Difference between revisions of "What Sariputta Witnessed"
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| − | During the era of Shakyamuni Buddha, I (Sariputta) personally witnessed a rare event. | + | During the {{Wiki|era}} of [[Shakyamuni Buddha]], I ([[Sariputta]]) personally witnessed a rare event. |
| − | The Buddha and his ten major disciples were out seeking offerings. A newborn baby was one of those who made offerings. Even though newly born, the baby was able to speak just as the Buddha did. It was really unusual. | + | The [[Buddha]] and his [[ten major disciples]] were out seeking [[offerings]]. A newborn baby was one of those who made [[offerings]]. Even though newly born, the baby was able to speak just as the [[Buddha]] did. It was really unusual. |
| − | This baby's parents were personages of Sravasti. The baby was their first son and able to speak as soon as he was born. The baby's first words were that he wanted to make offerings to the Buddha's sangha. This desire to make offerings to the sangha was also exceptional. | + | This baby's [[parents]] were personages of [[Sravasti]]. The baby was their first son and able to speak as soon as he was born. The baby's first words were that he wanted to make [[offerings]] to the [[Buddha's]] [[sangha]]. This [[desire]] to make [[offerings to the sangha]] was also [[exceptional]]. |
| − | Moreover, the baby requested that his parents invite his elderly, grey-haired mother of his former lifetime to accept offerings from him, making the situation even more unusual. Amazingly, the infant knew his mother from his previous lifetime and conversed fluently and accurately with her during their encounter. | + | Moreover, the baby requested that his [[parents]] invite his elderly, grey-haired mother of his former [[lifetime]] to accept [[offerings]] from him, making the situation even more unusual. Amazingly, the {{Wiki|infant}} knew his mother from his previous [[lifetime]] and conversed fluently and accurately with her during their encounter. |
| − | While the offerings were being made, the Buddha sat in the highest seat with his ten major disciples sitting next to him, on both sides. The infant's mother of his previous lifetime sat in the seat of honor while his parents of this lifetime sat in a lower position. By just waving his hand, the infant was able to cause delicacies of every kind to fall from the sky and nectar to drift down to the table. | + | While the [[offerings]] were being made, the [[Buddha]] sat in the [[highest]] seat with his [[ten major disciples]] sitting next to him, on both sides. The infant's mother of his previous [[lifetime]] sat in the seat of [[honor]] while his [[parents]] of this [[lifetime]] sat in a lower position. By just waving his hand, the {{Wiki|infant}} was able to [[cause]] delicacies of every kind to fall from the sky and [[nectar]] to drift down to the table. |
Oddly! Incredibly!! | Oddly! Incredibly!! | ||
| − | Just as everyone finishing eating, a dharma throne for the Buddha to sit on descended from the sky. Once seated, the Buddha began to discourse the following: | + | Just as everyone finishing eating, a [[dharma throne]] for the [[Buddha]] to sit on descended from the sky. Once seated, the [[Buddha]] began to [[discourse]] the following: |
| − | Four Noble Truths | + | [[Four Noble Truths]] |
| − | Six Paramitas | + | [[Six Paramitas]] |
| − | Eightfold Path | + | [[Eightfold Path]] |
| − | Twelve Links of Dependent Origination | + | [[Twelve Links of Dependent Origination]] |
| − | At that moment, the infant's parents of this lifetime came forward. They asked how their son was able to speak immediately after he was born. Why did he want to make offerings right away? How was he able to know his mother from his previous lifetime? | + | At that [[moment]], the infant's [[parents]] of this [[lifetime]] came forward. They asked how their son was able to speak immediately after he was born. Why did he want to make [[offerings]] right away? How was he able to know his mother from his previous [[lifetime]]? |
| − | The Buddha answered that the infant's background was extraordinary. He was, in fact, the Fragrance Envoy of the Buddhaland, whose focus was primarily the making of offerings to holy beings. | + | The [[Buddha]] answered that the infant's background was [[extraordinary]]. He was, in fact, the {{Wiki|Fragrance}} Envoy of the [[Buddhaland]], whose focus was primarily the making of [[offerings]] to [[holy beings]]. |
| − | In his former lifetime, this envoy had been born into a poor family. After the father died an early death, he and his mother relied upon each other. He believed in Buddhism and made a profound study of Buddhadharma. Due to vows made in previous lifetimes, he swiftly attained enlightenment and saw his Buddha-nature. Even though during that time, he remained fond of offering to the sangha, he had to wait for causes and conditions to ripen in order to make his offerings. | + | In his former [[lifetime]], this envoy had been born into a poor [[family]]. After the father [[died]] an early [[death]], he and his mother relied upon each other. He believed in [[Buddhism]] and made a profound study of [[Buddhadharma]]. Due to [[vows]] made in previous lifetimes, he swiftly [[attained enlightenment]] and saw his [[Buddha-nature]]. Even though during that time, he remained fond of [[offering]] to the [[sangha]], he had to wait for [[causes and conditions]] to ripen in order to make his [[offerings]]. |
| − | It was for this reason that the son wanted to reincarnate: he had promised his mother of his previous lifetime that after he reincarnated, he would take care of her and continue to be filial. | + | It was for this [[reason]] that the son wanted to [[reincarnate]]: he had promised his mother of his previous [[lifetime]] that after he [[reincarnated]], he would take [[care]] of her and continue to be filial. |
| − | Because he had attained enlightenment and seen his Buddha-nature, he was not confused when entering the fetus, when in the fetus, or when exiting the fetus. Therefore, he could speak immediately after he was born, stand upright, and know the karma of his previous lifetime. | + | Because he had [[attained enlightenment]] and seen his [[Buddha-nature]], he was not confused when entering the {{Wiki|fetus}}, when in the {{Wiki|fetus}}, or when exiting the {{Wiki|fetus}}. Therefore, he could speak immediately after he was born, stand upright, and know the [[karma]] of his previous [[lifetime]]. |
| − | Making offerings to the sangha had always been the infant's desire and he understood that he was the Fragrance Envoy. By merely waving his hand, food and a dharma throne descended from heaven. According to the Buddha, the infant's background and merits originated from providing meals and offerings to the sangha. | + | Making [[offerings to the sangha]] had always been the infant's [[desire]] and he understood that he was the {{Wiki|Fragrance}} Envoy. By merely waving his hand, [[food]] and a [[dharma throne]] descended from [[heaven]]. According to the [[Buddha]], the infant's background and [[merits]] originated from providing meals and [[offerings to the sangha]]. |
| − | After witnessing this event, Sariputta was deeply moved. | + | After witnessing this event, [[Sariputta]] was deeply moved. |
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<poem> | <poem> | ||
| − | Don't consider making offerings to be trivial | + | Don't consider making [[offerings]] to be [[trivial]] |
| − | Don't consider providing meals to the sangha to be insignificant | + | Don't consider providing meals to the [[sangha]] to be insignificant |
| − | Or think that offering a small amount of food and drink is of little account | + | Or think that [[offering]] a small amount of [[food]] and drink is of little account |
| − | The buddha land is barely discernible | + | The [[buddha land]] is barely discernible |
| − | One must look remotely to see a thousand miles | + | One must look remotely to see a thousand {{Wiki|miles}} |
| − | Cultivation must begin at once | + | [[Cultivation]] must begin at once |
By just doing this | By just doing this | ||
| − | Offering wholeheartedly | + | [[Offering]] wholeheartedly |
| − | Makes even the greatest arhat smile | + | Makes even the greatest [[arhat]] [[smile]] |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
| − | Translated by True Buddha Translation Team | + | Translated by [[True Buddha]] Translation Team |
| − | Translator: DJ Chang | + | [[Translator]]: DJ [[Chang]] |
| − | Editor: Henry Wolf | + | Editor: Henry {{Wiki|Wolf}} |
Latest revision as of 20:18, 11 February 2020
During the era of Shakyamuni Buddha, I (Sariputta) personally witnessed a rare event.
The Buddha and his ten major disciples were out seeking offerings. A newborn baby was one of those who made offerings. Even though newly born, the baby was able to speak just as the Buddha did. It was really unusual.
This baby's parents were personages of Sravasti. The baby was their first son and able to speak as soon as he was born. The baby's first words were that he wanted to make offerings to the Buddha's sangha. This desire to make offerings to the sangha was also exceptional.
Moreover, the baby requested that his parents invite his elderly, grey-haired mother of his former lifetime to accept offerings from him, making the situation even more unusual. Amazingly, the infant knew his mother from his previous lifetime and conversed fluently and accurately with her during their encounter.
While the offerings were being made, the Buddha sat in the highest seat with his ten major disciples sitting next to him, on both sides. The infant's mother of his previous lifetime sat in the seat of honor while his parents of this lifetime sat in a lower position. By just waving his hand, the infant was able to cause delicacies of every kind to fall from the sky and nectar to drift down to the table.
Oddly! Incredibly!!
Just as everyone finishing eating, a dharma throne for the Buddha to sit on descended from the sky. Once seated, the Buddha began to discourse the following:
Twelve Links of Dependent Origination
At that moment, the infant's parents of this lifetime came forward. They asked how their son was able to speak immediately after he was born. Why did he want to make offerings right away? How was he able to know his mother from his previous lifetime?
The Buddha answered that the infant's background was extraordinary. He was, in fact, the Fragrance Envoy of the Buddhaland, whose focus was primarily the making of offerings to holy beings.
In his former lifetime, this envoy had been born into a poor family. After the father died an early death, he and his mother relied upon each other. He believed in Buddhism and made a profound study of Buddhadharma. Due to vows made in previous lifetimes, he swiftly attained enlightenment and saw his Buddha-nature. Even though during that time, he remained fond of offering to the sangha, he had to wait for causes and conditions to ripen in order to make his offerings.
It was for this reason that the son wanted to reincarnate: he had promised his mother of his previous lifetime that after he reincarnated, he would take care of her and continue to be filial.
Because he had attained enlightenment and seen his Buddha-nature, he was not confused when entering the fetus, when in the fetus, or when exiting the fetus. Therefore, he could speak immediately after he was born, stand upright, and know the karma of his previous lifetime.
Making offerings to the sangha had always been the infant's desire and he understood that he was the Fragrance Envoy. By merely waving his hand, food and a dharma throne descended from heaven. According to the Buddha, the infant's background and merits originated from providing meals and offerings to the sangha.
After witnessing this event, Sariputta was deeply moved.
A poem:
Don't consider making offerings to be trivial
Don't consider providing meals to the sangha to be insignificant
Or think that offering a small amount of food and drink is of little account
The buddha land is barely discernible
One must look remotely to see a thousand miles
Cultivation must begin at once
By just doing this
Offering wholeheartedly
Makes even the greatest arhat smile
Translated by True Buddha Translation Team Translator: DJ Chang Editor: Henry Wolf
