Date: 05/31/2025 06/01/2025
Location: Star Lake Meditation Center
Teacher: Shilin Long
Dharma Talk
The Old Bhikkhu Attains the Four Fruits
“The Dharma is vast, its power to liberate is boundless; those who sincerely seek the path will inevitably attain its fruits. Even a moment of jest will not render merit in vain.”
“If we wish to attain the fruit of Sotāpanna (Stream-enterer), we must eradicate the delusions of false views within the Three Realms.”
“That is truly not an easy task! And what about the second fruit, Sakadāgāmi (Once-returner)?”
“A Sakadāgāmi, also called a ‘Once-returner,’ is one who will be reborn just once more in the heavenly or human realms before attaining Arhatship.”
“It is said that attaining Arhatship allows one to transcend countless kalpas of rebirths…”
The warm sunlight filtered through the trees, gently casting its golden glow upon the vast courtyard outside the great hall.
Having finished their morning labor duties, a group of young novice monks enthusiastically engaged in discussions about the four stages of enlightenment, marveling at their spiritual significance.
Their conversation happened to be overheard by an old bhikkhu passing by.
“What are these Four Fruits you are talking about? They sound remarkable.”
Hearing the young monks’ discussion, the old bhikkhu found it intriguing. But at the same time, a sorrowful thought arose in his heart:
“Alas! Why did I wait until I was so old before coming to the Buddha’s path? I cannot understand the scriptures, nor can I sit in meditation for long. I cannot comprehend the Dharma as they do, let alone attain any fruitions. And now, my remaining days are numbered… Sigh!”
With eyes full of admiration, the old bhikkhu gazed at the young monks, letting out a deep sigh in his heart.
“…I once read in the scriptures that when one attains Arhatship, they utter four statements.”
“Yes, yes! Those words are: ‘My birth has ended, the holy life has been established, what had to be done has been accomplished, there is no more becoming in the future.'”
At that moment, the old bhikkhu could no longer contain himself. With slow and laborious steps, he approached the young monks and said:
“I heard you discussing the Four Fruits, and they sound truly marvelous. I also wish to attain these Four Fruits. Can you grant them to me?”
Hearing the unexpected request, the young monks paused in astonishment, their lively discussion coming to an abrupt halt as they stared at the old bhikkhu in disbelief.
“Wait… he actually thinks we can give him the Four Fruits?”
“He clearly doesn’t understand what the Four Fruits are. How could they possibly be given so easily?”
“Since he asked so sincerely, why don’t we have a little fun with him…?”
Finding his request amusing, the young monks decided to play a little joke on the old bhikkhu.
The leading young monk pretended to be serious and said:
“We can indeed give you the Four Fruits, but you must first offer us the most exquisite food and delicacies. Only then can we bestow upon you these sacred attainments.”
Upon hearing this, the old bhikkhu was overjoyed. Without hesitation, he sold his precious robes, used the money to prepare an exquisite feast, and offered it to the young monks.
After the monks had eaten to their heart’s content, the old bhikkhu eagerly asked:
“I have sincerely offered you the finest food. Now, may I receive the Four Fruits?”
“Of course! But since this is no ordinary matter, we must first discuss the proper method.”
The young monks huddled together, pretending to deliberate.
“Are we really going through with this? Isn’t this going too far?”
“It’s just a harmless joke!”
After their “serious discussion,” they began their “ceremony” to confer the Four Fruits—
They led the old bhikkhu to a corner of the hall and instructed him:
“Close your eyes, still your mind, and focus. We are about to bestow upon you the first fruit, Sotāpanna.”
Without a second thought, the old bhikkhu sat upright, closed his eyes, and wholeheartedly concentrated. He was filled with joy, thinking:
“At last, in this lifetime, my practice will soon bear fruit!”
One of the young monks picked up a ball, aimed at the old bhikkhu’s forehead, and—
Whoosh—BANG!
The ball struck his forehead perfectly.
“Wow! What precision!”
Suppressing their laughter, the young monks called out:
“This is the first fruit, Sotāpanna! Have you attained it?”
However, they had no idea—due to his unwavering faith and deep concentration, the old bhikkhu actually attained the first fruit, Sotāpanna, at that very moment.
“Another one! Another one!”
One of the young monks giggled, saying, “I can’t believe he’s actually taking this seriously!”
“Ahem!”
Clearing his throat to maintain composure, the leading monk continued:
“Now, although you have attained the first fruit, you still have seven rebirths remaining before final liberation. To help you progress, we shall now grant you the second fruit, Sakadāgāmi.”
With unwavering faith, the old bhikkhu repositioned himself in another corner, awaiting the next “blessing”.
“This is the second fruit!”
Another young monk weighed the ball in his hand and—
Thud!
Another perfect hit on the old bhikkhu’s head.
“Hahaha! That was perfect!”
Still oblivious, the young monks continued their mischief, while the old bhikkhu had actually attained the second fruit, Sakadāgāmi.
“You have now attained the ‘Once-returner’ fruit, but you still have one more rebirth ahead. Let us now grant you the third fruit, Anāgāmi!”
Hearing this, the old bhikkhu, now even more faithful and determined, swiftly moved to another spot, preparing for the third fruit.
“Hey! My turn! Let me do it this time!”
“Careful now—here comes the third fruit!”
“BANG!”
With even greater conviction, the old bhikkhu truly attained the third fruit, Anāgāmi.
Yet, the young monks remained unaware, continuing to laugh uncontrollably.
“You have now attained the third fruit, but as long as you dwell in the realms of form and formlessness, this conditioned body remains subject to impermanence and suffering. To free you completely from the Three Realms, we shall now grant you the highest fruit—Arhatship!”
For the final “bestowal,” the old bhikkhu took his seat, his mind completely absorbed in deep concentration.
“BANG!”
The ball hit his body, rolled to the ground, and bounced a few times before stopping.
“Hahaha! He’s an Arhat now!”
The young monks laughed hysterically, unaware that the old bhikkhu had actually attained the highest fruit—Arhatship.
After their laughter subsided, they warned:
“Now that you have attained Arhatship, you must not tell anyone about it. A true saint never declares himself a saint.”
But the old bhikkhu, now possessing divine knowledge and wisdom, understood everything.
Instead of feeling resentful, he felt deeply grateful for the young monks’ unintended guidance.
Thus, he prepared another magnificent feast as an offering of gratitude.
At that moment, the young monks finally realized the gravity of what had transpired—they had unknowingly guided an old bhikkhu to Arhatship through sheer jest!
Shocked and ashamed, they prostrated before him, sincerely repenting.
The old bhikkhu, now a true Arhat, simply smiled and said:
“Even in jest, merit is never wasted. The power of the mind is truly inconceivable.”
