A long time ago in India there was a King named Ashoka. Although King Ashoka had not attained enlightenment, he not only believed in Buddhism but also performed all kinds of good deeds. For example, he built eighty thousand pagodas in a single day! As well as building the pagodas, he made offerings to many…
In ancient times, there was a compassionate prince called Tanmoqian. He had a strong resolve to practice good deeds and learn the Buddha’s teachings, so he sent people to search for virtuous teachers wise in the Dharma, but all his efforts were in vain. The King of Daoli Heaven, knowing the prince’s vows and wanting…
Long ago, there lived a rich old man who was a lecher and skinflint by nature. He lusted after pleasure but couldn’t bear to part with his money. One twilit evening, with the clouds tinged a delicate rosy shade and a light breeze blowing, the old man was in his garden. The cones on the…
Once, when the Buddha was teaching in Rajagaha, he said to the monks, “There are two transgressions that have immediate negative consequences, and surely lead a person into hell. Which two? The first is failing to support and respect your parents. The second is doing any kind of evil deeds or committing a crime in…
A long time ago, an arhat received a novice. One day while meditating, the arhat foresaw that the novice had only seven days left to live. In compassion, the arhat told the novice to go home, see his parents and return in seven days. The novice thereupon bade his master farewell, prepared some simple luggage…
“Fire! Fire!” In the midst of a great feast, the villagers turned their heads in a drunken stupor. Through their hazy vision, they saw rapidly spreading flames, threatening to engulf them. They desperately looked around for a way out, but were too drunk to get up. “We’re done for! We might as well all get…
As a matter of importance, the Buddha often exhorted the monks to dedicate themselves fully to their discipline. Nothing is permanent; everything is transitory. And if one is able to transform the confusions blocking one from enlightenment, then one can escape the cycle of death and rebirth, and attain ultimate peace and joy. At one…
By the end of the three-month summer retreat period, the bhiksus had attained a certain degree of realization in the Dharma, and their bodies and minds were purified and at ease. To express their gratitude towards the Buddha, the biksus approached the Buddha and respectfully prostrated before him. The Buddha then compassionately inquired on the…
There once was a fool, who one day walked down to the banks of a large pond. When he looked into the water, he saw what appeared to be gold shimmering in the pond, and cried out, “Gold!” At the same time, not being able to hold himself back, he jumped into the water and…
One day, the Buddha shared a story with his disciples, with the hope that they could often contemplate on its meaning. A long time ago, there lived a hunter. While one day walking in the great open grasslands, this hunter suddenly became the object of an elephant’s frantic charge. The panic stricken hunter, running for…
