The world of Tzu Chi January 2021 (Vol.130)

2021 • 01 46 harma The Dragon King transforms the Garuda C ountless kalpas ago, due to a slight thought gone astray, the Buddha was reincarnated as a dragon. Dragons belong to the lower realm of animals, but this dragon’s body could emit light of the seven colours. Because he had been exposed to the Dharma in past lifetimes and had taken it to heart, he was very dignified. So, even though he had fallen into the animal realm, he still maintained the desire to practise and uphold the Buddha-dharma. He was the leader of all dragons, and he had many dragon children and grandchildren, all of whom respected and loved him. However, there was a certain kind of golden-winged great bird, the Garuda, who was a natural enemy of the dragons. When it spread its wings, they covered the sun and the moon. This bird fed on dragons’ eyes. One day, the Garuda discovered the home of the dragons. The dragons were very frightened and quickly fled to the Dragon King’s side for help. The Dragon King said, “Don’t be afraid, you’re safe with me. I will take care of it!” The Dragon King then went forth to face the Garuda and said, “You want the eyes of us dragons, but they’re not as good as my body. Whatever part of my body you like—whether my head, eyes, brain, marrow, scales or meat, I’m willing to offer it to you.” Garuda replied, “You’re strong. Why don’t you fight with me? You might very well win!” The Dragon King said, “Both you and I have created bad karma in our past lives, so you have become a bird while I became a dragon. These are both karmic retributions. Karmic retributions are like shadows which follow us. If we fight each other now, in the future there will be endless retributions that befall us. In the past, I have heard the Buddha-dharma, and repentance constantly arises in my heart. Therefore, I have resolved to sacrifice my body to protect other sentient beings. I’m willing to take on all sorts of physical pain to rescue them.” The Garuda heard the Dragon King’s words and felt ashamed and repentant. Overcome by the dignity and virtue of the Dragon King, he never again attacked or bothered the dragons. Instead, the Garuda flew back to his nest, and from then on became devoted to spiritual practice. Although they peacefully survived this potential catastrophe, the Dragon King knew well the horror of impermanence. Within the Six Realms, he had seen the terrible sights of how the strong feed upon the weak, and he was filled with sadness and compassion. Therefore, he taught the Dharma to the dragons in the hope that they would uphold the precepts and escape the animal realm. Then, in the future, they would have the chance to be reborn as humans, teach and encourage each other, and finally attain liberation through their practice of the precepts. CHAPTER 2 - UPHOLD PRECEPTS