Date: 11/29/2025 11/30/2025
Location: Star Lake Meditation Center
Teacher: Shilin Long
Dharma Talk
The Story of the Five Hundred Merchants Who Went to Sea in Search of Treasure
When the Buddha was residing at Jetavana Monastery in Śrāvastī, there was a merchant leader in the city who led five hundred merchants to sea in search of treasures. During the voyage, their ship was damaged, and the merchants were forced to turn back, praying to the gods for protection so that they might safely reach the shore. Having returned unharmed, they were still unwilling to give up and set out again after a few days. Unexpectedly, on both voyages, their ships were again damaged, and so they once more had to return midway, realizing that saving their lives was most important.
Because the merchant leader had great accumulated merit, he remained safe through several shipwrecks. One day, when things were not going well and he was filled with worry, he suddenly thought:
“It is said that the Buddha possesses perfect wisdom and great compassion, pitying all living beings. If I go to sea again in search of treasures, I should chant the Buddha’s name for protection. If I return safely, I vow to offer half of my treasures to the Buddha.”
So the merchant gathered another group of merchants and set sail once more. Throughout the journey, he continuously recited the Buddha’s holy name. To his astonishment, this time they returned fully loaded with treasures.
When he returned home, the merchant joyfully examined the jewels, but the more he looked at them, the less willing he was to give half to the Buddha. He thought,
“If I give half of these treasures to the Buddha, I will have almost nothing left. It would be better to give all the jewels to my beloved wife, then ask her for a little money to buy incense to offer to the Buddha.”
Having made up his mind, the merchant asked his wife for two coins, went to the market to buy incense, and brought it to the monastery to make offerings to the Buddha.
The Buddha, knowing that the merchant’s time for spiritual liberation had come, used his supernatural power to make the incense smoke spread like a cloud, covering the entire monastery. Seeing this miraculous sight, the merchant felt deep remorse and self-blame:
“How could I have been so stingy as to withhold treasures from the Buddha? The Tathāgata’s great virtue has made even this faint incense smoke fill the entire monastery—how rare and wondrous this is! I should now prepare fine food and delicacies to offer to the Buddha.”
So the merchant knelt sincerely and invited the Buddha to his home for a meal. The Buddha silently accepted.
The next day, after preparing the food, the merchant sent messengers to invite the Buddha. The Buddha, accompanied by the monks, went to the merchant’s house to receive the offering. After the meal, the Buddha expounded on the faults of greed and stinginess. Hearing this, the merchant’s heart opened with understanding, and he offered all the jewels he had collected from the sea to the Buddha.
Unexpectedly, the jewels rose into the air and transformed into a jeweled canopy that followed the Buddha wherever he went. Witnessing this marvelous sight, the merchant prostrated himself on the ground in deep reverence and made a great vow:
“By the merit of this offering, may I, in future lives, become the eyes for the blind and ignorant; a refuge for those without refuge; a protector for those without protection; a liberator for those without liberation; a source of peace for those without peace; and may I guide all beings to nirvana.”
Hearing this vow, the Buddha smiled silently. From his mouth radiated five-colored light, which circled the Buddha three times before entering the crown of his head.
Venerable Ānanda, seeing the Buddha smile, stepped forward and asked,
“World-Honored One, the Tathāgatas are always composed and dignified—they do not smile without reason. What is the cause for your smile today? May the World-Honored One kindly explain it to us.”
The Buddha said to Ānanda,
“This merchant, because of his remorseful and humble heart in making this offering, has gained great merit. He will never again fall into the three evil realms but will be reborn among gods and humans, always enjoying happiness. After three great kalpas, he will become a Buddha named Ratnabhadra (‘Treasure Abundance’), who will widely deliver countless beings.”
Upon hearing this teaching, the monks were filled with joy and diligently practiced according to the Buddha’s instruction.
