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Biography of Sariputta, Wisdom comes first

Biography of the Ten Great Disciples of the Buddha

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Sariputta- Wisdom comes first

1. Before and after birth

In the country of Magadha in South India, about two or three miles away from the capital, Rajagha, there is a village in Kalamanaka, with lush forests and bamboos, and beautiful mountains and rivers. It is a very quiet place. This is the place where wisdom comes first. Hometown of Venerable Shariputra.

Shariputra was born in a family of Brahmin caste. His father, Tisher, was a famous theorist in Brahmanism. When his mother was pregnant with him, his mother’s wisdom was different from that of ordinary women. It is said that this was influenced by the fetus.

My mother’s younger brother, Kushira, was also very good at talking, but whenever he discussed with his pregnant sister, he was always unable to speak and retreated without support. Because of this, Koshiro ran away from home in shame. He knew that the fetus conceived by his sister must be a person of great wisdom. So he visited masters everywhere, studied knowledge, and didn’t even have time to cut his nails. People at that time called him Changclaw Fanzhi (later because of Shariputra’s conversion to the Buddha, he also became a monk.)

When Shariputra was eight years old, he was able to understand all books. At that time, in the Magadha country, there were two elder brothers. The elder brother was named Jili, and the younger brother was named Agara. now. In the banquet, it is stipulated that people of any status should sit in any position, but the eight-year-old Shariputra sat on the throne of the teacher, as if no one else was around, and he was not afraid at all.

At first, many ministers and teachers felt that he was young and ignorant, and disdain to talk to him. They all sent young disciples to answer him, but Shariputra’s words were clear and well-reasoned, and the words shocked everyone. At this time, all the great theorists admired and praised him. The king was also very happy, and immediately rewarded a village to Shariputra.

An eight-year-old child is in the limelight on such occasions, and the father of a famous scholar often laments that he is not as intelligent as his beloved son.

2. A real teacher

The young Shariputra is known to all the people in the country. He has a tall figure, a handsome face, bright eyes, and hands above his knees. Inherited from the father of a famous scholar, he has the demeanor of a scholar. At that time, there was no one in the academic world who did not know such a formidable young man.

When Shariputra was twenty years old, he bid farewell to his hometown and his parents, and went abroad to visit his teachers and pursue truth. Learning could not satisfy his thirst for knowledge, so he planned to leave Zenjaya. At this time, Moggallana among the classmates was the only close friend of Shariputra, and Shariputra told Moggallana what he wanted, and Moggallana also felt the same, so the two of them decided to leave Zangjaya and create another The academy recruits disciples. They proudly thought that there was no one wiser than the two of them in the world, and no one was qualified to be their teacher.

Shariputra and Moggallana are not only about the same age, but also have similar knowledge and ideas. They shared the desire to pursue the truth, and the two got along very well. Except for self-study and teaching, no scholar in India allowed them to look in their eyes.

One day, Shariputra happened to meet the Buddha’s disciple Asuoshi Bhikkhu on the street of Rajagha City. Asuoshi was one of the five monks who first converted to the Buddha. fruit. He had a dignified attitude and dignified demeanor. When Shariputra saw him, he was very surprised. He couldn’t help but stepped forward and asked, “Excuse me, this ascetic, what is your name? Where do you live?”

“My name is Ashuoshi, and I live in the Zhulin Abode not far from the city!” Bhikkhu Ashuoshi replied after nodding.

“Who is your teacher? What principles does he usually teach you?” Shariputra spoke like an elder.

“My teacher is the great sage Shakyamuni Buddha who was born in the Sakyamuni tribe.” Asaoshi replied slowly: “The truth of the universe and life taught by the teacher, I can’t fully understand it as a simple learner, but as far as I can remember, The teacher often talks about the principle that “all dharmas are born due to conditions, and all dharmas are destroyed due to conditions.” I am indescribably grateful.”

Shariputra heard the Buddha and his teachings from Asuoshi’s mouth. It was like the sky falling apart, like the bright sunlight shining, his eyes suddenly brightened, and the accumulated doubts about the universe and life in his heart were swept away. , he and Ah Shuoshi talked while walking, like a century-old friend, and finally agreed that they must visit the Buddha.

When Shariputra returned to his own residence, Moggallana saw that he was overjoyed, so he inquired, “Shariputra! What makes you so happy? Seeing you are so happy!”

“Mugallana! I am so happy. This is the happiest thing in my life. Let me tell you, I have found our teacher.”

“Don’t say that, who can afford our teacher?” Moggallana was very disapproving.

“Buddha! Yes indeed Buddha!” Sariputta replied.

Shariputra then relayed the Buddha and the teachings from Asuoshi’s mouth to Moggallana. Shariputra, who spoke, and Moggallana, who was obedient, couldn’t help but was moved to tears!

Ordinary people may not have any reaction to the law of karma, but hearing it in the ears of Shariputra who pursues and explores the truth, it seems that his years of practice are in vain. This is because only those who know causes and conditions can know Buddhism.

The next day, Shariputra and Moggallana led two hundred disciples to the Bamboo Grove Abode to take refuge under the seat of the Buddha. The Buddha was also very happy, feeling that the truth he had realized had only been accepted by people today. Sariputta and Moggallana also felt that they had met a real teacher.

3. Supervise the construction of Gion

After Shariputra converted to the Buddha, the power of the Sangha gradually became stronger. The Buddha trusted Sariputra very much. It was Sariputra who first went to the north to preach the Dharma and supervised the project of Gion Abode under the Buddha’s benevolent order.

It turned out that the Zhulin Abode was located in the Magadha country in South India. During the first two years of the Buddha’s enlightenment, there was no base for preaching in the north of India. By chance, Suda in the city of Sravasti in the northern Kaosamira country The elder, because he visited his relatives in the south, saw the holy face of the Buddha, voluntarily converted, and made up his mind to build a vihara in the north, make offerings to the Buddha, and spread the nectar of water.

The elder Suda bought the garden of Prince Jeta in the city of Savatthi with a gold pavement, and used it as the building site for the Vihara, and asked the Buddha to send a person who designed and supervised the project. The Buddha knew the north because he had never been there. Needless to say, it was a world full of heretics. To go to the north was not only to supervise the construction of the monastery, but also to subdue the disciples of heretics. In this way, Shariputra and the elder Suda arrived in the northern city of Savatthi.

The construction of the Vihara has just started, and it is really good. Tribulations are coming. Many heretics are jealous of the development of Buddhism. They unanimously ask the elder Suda to dispel his original intention of building a Vihara to support the Buddha, and even ask him not to believe in the Buddha.

The elder Suda is a person who has accepted the Buddha’s grace. In any case, he will not listen to the words of outsiders. Therefore, outsiders want to argue with Buddha’s disciple Shariputra, and they want to argue against Buddhism. In order to wake up the elder Xuda, the elder Xuda was shocked when he heard the news. He thought to himself, how can a Sariputta argue against so many heretics?

Elder Suda sadly told Shariputra what the heretics meant, but Shariputra was overjoyed. He felt that this was the best opportunity for him to preach the teachings on behalf of the Buddha.

The time and place for the debate conference were agreed upon. Heretics elected dozens of debaters, and Buddhism only had Shariputra.

Although there is only Shariputra in the Buddhist group, in terms of strength, one Shariputra may be worth tens of thousands of heretics. Shariputra is one of the outstanding disciples of the Buddha. He was originally born in a Brahman family. His grandfather and father were both famous theorists among Brahmans and first-class scholars in India. Shariputra was inherited by such a good lineage. And family background, in addition to being proficient in all the classics of heretics, and now he is a person who has converted to the Buddha and obtained the holy fruit.

It is the most appropriate person for Shariputra to debate with heretics.

Needless to say, Shariputra has won this debate. Some heretics are also people who can accept the truth. They are all willing to be introduced by Shariputra to take refuge in the Great Sage Buddha. The Buddha was still in the south, and Deguang first took refuge in the north. This time, the number of people who were introduced by Shariputra to convert to the Buddha was no less than tens of millions. Only then did the elder Suda feel the greatness of Buddhism. He admired Shariputra and was even more grateful. Buddha’s mighty virtue.

The construction of the Gion Abode was carried out very quickly. According to Shariputra’s design, there were sixteen halls dedicated to gatherings and sixty small halls, which were divided into dormitory, recuperation room, washroom, and storage room. There are also playgrounds, baths, pools, etc. When the Vihara was about to be completed, Shariputra said to the Elder Suda, “Master Suda! Look, what has appeared in the sky?”

“My lord! I can’t see anything.” Elder Suda replied disappointedly.

“It’s no wonder, the naked eye can’t see such a realization, now you rely on my clairvoyance, let’s see it again!”

“Ah! Your lord! So many magnificent palaces!” Elder Suda told Shariputra ecstatically.

“These are all palaces in the Six Desire Heavens, because you donated the Vihara to the Buddha to teach the Dharma. Although the Vihara has not been completed, in the Six Desire Heavens, your palace has already been completed for you.”

“Then, my lord! May I ask you, there are so many palaces in the Six Desire Heavens, which day should I live in in the future?”

“Tao Litian has a long lifespan, knows how to practice, is diligent in Buddhism, and is not easy to fall.” Shariputra explained to the elder Suda.

“Then I must make a vow to be born in the Trayastrian Palace in the future.” When the elder Xuda said, the other palaces gradually disappeared, and only the palace of the Trayastrian Heaven was more resplendent in the sky for the elder Xuda to see. At this time, Xuda The joy of reaching the elders is something he has never experienced in his life.

4. Not retreating from Mahayana

Speaking of the elder Suda, who was able to see the palace in the sky through Shariputra’s heavenly eyes because he gave the Buddha alms, about the eyes of Shariputra, in his past cause land about sixty small kalpas ago, when he was practicing the bodhisattva way, there was a Such a story. Shariputra aspires to cultivate the bodhisattva path and practice Mahayana charity. Not only is he willing to donate to others his house, farmland, property and other personal belongings with joy, but he even donates his body and life without hesitation.

Sending such a sincere wish can shake the world, so there is a celestial being who wants to try his Taoist heart.

The gods and humans turned into young people in their twenties, waiting on the road that Shariputra must pass. When he saw him coming, he burst into tears. Shariputra couldn’t bear to see him, and went up to comfort him and asked, “Young man, why are you crying so sadly here?”

“Ah! It’s no use telling you!”

“I am a Samana who is learning the Tao. I vow to save sentient beings from suffering. As long as you ask for something, whatever I have can satisfy your wish.”

“You can’t help me. I’m crying here. It’s not because I lack worldly goods, but because my mother has an incurable disease. The doctor said that the mother’s illness must be decocted with ascetic eyes. Human eyeballs are hard to find, so why would you give them to me? Thinking of my mother moaning on the hospital bed, I cried bitterly here!”

“That’s not a problem. I told you just now that I am a Samana practicing Taoism. I am willing to donate an eyeball to you to save your mother’s illness.”

“Would you like to donate an eyeball to me?” The young man jumped up for joy.

“I donate all my property to others. Now I want to further practice the Mahayana Bodhisattva way and donate my body, but I have no one who can receive charity. I met you today and fulfilled my wish to learn the Tao. I am very happy to thank you , you try to come and take one of my eyeballs!”

Shariputra, who practiced Taoism sixty kalpas ago, thought in his heart, I have two eyeballs, I donate one eyeball to others, and the other one can still see things. This does not hinder me at all.

He asked the young man to try to take his eyeball, but the young man refused. He said, “This is impossible. How can I take your eyeball? If you want, you can dig it out and give it to me.”

When Shariputra heard what he said, he felt that what he said was justified, and immediately made up his mind, bravely and enduringly gouged out the left eyeball, handed it to the young man, and said, “Thank you for fulfilling my wish, please take it!”

“Oops!” The young man yelled, “Who told you to pluck out the left eyeball? The doctor said that my mother’s illness would only be cured by eating the right eyeball.”

When Sheriff heard it, it was really bad! He blamed himself for not asking him to dig out his eyes again, what should he do now? Give him the left eyeball, and the right eyeball to see things. If you gouge out the right eyeball and give him the right eyeball, he can’t even walk. Admirable and admirable Shariputra, he does not blame others, he thinks, if he is determined to the end, he must save people to the end. It is rare to meet a person who is willing to accept donations to achieve his own way, and then dig out the right eyeball Give it to him.

After Sariputta thought so, he comforted the young man and said: “Don’t worry, I blamed me for being careless just now, I didn’t ask clearly for digging out the eyeball, now I know, anyway, the human body is illusory, I still have the right eyeball, I am willing Dig it down and make medicine for you to heal your mother’s illness.”

After Shariputra said that, he made up his mind again, bravely and patiently gouged out the right eyeball and handed it to the young man.

The young man took Sariputta’s eyeballs, without saying a word of thanks, put Sariputta’s eyeballs on his nose and sniffed, then threw them to the ground and cursed: “What kind of Samana are you? Your eyeballs It smells so bad, how can I decoct it for my mother!”

After the young man scolded, he stepped on Shariputra’s eyeballs with his feet.

Although Shariputra couldn’t see his eyes, his ears were not deaf. He heard the young people scolding him and trampling his eyeballs with their feet on the ground. Don’t try to learn Mahayana, but focus on self-interested practice first!

As soon as Sariputra had this kind of heart, many gods appeared in the sky and said to Shariputra: “Practitioner! Don’t be discouraged. The young man just now came to test your Bodhisattva Taoism. You should be more courageous and diligent. Your willingness to study.”

When Shariputra heard this, he was ashamed, and the bodhisattva heart of altruism arose again, and he immediately achieved the non-retreating Taoist heart.

Since sixty small kalpas, Shariputra has been studying the Tao without rest. In this life, he met the Buddha and proved the holy fruit, so he can have clairvoyance.

5. Received unclean food

Shariputra is the first disciple among the Buddha’s disciples, with great wisdom and supernatural power, but he believed in and practiced the Buddha, and never disobeyed the Buddha’s teachings.

Among the disciples, the Buddha trusted Sariputra the most. When the Buddha returned to his homeland, Kapilavatthu for the first time after becoming enlightened, Rahula asked to become a monk.

Once, Shariputra brought Shami Rahura back from begging for alms. The Buddha saw Rahura’s complexion and knew that there must be dissatisfaction in his heart. The Buddha called him to his side and asked him what dissatisfaction he had in his heart. thing.

The young Rahula lowered his head in embarrassment, but said in an injustice, “Buddha! I am a novice. I shouldn’t say the fault of the elders, but I should not say that no one knows our novice’s situation.”

“What’s the matter? Tell me quickly!”

“Buddha! The monks of the upper seat and the middle seat took us outside for alms alms. The offerings given by the believers were all top-notch delicacies. But for our novice novice monks, the believers always mixed in rice dregs and wild vegetables. Give it to us. The human body has the same needs for food and drink, regardless of age and precepts. The elders have no mercy to take care of us except for their own use, so that believers have a different heart for offerings.”

“You don’t need to talk about such things, you just can’t bear a little thing.”

“Buddha! Please be merciful. Don’t blame us. Only by eating flax oil and ghee can we increase our strength, stay healthy, and practice diligently. But now we eat flax residues and wild vegetables every day, lack of nutrition, and always feel sleepy. I often can’t concentrate on my practice!”

Hearing what Rahula said, the Buddha knew it was true, but the Buddha still taught, “Rahura! Did you leave the palace and come to my Sangha to receive good offerings?”

“No! Buddha! We join the Sangha to learn and practice.”

“Then, do you have anything else to say? If you think that we are practicing, we should be satisfied if we can receive the offerings of Xinshi Yimai. It is important that you go to practice, and don’t always worry about eating.”

Although the Buddha taught Rahula in this way, the Buddha knew that the believers were so discriminating about the recluses’ offerings, and he was very disapproving.

After the Buddha told Rahula to go, he called Shariputra again. The Buddha kindly asked Shariputra : “Shariputra! You have received unclean food today, do you know?”

Shariputra was shocked when he heard that, and quickly spit out the food he had received that day. He told the Buddha: “Buddha! Since I took refuge in you, I have followed the Buddha’s begging method. I dare not Begging is not pure food if you don’t follow the Buddha’s begging method.”

The Buddha understood Shariputra’s heart and explained: “Shariputra! I know that your personal begging is completely in accordance with my legal system, but the Sangha of Liuhe respect is not only concerned about itself. The legal system should be equal and the interests should be balanced. Especially elders should love and care for young monks and novices. Pay attention to them when begging.”

When the Buddha said this, Shariputra did not feel aggrieved at all. He accepted the teachings of the Buddha with gratitude.

6. Traitor Fear

Among the disciples of the Buddha, there is a bhikkhu named Devadatta. He was the cousin of the Buddha when he was a prince. group.

Once, after the Buddha begged for alms, he and his disciples gathered in the lecture hall to rest. Devadatta blatantly led the rebel party to demand that the Buddha give him the leadership of the Sangha.

When the Buddha didn’t agree, Devadatta roared, and the Buddha let him go. Devadatta asked the monks to follow him. His brother Ananda came forward and said, “Please don’t mess around. You are my elder brother. I think of you. Committing such a serious crime, I am really chilling for your future depravity. The Buddha is merciful, and you are such a person, it is not worth his consideration. If Shariputra and Moggallana were present today, you would definitely not be allowed presumptuous.”

Later, Devadatta used various methods to threaten and lure the disciples of the Buddha. A few people who were not firm in their beliefs, because they were greedy for the rich offerings given to Devadatta by King Ajashi, some defected and followed them.

One day, when the apostates and the disciples of Devadatta gathered together, Sariputta solemnly and forcefully walked forward and asked: “Everyone, I would like to ask you, are you going out to practice Taoism to receive offerings? Or to cultivate Taoism?” ?”

“To cultivate the Tao, to escape from the sea of suffering of life and death!” Everyone replied.

“Since this is the case, if you don’t practice the righteous path of the Great Sage Buddha, your pure and noble beliefs will be shaken by mere material offerings. You should quickly reflect and awaken.”

When Shariputra spoke, thousands of golden lights radiated from his body, and the compassionate face of the great sage Buddha appeared in the light. The renegades and the disciples of Devadatta knelt down and repented after seeing them, and Shariputra brought them back to the Sangha again!

From then on, the Buddha praised Shariputra even more. He has made great contributions to the harmony of the Sangha. Devadatta was not afraid of the Buddha, but Shariputra the most.

Devadatta soon fell into hell due to his serious crimes, King Ajashi also repented and was saved, and Shariputra was even more admired in the Sangha!

7. Accept the way of salvation

When the Buddha was in the Gion Abode, he pitied the helpless sentient beings who were wandering in the sea of life and death, and thought that there is no happy and happy destination in the six realms of reincarnation. The Buddha wanted to tell this method of salvation, but he was afraid of people with small roots and petty tricks. I couldn’t believe it, and finally decided to use Shariputra as the leader, because the wise Shariputra must know the solemnity and purity of the Land of Ultimate Bliss, and he must be able to accept the belief of Amitabha Buddha.

Although there are people of the upper, middle and lower grades among the people present here, the Buddha used Shariputra as the motivator to speak out an easy and bright road. The Buddha said: “Shariputra! It is very difficult in our world. In the far west, there is a world called the Land of Ultimate Bliss, where the leader, Amitabha Buddha, is teaching the Dharma.

“Shariputra! Why is that world called the Land of Ultimate Bliss? Because there are not too many defects and too much pain like our Saha world. The sentient beings born in that land have only perfection and no defects; only happiness and no pain. ; That’s why it’s called Paradise. The natural world there is flat, neat, clean, and rich; the people and society there, all things such as food, clothing, housing, transportation, entertainment, etc., are all based on what they need and what they like. Good people gather together. The scenery is more beautiful than the garden, and the building is more magnificent than the city.

“Shariputra! As long as you recite the name of Amitabha Buddha wholeheartedly, cultivate merit and predestined relationship, and learn the thirty-seven supporting ways, you will be able to be guided by Amitabha Buddha and be reborn in that country in the future.

“Shariputra! If all living beings in the Saha world want to escape the suffering of the six realms of reincarnation, they must make a vow to seek rebirth in that country. I once asked Venerable Ananda to worship Amitabha Buddha, and he had seen Amitabha Buddha radiate mercy. You should firmly believe what I said. The unbelievable way is the sure way to be saved!”

After the Buddha said, Shariputra the Great Wisdom had no doubts at all. He and all the public firmly believed in this Amitabha Pure Land Dharma.

8. The Virtue of Patience

Shariputra respects and believes in the teachings of the Buddha, and never backs down from preaching, but he never cares about his personal enjoyment, honor, disgrace or reputation, and always makes people feel uncomfortable.

Once, when the Buddha led his disciples to go out to teach and return to Savatthi City, he was ridiculed by the public as the disciples of the six groups of monks. Before the Buddha and the public arrived at the Gion Abode, they occupied a better place to sit and lie. The dormitory was also occupied by them, and they also said: “This is our master Buddha’s, this is where we should live.”

On the day when the Buddha came back, Shariputra returned to Gion Abode a little later. Seeing that the place where he used to sit and lie was taken up by six groups of monks, Shariputra had no choice but to sit quietly under a tree overnight. The Buddha got up in the morning and heard There was a coughing sound under the tree, and the Buddha asked, “Who is there? Why don’t you just meditate indoors?”

Shariputra replied: “Buddha! I am Shariputra. Because many people came back with Buddha yesterday, the Vihara was full. It doesn’t matter if I stay under the tree for one night.”

After the Buddha heard this, he praised Shariputra for his patience, but he gathered all the monks and preached: “Bhikkhus, I ask you, in my religious group, what kind of people do you want to receive the best bed, the best water, What about a good diet?”

“A monk ordained by a Kshatriya!”

“A bhikkhu who was ordained by Salomon!”

“It should be a monk who has practiced and preached that he should be able to receive the best bed, the best water, and the best food!”

All the monks expressed their opinions one after another and answered the Buddha. Finally, the Buddha solemnly said to the bhikkhus: “Bhikkhus, in the past there lived partridges, apes, and elephants together in the snow-capped mountains. No respect. Later, when I realized that this was wrong, I respected the eldest and followed his teachings. In this way, when they died, they all reincarnated in a good way.

“Bhikkhus! You have to reverence the elder monks. If you are praised by others in this world, you will be born in a good place in the future. Monks! In my teaching, there is no hierarchy, but in my teaching there are Fala and Elders of Jiela, you must respect, serve, make offerings, and worship. The elders are promised the first-class seats, first-class water, and first-class food!”

Everyone knows why the Buddha said this. Shariputra was very grateful for hearing it, and everyone was also very grateful for hearing it.

9. The Praise of Death

Although Shariputra is an elder who has attained holy fruit, he also respects women who have achieved success in their practice.

Once Shariputra was meditating in the forest near Rajagaha, and when he dropped everything and entered Zhengdao, the bhikkhuni Upashena, who was meditating in the cave opposite him, called him loudly. Shariputra said: “Venerable Shariputra! When I was sitting in meditation just now, there seemed to be something crawling on my body. I didn’t pay attention at first, but later I realized that it was a poisonous snake. I was bitten by it, and I would die immediately. Please be merciful and try to gather everyone to bid farewell to me when I haven’t turned around!”

When Upashena bhikkhuni spoke, he was not panicked at all, as if nothing had happened.

“Where is such a thing? I don’t think your complexion has changed at all. If you are bitten by a snake, your complexion will definitely change.” Shariputra thought there was no such thing at first, so he said so.

“Venerable Shariputra! The human body is made up of the four major elements and the five aggregates of false causes and conditions. There is no master, it is impermanent, and it is originally empty. I understand this truth, so how can a poisonous snake bite the empty space?”

Sariputta admired Upasan’s quiet answer.

“You are quite right. You have already reached the point where you can get rid of physical pain. You use your wisdom to keep your face unchanged.” Shariputra praised.

Shariputra informed the nearby monks and nuns to help Upashena out of the cave, and the poisonous ones would walk on Upashena in stages, and Upashena would enter Nirvana as if nothing had happened. Seeing such a liberated person, everyone All amazing! Shariputra said: “Practice the way and adjust the mind, and enter Nirvana. For the death of the body, it is like destroying a poisonous bowl, like recovering from a serious illness. Those who ask for it will definitely be rewarded, and those who have vows will definitely have success. Dying will not change. With wisdom Looking at the world with your own eyes, and leaving the house of fire, it is truly infinitely beautiful!”

Shariputra’s praise of Upashena is the Buddhist view of death. Death, in the eyes of Buddhist practitioners, is equal to zero

10. A big heart

Shariputra’s age is increasing with the impermanence of the world. He is nearly eighty years old. Asking the Buddha to allow him to travel abroad to teach, the Buddha immediately agreed and praised Shariputra for his spirit of teaching and manhood.

Not long after Shariputra walked out of the monastery, a monk came to the Buddha’s seat and said, “Buddha! Shariputra’s wandering outside this time is not for the promotion of the Dharma. He is sorry for insulting me and embarrassed to see me. That’s why I went on a trip.”

The Buddha disliked people slandering others behind their backs the most. Hearing this, he immediately sent people to chase Shariputra back. Before the public, the Buddha asked Shariputra very seriously and said: “Shariputra! Not long after you left, there was a The bhikkhu said you insulted him, is there such a thing?”

Shariputra replied gently and respectfully: “Buddha! Since I surrendered to the seat of Buddha, I am now nearly eighty years old. In my memory, I have never killed a life, and I have never spoken in vain. The promotion of the truth has never been for the sake of personal gain or loss, and I have never argued with others. Today is the last day of the Jiexia Retreat. In the past three months, I have repented every day without losing righteous thoughts. My heart has been clarified like a blue wave. If there is no injustice, how can I despise others?

“Buddha! The dirt on the earth is the most tolerant. No matter what unclean things are added to him, he will not refuse. He will accept feces, pus, blood, and phlegm. The Buddha confessed that, like the earth, he is willing to endure humiliation and not to disobey human will.

“Buddha! The clear stream of water washes away all good and bad things alike. I have no thoughts of hatred or hatred. My heart today is just like the stream of water.

“Buddha! A broom is used to sweep away dust. When sweeping, you don’t choose likes and dislikes. In my mind today, there is really no distinction between likes and dislikes.

“Buddha! I, who live in righteous thoughts, will never despise other monks. I said this to the Buddha because I know my own affairs, and that monk also knows his own affairs. If it is my fault, I would like to apologize to that monk. Confession, in order to remove the condemnation of my conscience.”

Shariputra, who is nearly eighty years old, made a truthful report to the Buddha, neither arrogant nor humble. There is no one in the obedient public who is not moved.

The Buddha said to the bhikkhu who slandered Shariputra: “You have to repent for the fault of slandering the elders now, because you deliberately caused disputes in the Sangha, and did not consider the harmony of the Sangha. If you repent dishonestly, your bitter retribution endless!”

The bhikkhu who slandered Shariputra immediately knelt in front of the Buddha’s seat and begged the Buddha: “Buddha! The Venerable Shariputra is a great person. I don’t know how to support and learn from people with strong wisdom and ability. I am always jealous and ask The Buddha is merciful and compassionate, and gave me a chance to repent and be reborn!”

The Buddha solemnly and kindly told him, “Go and repent to Shariputra!”

The bhikkhu bowed his head and knelt in front of Shariputra. Shariputra stroked the head of the bhikkhu with his hand and said kindly: “Bhikkhu! In the Buddha’s teachings, repentance has infinite effects. Who can be without fault? ? It is a great good deed if you learn from your mistakes and make amends. I accept your confession, and I will never do it again in the future.”

Shariputra’s attitude, Shariputra’s words, everyone who listened was very moved.

Shariputra has a broad mind and a peaceful mind. He is such a person who doesn’t care about enemies and enemies!

11. Enter Vajra Ding

When the Buddha was preaching in the Kalanda Bamboo Garden in Luoyue City, Sariputta entered the Vajra Samadhi at Qijabori Mountain.

At this time, there were two ghost kings, good and evil, guarding the mountain, one Upakara and the other Gala. They saw Shariputra sitting in lotus position from a distance. Can kill this Samana’s head with a punch!”

“Don’t say that quickly. This monk is a disciple of the Buddha. He is wise and wise. He is the most important. And he has divine power. If you have any intention of harming him, you will perish forever in the future and suffer immeasurably.” Upakara Shan The ghost replied.

“Are you afraid of the sramana? The sramana is the most bully person in the world. Watch out for my punching, the head of this sramana will be smashed immediately!”

“As you said, I am really afraid of the recluse. Although the recluse can endure humiliation, the recluse’s power is boundless. If you hit this recluse, he will suffer for a while, but we will never be disturbed.”

After the good ghost spoke, the evil ghost didn’t listen, and immediately punched Shariputra on the head. The good ghost couldn’t bear to watch, so it hid itself from him. It was too late, and then soon, the evil spirit punched him, Shariputra felt slightly as if a leaf had fallen from his head, and when he opened his eyes, he saw the evil spirit bleeding from seven holes and falling into hell.

Shariputra got up from the Vajra Samadhi, straightened his clothes, and went to the Garanta Bamboo Garden to meet the Buddha. The Buddha asked, “Shariputra! Are you sick now?”

“Buddha! I’ve never been sick, but now I feel like I have a headache.”

“Shariputra! Fortunately, you are in the vajra samadhi today, so the kara ghost can hit you on the head without hurting you. Otherwise, the kara ghost can punch Mount Sumeru in two, and the power of the vajra samadhi is so great. , you bhikkhus practice well!”

Shariputra often swims in the empty samadhi and the vajra samadhi, and external disasters must not harm him in the slightest.

12. Ask for Nirvana first

After the Buddha preached in the forest of Zhufang Village near Vaisali City, he told everyone an amazing news, that is, the Buddha said that he would enter Nirvana in three months.

Everyone’s sorrow is beyond words, Shariputra couldn’t bear to see the Buddha’s Nirvana no matter what. During his meditation, he thought: “The first disciples of all the Buddhas in the past all entered Nirvana before the Buddha. I am the first disciple of the Buddha, and I should enter Nirvana before the Buddha.”

After Sariputta thought this way, he immediately got up from meditation, walked to the seat of the Buddha, knelt down and said, “Buddha! I want to enter Nirvana now, and I ask the Buddha for permission.”

The Buddha stared at Shariputra for a long time before saying, “Why did you enter Nirvana so quickly?”

“Buddha! You said that you will enter Nirvana not long ago. The Buddha has given me great kindness. No matter what, I can’t bear to see the Buddha Nirvana. Moreover, the Buddha said that the first disciples of the Buddhas in the past must have Nirvana before the Buddha. , I think, now is the time for me to enter Nirvana, and I must ask the Buddha for his mercy and permission.” After Shariputra said, he seemed very sad, but he did not lose his calm demeanor.

The Buddha asked again: “Shariputra! Where are you going to Nirvana?”

“In my hometown, Karabinaka Village, my 100-year-old mother is still alive. I want to see her once, and then enter Nirvana in the house where I was born.”

“I won’t stop you either. You can do as you wish. However, you are the top disciple among my disciples. When you leave later, I will leave some teachings for everyone.”

The Buddha ordered Ananda to gather the monks. Everyone heard that this was Shariputra’s farewell to Nirvana, and they all gathered quickly. Shariputra said goodbye to the Buddha first: “Buddha! In this era, I finally fulfilled this wish. I have nothing more joyful than meeting the Buddha. For more than forty years, I have received the Buddha’s benevolent teachings, so that I, who is stupid, can open my eyes of wisdom, realize the truth, and obtain the holy fruit.

The world Words cannot describe the joy and gratitude in my heart. Now, the time for my departure from this world is approaching, and I will soon abandon the shackles of the world and enter the realm of Nirvana freely. People who are about to let go. I am really glad for myself. After receiving the Buddha’s nectar, I have been freed from the shackles of the five aggregates, and I am no longer suffering from all kinds of suffering. This is the last farewell to the Buddha, Buddha! Please accept my prostration .”

Shariputra bowed down with all five bodies, the air was very silent and serious.

The Buddha nodded and said to Shariputra: “Shariputra! You have already understood what I said, and I will give you a prophecy. In the future, you will become a Buddha, named Huaguang Tathagata, and then come to the world to teach all living beings and accomplish the highest level. Buddha fruit.”

After the Buddha said that, he asked everyone to see Shariputra for a while. Shariputra stood up and walked out. He didn’t turn around until he could not see the Buddha.

All the monks presented Shariputra with fragrant flowers. This was a silent and solemn procession, and most of the monks were in tears.

13. Last Words

The bhikkhus followed Shariputra not far away, Shariputra stopped and said to everyone: “Please stop here, don’t send any more! As long as the novice monks follow me, please go back, your own practice is important, I hope You can work hard to escape from the place of sorrow and distress, and enter the world of freedom and liberation.

“The appearance of the Buddha in this world is like the blooming of Udumbala flowers. It takes tens of millions of years to meet once. Human life is rare, and correct and pure faith is even more difficult to develop. In this life, we can become monks and hear the Buddha’s teachings in person. , It is a rare thing in hundreds of thousands of billions of lives. I hope that the public will be more diligent. All actions are impermanent. To overcome this impermanent suffering and reach the state of non-self Nirvana, that is our true and eternal destination, and that is a peaceful and peaceful world. world!”

When Shariputra was preaching, everyone thought that this was Shariputra’s last words of farewell, and they couldn’t suppress their sorrow. They all sobbed and wept and asked Shariputra: “Your Majesty, you are a disciple of the Buddha. Elder, you will be required to lead us in the work of propagating Buddhism in the future, why did you enter Nirvana so early?”

Shariputra understood everyone’s heart and said calmly: “Don’t be so sad. This world is impermanent. Didn’t the Buddha always tell us? When Xumi is bad, the sea will dry up one day. It is as small as a mustard seed.” Regarding the death of my physical body, Shariputra, it is a matter of course, this is the reality of the world.

“Finally, I still want to urge everyone to cultivate the Tao with one heart, escape from the sea of suffering, and go to the world of ultimate bliss and coolness. The Buddha once told me about the land of Amitabha Buddha in the Western Ultimate Bliss, which is a place of liberation and peace. You should chant Buddha, Recite the Dharma and recite the Sangha, and what you ask for will surely be as you wish.

“I hope that you will spread the teachings of the Buddha widely. Don’t live for your own fame and fortune, and don’t become a monk if you don’t want to benefit the people. As for the future of Buddhism, from generation to generation, as long as there are sentient beings who want to end suffering and seek happiness, He will come to continue the wisdom of the Buddha!”

Everyone was very moved by what Shariputra said. Everyone knows that this time they are separated from Shariputra, and they will never meet again. Although Sariputta ordered everyone to go back, they still followed behind him. He didn’t like their attitude of attachment, and he flatly refused their farewell. In the end, everyone had to stand on the road until the back of Shariputra could not be seen, and they still did not want to go back. They thought that they would never see the wisest Shariputra again, and their tears kept flowing without knowing it. Although they have awakened, their human and legal feelings remain unchanged.

14. go home

Shariputra, after leaving the Buddha and the Sangha, walked on the road with a novice head, with ups and downs of thoughts and infinite emotion. Even so, Shariputra’s heart was not chaotic at all, instead his mind became clear, as if he was standing on the top of a snow-capped mountain, and the whole universe appeared in his heart.

When Shariputra was about to arrive at the village of Karamana, his hometown, the sun was setting and the sky was full of red clouds. Shariputra was sitting by the roadside to rest. Suddenly, his niece, Upaliva, came to salute. : “Is grandma at home?”

“Grandma didn’t go out.”

“You tell her I’m back.”

“yes!”

“Tell grandma, ask her to send someone to clean the room where I was born, and I will come when I have a rest.”

His nephew didn’t know what Shariputra was doing when he came back, so he only answered yes again and again, so he hurried back to tell his grandmother the news of his uncle’s return.

Shariputra’s mother was very happy to hear that her son, who had not been back for a long time, came back. Although Shariputra was eighty years old, in the heart of his hundred-year-old mother, he still regarded him as her own child.

His mother wondered why Shariputra asked her to clean his room, but the joy of reuniting mother and son made her so excited that she no longer considered the reason.

“Grandmother! You rest, let us clean up.” Upavali Podak said.

“Everyone come to help, just clean it carefully, your uncle is a very clean person!”

As the sun went down, Shariputra returned home and greeted his family members one by one. His mother wept with joy and said, “Finally back!”

Shariputra smiled sadly at his mother, and told his mother and his family about his return to prepare for Nirvana. The mother and family were shocked when they heard it.

“Don’t worry about it!” Shariputra said, “Mother! Please don’t regard me as the same as ordinary death. Ordinary people cry when they die, but I should be happy when I enter Nirvana. My heart is very stable now, very happy. Safe and stable. I can meet my teacher Buddha in this life, accept his teachings and follow the practice. I have been saved from the maze of life and death, freed from troubles, and have nothing to fear.

The reason why I return is to enter Nirvana. I am a disciple of the Lord Buddha, I should enter Nirvana before the Buddha, please rest assured, who in the world is not dead? It is really a very happy thing to enter the permanent state of Nirvana without attachment like me!”

Shariputra’s hundred-year-old mother was very sad when she heard this, but it was very joyful to think of a free and liberated life. She also hopes to accept her own future death with joy like Shariputra. .

Shariputra recited some of the Buddha’s French to his mother. His mother understood what he meant, and said to Shariputra: “You are right, and I am also happy for you. Don’t get lost and enter Nirvana. There is no birth and death.” The trouble is the supreme happiness. Just be quiet for a while!”

Although Sariputta’s mother said so, she still retreated to her room with tears in her eyes.

15. Nirvana

After Shariputra’s mother and family left, he nodded to the novice, “Go to the room over there. I’ll be here alone.”

When the news of Shariputra’s return to Nirvana spread throughout the village, it was already midnight, but people who lived nearby and had converted to the Buddha all gathered. To see His Holiness for the last time, say hello to him, and listen to his final speech.

Juntou led everyone to sit in one place to wait, and told them to wait for His Holiness to rest for a while and see you later.

In the dead of night, there was a light in Shariputra’s quiet room, but there was no sound at all.

Dawn was coming from the east, and Shariputra called Juntou’s name and asked, “Is anyone here?”

“Yes! Many people came to see His Holiness when they heard that His Holiness was about to enter Nirvana, King Ajashi also came.” Juntou replied.

“They were eager to see His Holiness.”

“Then, you go and invite them.”

Juntou came out and told everyone that His Holiness would like to meet them. They thought that they would not see the face of His Holiness Shariputra, and they were very excited to hear the news. Everyone quietly lowered their voices, did not dare to cough, and gathered in Shariputra’s bedroom. Those who could not squeeze in had to stand outside the door.

This is a sacred meeting. Shariputra said to everyone: “It is very good for you to come, and I also want to meet you. For more than forty years, I have accepted the teachings of my teacher, the savior Buddha, and traveled to various places to promote Dharma, or under his seat. In studying, I have never felt unhappiness or dissatisfaction with my teacher. I am more and more grateful to my teacher Buddha. In this world, I am still deeply puzzled by my teacher’s teachings, which are as deep and wide as the ocean. Place, I feel infinitely sorry to my teacher when I think about it today. However, with the little wisdom I have been praised by others, I can understand the compassion of the Buddha. I followed the teachings of the Buddha, worked hard, and I also obtained enlightenment.

“I tell you that I want you to know that it is rare to meet the Buddha in this world, and it is rare to meet in ten thousand kalpas. You should study hard according to the teachings of the Buddha. Although there are many treasures in the sea of Dharma, you cannot obtain them without searching.

“I have nothing to be attached to. I bid farewell to you today, and I am about to enter the peaceful Nirvana world. I am willing to follow the Buddha and live in the universe forever without birth or death.”The person who heard Shariputra’s teaching, seeing his quiet appearance, who can believe that this is the person who is about to die?

Aja Shiwang and others were very respectful and admired, but also very sad. Shariputra lived in meditation, lying on his right side, and entered Nirvana.

16. Spirit lives forever

Seven days after Sariputra’s Nirvana, Juntou novice held his remains, and then please go back to the place where the Buddha preached, and told Ananda all the process. listen.

After Juntou’s report was over, the Buddha saw that Ananda was very sad, and asked, “Ananda! Why are you mourning? Isn’t Shariputra’s Nirvana not precious? Did he accept my teaching and take my truth away and didn’t keep it? ?”

Ananda put his palms together respectfully and replied: “No! Buddha! I am not so sad and concerned. Venerable Shariputra, who upholds precepts, is very wise, good at preaching, and brave in giving. He is always so enthusiastic about teaching work. This is not only for us I know that all sentient beings are full of praise. Considering that the Venerable Shariputra is not here now, for the spread of the Fa-rectification and for the religious order thousands of years later, I am not alone in my sorrow and concern because of his influence before Nirvana. It’s also everyone’s condolences.”

The Buddha knew this fact, but the Buddha quietly comforted him: “Don’t worry about this point. Although Shariputra is not here, the Dharma will not be lost. Impermanence is the reality of the world, and birth and death are natural principles. The big tree is cutting down. Before falling down, you must first cut off the big branches; before the treasure mountain collapses, you must first collapse the big rock; Shariputra first entered Nirvana among the monks, which is also the natural order of the law. , don’t be disappointed, the Buddha’s teachings will not go with others, the Buddha will live forever in the hearts of believers, and the Buddha will always take care of him.

You must take refuge in the law, take refuge in the truth I said, and do not take refuge in others .To stay away from desires and worries, to enter Nirvana, and to be reborn is the most important thing!”

After the Buddha spoke, he took the spiritual bones of Shariputra from the hands of Juntou novice, and said to everyone: “Bhikkhus, this spiritual bone was the great wisdom Shariputra who taught the Dharma to all living beings a few days ago. His wisdom Vast and boundless, no one can compare with him except the Buddha. He realized the nature of dharma, contented with few desires, bravely and vigorously, constantly practiced meditation, taught and taught people, subdued heretics, and preached the righteous law. He has attained liberation and is free from all sufferings.”

“Bhikkhus! Look, this is the body of the Buddha’s own son!”

When the Buddha spoke, everyone unknowingly paid homage to Shariputra’s spiritual bones.

Although the Venerable Shariputra has entered Nirvana, the spirit of the Venerable Shariputra will live forever!