时间：04/11/2026 04/12/2026
地点：星湖禅修中心
主讲：龙示林
佛法修行
梵志火中求救得佛度
久远以前，在印度罗阅只城南方四千里处有一个国家，这个国家的人民尊崇外道，侍奉数千名的修行人。当时，国内正遭逢前所未有的大旱灾，整整三年都没有降下一滴雨水，无论人民如何祈求祷告都没有改善，生活苦不堪言。
为此，心急如焚的国王召来国内所有的梵志，请他们向天神请示：何以降下如此巨大的灾厄？这些梵志禀告国王：「等我们斋戒完毕，就立即派人向梵天请示，询问其降灾的原因。」国王听完，高兴地说：「你们有什么需要的物品，尽管提出来，我都可以为你们一一办理。」梵志们回答：「我们需要二十车的柴火、酥酪、蜜、膏、油、花、香、幡盖、金、银及祭祀器具，一样都不能缺少。」于是国王马上派人准备，并且送至城外七里远的一处空地上。
梵志们在宽广平坦的空地上，用带来的柴火堆成一座小山。他们认为不惜牺牲性命的人，死后必可生至梵天，于是推选出七个人，准备以火化的方式前往梵天询问旱灾的原因。七人接受完种种的祝祷仪式后，便在大家的簇拥下登上柴堆顶端，旁人则从下燃起熊熊的火焰。
当炽热的火苗渐渐窜升，被火焚烧的恐惧和痛苦，使得柴堆上的七个人不停地向左右围观的同伴求救。然而，无论他们如何呼喊，始终没有人对他们伸出援手。在炙热烈火的煎熬下，七个人绝望地喊道：「天啊！三界内若真有大慈大悲的人，可以解救我们脱离危难的话，我们愿意马上皈依他，请救救我们吧！」
佛陀在远方得知了这件事，便循其音声前来救苦。佛陀于虚空中展现种种光明瑞相，七人见到佛陀来救度他们，莫不悲喜交集，感激地说：「我们愿意皈依您的座下，请帮助我们脱离烈火的危难吧！」于是佛陀为此七人说了一首偈语：
「或多自归，山川树神，厝立图像，
祷祠求福。自归如是，分吉非上，
彼不能来，度汝众苦。如有自归，
佛法僧众，道德四谛，必见正慧。
生死极苦，从谛得度，度世八难，
斯除众苦。自归三尊，最吉最上，
唯独有是，度一切苦。」
佛陀说完偈语后，大火随之熄灭，当下这七个人感受到前所未有的心安与喜乐。而在旁围观的梵志及百姓见到如此景象，深受震撼。光明巍巍的佛陀，示现种种神通变化，或分身无数、或忽隐忽现、或全身涌现水火，五色光明闪耀，所有人见了莫不五体投地，至诚顶礼。
劫后余生的七个人从柴堆上走了下来，百感交集地说了一首偈语：
「见圣人快，得依附快，得离愚人，为善独快。
守正见快，互说法快，与世无诤，戒具常快。
使贤居快，如亲亲会，近仁智者，多闻高远。」
说完偈语后，所有的梵志都希望能追随佛陀出家修行，佛陀亦慈悲应允为其剃度，最后皆证得阿罗汉果；而国王、大臣及百姓也都皈依佛陀，信奉佛法。不久，天空即降下了大雨，解除了长久以来的旱象，国家从此富饶安乐，人们乐闻法要，勤修道业。
Date: 04/11/2026 04/12/2026
Location: Star Lake Meditation Center
Teacher: Shilin Long
Dharma Talk
Brahmins Seek Rescue in Fire and Are Liberated by the Buddha
Long ago, in a country located four thousand li south of Rājagṛha in India, the people revered non-Buddhist paths and supported thousands of ascetics. At that time, the country was struck by an unprecedented drought. For three full years, not a single drop of rain fell. No matter how the people prayed, there was no relief, and their suffering became unbearable.
In great anxiety, the king summoned all the brahmins in the country and asked them to inquire of the heavenly gods why such a calamity had descended. The brahmins reported to the king, “After we complete our fasting and purification, we will send someone to consult Brahmā and ask the cause of this disaster.” Hearing this, the king said with delight, “Whatever you need, just ask, and I will provide it all.” The brahmins replied, “We need twenty cartloads of firewood, ghee, milk, honey, ointments, oil, flowers, incense, banners, gold, silver, and ritual implements—nothing must be lacking.” The king immediately ordered everything to be prepared and delivered to an open field seven li outside the city.
On the vast and level ground, the brahmins piled the firewood into a mound like a small mountain. They believed that those who were willing to sacrifice their lives would be reborn in Brahmā’s heaven. Thus they selected seven people to be cremated in fire so that they could go to Brahmā and inquire about the cause of the drought. After undergoing various blessing rituals, the seven ascended to the top of the woodpile, while others below ignited the blazing flames.
As the fierce fire rose higher, the terror and pain of being burned caused the seven people to cry out desperately for help to those watching around them. Yet no matter how they called, no one came to their aid. In the torment of the raging flames, the seven cried out in despair, “Heavens! If there truly exists within the three realms a being of great compassion who can rescue us from this danger, we are willing at once to take refuge in him—please save us!”
From afar, the Buddha became aware of this and came in response to their cries to relieve their suffering. Manifesting in the sky with various radiant and auspicious signs, the Buddha appeared before them. Seeing the Buddha come to save them, the seven were filled with both sorrow and joy, and gratefully said, “We are willing to take refuge under you. Please help us escape from the flames!” The Buddha then spoke a verse for them:
“Some take refuge in mountains, rivers, tree spirits,
Setting up images and praying for blessings.
Such refuge brings only partial good, not the highest;
They cannot come to save you from all suffering.
If one takes refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Saṅgha,
And understands the Four Noble Truths, one will see true wisdom.
The extreme suffering of birth and death is crossed over through truth;
Escaping the eight hardships, one removes all suffering.
Taking refuge in the Three Jewels
Is the most auspicious and supreme;
Only this can liberate one from all suffering.”
After the Buddha finished speaking the verse, the great fire was immediately extinguished. The seven people felt an unprecedented peace and joy. The brahmins and people watching nearby were deeply shaken by what they witnessed. The Buddha, radiant and majestic, displayed various miraculous transformations—multiplying his body, appearing and disappearing, emitting water and fire, and shining with five-colored light. All who saw this prostrated themselves fully and paid reverent homage.
The seven survivors stepped down from the woodpile and, filled with emotion, recited a verse:
“To see a sage is joyful; to rely on him is joyful.
To be free from fools is a blessing; to practice goodness alone is joyful.
To uphold right view is joyful; to discuss the Dharma is joyful.
To live without conflict, to keep the precepts, is always joyful.
To dwell among the virtuous is like meeting dear relatives;
To be near the wise and benevolent, learned and far-seeing, is a great joy.”
After reciting the verse, all the brahmins wished to follow the Buddha and go forth into monastic life. The Buddha compassionately accepted them, and they were ordained. In time, all attained the fruit of arahantship. The king, ministers, and people also took refuge in the Buddha and believed in the Dharma. Soon after, rain fell from the sky, ending the long drought. From then on, the country became prosperous and peaceful, and the people rejoiced in hearing the Dharma and diligently practiced the path.
