时间：02/01/2025 02/02/2025
地点：星湖禅修中心
主讲：龙示林
佛法修行
末利夫人持戒不受香璎
佛陀于菩提树下得道证果后，于罗阅祇国弘法教化，后来又前往舍卫国度化众生，深得波斯匿王与百官的敬仰。当时，国内有位大商主，名叫波利，带领五百位商人出海寻宝，正当船只行驶于一望无际的大海时，海神突然现身于众人之前。
海神双手捧水，问波利：「海水与我手中之水比较，何者为多？」波利回答：「当然是您手中的水多，虽然大海浩瀚无边，难以计量，却不能拯救饥渴的人；相反的，捧在掌中的水虽少，却能帮助饥渴的人活命，如此植福培福，生生世世受福无尽。」
海神听了波利的回答，觉得很有道理，连声赞叹，不仅取下身上所配戴的八种香饰和璎珞送给波利，还准备了金、银、琉璃……等七种珍宝，让他们带回去。在海神的神通助力下，波利一行人平安抵达陆地，并且快乐地踏上回国之路。
波利回到舍卫国，想到这么稀有珍贵的香璎，绝不是自己这种平民百姓所适合配戴的，于是前往皇宫将这些宝物献给波斯匿王。国王得到这些珍奇宝物，非常欢喜，马上派人去请诸位夫人出来，并且言明将把香璎赏赐给当中最美丽的一位。
消息布达后，宫中的每一位夫人无不极尽全力将自己装扮得美艳动人，希望自己会是雀屏中选的幸运者。这时，后宫佳丽依序来到国王面前，国王看了看，独缺末利夫人一人，于是问道：「末利夫人怎么没有来？」侍者回答：「今天是十五日，夫人正在持守八关斋戒，因为身着素服，没有装扮，所以没有来。」国王听了很不高兴，派侍者转告末利夫人：「难道你今天持斋受戒，就可违抗国王之命不出来吗？」就这样传达了三次王命后，末利夫人终于出现于众人之前，质朴的衣着中未添任何装饰，素净的面容上没有一丝脂粉，全身散发耀眼光彩，比平常更加庄严。
国王见了非常惊讶，心存敬意地问道：「是什么样的修为，让你看起来如此与众不同？」夫人回答：「我想到自己累劫以来少修福德，所以今世得为女人，情深业重，秽垢堆积如山。况且，人命短促，若不精勤修行，稍有不慎，便会堕入三途恶道。所以至诚发心每月持守斋戒，割舍世间种种贪爱，遵从佛陀教法，希望世世皆能蒙受法益，增长福德。」国王听了非常欢喜，决定将香璎送给末利夫人。
夫人告诉国王：「今日我持守斋戒，不适合佩戴香璎，请国王将它送给别人吧！」国王说：「我本意要将这些珍贵的宝物送给最美丽的夫人，而你就是后宫中最端严者。尤其你奉行佛陀戒法，道心圣洁，令人敬爱，倘若你谦虚不受，我该如何是好呢？」夫人回答：「国王不用担心，如果可以，希望国王能够与我前往佛陀的精舍，将香璎供养佛陀，并且聆听佛陀的开示，如此生生世世都能受福无尽。」于是，国王立刻派人准备车驾，与夫人前往拜谒佛陀。
波斯匿王一行人来到精舍，向佛陀至诚顶礼，并且谦卑地站立于为他准备的座位旁。国王捧着宝物向佛陀禀白：「这些香饰璎珞是海神送给商人波利的珍贵宝物，波利又将它献给我。所有后宫夫人看了无不想要，唯独末利夫人因为奉持斋戒，心不存贪念，所以辞谢了这些礼物。在末利夫人的建议下，我们今日特地前来将宝物供养世尊，希望世尊慈悲纳受。」
波斯匿王接着又说：「请问世尊，弟子以如此的诚心护持夫人斋戒，并且真心信仰佛道，不知有无福德呢？」感于国王的诚恳，世尊接受了香璎，并且为大众说了一首偈语：
「多作宝华，结步摇绮，
广积德香，所生转好；
琦草芳华，不逆风熏，
近道敷开，德人逼香；
栴檀多香，青莲芳花，
虽曰是真，不如戒香；
华香气微，不可谓真，
持戒之香，到天殊胜；
戒具成就，行无放逸，
定意度脱，长离魔道。」
佛陀告诉波斯匿王：「斋戒的福德广大长久，能够使人得到好的名声与大众的敬爱。即使有人将遍满天下十六大国的珍宝，拿来布施修福，所得的福报，也不及末利夫人一日一夜持守斋戒的功德。与末利夫人的福德相比，须弥山不过如一粒豆子罢了！所以斋戒是福慧双修之法，可以解脱烦恼，证得涅槃，不是世间福报可以比拟。」国王、夫人及群臣听了佛陀的开示，法喜充满，决心遵照佛陀的教导，奉行正法。
Date: 02/01/2025 02/02/2025
Location: Star Lake Meditation Center
Teacher: Shilin Long
Dharma Talk
Lady Mallika Observes Precepts and Refuses the Fragrant Ornaments
After attaining enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, the Buddha traveled to Rajagaha to propagate the Dharma. Later, he went to Shravasti to teach and guide sentient beings, earning the deep respect of King Prasenajit and his ministers.
At that time, there was a great merchant named Pali, who led five hundred traders to sea in search of treasures. As their ship sailed across the vast ocean, the sea deity suddenly appeared before them. Holding water in his hands, the sea deity asked Pali, “Between the ocean water and the water in my hands, which is greater?”
Pali replied, “Of course, the water in your hands is greater. Although the ocean is vast and immeasurable, it cannot save a thirsty person. In contrast, the small amount of water in your hands can quench someone’s thirst and save their life. By planting blessings in this way, one accumulates merits that extend across countless lifetimes.”
Hearing Pali’s response, the sea deity found it very reasonable and praised him repeatedly. In admiration, the deity removed eight types of fragrant ornaments and jewelry from his body and gifted them to Pali. He also prepared gold, silver, lapis lazuli, and other precious treasures for them to take back. With the sea deity’s divine assistance, Pali and his men safely reached land and happily embarked on their journey home.
Upon returning to Shravasti, Pali thought that such rare and precious fragrant ornaments were not suitable for an ordinary person like himself. Therefore, he went to the royal palace to present these treasures to King Prasenajit. The king was overjoyed upon receiving such exquisite jewels and immediately summoned his consorts, declaring that he would reward the most beautiful among them with these ornaments.
Upon hearing the announcement, every consort in the palace exerted their utmost effort to adorn themselves, hoping to be the fortunate one chosen by the king. The consorts appeared before the king one by one, but Lady Mallika was absent. The king asked, “Why hasn’t Lady Mallika come?”
A servant replied, “Today is the fifteenth day, and Lady Mallika is observing the Eight Precepts. Because she is dressed simply and has not adorned herself, she did not come.”
The king was displeased and sent a messenger to relay his command: “Just because you are observing precepts today, does that mean you can disobey the king’s order and refuse to appear?”
After the royal decree was delivered three times, Lady Mallika finally came before everyone. She was simply dressed, without any ornaments, and her face was free of cosmetics. Yet, her entire being radiated a brilliant light, making her look more dignified than ever.
The king was astonished and respectfully asked, “What kind of cultivation allows you to appear so different from the others?”
Lady Mallika replied, “I reflect on my past lifetimes and realize that I have cultivated little merit and virtue. As a result, I was born as a woman in this life, burdened with deep emotions and heavy karma, and my defilements are as vast as a mountain. Moreover, human life is short.
If I do not diligently practice, even a slight lapse could lead me to fall into the three lower realms. Thus, I sincerely observe the precepts every month, renouncing worldly attachments and following the Buddha’s teachings. I aspire to receive the benefits of the Dharma in all my future lives and to increase my merit and virtue.”
The king was delighted upon hearing this and decided to award the fragrant ornaments to Lady Mallika. However, she told the king, “Today I am observing precepts, so it is inappropriate for me to wear these fragrant ornaments. Please offer them to someone else.”
The king replied, “I intended to give these precious jewels to the most beautiful consort, and you are the most dignified among them. Moreover, your devotion to the Buddha’s precepts and your pure spiritual resolve are admirable. If you refuse out of humility, what should I do?”
Lady Mallika responded, “Your Majesty need not worry. If possible, I hope that you will accompany me to the Buddha’s monastery and offer these fragrant ornaments to the Buddha. In doing so, we will receive boundless blessings in this and future lives.”
The king immediately arranged a carriage and accompanied Lady Mallika to pay homage to the Buddha.
Upon arriving at the monastery, King Prasenajit sincerely prostrated before the Buddha and then stood humbly beside the seat prepared for him. Holding the treasures, the king addressed the Buddha:
”These fragrant ornaments were gifts from the sea deity to the merchant Pali, who then offered them to me. All the consorts in my palace desired them, yet Lady Mallika, in observing the precepts, remained free from greed and declined the gifts. Following her suggestion, we have come today to offer these treasures to the Blessed One. We humbly request that the Blessed One accept them with compassion.”
The king then asked, “Venerable Buddha, by sincerely supporting my consort’s observance of the precepts and devoutly following the path of the Dharma, will I gain merit and virtue?”
Moved by the king’s sincerity, the Buddha accepted the fragrant ornaments and spoke the following verse to the assembly:
”Many make floral adornments, crafting intricate ornaments,
But the fragrance of virtue is even greater;
The scent of precious flowers does not travel against the wind,
Yet the fragrance of virtue reaches far and wide.
Sandalwood, blue lotus, and other fragrant flowers,
Though truly fragrant, cannot compare to the scent of morality.
The scent of flowers is faint and fleeting,
But the fragrance of morality surpasses all, even in the heavens.
One who perfects morality and lives with diligence,
Cultivates concentration and wisdom, and forever escapes the realm of demons.”
The Buddha then said to King Prasenajit, “The merit of observing the precepts is vast and long-lasting. It brings one a good reputation and the love and respect of others. Even if one were to make offerings of treasures equivalent to the wealth of the sixteen great kingdoms, the resulting merit would not compare to the merit of Lady Mallika’s observance of the precepts for just one day and one night.
Compared to her merit, Mount Sumeru is as insignificant as a tiny bean. Thus, observing precepts is a path of cultivating both merit and wisdom, leading to liberation from afflictions and the attainment of Nirvana. No worldly fortune can compare to it.”
Upon hearing the Buddha’s teachings, the king, Lady Mallika, and the ministers were filled with great joy. They resolved to follow the Buddha’s teachings and uphold the righteous Dharma.
