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Biography of Moggallana, the first supernatural power
Biography of the Ten Great Disciples of the Buddha
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Moggallana – the first supernatural power
1. The Buddha’s First Attendants
At present, in the center of the Mahavira Hall in most monasteries, next to the statue of Buddha on the lotus seat, there is always Mahakassapa standing on the left and Ananda standing on the right, but this was not the case when the Buddha first preached the Dharma.
During the first two years of the Buddha’s enlightenment, Shariputra and Moggallana took refuge in the Buddha. Since they took refuge in the Buddha, Moggallana stood on the left side of the Buddha, and Shariputra stood on the right side of the Buddha. Except that they went to other places to promote Buddhism, they never left the Buddha.
Shariputra followed the Buddha to become a monk for half a month before he exhausted all the leaks and got rid of his troubles, while Maggallana only had seven days to finish the leaks, show his supernatural powers, and prove the supernatural wisdom of Arhats.
Moggallana, tall and tall, with a square face and big ears, showed a resolute expression on his face. He was very optimistic and brave, and he often stood up for justice.
Among Buddha’s bhikkhu disciples, there are many disciples with supernatural powers, and Moggallana is regarded as the number one supernatural power because he often shows supernatural powers in his teachings. Although the Buddha does not allow his disciples to appear strange and confuse the crowd, he is very impressed with Muggallana’s supernatural powers. Always praise.
2. Asking for supernatural powers because of the wish
Why did Moggallana have supernatural powers? Regarding this point, there was a subtle karma in his past life.
Moggallana was a fisherman in his previous life. He often caught fish and shrimps on the seashore and sold them. He used this method to earn money. Day after day, he finally discovered that he felt that this method of seeking wealth It is a great hardship. He felt that a person should make meritorious deeds in the next life in this life, and because of this thought of doing good, he decided to change his career for a living. Not long after, he saw a Pacceka Buddha in the city.
Every time he walked on the street, he behaved peacefully and behaved in a dignified manner. After seeing him, he was very respectful. So he invited this pratyekabuddha to his home to make offerings to him. However, although this Pratyekabuddha displayed majesty outwardly, it was a pity that he was not good at preaching. Only use supernatural powers to change the world, no other methods are used. After eating, jump into the air, or left or right, or front or back, up and down freely. When he saw it, he was overjoyed and vowed to be reborn in the next life, asking for supernatural powers.
Where there is a will, there is a way. It is because of such karma that Venerable Moggallana was able to convert to the Buddha in this life, and he is known as the number one supernatural power among the disciples of the Buddha!
3. Baoqiao crossing the Buddha
Moggallana’s supernatural powers, the ear hears the sound, no matter how far or near; the eyes can see things without being hindered by objects; Buddha preaches.
Once, the people of the whole city of Savatthi held a joint banquet to support ninety-six kinds of religious believers who became monks, and invited King Persenadi and princes and officials to accompany the banquet. The banquet was held on the large square on the other side of the Aji River. Be the first guest of honor.
After a while, many heretics came to accept offerings one after another. They all wanted to be the first to get the first seat, but they couldn’t pass because of the sudden surge of the river. At this moment, from a distance, Moggallana saw the Buddha leading his disciples coming majesticly and peacefully. He immediately turned into a bridge on the river, decorated with fragrant flowers, silk and satin, and all kinds of seven treasures, waiting for the Buddha to come. walk above.
Before the Buddha’s holy ride came, those heretics saw the vast ocean of water and thought in their hearts: “Today the river is suddenly high, we can’t cross the river to receive offerings, wait for the Buddha and his disciples to come later, What can I do?” While they were thinking this way, the precious bridge made by Maggallana appeared on the river. When they saw it, they were very happy, and immediately said noisyly: “The recluses come late, God will build the bridge for us first. However, as the guests of honor at the banquet, we should take the chief seat.”
After the heretics spoke, they all scrambled to walk across the bridge. When they got to the center of the bridge, there was a sudden crash, the bridge broke, and everyone fell into the water. The sound of crying for help shook the field.
When the Buddha arrived, the bridge was still back to normal. The Buddha and the bhikkhus walked on the bridge and saw all the heretics under the bridge struggling in the water with the current. Follow the side, and then pass through peacefully one by one, and then the treasure bridge disappears.
When the Buddha and his disciples were receiving offerings, all heretics squatted facing the sun because their clothes were wet, hoping to dry their clothes quickly.
This time, the public banquet held jointly by the city of Sravasti made all heretics feel that their own weak lights are not comparable to the Buddha and his disciples who are like the light of the sun and the moon.
4. Concentrate on asking the Buddha
Once, the Buddha lived in Zhishuqi Lonely Garden in Savatthi City. Moggallana and Shariputra were ordered by the Buddha to lead the bhikkhus in the Kalanda Bamboo Garden in Rajagaha City and to educate the society. They lived together. In a Zen room.
The night is quiet, there is no sound from the earth, and there is a light in the meditation room, reflecting the brilliance of the bright moon.
The first night passed, and the middle night also passed. At the end of the night, Shariputra broke the quiet air and said to Moggallana: “Venerable Moggallana! Please forgive my abrupt question, are you going tonight again?” Are you living in the stillness of meditation?”
“Why do you ask me like that?” Moggallana asked softly.
“Venerable Moggallana! Because I haven’t heard your panting and breathing for a long time, and you don’t move at all, it’s as if there is no one in the room.” Shariputra explained.
“Venerable Shariputra! Tonight, I thought of a problem of diligence and diligence in practice, so I went to ask the Buddha for guidance. Just now you thought I was silent, and I was talking with the Buddha.”
“Venerable Moggallana! What you say is really incomprehensible. The Buddha now lives in the Bamboo Garden in the north, while we live in the Bamboo Garden in Kalanda in the south. The distance between the two places is very far away. How do you Can you talk with the Buddha? Have you used your magic power to go to the seat of the Buddha? Or did the Buddha use your magic power to come here?”
“No, that’s not the case,” Moggallana replied, “I did not use my divine feet to reach the Buddha’s seat, nor did the Buddha use his divine feet to reach us.”
“So, Venerable Moggallana! How on earth can you talk to the Buddha?”
“Venerable Shariputra! There is nothing strange about this. The Buddha has divine eyes and ears. Like you, you have already realized these supernatural powers. So as long as we use them, we can talk to Buddha anytime and anywhere.”
It’s not that Shariputra doesn’t know, but he always likes to get along with people with a humble attitude.
After Moggallana said, Shariputra was very happy, and immediately praised: “Venerable Moggallana! You have great supernatural powers and great merits. I am really honored to be able to learn from you. You are like a On a majestic mountain, someone throws me a small pebble beside you and sits with you. It is really a rare fate. If there are people in the world who make friends with you and respectfully make offerings to you, you will surely gain great benefits.”
Venerable Moggallana said with a smile after hearing this: “Venerable Shariputra! I am sitting with your wise and virtuous elder today. It is like throwing a small stone into a mountain and gaining great stability. I am also very honored. gone.”
Shariputra and Moggallana are old classmates and fellow Taoists. They respect and praise each other. From the beginning to the end, their love and friendship are beyond ordinary people.
5. Who is the number one supernatural power
Speaking of Moggallana’s old friend Shariputra, he not only has great wisdom, but also has great supernatural powers. When he first came to Sravasti City to supervise the project of Gion Abode, he once showed the leader of the heretics, Lao Ducha, the eighteen magic powers. win the final victory. Therefore, the influence Shariputra left on the people of Savatthi City is also a venerable man with great wisdom and supernatural powers.
Once, on the fifteenth day of the first month, the Buddha gave precepts to the bhikkhus by the pool of Anuta. There was no Shariputra in the seat, so the Buddha said to Maggallana: “Mugallana! Go to the city of Savatthi and get the relics. Please come here, and you just say I mean it.”
Moggallana went away in response, and when he reached Sariputta’s seat, he said, “Venerable Sariputra! The Buddha asked me to invite you to the place where the precepts are given by the Anuta Pond.”
After hearing this, Shariputra replied kindly, “Venerable Moggallana! Thank you for conveying the Buddha’s holy will to me. We will go right away, but now I will play a game with you.”
“What game?” Moggallana looked at Sariputta suspiciously.
“Venerable Moggallana! You are an elder with great supernatural powers. Here is a belt. I hope you can make it into a Jambudvipa tree!”
After Shariputra said that, he put down the belt, and Moggallana took it with his hands, but he couldn’t move it, so he showed his supernatural powers and lifted it up as much as possible. Shariputra quickly tied Mount Sumeru with a belt, and Moggallana quickly lifted Mount Sumeru; Shariputra then wrapped his belt around the Buddha’s lion seat, and Moggallana could not move no matter how hard he tried , Shariputra smiled and said to Moggallana:
“Venerable Moggallana! What we have learned and proved, compared with the Buddha who is omnipotent and omnipotent, there is a huge gap between heaven and earth. Even if our divine power can shake Sumeru and shake Heaven and earth, but the Buddha’s Dharma seat cannot be shaken. I have doubts about my supernatural power, so I ask you to try it. Now let’s hurry to see the Buddha, you go first, and I will come later.”
Moggallana admired Shariputra’s words very much. After he nodded, he used his divine feet to come to the Anutada pool. When he arrived, he saw Shariputra sitting in lotus sitting beside the Buddha. After he bowed to the Buddha, he was full Asked suspiciously: “Buddha! Have I lost my supernatural powers? I came here from Gion Abode and walked before the Venerable Shariputra. Why did he come before me? The Buddha often said that my supernatural powers are the first, I think this title is appropriate for Venerable Shariputra.”
The Buddha kindly comforted him and said, “Mugallana! You have great supernatural powers, no less than anyone else except Buddha. You have not lost your supernatural powers, but you must know that Bhikkhu Shariputra has great wisdom!”
After the Buddha spoke the precepts by the Anutada Pool, he led his disciples back to Savatthi City. After the believers in Savatthi City knew about this, everyone commented that Shariputra’s supernatural power was better than that of Moggallana.
After hearing these criticisms, Moggallana didn’t feel any injustice. In his broad mind, he humbly felt that Shariputra should win over him. When people praise Shariputra, this honor is like praising him.
But Shariputra was very disturbed. He thought this was wronging Maggallana, and he told the Buddha: “Buddha! Venerable Maggallana has great supernatural powers and great merit. Actually, I was eager to listen to the precepts given by the Buddha. Although Venerable Moggallana used his supernatural power, he did not want to buy time. Now everyone is arguing that my supernatural power is better than Venerable Moggallana, which I dare not be I hope that the Buddha will expedite everyone’s unjust criticism.”
After listening to Shariputra’s report, the Buddha smiled kindly and nodded. The Buddha knew that both of them were very humble and friendly.
One day, after the Buddha finished preaching a sutra, he said to Maggallana: “Mugallana! You are a disciple with incomparable supernatural powers among my bhikkhu disciples. Now you can show your supernatural power among the public and inspire beginners. Confidence.”
Moggallana obeyed the Buddha’s benevolent orders, got up from his seat, stepped on the earth with one foot, and stepped on Brahma with the other foot, causing the earth to vibrate six times, and spoke verses in Sanskrit in the air. There were sixty monks in the seat. Leak to understand.
From then on, everyone praised Moggallana as the number one supernatural power.
6. Yishan Du Fanzhi
In India when the Buddha lived, there were quite a few heretics who did not believe in the Dharma and who had attained the five powers. It’s a pity that they don’t understand the ultimate truth, and don’t practice the virtue of wisdom and compassion, so they can’t escape life and death, and they are still sinking in the cycle of six realms.
For these heretics with supernatural powers, the style of tit for tat, the Buddha often asked Moggallana to save them.
One day, the Buddha said to Maggallana: “Mugallana! On the border of India, there is a big country. The king and his subjects do not understand Buddhism. Staying in the flow, the body changes. You can use the supernatural power conveniently to make them believe in Buddhism, turn back from evil to righteousness, and change to practice.”
Moggallana immediately obeyed the Buddha’s will and soared into the air, only to see many heretics sitting around the mountain, looking at the situation, it seemed that they wanted to move the mountain with the power of Taoism.
Moggallana was on the top of the mountain, hanging high in the sky, and the mountain didn’t move at all. All the heretics were shocked and said, “This mountain has risen, who made it not to move? Could it be that there are unclean people in my way?”
After listening to Brahman, all the heretics suddenly saw Maggallana on the top of the mountain stretching across the sky, and they shouted loudly: “Who are you? How dare you act recklessly here! This mountain blocks traffic, and the king ordered us to remove it. , to eliminate troubles for the people, why did you hold down this mountain and not let it move.”
Moggallana said with a smile, “I am clearly suspended in the void, who will crush your mountain?”
Fanzhi, a heretic, mobilized his power again and tried to move the mountains three times, but the tall mountains remained the same.
Just when the heretics felt helpless and panicked, Muggallana shouted loudly: “All Brahmas pay attention, you see the mountain is gone.”
When Moggallana spoke, the lofty and towering mountain suddenly became flat ground.
All heretics Fanzhi all said, “Where did the great virtue come from? If it is not wise and profound, and the morality is profound, it must not be so. Please accept us as your disciples and show us the maze.”
Moggallana came down from the sky and said to everyone: “I know that your pious and repentant hearts are not false and deceitful, but I will tell you honestly, if you really want to seek the light from the dark, eliminate evil and become good, I have the right to do it.” Respected teacher, the name is the Buddha of supreme righteousness and enlightenment. The Buddha is the heaven among the heavens, the saint among the saints. He is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipotent. You all follow me to the seat of the Buddha to take refuge. The Buddha will accept it with mercy. .”
Zhu Fanzhi happily and enthusiastically asked, “Does the Buddha’s teachings surpass yours?”
Moggallana said solemnly: “The Buddha is like Sumeru, and I am like a mustard seed, and the mustard seed cannot compare to Sumeru; the Buddha is like the sea, and I am like a river, and the river cannot compare to the sea; the Buddha is rare, and you can only be saved if you take refuge in the Buddha. !”
All Brahmazhi were delighted to hear the words, and they all followed Maggallana to the Buddha’s seat to take refuge and receive teaching.
Venerable Moggallana often used supernatural powers to subdue heretics and make them fall into the embrace of Buddhism. He is the most capable person among Buddha’s disciples to subdue heretics.
7. Subdue evil spirits
Although Venerable Moggallana was able to subdue demons and heretics, demons and heretics often made trouble for him.
Once, under the benevolent command of the Buddha, when Maggallana was preaching alone in Baja country, an evil ghost named Shamo saw Muggallana walking on the road, so he entered Muggallana’s belly with supernatural power. Qianlian felt a pain in his stomach, and suddenly something the size of a bowl swelled up in his abdomen, which sounded like thunder. Moggallana then stopped walking and went back to the room to sit and meditate. Knowing that it was the evil demon challenging him, he said, “The evil evil! Come out quickly and don’t violate the Buddha’s disciples. You must not disturb the Buddha and the Buddha’s disciples.” Yes. Unless you are a disciple whose karma is unfinished, otherwise, you will never be able to do anything!”
The evil demon thought in his heart: “It’s strange! The Buddha doesn’t even know what I look like. Although Maggallana has supernatural powers, how could he know?”
Mu Jianlian said again: “Evil demon! Don’t be surprised. You are thinking that the Buddha doesn’t even know what you look like. How could Mu Jianlian know what you look like even though he has supernatural powers!”
The evil demon was shocked when he heard it, and quickly turned into saliva, and never dared to challenge Mu Jianlian again!
Moggallana’s supernatural powers will always be admired by Buddhist believers and feared by foreign demons!
8. Beauty is no match for supernatural powers
Venerable Moggallana, who has supernatural powers, not only will not be harmed by evil demons with magical powers, even his beauty cannot shake his Taoism.
Once, on his way back from alms round, Moggallana passed a garden where a middle-aged woman was waiting for him. Although this woman is in her thirties, her age cannot conceal her beauty. Her charming eyes and light figure can attract the hearts of ordinary men.
When she saw Maggallana approaching her, she stood up smiling and said to Maggallana, “My lord, where are you so busy? Do you have time to talk to me?”
Moggallana stopped and took a closer look. Not only could he see her face clearly, but he could also see through her heart. Moggallana knew exactly what was going on in her heart.
Venerable Moggallana remained calm, but said majestically: “Poor girl! Your body is already filthy, and now you have taken very little money, and you are ignorant of your conscience. Illegal attempt!”
The woman was shocked when she heard this, and said in a murmur, “My lord! You … how do you say such a thing?”
Moggallana is like an immovable mountain, solemnly teaching: “Don’t hide your sins. I will know what your purpose is when I see you. You are fascinated by illusory beauty, and beauty encourages you to commit crimes.” Opportunity is like an old elephant drowning in mud, sinking deeper and deeper!”
“My lord! Since you know my reason for coming, I also know that I can’t hide it from you. I have heard that you are the disciple with the most supernatural power among the Buddha’s disciples. I don’t believe that your supernatural power will not be defeated by beauty. Now, I know I am a person with serious crimes, and I also want to be good, but everything in the world makes people too discouraged. I think I am a person who cannot be saved. I have a terrible past, and I will definitely be tortured in the future. Cause and effect are entangled.” The woman’s feelings are ultimately fragile, and when she said the last few words, tears flowed down her cheeks.
Venerable Moggallana comforted her again: “Don’t be sad, let alone be discouraged. No matter how serious the past sins are, as long as you are willing to repent the past sins, there is nothing irreparable. When the clothes are dirty, you can wash them with water, and if the body is dirty, you can wash them with water. Sometimes, you can also wash with water.
When your heart is not pure, you can use the teachings of the Buddha to wash. No matter how dirty the rivers are, as long as they can flow into the sea, the water in the sea will always wash the water that the rivers flow into. I The teachings of the great savior Buddha, the teacher and savior of the world, can cleanse the polluted hearts and repent of past sins.”
Moggallana’s words made her very happy, and her eyes were full of hope. She said to Moggallana: “My lord! Are the Buddha’s teachings really so merciful and great? My past is too sinful, and my experiences are all unfortunate. If I speak out, my lord must hide my ears and face. ”
“It’s okay, you can tell me. What’s your name?”
“My lord! My name is Lianhuase, and I am the daughter of an elder in the city of Dechasila. When I was sixteen years old, my parents found a married couple for me. Soon after, my father passed away unfortunately. The widowed mother who lost my father and I When I found out that my husband was having an affair, I was really heartbroken. I had already had a daughter with my husband at that time, and I was so angry that I abandoned my daughter and ran away.
After I left home, I remarried to another husband. Once my remarried husband When he went out to do business, he bought a concubine with thousands of gold without telling me when he came back from the city of Dechashila. At first he kept the secret from me, and hid the concubine in a friend’s house. Later, when I found out , crying to see what kind of person that girl looks like, and why she took my husband’s love away. But, my lord! That little girl is my daughter born to my ex-husband.”
When Lianhuase said this, she was already sobbing. Moggallana comforted her very sympathetically and said, “Lianhuase! Don’t be so sad. People who understand the past, present and future, know the facts of karma and reincarnation. In fact, life is the abyss of evil. What happened to you later?”
“How could I bear such a blow later? Thinking back, my mother took my husband away, and now, my daughter is competing with me for a husband. How can I face others? From then on, I I ran away from home. I hate the world, I hate humans, I have become a prostitute who sells jokes, I want to play with the world and humans, and I just pass my sinful life like this
“My lord! As long as I have money, I can do anything. Needless to say, my lord already knows why I came here to challenge your precepts. Fortunately, my lord has great supernatural powers, but how should I repent to my lord?” Is that good?”
After listening to Lianhuase’s frank narration, Moggallana did not despise her at all. Instead, he saw that Lianhuase’s heart was very true, kind and beautiful. In a kind tone, he walked towards Lianhuase and said, “Lianhuase! Your life experience is indeed a terrible karma, but if you can follow the teachings of the Buddha, such karma will end. You will come with me now. Go see the Buddha!”
Lianhuase was very happy. The reason why she was saved, and she was able to get a blessing through misfortune, was all because Maudgalyayana had great supernatural powers and the skillful and convenient way to save lives.
9. Listen to the distance of the Buddha’s voice
Venerable Moggallana is the most active figure in the Buddha’s Sangha. He can do what others cannot do; he can go where others cannot go.
One day, the Buddha was preaching in the lecture hall of the Bamboo Grove Abode in Rajagha City. Moggallana sat in the meditation room and did not listen to the lecture, but the voice of the Buddha’s teaching was like thunder in his ears. He was amazed that the voice of the Buddha could be heard so far away from him.
In order to test how far the Buddha’s Dharma sounds can be heard, he used his supernatural powers to come to a Buddhist country beyond billions of Buddha lands. Moggallana often travels in other Buddhalands. He is like an experienced traveler. Wherever he goes, he always regards it as the same as in his own country and hometown.
Now, he has arrived in a Buddha country beyond billions of Buddha lands, and he is seeing that the Tathagata King of Shi Zizai in that Buddha land is also preaching. Tathagata’s statement.
But inconceivably, Moggallana, apart from listening to the Tathagata King of the World, the voice of Sakyamuni Buddha in the Saha world still rang in his ears.
At this moment, the Dharma sound of the Tathagata King stopped, and a Bodhisattva came forward to pay homage to the Tathagata King of the World, and pointed to Moggallana and said, “Tathagata! When you were teaching the Dharma, a big insect crawled out of nowhere. , Seeing that he looks pitiful, let’s drive him away!”
Shi Zi Zai Wang Tathagata quickly stopped him and said, “Don’t say that! He is the most powerful disciple of Sakyamuni Buddha in the Saha world, Moggallana!”
“Why is he so short?” All the bodhisattvas asked. It turns out that in the land of King Tathagata, all the Bodhisattvas and sentient beings are hundreds of times taller than the people in the Saha world. No wonder they said this when they saw Moggallana.
The Tathagata, the king of the world, explained: “You should not underestimate this venerable. He has great supernatural powers and great virtues. He can perform freely and travel in various lands. As for the short stature, it is caused by the different karma of sentient beings in each land. ”
After King Tathagata of the World came to speak, he kindly said to Maggallana: “My lord! From another land, you can show your deification among my disciples and Bodhisattvas, and get rid of everyone’s doubts about you!”
Muqianlian took advantage of the divine power of the Buddha and displayed various supernatural powers. All Bodhisattvas felt respectful when they saw it.
After Moggallana realized his supernatural powers, he returned to his original position. The Tathagata, the king of the world, asked him: “My lord! Did you come to our land to test the distance of the voice of Sakyamuni Tathagata?”
“Yes! The disciple really has such intentions.” Moggallana replied respectfully and saluted.
“My lord! You must not think this way. The power of the Buddhas of all directions cannot be fully understood by ordinary people. The voices of the Buddhas of all directions pervade all space. Discretionary minds cannot listen to the voice of the Buddha.”
Muggallana was very ashamed when he heard the words of King Tathagata of the World Self-Zaizai. Although he was active in the Buddha’s Sangha later, he never dared to test Buddha’s virtue and Buddha’s voice again.
10. All the ghosts ask about karma
Venerable Moggallana not only often travels to various countries, but also often takes advantage of supernatural powers to go to hell to observe the retribution of good and evil beings received by all living beings.
One day, Moggallana was walking on the bank of the Ganges, and time was like a river, constantly running forward. It was dusk, and Muggallana thought that it would be inconvenient to walk at night, so he sat quietly on the bank of the Ganges. side.
The night wind blows gently, and the sky is shining with stars.
After a while, many hungry ghosts gathered on the banks of the Ganges, wanting to fetch water to relieve their hunger and thirst, but there was another ferocious water guard ghost who came running around with an iron staff in his hand, so the ghosts did not dare to go near the water. . Moggallana sat upright and saw that the hungry ghosts suffered differently, so he called them, and all the ghosts also asked him about the causes of their sins one by one.
The first ghost asked: “My lord, we were humans in the past, but now we have fallen into the realm of hungry ghosts. We often suffer from hunger and thirst. I heard that the water of the Ganges River is cool, but when we come to fetch food, the water is boiling hot. As long as you take a sip, your internal organs will be scorched, and there are ghosts who guard the water, chasing and driving them away with iron rods. May I ask your lord, what is our sin and karma that we have to suffer so much?”
Moggallana observed the cause and effect of the three generations with supernatural powers and concentration, and immediately told the hungry ghost: “Your previous occupation was a fortune teller. When telling people about good or bad luck, you used lies more than truth. It is a deceit, in order to seek profit and support, he does not hesitate to confuse sentient beings, so there is such a karma.”
The second ghost asked: “My lord! I am often devoured by some ferocious big dogs. When the meat is exhausted, the wind blows my bones and I am resurrected again. I don’t know what caused me to suffer so much? ”
“Because you killed chickens, ducks, pigs and sheep in your previous life, and worshiped the gods, so you received this retribution.”
“My lord!” the third ghost asked, “My belly is as big as a jar, but my throat is as thin as a needle. I saw the delicacies and delicacies, but I couldn’t eat. I don’t know what causes and conditions caused me to suffer this kind of retribution?”
“In your previous life, you were an official and a butcher. You prided yourself on your strength, indulged in pleasure, and lightly bullied others. You possessed other people’s blood and sweat by force, so you are now suffering this kind of retribution.”
The fourth ghost stepped forward and asked: “My lord! My body is full of tongues, and blood often rushes up from under my body, making my head as big as a bucket. Every time a blood vessel is about to burst, my life is like a gossamer. I don’t know why. This bitter reward?”
“In your previous life, you liked to talk about right and wrong, talk about people’s good and bad, and spit out words. You didn’t want to benefit and benefit all living beings. All language is to increase people’s distress, so now you are receiving this retribution.”
Many hungry ghosts asked one by one about the karma they committed in the past and the karma of receiving retribution in this life. Maggallana answered them one by one. Maggallana’s supernatural power is such a person who can go from heaven to earth freely!
11. The Origin of Obon
Venerable Moggallana, with his divine eye, could know the karmic retribution of all ghosts. He suddenly thought of his dead mother. He used his supernatural power to see that his dead mother was also suffering in the realm of hungry ghosts. Her throat was as small as a needle seam. They were connected together, seeing this, Moggallana felt filial piety, and couldn’t help being very sad. He immediately filled the bowl with food, and used his supernatural powers to serve his mother, but before his mother took the food, the food turned into burning coals in his hands. Unable to eat or drink, Moggallana wailed and wept, unable to be himself.
He could know the karma of the ghosts, but he didn’t know what sin karma the mother had to suffer so much. With a heavy heart, he hurriedly went to ask the Buddha for instructions, and the Venerable Moggallana said: “Buddha! I saw my mother in this life today with supernatural powers, and fell into the suffering of hungry ghosts. I don’t know why. ? My disciple’s supernatural powers allow me to observe the sins and karmas of all ghosts, but why don’t I know about my mother? I beseech the Buddha’s mercy and enlightenment!”
The Buddha’s face showed compassion and kindness, and he replied: “Mugallana! Your mother suffered this retribution because she slandered the Buddha and the Sangha when she was alive, did not believe in the law of cause and effect, was greedy, angry, and evil, and played tricks on all living beings. Love is deep, supernatural powers are concealed by family affection, so I don’t know my mother’s sins!”
“Buddha! Is there any magic method that can save the disciple’s mother from the suffering of hungry ghosts?” Moggallana begged Buddha.
“Mugallana! Your mother’s crimes are deep-rooted, and it is not your strength alone that can save them. Although your filial piety has moved the heavens and the earth, the gods of the heavens and the earth can’t do anything to those who slander the Three Jewels and fall. You can only rely on the monks of the ten directions. Only by the power of majesty can your mother be freed from the suffering of hungry ghosts.
“The 15th day of the seventh month of each year is the day when the monks of the ten directions leave their residences for self-discipline. On this day, those who are children should prepare a variety of delicacies and meals for the parents of the seventh generation and those whose parents are in danger now. The fruit is extremely sweet and delicious. Put it in a pot and make offerings to the great virtuous monks in the ten directions. Because on the 15th day of the seventh month, all the saints meditate by the water in the mountains, or get the four arhats, or walk under the trees. Or the six senses of self-improvement.
There are even bodhisattvas from the ten directions who have the right to manifest monks, all of whom are fed with one heart, and all saints have pure precepts. , parents, relatives and relatives in this world will be freed from the suffering of the three smears, and will be freed at the right time. Food and clothing will be natural. If the parents are still alive, they will be blessed and happy for a hundred years, and everything will be auspicious and smooth.
After hearing what the Buddha said, Moggallana happily practiced it. After the monks made offerings to the saints and monks, his mother was freed from the suffering of hungry ghosts every day.
Moggallana knew that his mother had escaped from the realm of hungry ghosts, and he was very grateful to the Buddha. He also praised the merits of the Three Jewels, and advised the world to practice the method of the Yulan Basin, offering to the Buddha and the monks, in order to repay the kindness of the parents for giving birth and nurturing.
It is the painstaking efforts of the beneficiaries of Maggallana to advise the holding of the Ullambana Dharma Assembly, but now every July 15th, the Ullambana is falsely regarded as a day for worshiping gods and ghosts, which really fails the mercy of the Buddha and Moggallana.
Venerable Moggallana is not only the first in supernatural powers, but also famous for his great compassion!
12. Talk about the precepts of the seven Buddhas
Venerable Moggallana’s supernatural powers allow him to know the past, present and future. One time, the Buddha’s disciples asked the Buddha to talk about the Jatakas of the Sakya tribe in the past. After the Buddha thought about it, he asked Maggallana to speak on his behalf.
Mu Jianlian used the Fate to observe the deeds of the long eons, vividly as pictures. He narrated the history of the Sakya clan in great detail. After listening to it, everyone felt that the Buddha was born in the Sakya clan and achieved enlightenment.
Venerable Moggallana is a person who often speaks for the Buddha.
Another time, the monks gathered together like a symposium, and everyone reported their experience in studying the Buddha’s teachings. Venerable Moggallana uttered the general verse of the Seven Buddhas, which said: “Don’t do any evil, everyone Good deeds; self-purification of the mind, are all Buddhists.”
What are the teachings of the Buddhas? From the simple verses of Venerable Maggallana, beginners can clearly understand the meaning of Buddhism. This verse, like Venerable Maudggallana, is always kept in mind by everyone.
13. Supernatural powers are no match for karma
Among the Buddha’s disciples, none of the Buddha’s disciples could compare with the supernatural power of Venerable Moggallana, so he thought that using supernatural powers in everything is possible.
The use of supernatural powers is indeed convenient for attracting sentient beings, but it is also true that supernatural powers cannot violate the law of cause and effect, cannot overcome karma, and cannot escape the troubles of life and death.
Once, Kapilavatthu, the homeland of the Buddha, was invaded by the Liuli King of the Kosamira Kingdom. At first, the Buddha was also moved by his patriotic enthusiasm and wanted to help the motherland. The Buddha sat on the road three times to block the Liuli King’s attack. However, when King Liuli met the Buddha, although he returned to the army every time, the hatred of revenge and aggression did not disappear. The Buddha knew the principle of karma and should end it. After the Buddha had exhausted his patriotism, only let him go.
However, Venerable Moggallana’s supernatural powers could not understand the endless karma. After he learned the news that King Liuli’s army had surrounded Kapilavatthu, he excitedly reported to the Buddha: “Buddha! Invasion, in order to rescue the people of the whole city, we should do our best to help.”
The Buddha stared at Maggallana for a while, and then replied in a kind tone: “Mugallana! The Sakya tribe suffered the retribution of sins in previous lives. This is the feeling of common karma. You can’t bear it for them! They don’t repent their sins. , Blindly arrogant, do not change the past, the corroded house will eventually fall down!”
After hearing the Buddha’s words, the Venerable Moggallana knew that it was true, but he thought of his supernatural powers, and he wanted to use them to rescue the people in the city.
King Liuli besieged the city of Kapilavatthu with an army of one million, and no one could get through. Only Moggallana could fly into the city with supernatural powers.
Moggallana entered the city and found five hundred outstanding people from the Shakya clan. He took them up into the sky with a bowl, and then flew out of the sky.
After leaving the city, when he arrived in a safe area, Moggallana opened the bowl he held in his hand, intending to release five hundred Sakya tribes, but he didn’t know if he didn’t look. The 500 people in the city were all turned into blood!
It was only at this time that the Venerable Moggallana fully realized that the law of karma that the Buddha said cannot be violated, even if he has supernatural powers, he is still no match for karma.
14. The first person to be martyred
Mu Jianlian relied on his supernatural powers to go to heaven and earth to help spread the Dharma, and he made great contributions. But the Buddha said long ago that supernatural powers are not the ultimate method. The long-browed Arhat, originally a minister of King Youtan, was named Bintou Luo Poluoduo. After he became a monk with the Buddha, he obtained supernatural powers.
He scolded him unceremoniously once, and ordered him to separate himself from the Sangha and go to Siguyeni State alone to teach. Only the supernatural powers of Moggallana, the Buddha not only did not reprimand, but often praised.
The Buddha is not biased. The Buddha knows a fact. It is good to use Maggallana’s supernatural powers to help him prosper, but the result of Maggallana’s use of supernatural powers cannot surpass the karma. will not die. The Buddha wanted to use this fact to teach future generations
Although Moggallana’s age is gradually approaching the edge of old age, he is becoming more and more energetic in his life of preaching and teaching. He didn’t know that he was envied even more because of his zeal for preaching the Buddha’s teachings. Heretics had nothing to do with Buddha, but they waited for the opportunity to assassinate Moggallana.
Moggallana He took the responsibility of propagating Dharma and benefiting living beings. Once, on the way of preaching the truth, he passed by the foot of Yisi Jiali Mountain. When he was seen by naked heretics at that time, they pushed down the rocks from the mountain to kill Moggallana. Stones fell like raindrops, and Moggallana’s impermanent body was beaten into a meat paste, but the naked heretics did not dare to go near the place where Moggallana died for two or three days, because they were afraid of his supernatural power.
However, in order to spread the Bodhi seeds of Buddhism, Moggallana was persecuted by heretics, and in order to set an example for future generations to sacrifice for the Dharma, his body really passed away forever. The blood of Moggallana was not shed in vain. In order to spread the Dharma and benefit living beings, how many sages and sages, under the light of Buddha’s benevolence, gave their lives and everything in the footsteps of Maudggallana. The light of truth can Immortality in the world, this is a great price to pay!
The news that Venerable Moggallana was assassinated by heretics reached the ears of King Aja, who was very angry and ordered the arrest of the murderer. Thousands of naked heretics were thrown into the fire pit under King Ajayan’s anger!
The heretics were executed by King Aja, which could not eliminate the sorrow of the monks for the martyrdom of Maggallana. Everyone sighed, and they all felt that the things in the world were too unfair. Attack!
The bhikkhus were unwilling, and they gathered together to ask the Buddha. They asked, “Buddha! Venerable Moggallana and Venerable Shariputra are both disciples of the Buddha. He is such a remarkable person. According to his mother, he was asked by us to visit the Buddha in the Heavenly Palace. His mother fell into hell and suffered because of slandering the Three Jewels. He once went to hell to save his mother. He is such a vigorous and powerful venerable. What about heretics? At least, why doesn’t he avoid the plots of heretics?”
The Buddha realized the truth of the universe. Everything that will happen in the world has long been known in the Buddha’s great wisdom. The Buddha was not as excited as the other monks. The number one disciple, it’s not that he can’t fight against heretics, but it’s because when King Liuli once invaded Kapilavastu, he couldn’t save the people in the city with his supernatural powers. It’s over, in the past, Maggallana used fishing as a profession, and countless lives died because of his injustice. Don’t be sad, although Maggallana passed away, the truth will never die!”
“However, Buddha!” said the monks who couldn’t let go, “We finally feel that the murder of Maudgalyana is too miserable!”
“Bhikkhus, don’t think so. The issue of life and death is not a problem before an enlightened person. There is life and death. There is no need to panic about death. What matters is whether you are sure about death. Only Maha Moggallana , when you die, you are not delusional, but entering Nirvana is truly precious, only Maha Moggallana sacrificed himself to spread the teachings of Buddha, this is the infinite beauty!”
Among the monks, there were still some who could not let go. They sighed and shook their heads, and said to the Buddha with infinite sadness: “Buddha! We also know that we should have the spirit of sacrifice for the teaching, but Maha Moggallana has sacrificed now. It’s too early, there are many undertakings of Honghua that need him to lead. Buddha! Why didn’t you tell him what happened to him earlier, so that he can take precautions?”
From the questioning of these monks to the Buddha, we can know their excitement for Maggallana’s martyrdom, and we can also know the admiration of the monks for Maggallana. The Buddha said to everyone in a comforting and encouraging tone: “Bhikkhus! When Jianlian was martyred, it wasn’t that he didn’t know how to take precautions. He had supernatural powers, and he could defend himself from death. To end.
Moreover, Moggallana has long vowed to dedicate his life to the truth. Now that his wish is fulfilled, he is very happy. My disciples can all have the spirit of Maudggallana’s sacrifice and martyrdom, and the Dharma will be carried forward even more Great, bhikkhus! You should follow the example of Venerable Moggallana!”
The French taught by the Buddha, the monks and nuns were very moved. After the death of one Moggallana, countless Muggallana will step on the martyr’s footsteps voluntarily and happily in order to spread the truth of the Buddha and spread the holy teaching. Footsteps move forward!
We should rejoice for the martyrdom of the Venerable Moggallana!
