Shakyamuni Buddha's account.22. 

9th-14th in Jetavana (-576)

Visàkhà female lay offering Dong Vien [1]

People come to Jetavana monastery hear more and more. Among the new students are female lay Visàkhà, just 20 years old, is considered as good as Mr. Sudatta Anàthapindika. Seeing the number of mourners at the Jetavana monastery was so numerous, she made a donation to her beautifully landscaped garden east of the capital, Sāvatthi, to build another monastery base for the monks. This land is as beautiful as Jetavana but the area is narrower. With the mobilization of Moggallana and the contribution of friends, Visakha has built many halls and meditation. A large lecture hall is erected in the center of the garden. When the new infirmary was completed, Venerable Sariputta proposed naming it "  Dong Vien" (Pubbàma, Purvaràma), and the main hall in the center is the Migàramatas pasada. "Loc" is the nickname of Visàkhà.

Laywoman Visakha [2] was born in the city of origin Bhaddiya Anga. Anga is located on the banks of the Ganges, close to the eastern border of Vajji and Magadha. She is the daughter of millionaire Dhananjaya, her mother Sumana Devi, her grandfather is a millionaire Ram, whose real name is Mendaka [3] , which she felt loved.

In the 10th year Visaka was 10 years old, the Buddha had the opportunity to visit the city of Bhaddiya to the Brahmin named Sela. It is known that the Buddha is staying in the jatiyavana forest, Mr. Ram said grandchildren:

- Visayah, today is the fun day for you and your grandfather. Then prepare to go with grandfather to visit the Buddha and hear the Dharma.

Visàkhà was happy to obey. Upon arrival, she bowed to the Buddha and reverently sat aside, very polite manner. After listening to the Buddha's sermon, her grandfather and grandfather received the Sotàpatti.

At that time King Pasenadi of Kosala and King Bimbisàra of Magadha were acquaintances: Videhi, Queen Pasenadi, queen of Magadha, and Mallika, sister of Bimbisara, queen of Kosala. One day King Pasenadi of Kosala went to see Bimbisàra of Magadha, saying,

- Sire, Magadha five eminent talent and wealth is Jotiya, Jatila, Ram, Punnaka, and Kakavakiya. I only asked one of them to settle in Kosala.

After internal discussions, King Bimbisàra agreed to let Ram and his family settle in Kosala. When the delegation of King Pasenadi and the Ram family with their son Dhananjaya camped overnight at a beautiful ranger 60 miles south of Sàvatthi, Dhananjaya said to the king,

- Sultan, in the capital of Sàvatthi is very crowded population, but our servants are very crowded. So, if approved by the King, we would like to settle here.

King Pasenadi agreed to let Mr. Ram's family settle in Skafta, now Ayodhya, on the banks of the Ghaghara River, a tributary of the Ganga River.

At that time in Sàvatthi there was millionaire named Migara, whose son Punnavaddhana has just reached the age of marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Migàra asked how she wanted to choose his wife. Punnavaddhana replied:

- There is a woman full of five women's beauty is new baby.

Five women's beauty is Hair, Lips, Tooth, Skin and Young. Mr. and Mrs. Migàra invited eight Brahmins to come to the house for dinner, then asked them to find a girl who had five beautiful beauties to get married to Punnavaddhana. Once the story has been won will be rewarded.

The book records that Ms. Visàkhà has the power of men and is very charming. Her hair is like a peacock's tail, when it reaches the ankles and rolls upwards. Her lips were naturally bright red. White teeth like ivory, firmly and shine like two rows of gems. The skin is smooth like a lotus petal that has just hatched. Until he was old and had many children, Visàkhà still had a beautiful appearance of youth. Visakha is more intelligent than man, wise in the world as well as within the moral.

At age sixteen, Visàkhà went with the women to the river to attend the ceremony. According to local custom, on this feast men and women play strolling on the river. When a young man sees a beautiful young woman passing by, he comes to give her a wreath representing her desire to choose her as his wife. Suddenly a heavy rain fell. All passersby fled to find shelter. Visàkhà still pondering to find a home in the rain. There are some brahmins on the road that look surprised, asking:

- Why do not you hurry to get wet?

- Yes, I can run fast, but I do not want to do that.

- Why?

- Yes, there is a king who is dressed in the court, suddenly pulled up his clothes, rushed to the palace should not be true. For example, a statue of a majestic king, wearing his ornaments full of jewels and stepping back and forth to run away in the streets, is also a spectacle of the left eye. As respectable respectable monks should not be holding the bowl in the street. Also, women running in the street like men lose all the decency of decency.

Brahmins delighted that Ms Visaka would be the ideal wife for her son, the millionaire Migraine, in Sàvatthi because she had enough beautiful women. The Brahmins took on the name of Punnavaddhana, the millionaire Migàra, giving her Visakha a gold garland. A few days later, a solemn wedding was held in the presence of King Pasenadi. Migrara millionaire, from the capital of Sàvatthi to the city of Sàketa, married Visakha for her son, Punnavaddhana. Apart dowry worthy and precious jewels, Mr. Dhananjaya, her father, was given to her teachings prior to the husband as follows [4] :

1- Do not speak ill of husband and father-in-law with outsiders. Nor should it be brought to the outsider by the husband. (Originally: Do not bring fire in the house to the road).

2 - Do not repeat the narrative or the story of the other people talk bad husband. (Originally: Do not bring the fire outside the way into the house).

3- Household items should only be given to those who borrow and return.

4- It is not advisable for those who borrow items without return.

5- It is necessary to help the poor by being poor, whether or not they are paid back.

6- Must sit properly adapted. When I see my parents-in-law came to stand up.

7- Before eating, make sure you have enough food for your parents-in-law and your husband. Also watch out for home workers get enough food.

8 - Before going to bed to observe the house, table chairs are clean order. Door bolts carefully installed. See if domestic servants have fulfilled their obligations, and whether their in-laws have gone to bed. So housewives often stay up early and, unless sick, should not sleep.

9- Must watch husband and parents like fire: Every time there is a matter with the parents or husband husband must be very careful as when using fire.

10- Parents and husbands must be revered as saints (sassudeva).

Her father-in-law was a loyal follower of the Nigantha sect (also known as Jaina). One day he came home with a great many naked monks. When they came, Visàkhà was called to pay homage to these so-called Arahants. At first heard the Arhat, she happily stepped out. But when she saw the naked monks, she came back, not to bow. The Nigantha angered the priests, apologizing to his father-in-law to bring into his house a female devotee of the Buddha. They asked him to evict her out of the house immediately. The millionaire, because of the Ram family's persistence, must advise them all the new wrath.

One day, the father-in-law was eating a delicious porridge of porridge in a gold bowl. At that moment a mendicant came to the door of the alms house. Visàkhà stood aside to see his father. Although he saw but he still ignored, continue to eat as usual. Seeing this, Visàkhà said respectfully to the mendicant:

- White teacher, please joyfully step into another home. My father-in-law is eating bad food.

The millionaire misunderstands her lousy persuasiveness, angered, and her servants drive her out of the house. But all the servants in the house valued her so much that nobody dared to touch her. Ms. Visàkhà expressed,

- Father, I saw children with no error even to have been evicted from the house father. After the wedding, when I was about to leave the parents' house here, my father invited eight of his relatives and sent his son to them. His father said, "If my daughter does something wrong, please thoroughly investigate." So please invite them to see if you are guilty or not.

The millionaire agreed, inviting the other eight relatives, explaining:

- When I was eating porridge milk in a cup of gold, my daughter-in-law said that I eat not clean. So you point out to him the error and get him out of this house.

Ms. Visàkhà explained:

- My dear, my dear, what happened is not so true. When father and son are using porridge, there is a mendicant in front of the begging. My father-in-law feels ignored. Thinking that your husband and father do not want to do good things so I say "White teacher, please joyfully step into another house. My father-in-law is eating bad food. "

People see Visakha not guilty, just to swing the mendicant to another home. His father-in-law saw that too, too. She then sought to persuade her father-in-law to Jetavana to hear the sermon preaching the Buddha's teachings through her noble teachings. But he definitely refused to go. Visakha said:

- Father, if the father is afraid to go to Jetavana child's father was visiting Buddhist permission meal once home to father a chance to hear his teachings.

He agreed. When the Buddha arrived at the convent and lecture, Mr. Migāra, her father-in-law, sat in the chambers. He finished listening to the results of the post-completion. He was very happy and thanked the bride for leading him into the real way of liberation. Grandfather:

- Visàkhà, my dear daughter-in-law, thanks to you, the rest of my life has gone through a good turn. My dear, dear son, I will look at you as a mother. It is convenient to take your father to Jetavana to seek refuge in the Three Jewels.

- Father, Give overstatement. I just try to fulfill my duty only.

From then on, Visàkhà was nicknamed "Mộc Mau" (Migàra tinhtu), which means Māra's mother (Loc, deer). By the time she gave birth to her firstborn son, the Buddha was invited to the convent and gave the empowerment (naming) to the baby. She named her child Migàra so that people would not question her nickname "Loc". On this occasion, her mother-in-law heard the sermon and attained the results of the Buddha-dharma. Visakha's family has become a happy family of Buddhists. Visàkhà gave the monks bowls daily at home. In the afternoon she often went with a good friend named Suppiyà to Jetavana to hear the dharma and see if the mendicant would need anything.

In the early summer of this year, she donated Dong Vien's quarters, east of the capital, Sàvatthi. This monastery was built by Moggallana in 9 months.

On the fourth day of self-sufficiency, she came before the Buddha to the following eight petitions as follows [5] :

1- To the monks during the novitiate season to her lifetime.

2- To bowl the new monks to Sàvatthi.

3- To bowl the monks about to leave Sàvatthi.

4- Offer food to sick monks.

Provide food to those who care for the sick.

6- Give medicine to sick monks.

7- Barley to monks and nuns.

8- Offer bath to the monks.

The Buddha gladly accepted. Later, the Buddha himself entered six times at the Pubbarnara.

In many times, the Buddha advised women as follows: 

Be active.

Pleasant temperance.

Always gentle husband despite the husband does not bring all happiness.

Never use careless words, meanness, lack of ceremony, husband angry.

Respect all the people honored.

Clever, quick, stay up early.

Take care of her husband's health while her husband is working hard.

Want what she wants and try to do.

The woman who does the above will be reborn in the world of the gods. [6]

Visakha has contributed an important part in many other areas related to Buddhism. Sometimes the Buddha taught her to reconcile the disagreements among the nuns. At one point she requested the Buddha to issue a few precepts to the monks and nuns. She is considered the most faithful woman in the Buddha and also the most important female role in the time of the Buddha.

By dignified dignity, gracefulness, clever language, gracious hospitality, fervent spirituality, she is loved by all who have met her. She was fortunate to be the mother of ten sons and ten daughters, all filial. She died at the age of 120, with no hair on her head.

The Buddha spoke of Visakha as follows:

- Teachers, like a craftsman used a large pile of flowers of all kinds to form a beautiful corolla,  Ms. Visàkhà always have the initiative to do good .

The Buddhist teachings of the One Life [7]

The Buddha entered the 14th in Sàvatthi of Kosala with the presence of Venerable Sariputta and Rahula.

In the past, at the Venuvana home, Theranakaka had very little talk with anyone. I like to go alone, work alone. You do not offend anyone, nor violate any precepts, but I prefer to live alone, not really in harmony with the masses. One day, after the sermon, the Buddha called the great virtue Theranakaka and asked:

" Thera, who likes to live alone, go anywhere or work, wants to avoid being in touch with others. Is not it ?

- Well, that's right. I often hear the Sun teaches the novices to live alone in the desert.

- Thera, who knows living alone is not thinking of the past, not dreaming about the coming, in the present know self-sufficiency, desire, greed, living freely for all ties world. You should practice like that.

Today, at Jetavana, the Buddha called the mendicants to say:

- Teachers, listen to the teacher, Tathagata will teach the teacher  how to understand the One who is living alone .

" He knows living alone is a person who knows to dwell in mindfulness. He is aware of what is happening in the present moment, in the body, in feeling, in thought, or in front of him. He knows the knowledge of life in the present moment, not looking back to the past, not thinking about the future. Because the past is no longer, the future is not yet. Life is present only in the present moment.

" Master, how is it to find the past? Finding the past is thinking that in the past our form was like that, our feelings were like that, our status was like that, our happiness was like that, our suffering was like that. Originate such thoughts and minds are bound by the sad past. It is about the past.

" Teacher, what is the future? Thoughts on the future is to think that in the future our form will be like that, our feelings will be like that, our happiness will be like that, our suffering will be like that .... So and the mind is bound by dreams or fear about the future. That is the future.

" Teachers, living in reality, are living mindfulness in mindfulness. Living in reality does not mean living letting go of the pleasure or sorrow of the present. Because living in the pursuit of pleasure or grief in the present is forgetting reality.

" Master, who knows to live alone is a person who knows to stay in mindfulness, even though he is in the middle of the crowd. People sitting in the jungle without mindfulness, letting the past and future haunted and haunted ghosts still do not know how to live alone.

Then the Buddha read the verse as follows:

"Do not look back,

"Do not think about the future.

"The past is gone,

"The future is not here yet.

"Watch life

"In the present moment.

"The author stays

"Firm and carefree.

Be diligent today

"Do not go tomorrow.

"Death came to a sudden

"There is no bargain.

"Who knows how to stay

"Night in mindfulness,

Tathagata called

"The One Who Knows

After the Buddha's words, the mendicants are happy to receive the liturgy.

The Buddha praised Sangamàji [8]

After hearing the Buddha's sermon several times, Sangamàji enlightened to the Jetavana monastery in Sàvatthi beg for ordination.

One day his wife took his two-three-year-old son to Jetavana, and found great Sangamàji sitting at lunch under a tree. She led the baby in front of the great virtue, crying:

- Brother, please come back home to continue to care for the family and nurture this child of ours. He misses him so much, crying for his father, I bear it!

But Sangamàji is still silent. His wife cried repeatedly and repeatedly did not work. She got angry and placed her son in great piety and said loudly:

- Here, your son, you raise and teach him. I can not afford it alone!

Say then the fruit left. After walking a long way, she looked back and saw the great Sangamàji sitting motionless, not looking at her and saying nothing to him, as the crying cry cry for her mother. She returned to pick up her son and then sadly leave.

The Buddha told this story, saying praise Sangamàji great virtue as follows:

"When she came, there was no rejoicing;

"She walked away, heart not sad.

"Sangamàji is the one who ends the consequences.

"This person calls Ba-la-subjects. (Udàna 1.8)

The Buddha taught Pasenadi how to donate at home [9]

One day King Pasenadi stood on the terrace looking down the street, seeing thousands of mendicants walking in long rows. The king asked, the guard said,

- The High King, every day there are thousands of mendicants to Anacapindika, Mr. Culla Anàthapindika [10] , Ms. Visaka and Mrs. Suppadasa to receive donations for food, medicine and daily necessities , according to the petition. Of these lay people.

The king of Pasenadi heard that he was also interested in the Jetavana monastery inviting the Buddha and the congregation every day into the temple of the king of the boy. Buddha replied:

- Sire, never Buddhas life daily offerings in the same place, because there are many who wish to see the Buddha.

- Dear Lord, if so, the Buddha came the first time and then sent a great virtuosity guide 500 masters to the boy at the king temple.

The Buddha accepted and entrusted the great virtue of Ananda. From that day on, King Pasenadi himself personally invited and sat down and ordered the 500 monks led by the great Ananda to lead them to the temple. The king did not let anyone else care about this. On the eighth day, the king busy with the tide should forget the offerings. The mendicants said to each other: "No one else dares to offer offerings unless ordered by the king. So we should not stay here any longer. " Then many came out. The next day the king also forgot the offerings, many of the mendicants also leave. On the third day the king also forgot the offerings, all the mendicants are leaving, only the great virtue Ñnanda sit waiting. The soldiers saw to take food to bowl for him to use. The king came to see only the great virtue Ananda is eating the food and the rest is very much. King angry Jetavana monastery to meet Buddha, said:

- Dear Bhagavan, wrong station prepare food for 500 people, but only one teacher Ananda yourself to a meal. Waste a lot of food! Please tell us why other masters do not come?

- Sire, perhaps because two days ago were not offering so today the mendicant lack of trust in the Great King should not come. Sir, there are nine things that make the mendicant have the right to decline the invitation to the house of offerings, or to place without sitting down and speak French dharma. Nine things are [11] :

1- Homeowners do not stand up further.

2- Not welcomed.

3- Do not cheer invite sitting.

4- Hide precious food.

5- There are many, for little.

6- Have good food, bad food.

7- Lack of ceremony in the gesture.

8. Inferiority in speech.

9- Do not work hard to hear the dharma.

Then the Buddha turned to the mendicants:

- Teacher, if the family is doing well the nine things said, is to show confidence and respect for the Three Jewels, the teacher should accept the invitation to the house of offerings, when to sit down, Pray for the landlady to receive many blessings, consume them in silence, then speak the dharma and answer the questions of the landlord to encourage the diligent homeowners on the way of the Fa to achieve long-term happiness in life. now and future.

King Pasenadi from the Buddha farewell, in the belly whispered, "How can we be trusted by the Buddha and the Bhikshu? The best way is to marry a daughter of kinship of Enlightened [12] ". Shortly after, King Pasenadi sent a messenger to Kapilavatthu to marry a Skakya princess. After discussing with the courtiers, the king of Mahārāma implicitly brought forth his daughter, Vasabhakhattiya (Vasabhaksatriya), whose mother was the maid of Nāgamunda, [13] to give to King Pasenadi. Vasabhakhattiya was a beautiful girl, the king of Mahārāma, and had been sitting at the same table with the king, was very pleased. A few years later Vasabhakhattiya was born Prince Vidùdabha (Virudhaka) and Princess Vajna of Kosala.

The Buddha taught the children against the crabs of compassion [14]

One day, while begging, the Buddha met a bunch of children are catching crabs in the field to play. They crab crab racing. Those who lose, they break one or more legs to punish. Sometimes the crab won also broke one leg to accept the other in the next race. The game looks attractive, they like to clap their hands, cheering up. Crabs who lose their legs too much can not crawl, they stomp feet to death and throw them into the field.

Seeing the Buddha and the teachers coming, the children looked up at their heads and bent down to play the game of torturing the crabs. They play a game of cruelty without knowing, because the crabs are always silent, there is no mourning what !!! The Buddha arrived, stood and looked at the children and said earnestly:

- Baby, stop, do not play like that. If you have sprained your legs or broken your arm, will it hurt?

- Bach teacher, hurt.

- The crabs are broken and the broken leg as well. Do you know?

They stood up, silent. The Buddha continued:

- The crab knows how to eat and drink, as well as his parents like his children. You hurt the crab so you also suffer the parents and siblings of it. Just like when your children are sick, your parents and sisters have to worry. The crab broke his leg can not go, can not find the food is miserable hundred times. Well, do not play foolish like that anymore.

The children expressed remorse. At that time, see the Buddha and the teachers are standing around the children, the passers also stopped by. Taking this opportunity, the Buddha teaches both children and adults about  compassion . Buddha said:

- Dear children, we all want to live peacefully and happily. The animals also like that, they also want to live peace and fun. So we have to make sure that all species live peacefully and happily. We must protect one another's life and bring joy to one another. If we can not bring happiness to others, we should try to avoid further suffering . All animals, whether big or small, whether on two legs or on four feet, whether crawling on the ground or flying out of space, or swimming underwater, have the right to live peacefully and happily. We should not kill each other, hate each other. We should help each other, protect each other.

"My dear children,  as well as a mother who protects her beloved child, each one of us must extend our compassion to bring joy and happiness to living beings. And suffering . While walking, standing, lying, sitting, our hearts must always carry love of all species. Let us rest day and night in that love. Let go from the ten directions. So we will see that we are the first to be happy.

After teaching, the Buddha told the children to drop the remaining crabs down the field. Children gently cradled each crab drop down the field. Buddha told the children to go home, then he turned to tell the mendicant:

- Teachers, beings often because of ignorance, do not know the cause of the blame, so there are actions, speech, thought to create karma, causing suffering for yourself and others. You should practice the Metta Bhavana, live the life of the world with the mind of the spear, to bring happiness to yourself and all living beings. We can not be happy to see beings suffering.END=NAM MO AMITABHA BUDDHA.( 3 TIMES ).VIETNAMESE TRANSLATE ENGLISH BY=THICH GIAC TAM.THE MIND OF ENLIGHTENMENT.VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN=GOLDEN AMITABHA PURELAND=AUSTRALIA,SYDNEY.11/5/2017.