时间：12/21/2024 12/22/2024
地点：星湖禅修中心
主讲：Otto Huang
佛法修行
战争与胜负
有一次，佛陀到憍萨罗国的首都舍卫城游化，住在城南郊外的祇树给孤独园。
当时，恒河中游的憍萨罗国，由波斯匿王统领，国势强盛，包括位于该国北方的迦毗罗卫国（佛陀的祖国）、南方的迦尸国等邻国，都臣服其下，成为他的附庸国，俨然是一方之强权。而摩揭陀国从阿阇世王继位后，讲求武功，也不断地出兵征讨邻国，成为恒河下游的一大强权。这样一来，憍萨罗国与摩揭陀国遂成为相邻而对峙的两大强权，两国经常有利益冲突而交恶，交战不断。
这一次，阿阇世王挥兵攻入西邻的迦尸国。而身为保护国的统领波斯匿王，则从北方出兵驰援，双方在迦尸国大战。结果，波斯匿王大败，狼狈地连随从都失散了，独自驾车逃回首都舍卫城。到舍卫城乞食的比丘，知道了这个情况，回来告诉了佛陀，佛陀因而说：
「战胜增怨敌，败苦卧不安，
胜败二俱舍，卧觉寂静乐。」
另一次，阿阇世王挥兵直捣憍萨罗国，波斯匿王以逸待劳，大败了来军，并且生擒了阿阇世王。波斯匿王念阿阇世王是他的侄子，本来与他也没有什么深仇大恨，想没收他的军备后就放他算了，于是，押着阿阇世王来见佛陀，想听听佛陀的意见。佛陀自然是十分赞成，并且说：
「力能破他军，还为他所坏，力能侵掠人，还为他所掠。
愚谓为无报，必受于大苦，若当命终时，乃知实有报。」
Date: 12/21/2024 12/22/2024
Location: Star Lake Meditation Center
Teacher: Otto Huang
Dharma Talk
War and Victory & Defeat
Once, the Buddha traveled to the capital city of Shravasti in the Kosala kingdom and stayed in the Jeta Grove Monastery, south of the city.
At that time, the kingdom of Kosala, located in the midstream region of the Ganges, was ruled by King Prasenajit and was quite powerful. Neighboring countries, including Kapilavastu to the north (the Buddha’s homeland) and Kashi to the south, had submitted to him, becoming vassal states.
Thus, Kosala was a dominant force in the region. Meanwhile, after King Ajatashatru ascended the throne of the Magadha kingdom, he promoted military prowess and frequently dispatched troops to conquer neighboring countries, establishing Magadha as a powerful kingdom downstream on the Ganges.
Consequently, Kosala and Magadha became two powerful neighboring states, often clashing over interests, resulting in constant conflicts.
This time, King Ajatashatru led his forces to invade the neighboring Kashi kingdom to the west. King Prasenajit, as the leader of Kashi’s protectorate, dispatched troops from the north to aid Kashi, leading to a fierce battle. However, King Prasenajit suffered a crushing defeat and separated from his entourage, fled alone in his chariot back to the capital city of Shravasti. Monks begging for alms in Shravasti learned of this situation and reported it to the Buddha, who then said:
”Victory breeds resentment in enemies;
Defeat brings anguish in sleepless nights.
Thus, letting go of both victory and defeat,
One sleeps in peace and finds joy in tranquility.”
On another occasion, King Ajatashatru launched a direct attack on the Kosala kingdom. King Prasenajit, well-prepared, dealt a heavy blow to the invading forces and captured King Ajatashatru alive. Remembering that Ajatashatru was his nephew and that there was no deep-seated enmity between them, King Prasenajit considered releasing him after confiscating his military resources. He brought Ajatashatru to see the Buddha, hoping to hear his opinion. The Buddha fully supported this decision and said:
”Power that crushes others
Will, in turn, be crushed by others.
Force that plunders people
Will, in turn, be plundered.
The foolish think they will go unpunished,
But great suffering awaits them.
When their life ends, they will realize
There are indeed consequences.”
