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Biography of Upali, Precepts First

Biography of the Ten Great Disciples of the Buddha

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Upali – Precepts First

(उपालि Upāli, 優波離, พระอุบาลีเถระ หรือ พระอุบาลี, พระอุบาลี (優婆離))

Phra Upali Thera or Phra Upali is a monk who is a disciple of Phra Gotama Buddha. Counted in remembrance of the 80 great disciples of the Buddha’s time.

1. Born in Sudra tribe

It is not an easy task for Venerable Upali to be listed as one of the top ten disciples of the Buddha in the hierarchical Indian society!

Upali was born in the lowly clan of the Sudra tribe. His fate destined him to be a slave of others. He was born as a Sudra race. Worth a look.

People in Sudra, if they meet Brahmans and Kshatriyas on the road, they should kneel on the side of the road to make way. If they take a peek at them, their eyes will be gouged out. To have his tongue cut off, poor Upali, who was born among the Sudras, lived such a miserable life.

Upali’s childhood, the only thing that gave him comfort was his parents. No matter how he was ridiculed and insulted, his parents’ love for their children would never be worse than others.

Upali did not have the right to education since he was a child. Although he wanted to learn the Manu Code of Brahmanism, it was simply a delusion for him who was born in the Sudra tribe.

When Upali grew up, his parents wanted him to learn a craft for his future life. At that time, people who were born as Sudras could not participate in the government’s public office or commercial business, and it was not easy for an uneducated person to participate in military, political, commercial and educational activities. Parents know the way out for their children, and they can only choose one of agricultural workers, laborers, and slaves to live a poor life.

At first, the parents wanted Upali to learn how to farm the fields, but later they thought that farming was too hard and required a lot of strength. Upali was born thin and thin, but his parents were afraid that he would not be able to bear it, so they gave up, and then the parents wanted to send him to work. , as a horse-drawn cart driver, but then I thought about the life of the groom and the coachman, getting up early and staying late, running around and working hard, and I was reluctant to let my children suffer those hardships. The hearts of parents all over the world, because of Upali’s career problems, parents are really troubled!

To be a slave for others, one has to find a good master. If one wants to find a good master, one has to learn a special technique first. After the parents discussed the result, they chose to choose and send him to learn to be a barber.

Upali is a child who is easy to be taught. His natural temperament has good habits of humility and obedience. Although it is a craft of shaving, it doesn’t take long for him to learn all kinds of hairstyles and shaving methods.

After learning the craft, his parents asked someone to introduce him. Finally, Kapila’s palace allowed him to shave his head.

Although Upali is a barber, but he has a pure heart and a loyal nature, and finally won the trust of the Sakyas, and let him be in charge of cutting hair for some little princes in the palace.

Upali cut hair for Prince Bati and Prince Anaru. These little princes saw that he cut his hair carefully, not only quickly, but also without pain. Everyone liked him very much, and he respected everyone very much.

2. Haircut for Buddha

When Upali was about twenty years old, he was still a small hairdresser. It was the third year after Buddha became enlightened.

Upali was flattered to cut the Buddha’s hair. He thought that the Buddha was a great enlightened being. He heard that he had thirty-two physical appearances. The hair of the Buddha must be different from that of other people. He actually ran back home and told his mother why he didn’t dare to cut Buddha’s hair. Upali, who was born in the Sudra tribe, had a strong sense of inferiority since he was a child. Dare to cut his hair?

His mother comforted him, told him not to be afraid, and told him that the Buddha was very merciful and often preached to the suffering people. Although the mother said so, Upali’s fear still could not be relieved. The mother had no choice but to tell Upali that she would take him with him when he went to cut Buddha’s hair tomorrow.

After learning the art of haircutting, it is a great anecdote that when I go to cut other people’s hair, my mother will accompany me to go!

From here, it is not difficult for us to imagine Upali’s personality and behavior!

The next day, the mother took Upali to visit the Buddha first, and then asked Upali to shave the Buddha’s hair.
Upali shaved the Buddha’s head cautiously, carefully, and slowly. His mother watched from the side. After a while, the mother knelt in front of the Buddha and asked, “Buddha! How is Upali’s hair-shaving technique?”

When the Buddha asked this question, he paid attention to Upali and said, “The body seems to be too curved!”

Probably due to Upali’s respect for the Buddha, he bent his waist and dared not stand up straight, but according to the Buddha’s words, he concentrated his energy, and it is said that he had the kung fu to enter the first meditation!

After a while, his mother knelt down again and asked, “Buddha, how about Upali’s hair being shaved now?

The Buddha replied to his mother’s question again, “Now the body seems to be too straight again!”

When Upali was told by the Buddha, he did not dare to slack off, and was single-minded. It is said that he has the kung fu to enter the Second Dhyana in this way!

Soon, his mother asked again, “Buddha, how about Upali shaving his head now?”

The Buddha replied without hesitation,

“The breathing is too coarse!”

When Upali heard this, he actually thought about not breathing in, and when he concentrated his mind on the breathing in and out, it is said that he has already entered the three jhanas in this way!

Finally, his mother asked again, “Buddha, how about Upali’s hair shaving now?”

The Buddha replied, “The breath is too rough!”

Upali couldn’t think of a single thought at this moment, and forgot the razor in his hand. It is said that he has the kung fu to enter the fourth meditation right now!

At this time, the Buddha quickly said to the monks beside him: “One of you, take the razor from Upali’s hand! He has no thoughts at the moment, and he has entered the fourth jhana. Come and support him, don’t let him fall down. on the ground!”

From such a record, we can know how careful Upali is for his work, and he is willing to seriously correct every time he receives advice from others. Because of his worrying and serious temperament, his life is easily influenced by outsiders. He never wants to be criticized by others. Therefore, he was later promoted to be the number one in keeping precepts, no? No reason.

3. Become a monk first

When the Buddha returned to his hometown, he sprinkled Dharma rain in the royal city. When the seeds fell into the ground, they would germinate and grow. The princes who released the seeds, after hearing the Buddha’s teaching, some even wanted to become monks with the Buddha.

Among the princes, some were allowed by their parents, and some were not. They agreed to leave secretly and find the Buddha in the forest of Nirvana.

In this way, there were seven princes who wanted to become monks, and Bati, Ananda, and Anarud were all among them. In order to become a monk, they had to shave their hair, so they had to take Upali away without telling anyone. Under the shade of a tree, when Upali shaved the hair of the Bati princes, tears flowed down his face. When Analud saw it, he asked Upali as a prince: “You should be happy when you see us becoming monks. , why are you crying?”

Upali replied tremblingly: “Prince Analud! Please forgive me for being impolite, because Prince Bati treated me very well. Now he shaves his hair and becomes a monk with you. After he becomes a monk, he must travel around. I can’t see it. He, thinking of this, I can’t help but shed tears! I hope the prince doesn’t blame me!”

After hearing this, Anarud felt very sympathetic, and comforted Upali: “Don’t be sad, we will help you with your life!”

After Anaru said that, he turned around and said to everyone: “Brothers and brothers! Upali has been with us for a long time. He is very hardworking and loyal. We will naturally arrange his life after we become a monk. Here is a blanket , please take off all the decorations on your body and put them on it, we don’t need these things after we become monks, so give these things to Upali as a gift!”

Everyone agreed with Anarud’s words. They immediately took off their clothes and jewels and gave them to Upali, and told him to return to Kapilavatthu, and they all went to find the Buddha.

Upali wanted to go back to the royal city at this moment, but he suddenly changed his mind and said: “Now if I accept these jewels and clothes and go back to the royal city, the old king and the princes and ministers of the Sakya tribe will definitely blame me for letting the princes become monks and kill me, then , how can I go back easily? Moreover, such an honorable prince can give up the glory of the world and become a monk, not to mention a lowly person like me, who has nothing to miss the world? I should also go to the Buddha to become a monk! ”

After thinking this way, Upali made up his mind, like iron attracted by a magnet, without the slightest hesitation, hung the jewels and clothes on the tree, and let passers-by take them. He was going to become a monk!

He walked for a while, remembering his background, and suddenly felt sad again. He sat on the side of the road and wept and said to himself: “How can I be qualified to become a monk? They are all princes, and I am a slave. How can I be with you?” How about going to become a monk like a prince?”

He lamented the inequality in the world and his own misfortune. When he was crying sadly, someone suddenly asked in his ear, “Why are you crying so sadly?”

Upali looked up and saw that it was the Venerable Shariputra. He wiped away his tears, knelt down in front of Shariputra and asked, “My lord! You are the great disciple of the Buddha. I knew you when you followed the Buddha back to the palace. May I ask you, a person like me who is a Sudra, does not know whether it is possible to become a disciple of the Buddha who becomes a monk? My delusion is really too big.”

Shariputra asked, “What’s your name?”

“My name is Upali!”

Shariputra remembered that when the Buddha shaved his hair before, there was a young barber who had entered the Fourth Dhyana. He thought it was this person, and immediately said: “The Buddha’s teaching is about freedom, equality and compassion, regardless of wisdom or not, regardless of occupation. Anyone can be a disciple of the Buddha, anyone can become a monk, and anyone can realize the supreme enlightenment as long as they can abide by the pure precepts. Come with me, the Buddha will be very happy to allow you to become a monk , allowing you to be his disciple.”

Upali was very happy, and followed Shariputra to see the Buddha. The Buddha was very happy to shave him and give him full precepts. “The waters of all rivers and rivers flow into the sea together; the four surnames become monks, and the same caste surname.” This is the spirit stipulated by the Buddha in the legal system, and now the Buddha’s ideal can be realized through Upali’s renunciation.

The Buddha praised Upali and said: “You have good roots. I know that you will be able to spread my Dharma in the future. Before you came here, Prince Bhatti and others had come here to request ordained monks. Although I have allowed them to be my disciples, But they have to go through seven days of practice, and when they forget their status as princes and truly know that they are my disciples, I will allow them to shave, and they will be polite to meet you.”

Upali burst into tears. Although he had cut hair for the Buddha in the past, he never thought that the Buddha was so merciful. He vowed to be a disciple of the Buddha and learn from him.

After seven days, the Buddha called Prince Bati and other seven people to meet with everyone. Among the many teachers and brothers, they unexpectedly saw the appearance of Upali’s bhikkhu. Everyone was very surprised and hesitated to know how to greet Upali.

The Buddha majesticly said to the seven of them: “Why are you hesitating? The way to become a monk and learn the Tao is to first subdue your arrogance. I will allow Upali to become a monk first, and he will receive precepts first. You should pay homage to him!”

Prince Bati and other seven people, after hearing the Buddha’s teaching, humbly bowed to Upali. They all felt that their confidence in becoming a monk was greatly enhanced at this moment. On the contrary, in this way, Upali felt restrained and uneasy.

Buddha said to him, “You should treat them as a brother.”

Upali was so moved that he just bowed to the Buddha.

It was unprecedented for a servant who was considered a lowly servant to rank before the princes he had served in the past and receive the same treatment as the princes in the law.

Upali’s renunciation gradually realized the legal system enacted by the Buddha. Despite the disparity in social class, there is no distinction between the four surnames in the Buddhist, Buddhist and Sangha groups.

4. A piece of Jataka

In the summer of the year when Upali became a monk, during the retreat held in the Sangha, Upali became enlightened due to his diligent practice of the Tao. Therefore, he naturally became the leader of the religious order and was respected by both monks and laymen. Of course, because This fact has surprised many people. A man of the lowly Sudra clan has such a keen faculties. This is not only the light of the Sudra clan, but also the light of equality in Buddhism.

For this reason, the Buddha specifically narrated a Jataka of Upali: “In the past, there were two people who were friends and both were born in poor families. However, although they were poor, they did not forget to give and do good. , when they were reborn later, one became a king named Brahman; the other was born in a well-known Brahmin family, named Upaga, who married a young and beautiful wife and loved her very much.

One day, Probably because his wife saw Upaga’s friendly attitude towards other women, she was very upset and began to dislike her husband. At first she cried and made a lot of noise, and then she stopped talking to Upaga all day long.

Beloved wife, she is so suspicious and jealous that Upaga has no choice but to be unhappy. The flowers bloom in spring, and the summer is hot. During the spring and summer when the husband and wife do not talk, the wife suddenly said to her husband: “Please go to the street today and buy some flowers and come back to decorate our house!” 』

The amorous husband was very happy when he heard his wife’s words, and immediately went to the market to buy flowers. On the way home, when the sun was shining on the earth like a fire umbrella, Upaga, who was full of joy because he regained his wife’s love, On the road, I couldn’t help singing love songs loudly

At this time, when King Vatican was looking at the scenery from the pavilion of the palace, Upaga passed under the wall of the palace, and the singing sound entered the ears of Vatican King. After listening to it, he felt strange and thought: look at his attire , is a Brahmin, he must be very optimistic to be able to walk leisurely singing love songs on such a hot day. The king was curious for a while, so he sent someone to call for Upaga. After the two talked, the king was overjoyed, and he was willing to give a high official position to Upaga, and he loved him very much ever since.

“Upaga was trusted by King Brahma, and his authority grew day by day. Later, some people only knew that there was Upaga, but not King Brahma. Upaga was not satisfied with this, he actually wanted to be there When King Vander was taking a nap, he stabbed him to death and proclaimed himself king. When he had such an attempt, he finally reflected on himself one day and realized that he deeply felt the terrible desire for fame and power.

Tell Vatican frankly that Vatican still appreciates his faithfulness, but Upaga is willing to give up his authority and repent to become a monk. He has not long practiced before proving supernatural powers!

At this time, there was a barber in the royal palace, named Hengapolo, who heard King Vatican’s praise of Upaga’s renunciation, and he rejoiced. He also vowed to become a monk and became a disciple of Upaga. The same way to get supernatural powers!

Upaga and Hangapala both possess supernatural powers and are both saints, so one day when King Vatican went to the mountain forest to make offerings to Upaga, after prostrating, he thought to himself that it is impossible to pass to a saint. Therefore, by setting an example, I first bowed to Upaga, and then asked hundreds of ministers who followed me to bow to Hangapala.

Gangapolo, who was born in a lowly family, was able to make the king bow down to him because of the power of the law.

Although the above is the past of the ancient Buddha, the Dharma will never change. In the Dharma, no matter who is born, it is not a problem. class! ”

Having said this, the Buddha solemnly told everyone: “The Upaga at that time was my body; the barber Hangapala is now Upali!”

If you read the monotonous Jataka story like this carefully, you will know the meaning it implies. For the sake of power, the heart of killing was born, and the Buddha also had this thought when he was practicing because of the cause. Upali, a pariah of the Sudra tribe, is now enlightened and certified, and has become the head of the religious group and is respected by everyone. This is not the first time, in the past, he had such a reason.

The Buddha’s statement like this can completely eliminate the doubts of people today about Upali!

5. Encounters in Xinghua

After Upali attained enlightenment, because of his restrained personality, he paid the most attention to the dignity of walking, standing, sitting and lying down in life. He could abide by all the precepts formulated by the Buddha and never violated them. Soon, he was unanimously recommended by all the monks among his classmates. For keeping the precepts first!

Speaking of precepts, those who are sincerely determined to practice the Tao will of course be happy and respectful to the elders who strictly observe the precepts, but those who do not abide by the rules and do not observe the precepts will not like those who observe the precepts. This is a natural thing .

Therefore, some people did not welcome Upali in the Sangha, and some even criticized him!

A bhikkhu who keeps the precepts lives at home, and people who respect him will come to his door. If he goes out to travel, he may not be welcomed by monks and laymen everywhere.

Once, Upali and some precepts and Dharma monks went to various places to promote the teachings. They carried forward the spirit of precepts. Regarding the confession methods of accusing karma, expelling karma, relying on karma, and exposing karma, etc., It is often held, and some monks were very unhappy when they heard Upali came. They discussed and said: “Now the monk Upali is coming. After he comes, he will definitely teach us what we should do and what we should not do. On the contrary, it will increase the number of us. We should set up a plan to prevent him from coming!”

“When he comes, we can close the door, hang the bedding over the door, and ignore him!”

“When he comes, we can go elsewhere!”

Upali was in various places and often encountered such a situation, so he was determined not to go outside to preach, but the Buddha often encouraged him.

In particular, once, a Bhikkhuni who stole Lananda scolded Upali face to face: “This is not a true cultivator. He likes to make troubles. Why do you always ask the Buddha? This is the second class of monks, and that is the first class of monks. This should be done, and that should not be done, which adds a lot of difficulties and troubles to our lives!”

In such a situation, Upali always practiced humiliation and ignored him. A monk who upholds the precepts and a person of true faith always respects him;

The Buddha cared about Upali very much. When the Buddha saw some monks who had returned from various travels, he would ask him, “Have you seen Upali Bhikkhu?”

“Buddha! I see him, he is preaching everywhere!”

“Where he travels, do people respectfully support him?”

“Buddha! In some places, the reverence and offerings to Venerable Upali are really insufficient. Lay believers don’t know that he is a monk who upholds the precepts, and monks who leave home are always reluctant to meet him, and some monks even insult him!”

“Why is that?” Buddha asked suspiciously.

“Because it’s a lot of inconvenience for everyone to be with a monk who upholds precepts!” The monk replied honestly.

After hearing this, the Buddha was very unhappy, and immediately summoned all the monks, explaining that the precepts are honorable, and those who keep the precepts are like a bright lamp. I don’t want light, I like darkness!

The Buddha also specially sent someone to find those monks who were rude to Upali and the nuns who insulted Upali. The Buddha asked: “You refused to welcome the monk Upali, and even avoided meeting him, and yelled at him in anger. Is it true? about it?”

This group of monks and nuns did not dare to lie before the Buddha, so they had to admit it and said, “Buddha! It is true, we have indeed been rude to Upali Bhikkhu!”

The Buddha seriously reprimanded and said: “You are really stupid. If you don’t respect the monks who hold the precepts, who else can respect them? Precepts are your venerable teachers. If the precepts exist, the Dharma will live. If you don’t respect the monks who hold the precepts, it proves that you have illegal intentions.” !”

In order to protect Upali who kept the precepts, the Buddha unceremoniously reprimanded those monks and nuns who were rude to Upali. From this we can see how important Upali is in the Buddha’s heart!

6. Sent to resolve disputes

In the Sangha, there are many people who practice according to the law and attain fruition, but there are also many people who break the precepts. Like Kaludayi and Devas among the bhikkhus, and Shuma, Popo, and Thiolananda among the bhikkhunis, they often violated the precepts. Their evil deeds and bad reputations often bothered the Buddha. Let everyone follow the example of Upali Bhikkhu!

The Sangha is originally clean and harmonious, but the vicious and hard-to-change monks sometimes fight illegally. You don’t let me, I don’t let you, which affects everyone’s practice and the reputation of the Sangha. When there is a dispute, the Buddha will send a senior elder to mediate the dispute. Such a person must not only be virtuous, but also able to distinguish right from wrong and uphold justice.

Every dispute, every time the Buddha They all ordered Upali to go to mediate. Upali has been an envoy of peace in the disputes of the Kuyan Mi Kingdom and the Sand Garden. Like the warm spring sun, where his light shines, the frozen ice will naturally dissolve.

Upali followed the Buddha and often lived in Savatthi City for a long time. The monks in Savatthi City were very harmonious, because everyone was always close to the relationship with the Buddha. One teacher and one teacher worked together in harmony. I understand the mind of the Buddha. Whenever he was ordered to quell disputes, he had a principle: “Where there is a dispute, the other place should be resolved.” Come here, there is right and wrong there, he will not expand disputes, he will untie the knots of disputes, leaving no traces!

A peacemaker like this is really worthy of being a monk who upholds the precepts, and an elder of the head of the order!

Once, when it was the season of peaceful residence, the Buddha sent him to the kingdom of Shachi to settle disputes, but Upali refused to go. The Buddha asked him, “Why don’t you go?”

Upali felt that the Buddha had to go to mediate this dispute, and he could not make such a request, so he excused himself by saying, “Buddha! My cassock, Sanghali, is very heavy. If it rains on the road, it will not be easy for a while, so take another It is not in accordance with the precepts during the period of residency, please be merciful to the Buddha, please don’t ask me to go this time?”

After hearing this, the Buddha thought for a while. He hoped that Upali would investigate first, so he asked again, “How long will it take you to return?”

“Buddha!

If I have to go, it will take two days to travel from Savatthi City to Sandy Kingdom, two days to stay there, and two days to come back. It will take six days in total to return once! ”

After hearing this, the Buddha nodded and said, “From now on, during the Xia An residency period, monks can keep two pieces of clothing within a limit of six days!”

In order to ask Upali to investigate the dispute, he would rather revise the precepts that have been established. This is not to accommodate people with the law, but how important Upali is in the law!

The Buddha sent Upali to investigate disputes and put an end to disputes. The Buddha always asked Upali to be a repentant karma for them. Upali always solemnly told everyone: “Great virtues, by the Buddha’s benevolence Please don’t blame me and don’t dislike me when the time comes!”

Some monks, hearing Upali’s authoritative voice, did not dare to live there anymore. They would rather have him go instead of arguing with each other, and would not be a stern karma to Upali, who enforced the law like a mountain. Intangible, this is really a peaceful elder who is good at calming down disputes!

7. Ask the Buddha

Upali has such an important position in the Sangha, and is recognized as the number one venerable in keeping the precepts. Regarding the precepts, he often consults and discusses with the Buddha. This can be seen everywhere in the Buddhist scriptures, because it is all It is difficult for us to write the precepts that are fragmented or boring in the style of stories. Now we can only collect one or two and describe them so that we can infer.

In the Sakya tribe in Kapilavatthu, there is a law in the country that all Sakya women are not allowed to marry other tribes, otherwise they will be punished with serious crimes.

At this time, there was a Hei Li Che girl from the Sakyamuni tribe. She was young and had a beautiful face. Unfortunately, her husband died. Once the young woman was widowed, it was difficult to be lonely in the morning and evening. It happened that there were many young people of other races. Pursuing her, Hei Liche Nu agreed willingly, but her husband’s younger brother made things difficult for her and wanted to take her as his wife.

Is it because of the misconduct of the husband and brother, or is it that the girl from Hei Liche has another new love, she refused to agree repeatedly, the husband and brother were very angry, and swore: “She probably has another affair, I must kill her! ”

The husband and brother put medicine in the wine, and the Hei Li car girl was so drunk, the husband beat her and reported to the government: “This is my wife. She is having an affair with a foreign youth!”

When Hei Li Che Nu woke up, she knew that it was hard to argue. With such a crime, she would definitely be executed, so she fled to Savatthi City when no one was prepared. And he became a monk with the bhikkhunis in Savatthi City.

The government of the Sakya tribe in Kapilavatthu searched everywhere, but they did not know whereabouts. Later, they heard information that Heiliche had fled to Savatthi City. They immediately wrote a letter to King Pasenadi, saying: “In our country, there is a criminal woman who committed crimes. I heard that she has fled to your country now, I hope your country can return the black liche criminal woman to our country, and if there are criminals in your country who flee to our country in the future, our country will also send them back to your country for processing!”

After receiving the letter of credence, King Bosni asked his left and right: “Did Hei Li Che Nu really escape to our country?”

The ministers replied: “My Majesty! Hei Liche has indeed fled to our country, but she has become a nun with a nun. The king had a ban at the beginning. If anyone commits a crime against a bhikkhus, he should be punished with a felony. Now she has become a nun, no matter what. No one dares to offend her, so I ask your majesty, what should I do?”

After much consideration, King Bosni wrote a letter and replied, “It is true that Hei Liche girl has fled to our country, but she has become a monk now and cannot be punished. If there is anything else to do, please show me to the Tathagata.”

The government of the Sakyamuni tribe was indignant when they received this reply. Everyone felt that if a woman commits a crime, it cannot be sanctioned. What is the use of future national laws?

For the sake of a sinful woman who became a monk, the two countries planted the cause of hatred. After Upali knew about it, he asked the Buddha about it, “Buddha! A person who has violated the laws of the country, can we accept her as a monk?”

The Buddha replied: “Upali! Whether the law of the country is reasonable or not is a matter for the people and the government. If she violates the law of the country, the Sangha will not accept her as a monk until she is acquitted!”

The bhikkhuni who took the black car girl to become a monk was severely reprimanded by the Buddha. This is not because the Buddha is not merciful and does not save sinners, because in the pure Sangha, if he violates the precepts, he will still be expelled; The laws of the country should be sanctioned by the laws of the country. Buddhism cannot shield sinners. In order to improve the Sangha and make the precepts not contradict the laws of the country, Upali and the Buddha made the above question and answer.

Upali once asked the Buddha an interesting question: “Buddha! Can monks and nuns match men and women in society?”

The Buddha replied: “Upali! If a bhikkhu or a bhikkhuni approach a woman with a man’s mind, or a woman’s mind with a man, or even make an introduction, this is a violation of the Sangha Vashisa and needs to be repented.”

“Then, Buddha! What attitude should monks and nuns in the Sangha take towards the marriages of lay believers?”

“Don’t worry too much! If it is legal, you can prove it before the Three Jewels of Buddhism, Dharma, and Sangha!”

Precepts, which means preventing wrongdoing and preventing evil, are meant to regulate the body and mind, and the issue of men and women is the most likely to cause disputes, the most likely to bring troubles and anxiety to the body and mind, so Upali, who is the first to observe the precepts, consulted the precepts of the Buddha Among them, there are many questions about restricting men and women.

8. Consolation to the sick

How to condolences to patients? Upali once asked the Buddha to explain in detail.

When you are sick, even if you are sick, how can you be sick according to the precepts? When asking about illnesses, how to ask in accordance with the precepts? Upali is very concerned about this issue.

Once, Upali followed the Buddha and saw a sick bhikkhu lying in the dung and unable to get up; Upali also knew that once a sick bhikkhu was lying on the side of the road. , but the Buddha prescribes the precepts should look at the bhikkhu’s illness; also, the sick bhikkhu thinks that there is no need to keep the precepts, so he acts as he pleases. In view of these facts, Upali asked the Buddha a question: “Buddha, if a great monk is sick, how should he go to see him?”

The Buddha replied: “Upali! When the great monk is sick, he should not live in a small room. He should live in a sunny and airy room. His disciples should always be around, sweep the room and arrange flowers. Burn incense and listen to his breathing at any time. If a fellow monk comes to ask about a disease, he should provide food and drink to the sick monk. If he asks, the patient will answer; Following the Dharma, it can serve everything for the patient, and can meet the needs of the patient.

Food, soup and medicine. If lay believers come to ask about illnesses, ask them to sit down, and that is the Dharma; Ask the patient to leave as soon as possible. In addition to someone serving in the ward, there should also be someone at the door, and no one is allowed to enter.

“Upali! The Dharma Bhikkhu is ill, you should treat him accordingly!”

“Buddha! Little Bhikkhu is ill. May I ask you, how should we come to see him?” Upali asked the Buddha again.

“Upali! When the young monk is ill, he should not lie in an obvious place, and should not let the smell come out of the room. His teachers and disciples should come to see him. If he has no teachers and disciples, the monks who live with him should Send someone to see a doctor, and the number of patients is between three. If the patient wants medicine and food, the person who sees the doctor should serve and provide it.

If there is no one, the public should provide it. If you are not willing to give up, you should tell the elders of the great virtue, whisper the Dharma, and let them understand, and then trade. If you can’t trade, the public should beg for supplies. If you can’t beg, you should take good offerings from the monk’s food. Good food, people who see a doctor should take two bowls to the settlement to beg for food, and offer the good food to the sick! Upali! To see the sickness of the little deity, it should be like this!”

Upali once asked the Buddha about the diet, decoctions and medicines of the sick monk, and even the disposal of the relics after his death. The spirit of quitting!

A monk who has become a monk, parted with his loved ones, left his family and hometown, and joined the Sangha. When he was sick, if there was no one to take care of him, it would be very hard. Among them, the blessing field of seeing a doctor is the first blessing field. Teachers, brothers, brothers, and disciples can take care of him. From Upali’s questioning of the Buddha, it can be seen how much attention is paid to the issue of illness in the Sangha.

9. Broken monks and Buddhist monks

From the standpoint of keeping the precepts, Upali is concerned about the legal system, men and women, old and sick, especially the problems of breaking monks and monks.

The Sangha of the Six Harmonies can only live together with precepts and harmony. A monk who keeps the precepts is most concerned about the issue of the harmony of the Sangha.

Once, when the Buddha lived in Savatthi, Upali thought about the unity of the Sangha, so he went to the Buddha’s seat, bowed to the Buddha and asked, “Buddha! What is the meaning of breaking and uniting the Sangha?”

“Upali!” The Buddha yelled, and replied, “If the Dharma, the Dharma, the discipline, and the deep understanding are good, all disciples, whether they are monks or lay people, should worship, respect and follow his teachings. If anyone despises, Ridicule, sarcasm, and slander are to destroy the Harmony Sangha; if a lay believer, to the monastic Sangha, falsely divides people from others, or sows dissension among the Sangha, or creates disputes, it is called to destroy the Harmony Sangha; power, interfering in monasteries, and expelling monks and nuns, is to break the name and harmonize monks.”

“Buddha! What’s wrong with those who break harmony with the Sangha?” Upali asked again.

The Buddha said without thinking, “Upali! The sin of breaking the harmony with the monk will fall into hell and suffer in one kalpa!”

“What is a harmonious monk?” Upali asked.

“Upali! Bhikkhus who worship, respect, follow the Dharma, follow the discipline, and those who are able to help the Sangha, praise the Sangha, and the Sangha are called Harmonious Sangha.”

“Then, what are the merits of those who harmonize with the Sangha?”

“The merits and virtues of those who harmonize with monks will ascend to heaven and enjoy happiness in one kalpa!”

Upali is not ignorant of the merits and sins of monks and monks. He wants to use the golden mouth of the Buddha to speak and strengthen the power of words. He is such a humble, law-abiding, and sensible person. We have infinite respect and love for him!

10. Gather Vinaya

In normal times, Upali is able to deal with disputes in the Sangha, repent for monks who violated the precepts, and ask and answer questions about the subtleties of the precepts with the Buddha. Upali has gradually developed a high reputation. He has become an authority in terms of precepts. In the Sangha, the Buddha said that he was the number one in keeping the precepts, and the monks also recognized him as the number one in keeping the precepts!

Some bhikshus and bhikkhunis feel inconvenient to ask the Buddha about the precepts. They always ask the Venerable Upali. He is like a silent bell. Although he doesn’t talk much at ordinary times, he will make a loud noise when he knocks. the sound of.

Upali’s life, because he was a precept-keeping bhikkhu, he had little contact with people in the secular world. He did not go to the society to spread the word. The precepts were established by the Sangha. So about his records, we can only be limited to the Sangha.

At the time of Buddha’s Nirvana, Upali was probably over seventy years old. All the great disciples, with Da Kassapa as the head, publicly recommended that Ananda assembled the scriptures and Upali assembled the law But when Upali was asked to assemble Vinaya, he declined modestly: “I dare not take on such a big responsibility, please push other elders!”

Da Kassapa supported Upali, and when he saw his refusal, he said, “Honest Upali! Please don’t be polite. Although the five hundred people here today are all elder monks, the Buddha foretold you to accomplish the fourteen dharmas. Apart from the Buddha, the Sangha Among them, your observance of the precepts is the first, and now I ask you to recite the precepts!”

Upali no longer refused, he first raised many principled questions, asking everyone to abide by them, and then he recited the Vinaya.

When he was enthroned and recited the precepts, each entry explained when, where, for whom, and for what reasons the Buddha restrained this precept, as well as the degree of guilt or innocence for violating this precept. Memorize it carefully, and everyone admires it!

It is no coincidence that Upali, who was born in a lowly race, had such a high status in the Sangha. In the end, he was able to preside over the sacred scriptures of Vinaya, one of the Tripitaka, and was admired and worshiped by the people of all ages, which strengthened the suffering nation. Confidence, so that the light of equality of Buddhism will caress all sentient beings forever!