subhuti came home, he lived a life of three robes and one bowl. Every morning, he went to the neighborhood to beg for food, and in the afternoon he followed the Buddha to listen to teachings and practice meditation.
The monks go out to beg for alms every day, and they always follow the Buddha’s law, begging in order, one by one, row by row, regardless of whether others give alms or not, they must pass by.
However, Subhuti lived a life of begging, and was always different from the crowd. As soon as he left the monastery, he would part ways with the crowd.
The monks didn’t pay attention to Subhuti at first, but after a long time, they found that Subhuti’s actions were a little strange. When everyone pays attention, they will know what is going on.
It turns out that Subhuti always likes to go to rich people’s homes to beg for food. When he sees a small house or someone who knows that the economy is poor, he will never go begging for alms. No matter how far the journey is, he must go to the rich and honored family, otherwise, he would rather go hungry than beg.
Once, in the country of Vaisali, a monk smiled at Subhuti on the road and said, “No one asks about being poor, and there are distant relatives who are rich in the mountains. In fact, the capital of Vaishali is full of rich merchants and wealthy households. I don’t know what the Venerable is today. Which one do you value?”
After hearing this, Subhuti looked at the bhikkhu, and then explained: “Great Virtue! I don’t look down on the poor, maybe I am the one who really sympathizes with the poor! Indeed, I made a vow to beg only from the rich, not to beg for the poor. It is my painstaking effort to beg alms to the poor, please forgive me, fellow Taoist.”
“Your Majesty begs for wealth and not for poverty. He is well nourished every day. No wonder His Holiness is so healthy!”
“Great Virtue! Please don’t say that!” Subhuti gently explained his reasons for begging for wealth and not for poverty: “I am begging from the rich not for the sake of delicacies. If it is delicious, I don’t need to become a monk. Learn the Tao.
Why don’t I go to the poor’s house to beg alms? Because poor people can’t maintain their own lives, how can they have extra food to support us? Even if they are willing to make aspirations, they just have more than enough energy. We If there is no food relief for them, how can we increase their burden? On the contrary, it doesn’t matter to the rich to beg for food from the rich. It is for this reason that I beg for the rich and not for the poor.”
After Subhuti expressed his views, the monk who made fun of Subhuti had nothing to say.
In the Sangha, the person who has the opposite style of work to Subhuti is Venerable Maha Kassapa. Subhuti begs for wealth and not the poor, while Maha Kasyapa begs for the poor and not for wealth. Subhuti was very puzzled by Maha Kassapa’s intentions, and asked him during a casual chat, “Venerable Maha Kassapa! Your attitude towards begging is exactly the opposite of mine. I impolitely ask you to tell me why?”
“Honorable Subhuti!” Da Kassapa explained, “We are monks who have left home and abide by the Tao and practice the Dharma. This is the field of blessings in the world. We receive offerings from the world to give them an opportunity to increase their blessings and wisdom. I beg for food from the poor, Let them plant a field of blessings to relieve them of future poverty, and the blessings of the rich are many, why should we add to the cake?”
The words of Venerable Mahakassapa seem to be explaining for himself on the one hand, and on the other hand, they seem to be preaching to Subhuti, who is begging for wealth. After hearing this, Subhuti nodded. He did not force others to be the same as himself, and said: “Begging for wealth and begging for poverty are all for the benefit of sentient beings, my lord! There are many ways in Buddhism, and we can go our own way. In fact, these are all Buddha’s teaching.”
The begging style of Subhuti and Mahakassapa became a sharp contrast. After the Buddha knew about their words and begging attitude, he disapproved of both of them.
The real method of begging is to beg in order, regardless of wealth or filth, in a solemn and dignified way.
Da Kassapa was more stubborn, and he had a very strong color of asceticism. He never wanted to give up asceticism, but Subhuti, who was obedient to the Buddha’s instructions, later corrected his attitude of begging for wealth and not begging for poverty. , are all gratefully accepted.
5. Tears and weeping at the Prajna Meeting
Subhuti was very enthusiastic in practicing Taoism and listening to the Dharma in the Buddha’s sangha. Especially the Prajna Dharma Assembly held in fourteen sixteen associations, if Subhuti does not go to other places to teach, he will never be absent.
Once, when the Buddha was preparing to give a lecture on “Vajra Prajna” in Gion Garden Abode, thousands of disciples came back from begging for food in the city, and they all surrounded the Buddha one by one. The Buddha first closed his eyes and sat quietly. No one dared to ask the Buddha ask a question.
At this time, Subhuti understood the Buddha’s mind, so he stood up from the crowd, put on a cassock that exposed his right shoulder, bowed to the Buddha, and asked respectfully: “Buddha! Disciples all know that the Buddha is the one who loves us best , but how do good men and women live in the bodhicitta? And how can we subdue the disturbing delusions? I beg the Buddha to be merciful and preach for the public!”
The Buddha was very pleased with Subhuti’s question, and praised him for understanding the root causes of the people present. The Buddha replied: “How to live in bodhicitta and not be disturbed by false thoughts, that is, when giving alms, you must practice non-existing charity; when saving lives, you must practice non-self to save lives, just stay like this, and lower your mind like this!”
“Giving without form, saving life without self”, Subhuti deeply understood this truth and meaning. He was grateful for the Buddha’s grace and wept with joy. He knelt in front of the Buddha’s seat and said: “Buddha! Since I was a human , This is the first time I have heard such a profound and subtle Dharma principle. From then on, the dual attachment of self and Dharma can no longer entangle me; , to see emptiness; apart from all names and appearances, one can see life. Today I have realized the Buddha’s mind, as if I have truly known myself.”
Venerable Subhuti became enlightened, and has since been called the first person to solve emptiness.
6. Listening to stories builds confidence
Although the Buddha knew that Subhuti had left the attachment of others and self, the merciful Buddha still earnestly elicited the deeds of his own practice to strengthen Subhuti’s confidence in giving without form and saving life without self. Recalling the past as if recalling the past, the Buddha said: “Subhuti! In my past life, I once practiced in a deep mountain. I had such an experience:
“I was sitting cross-legged under a big tree, closing my eyes and contemplating the mysteries of the universe and the origin of human life. The wind was blowing all around me, and the flowers were exhaling fragrance. Suddenly, there was a silver bell-like laughter. I opened my eyes and saw, It turned out that standing in front of me was a group of beautifully dressed girls.
They are dressed in concubines’ costumes, full of jewels, so that people can tell at a glance that they are not fairies in the sky, but princesses in the world. They walked up to me hand in hand, laughing, and asked me: “Cultivator!” Why are you practicing Taoism alone in this deep mountain jungle? Aren’t you afraid that tigers, leopards and wolves will hurt you? 』
I nodded to them, sat upright and replied, “Ladies and gentlemen!” I am indeed the only one practicing in this deep mountain, and practice does not necessarily require many companions. People have compassion, and poisonous snakes and beasts will not come to harm them. In the city, money, beauty, tyranny and authority are like tigers, leopards and wolves in the mountains! 』
When I said this, those concubines immediately changed their coquettish attitude, and asked me to preach respectfully. I picked a small red flower beside me, and continued, “Ladies! We should pursue happiness in life, but there are real and false happiness, long-term and short-term happiness. But people are deluded by false and short-lived happiness, like this little red flower, although it blooms beautifully, it cannot reveal its fragrance forever. Youth and beauty, strength and health are not enough to depend on. The most important thing in life is to be able to learn the Tao, seek the sublimation of life, and seek the expansion of life, that is the most important thing! 』
While I was saying this, a man dressed as a king came running from the bushes with a sword in his hand. He walked up to me and scolded me loudly: “Who are you?” Dare to dare to tease my concubine here? 』
“My lord, what’s your name, please?” Don’t be so insulting! 』I saw him coming fiercely, and I couldn’t help but tell him that.
“You live like a big dream! ’ He said sharply: ‘You don’t even know the famous King Golly? No wonder you dare to seduce my concubine! 』
“Your Majesty! Please don’t say that, people who practice the Tao endure humiliation and dare not scold you back, but if you have such a ostomy karma, it will definitely be bad in the future! 』
“You practice patience? Let me dismember your body and see if you still say to endure humiliation? 』
Subhuti! In this way, my eyes, ears, nose, hands, and feet were all cut off by King Goli one by one. In order to save lives and do kindness to all living beings, I didn’t have any hatred at that time. From the spirit of saving lives without self, I slowly accumulate my blessings and wisdom, and adorn my Buddhahood. Subhuti! The perpetrators cannot defeat others, only those who endure humiliation are the final victors! ”
Subhuti was very moved after hearing a story about the Buddha’s past practice. He realized the highest truth of selflessness, and he obtained the profound wisdom of emptiness.
7. What is empty?
Subhuti, under the teaching of the Great Enlightened Buddha, understands that all things in the universe and life are combined by cause and condition, everything is formed by cause and condition, and everything is also destroyed by cause and condition. Karma is the best explanation for “emptiness”.
Empty, not empty, not empty, not empty. Emptiness, there is emptiness without leaving causal things, emptiness is not destroying the law of karma, emptiness is full of revolution and enthusiasm.
Emptiness is the principle of Mahayana Buddhism; emptiness represents the spirit of Mahayana Buddhism. Not the disciples of the Buddha, of course, cannot understand the principle of emptiness, even the ordinary disciples of the Buddha, seldom understand the wonderful meaning of emptiness. Subhuti often lamented that too few people know about emptiness.
Once, a very learned heretic Brahman met Subhuti on the road and questioned Subhuti: “Venerable Subhuti! I heard that you are the first person to understand emptiness under the Buddha’s seat, but I I want to ask you, everything in the world is obviously real, how do you explain emptiness and explain emptiness to justify it?”
Subhuti pointed with his hand and said: “Look at that house, it is formed by the combination of the four elements (earth, water, fire, wind) and various causes and conditions. If you separate the earth, wood, bricks and tiles, not only will the house have no shape , even the name of the house is gone. From the point of view that everything is harmonious, this house is the most magnificent and beautiful house in the village.
If you compare it with the houses in the city, it will appear short and simple Yes. The majestic and tall houses in the city, if compared with the royal palace in Savatthi City, seem to be insignificant. From the relative point of view, we can see emptiness. Empty does not negate everything. Empty has the background of emptiness, and emptiness has emptiness. Content. Emptiness is the true nature of all things.”
After hearing this, the Brahmin was silent for a while, raised his hand to Subhuti, and said, “My lord! You are worthy of being the number one disciple of the Great Sage Buddha who explained emptiness. I am very impressed by your teaching. I am ashamed, I am still Not qualified to discuss with His Holiness. Goodbye, we will meet later!”
Standing majestically, Subhuti drew a picture in the air with his hand, indicating: “When your black hair turns white, when you see the leaves on the branches fall to the ground, and the seeds of the flowers go into the soil, sprout, grow, Flowering, fruiting, after a cycle of changes, it becomes its original appearance, you remember, that is “empty”!”
They waved their hands and parted.
8. The first person to meet the Buddha
Venerable Subhuti has realized the principle of emptiness and is very good at propagating the principle of emptiness. All his walking, standing, sitting and lying can best express the principle of emptiness.
Once, the Buddha went out suddenly and was not in the Sangha. All the four disciples of the Buddha searched everywhere, but none of them knew where the Buddha was. Later, Analuddha, who had the highest celestial eye, observed with his celestial eye, and knew that the Buddha went to the Trayali Heaven to teach the Dharma to the Madonna Maya, and it took about three months before he came back. Anarud shared the news with everyone, and everyone missed him very much. Every disciple felt that seeing the Buddha in one day was like three autumns away.
Three months passed quickly, and the Buddha came back to the world. Before the Buddha arrived at the Sangha, all the disciples rushed out to meet him. At that time, Subhuti was sewing clothes in the cave of Lingjiu Mountain. He immediately stood up and wanted to put down the clothes in his hands to greet him. At this moment, his heart moved, and he returned to his original position, thinking in his heart: “Why am I going to greet the Buddha’s holy car now?” ?
The real body of the Buddha is not visible through the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and mind. When I go to meet the Buddha now, I regard the Buddha’s dharma body as the combination of the four elements of earth, water, fire, and wind. Because of the emptiness of the Buddha, you cannot see the Dharma body of the Buddha, because the Dharma body of the Buddha, the emptiness of all dharmas, has no creator, and there is no creation.
If you want to see the Buddha, you must first understand that the five aggregates and the four elements are impermanent , understand that all things are empty and silent, and know that all dharmas are selfless. There is no self, and there is no person; there is no doing, and there is no doing. The Dharmakaya of the Buddha is everywhere, I take refuge in the teachings of the Buddha, I have realized the emptiness of all dharmas, and I should not be confused by appearances.”
With this understanding, Subhuti did not go to meet the Buddha again. He sat down peacefully and continued to mend his clothes.
The return of the Buddha was like a great joy. The Sangha was full of joy. Everyone wanted to go to worship the Buddha first. At that time, among the bhikkhunis, there was a Lianhuase who had the most supernatural power and was the first to welcome the Buddha. She bowed to the Buddha and said, “Buddha! Disciple Lianhuase is the first to greet the Buddha’s holy car, and ask the Buddha to accept the disciple’s visit!”
The Buddha smiled and said kindly, “Lianhuase! You can’t be said to be the first person to greet me!”
Lianhuase was very surprised, looked around, Da Kassapa and other elders came from behind. Lianhuase asked in a suspicious tone: “Buddha! Disciple, dare to ask, who has welcomed the Buddha before Lianhuase?”
The Buddha smiled and saw that many disciples were catching up. He seemed to be answering the lotus color, and he seemed to tell everyone: “You are very good. You came to meet me from a long distance, but the first one to meet me was Subhuti, Subhuti. At this time, Bodhi was observing the emptiness of all dharmas in the grottoes of Mount Jijabori, and he was the one who really greeted me. Only those who saw the Dharma were the first to see the Buddha, and the first to welcome the Buddha.”
Lianhuase Bhikkhuni and all his disciples realized that in the Buddha’s teachings, the understanding of the truth of the universe and life was not as good as that of Venerable Subhuti.
After the Buddha’s special admiration, Subhuti’s good name and great virtue were even more respected in the Sangha.
9. The number one Arhat among people
Subhuti’s life and state of mind are peaceful and comfortable, always in the realm of the liberator of emptiness and samadhi.
As a human being in the world, even a saint, slander and ridicule will still be imposed on him, no matter how innocent he is, stay away from fame and fortune, and do a lot of things for all living beings, but ordinary people in the world always love to spread rumors and create troubles , Say how bad others are.
Subhuti practiced the Tao, spread the word, and was busy with the work of benefiting all living beings every day, but the cruel human feelings and sarcasm words still did not let him go. However, His Holiness regards these things as ordinary things, and never gets angry because of them.
One day, when Subhuti was on the way to spread the Dharma, he suddenly heard some people criticize his remarks. They said: “What is so great about Subhuti? He probably doesn’t have much practice. You see, he is stupid among the monks and has no activity at all. .”
Some monks were very upset about Subhuti, and they all asked him why he didn’t defend himself with those people?
Subhuti replied calmly: “Bhikkhus, thank you for your concern and love for Subhuti, but please don’t think of such injustice. You must know that meaningless arguments are arguing, and arguing is winning or losing, which is contrary to the truth. As practitioners, we should regard ridicule, slander, and even adversity as an opportunity to help the Tao, so as to eliminate karma and strengthen confidence. Moreover, in the world of truth, there is really no need for disputes. Truth is infinite. I have no one, no one, no one, no one, no saint, no one. I know that one is equal, and there is no vacuum, so my heart is like a clear sky with nothing, so why bother to argue?”
Subhuti, who has solved emptiness, is so broad-minded and free-spirited, and all the monks admire his style of work!
Subhuti’s virtue of forbearance to all living beings is indeed superior to others. He often said: “If some living beings think that I am not good at standing, I will not be able to sit up all day long; if they hate my sitting badly, I will not move all day long.” I will never arouse a single affliction in all dharmas, and I will never annoy a single sentient being.
Subhuti, he can follow the world, practice great forbearance, and be free from afflictions and disputes with anyone. This is because he has mastered emptiness.
The Buddha was very happy when he knew that Subhuti had practiced like this. He once praised him at the Vajra Prajna Dharma Assembly: “Subhuti! Among my disciples, it is very difficult to reach your level of practice. Yes. You have attained the samadhi of non-disagreement, which is the best among human beings. I congratulate you, you are already the number one arhat who is free from desires!”
When Subhuti heard the Buddha’s praise, he was very happy and grateful, but he didn’t dare to take it seriously. He bowed his palms together and said, “Buddha! You have given us words of compassion and love and encouraged us. I am filled with endless gratitude. Buddha!
You said that I am the number one among human beings, and the number one arhat who is free from desires. However, I never think this way. If I have this kind of thinking, it means that the ego has not been eliminated, and I am still immersed in the grasp of the law that has been obtained and certified all day long, Buddha! I did not think this way, and I did not act like this. For the sake of non-birth and non-action, the Buddha said such kind words to me. In fact, Venerable Sariputta and Venerable Moggallana, they are the real arhats who are free from desires!”
Subhuti, who is very humble and good at words, can know from his words that he is an Arhat who has attained the Holy Fruit.
10. Banquet in the rocks, colorful flowers and rain
Subhuti is an arhat who is free from desire, has no struggle with the world, and has no desire for the world. Sometimes he lived in the Sangha and studied together with the public, listening to the truth preached by the Buddha; sometimes, he practiced meditation in the forest and studied higher meditation methods.
The famous Qijaju Mountain is a beautiful place with beautiful peaks, lush forests and bamboos. It is the holy drive of the Buddha, which can often be seen here. Subhuti liked the life of living in the mountains, so he could see the Venerable from time to time on the Vulture Mountain.
On sunny days, there are his footprints by the side of the mountain and under the trees. Sometimes he sits and meditates, and sometimes he walks and visualizes; when the rainy season comes, he lives under rocks and in caves.
In the eyes of Subhuti, deep mountains and jungles are the best places for further study. During the day, he can see the flying birds and apes; at night, he is accompanied by the stars, the moon and the singing of insects. The scenery of nature is infinitely beautiful, Subhuti often thinks this way, people are born naked, and should return to the embrace of nature naked again.
Once, when Subhuti sat at a banquet in the rock, he entered into meditation in the emptiness samadhi. That profound practice touched the heavens who protect the Dharma. Many heavenly beings appeared in the sky, scattering flowers one by one. Floating in front of Subhuti, they clasped their palms together and praised Subhuti, saying: “My lord! Being a man in this world, having a high reputation and a lot of treasures, is really nothing to be honored. Even the king and the rich are also troubled all day long.
Prisoned by desires. Venerable sir! The truly honorable ones in the world are great practitioners like you. You are now entering the emptiness samadhi, and the light of your mighty virtue shines through the heavenly palace. Make offerings.
You are good at prajna, and you swim in the empty samadhi like the blue sky from time to time. You have got rid of the ordinary feelings in the world, the troubles like black clouds, and Bodhi like white clouds are not covered by them; you have cut off the desire. The iron chain, you spread the golden chain of the Dharma. Great venerable, please accept the smallpox offering, and we bow to you to show our respect!”
The praise of the gods and the flowers scattered by the gods disturbed Subhuti, who was in the emptiness samadhi. After he came out of samadhi, he asked the gods: “Who are you? Why do you come here to praise me rain flowers?”
The leading celestial being then clasped his hands together and replied, “I am the celestial being, and we are all celestial beings.”
“Why are you admiring me so graciously?”
“We respect the Venerable Master who speaks Prajna Paramita well in the emptiness samadhi!”
“I haven’t said a word to Prajna, why are you admiring it!”
“Your Majesty has nothing to say, we have nothing to hear, nothing to say and nothing to hear, this is true Prajna!”
When Subhuti heard this, he smiled knowingly, and praised the heavenly beings, saying: “At the Prajna meeting, the Buddha proclaimed the supreme, profound and subtle Dharma door. I didn’t know that you had believed, accepted and understood it when you were protecting the Taoist place. Thank you for your beautiful and fragrant teachings. Smallpox, may the fragrance of this smallpox fill the world and the sky!”
After Subhuti spoke, the heavenly beings bowed again, and gradually disappeared into the clouds.
The rain flowers of gods and humans praised, besides the Buddha, only the Venerable Subhuti Bodhi has this extraordinary glory!
11. Heaven and man play music to ask about sickness
Subhuti, who often lived on Mount Qijabori, suddenly experienced a disorder in the four elements, and the disease haunted him, making him feel very tired and restless physically and mentally.
A sage who practiced with high morals will also get sick? Many people are puzzled by it. In fact, the physical body of a person affected by karma is a conditioned dharma, and since it is a conditioned dharma, the phenomenon of suffering, emptiness and impermanence is inevitable. Subhuti is a holy man who has realized the holy fruit. His spirit has been liberated long ago, but the active body is still there. The active body is the dharma of the world.
When Subhuti was seriously ill, he unfolded the bedding and spread it on the ground. He sat cross-legged on it, and thought straightly, “Where do the illnesses and sufferings of the body come from? How can we get rid of the illnesses and sufferings?”
“Subhuti asked himself deeply, and then thought: “The causes of physical illness and suffering, some are the karma of the past, and some are the relationship of predestination and violation in the present life. Medicine cannot completely eradicate it. Only by firmly believing in cause and effect and repenting of sins and karma , practice meditation, from the heart not suffering to the body not suffering.”
After the Venerable Subhuti had meditation and righteous thoughts, he immediately felt very relaxed physically and mentally, and he was free of any illness.
At this moment, the protector of the Dharma, Tiandi Shi, led 500 celestial beings and many Bozhexun music gods, descending from the sky to Qijabori Mountain. Emperor Shi immediately ordered Bo Zhexun to play condolence music. The appointed God of Music walked up to Subhuti and played the glazed qin, and the five hundred celestial beings sang along:
His Holiness’ virtue is as high as the sky!
His Holiness’ practice is longer than water!
Crossing the sea of life and death,
quenching the fire of action,
the pain of old age and disease can be eradicated.
If the karma is repented,
the filth can be wiped out.
May the venerable realize it from meditation.
The venerable’s illness and suffering will be eliminated!
The Venerable’s Dharma will heal you!
After the song was played and the singing stopped, Heavenly Emperor Shi led his family members to pay homage to the holy face of the Venerable. Subhuti replied kindly and praised: “This melody and singing are really the most delicate and harmonious music!”
“Excuse me, my lord, do you still suffer from the illness at this moment?” Heavenly Emperor Shi asked respectfully.
The venerable then told the Emperor of Heaven to explain: “All dharmas are born from causes and conditions, and all dharmas are destroyed from causes and conditions. The causes and conditions of all dharmas are combined to form, and the causes and conditions of all dharmas are separated to cease. All dharmas are dependent on each other. Wait, Dharma arises from Dharma, and Dharma has its own cause and effect.
Black Dharma is cured by White Dharma, and white Dharma is cured by Black Dharma. It is like treating the disease of greed with impure contemplation; the disease of anger needs to be cured with compassion To cure the disease of ignorance, one must use prajna wisdom to cure it.
“Everything in the world is an empty appearance. There is no self-identity or human appearance, no distinction between men and women, no difference between right and wrong, everything is just like that. Look at the storm blowing down the big tree, or the frost and snow destroying the seedling flower, but that Withered vegetation, if encountering spring wind and rain, will naturally restore its vitality. All dharmas are in chaos, and all dharmas have their own time to calm down.
“A little bit of my illness was when all dharmas were in chaos, but the Buddha’s dharma water like nectar, and his meditation like spring breeze, made my illness disappear long ago. Thank you for your kindness. I am now My body and mind are at peace.”
Emperor Shi was very happy when he heard this, and after bowing to the Venerable, he led the heavens and men back to heaven.
After seeing the gods and humans leave, the Venerable Master said to himself:
“The Buddha once taught us compassionately that
only the Dharma can heal the pain of the body and mind.
You don’t pray when you are sick.
You have to listen to the Dharma and
practice it at ordinary times. The foundation of enlightenment.
Confess karma,
firmly believe in cause and effect;
cultivate blessings and wisdom,
this is a wonderful medicine for all diseases.”
12. Discussing emptiness at the Prajna Meeting
Subhuti possesses deep wisdom of emptiness, not only can see through the reputation in the world, free from the shackles of material, but also can relieve physical and mental pain with prajna wisdom and meditation.
Once, the Buddha said to Subhuti at a Prajna meeting: “Subhuti! You are very eloquent and can deeply understand the truth of vacuum. There are many Bodhisattvas gathered here today. You can explain to them the corresponding method of Prajna Paramita. Satisfy what they have learned, let’s encourage each other to improve!”
When the Buddha said this, everyone in the audience knew that the Prajna Dharma is a very profound and mysterious Dharma, so they all wondered in their hearts: “Can the Venerable Subhuti use his own wisdom and eloquence to proclaim such a subtle Dharma? Or have he inherited the Buddha’s teachings?” How about proclaiming it with the power of the gods?”
Subhuti knew the minds of the congregation, so he said: “The Buddha’s benevolent order cannot be disobeyed. Disciples come to teach, no matter how deep or shallow the teachings are, if they can be said to make sense and opportunity, they must bear the Buddha’s majestic power. .Under the mighty power of the Buddha to teach and persuade people to study, only then can they obtain the instinct of the Dharma, correspond to the reality of the Dharma, and communicate with the Buddha’s mind.
Now, with the mighty power of the Buddha, I will come to It is not the power of my wisdom and eloquence to proclaim and learn the principles of the prajnaparamita corresponding to the bodhisattva way.”
Subhuti was very modest. After he said that, he bowed to the Buddha again, and said to the Buddha: “Buddha, my disciple accepts your kind order to explain the corresponding method of Bodhisattva and Prajna Paramita, but what method is called Bodhisattva? What method Is it called Prajna Paramita? I don’t see a Dharma named Bodhisattva, and I don’t see a Dharma named Prajna Paramita. There are many corresponding methods. Buddha! Please give a compassionate explanation first, can I satisfy what the Bodhisattvas have learned?”
The Buddha replied happily: “Subhuti! Bodhisattva is only called Bodhisattva, and Prajna Paramita is only called Prajna Paramita. The so-called names of Bodhisattva and Prajna Paramita are only names. For the convenience of publicity, it is a false name.
This false name is neither inside nor outside, nor is it between the inside and the outside. Life is immortal. All dharmas with potential are like dreams, sounds, shadows, illusions, sun flames, and moons in water. But, Subhuti, if a bodhisattva wants to prove that he is not born and never dies, he still needs to learn from the Bodhisattva and the Buddha. The false name and false law of Prajna Paramita.
“Subhuti! Bodhisattvas practice prajna paramita, permanence and impermanence, joy and suffering, ego and non-self, emptiness and non-emptiness, existence and non-existence, action and non-action, filth and purity, life and Annihilation, good and evil, with and without outflows, mundane and supramundane, samsara and nirvana are all non-attachable distinctions, as are all other dharmas.
“Subhuti! Why do you say this? Because when a bodhisattva practices prajna paramita for a long time, he should not think about differentiating all dharmas, but should live in emptiness and non-discrimination. Bodhisattvas who practice the six paramitas and other practices do not see bodhisattvas. The name, but not the name of Prajna Paramita. The Bodhisattva only seeks omniscient wisdom and knows that everything is the reality of all dharmas, and this reality is impure and impure
“If a Bodhisattva can practice Prajna Paramita in this way, knowing that names and appearances are skillful and fake, then he will not have any attachment to form, feeling, thought, line of consciousness and all other dharmas, no attachment to wisdom, and no attachment to supernatural powers. Don’t get attached, don’t be attached to anything. Why don’t you be attached to all dharmas? Because if you have attachments, you can’t get it.
“Subhuti! Only when you practice Prajna Paramita in this way, and when you are free from attachment to all dharmas, can you help complete the practice of the six paramitas, enter the right position of a practitioner, and live in a non-retreating position. Buddha country, transforming and benefiting all living beings, solemn and pure Buddha land, living in the realm of freedom and liberation.
“Subhuti, form, is it a Bodhisattva? Is the perception, thinking, and action consciousness a Bodhisattva? Are the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and mind a Bodhisattva? Is the earth, water, fire, wind, and space consciousness a Bodhisattva? People who stay away from form, perception, thinking, and consciousness, eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and mind, and earth, water, and fire. Is it a Bodhisattva?”
“Buddha! None of the above can be called a bodhisattva.” Subhuti replied.
“Subhuti! You say none of the above are Bodhisattvas. What is the reason for this? Can you explain?”
“Buddha! Originally, the so-called sentient beings are unknowable and unobtainable. This is true of any dharma, even Bodhisattvas. Those who say they have this dharma, say they don’t have this dharma, or stay away from the dharma-nature are not called bodhisattvas.”
The Buddha listened to Subhuti’s answer and praised happily: “That’s right, Subhuti! The so-called Bodhisattva and the so-called Prajna Paramita are all unobtainable. Although Bodhisattvas want to practice, they don’t practice at all. Subhuti! Let me ask you again. , Is the Bodhisattva’s righteousness to see, feel, think, act and know all the dharmas?”
“Buddha! Form, feeling, thought, action, and consciousness are not bodhisattva righteousness!” Subhuti replied with deep understanding.
The Buddha again happily praised Subhuti and said: “Subhuti! You are right. When a Bodhisattva has practiced Prajna Paramita for a long time, all dharmas of form, perception, thought, practice, and consciousness are either permanent or impermanent, active or inactive, and so on. No. Bodhisattvas should practice Prajna Paramita with a broad mind.
“Subhuti! You said that you have not seen the Bodhisattva and the Bodhisattva’s name, the Dharma and the Dharma Realm, the Dharma Realm and the Vision Realm, the Vision Realm and the Mind Realm, etc. These relative dharmas are not opposite. What is the reason? Talking about it apart from doing things. It is impossible to do nothing, and it is impossible to talk about doing something without doing nothing.
Subhuti! Bodhisattvas practice Prajna Paramita in this way. If you don’t see any dharma, you will be free from all fears. If you keep your heart in the dharma, you will have no regrets. Things. As you said, even if a Bodhisattva practices Prajna Paramita in this way, he will not get the name of Bodhisattva. This is the real name of Bodhisattva. The real name is Prajna Paramita. This is the teaching taught by Bodhisattvas.”
At the prajna meeting of tens of thousands of listeners, he preached for the great bodhisattvas, and the Buddha and the venerable Subhuti asked and answered, because only Subhuti can deeply experience and understand the profound and subtle truth of emptiness and the philosophy of emptiness. In this way, he gained the reputation of being the number one in Jiekong and was widely respected in the Sangha!
The Dharma is profound and broad. If we want to truly go deep into the Dharma, we must follow the example of Venerable Subhuti!
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