The World Of Tzu Chi December 2019 (Vol.117)

TZU CHI 117 45 REMINDERS UNDER THE SALA TREES Nirvana refers to the state of radiance and tranquillity. “Tranquillity” describes how our minds are undisturbed by external circumstances. “Radiance” indicates having the right direction in life, so we will not be confused by interpersonal conflicts. This is a true state of peace and joy. Nagasena Bhiksu’s talk about happiness and joy Once, there was a Bhiksu called Nagasena. He was very wise already as a child, and so left home to become a monastic practitioner; as a teenager, he already reached attainment in spiritual practice. He lived in a monastic community in an ancient temple. In the monastic community, there was a rule that everyone had to beg for alms. At that time, there was a wealthy donor who aspired to support their spiritual training ground. However, the abbot had made a rule that when they received offerings, they were not allowed to speak to the donor. This was because the elder monk thought that as the donor asked for teachings, if they would give incorrect answers, his right mindfulness might be disturbed. Thus, this great donor had not been able to truly understand the Buddha’s teachings even though he had made offerings for months and years. One day, it was Nagasena Bhiksu’s turn to ask for alms. The elder monk asked Nagasena Bhiksu to hold water in his mouth while asking for alms; coming back, he must still have the water in his mouth. Nagasena Bhiksu followed the rule and held water in his mouth when he went to the great donor’s home. The donor saw this young Bhiksu and felt delighted at his appearance and gentle demeanour. The donor thought that Nagasena Bhiksu must be extraordinary and could not help but request for teachings. Nagasena Bhiksu thought, “I came to ask for alms to nourish my body, but this donor has requested teachings so earnestly, how can I disappoint him? On the other hand, I will disobey the monastic community rule if I open my mouth and explain the Dharma. How do I choose my priority?” Eventually, he decided to swallow the water and teach the Dharma to this donor with the premise of benefitting sentient beings; the donor had been making offerings and cultivating blessings for over a decade but had never truly been able to open up his wisdom until this day, when he finally realized the wonders of the Buddhadharma. He was enlightened and filled with Dharma joy. Afterward, he put lavish offerings into the Bhiksu’s alms bowl. Nagasena Bhiksu saw these offerings and wanted to offer them to the elder monk. He then brought the alms bowl back to the monastic community. The elder monk knew Nagasena Bhiksu had broken the rule of the monastery, so he gathered the assembly to punish Nagasena Bhiksu in accordance with the monastic community’s rule: to exile him from the monastic community. Though some elder monks interceded for him, they could not pardon him, so he was exiled. Though criticized by everyone, Nagasena Bhiksu still maintained a peaceful state of mind. He thought to himself that to learn the way of the Buddha was to bestow the Dharma upon sentient beings. Therefore, what he had done had never contradicted the Buddha’s teachings to benefit sentient beings. Therefore, he felt at ease and justified. Leaving the monastic community, Nagasena Bhiksu found a tranquil place and continued to practise spiritual cultivation while contemplating the path to walk in the future. Time flew by, and a few years later, Nagasena Bhiksu had attained a more thorough understanding of the Buddhadharma: he had experienced the impermanence of the world through