Saturday, October 1, 2011


Dhammapada verse #30

摩伽以無逸,得為諸天主。無逸人所讚,放逸為人訶。

Heedfulness is always praised,
heedlessness is ever blamed.
By heedfulness did Magha go
to lordship of the gods.

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【第30偈的故事】

有一天,離車國的摩訶利王子,前來聆聽佛陀講解《帝釋所問經》。佛陀的生動敘述,讓王子認為佛陀一定見過帝釋。為了確認,他就問佛陀。

佛陀回答道:「摩訶利!我確實認識帝釋,也知道他為何成為帝釋。」佛陀就告訴摩訶利,身為諸天王的帝釋的某一前世是摩卡拉村子一位名叫瑪伽的年輕人。他和三十二位同伴從事很多的社會公益活動,如舖路、建公共休憩房舍等,一生中並奉行七項義務:

1.奉養父母、2.尊敬長者、3.言語溫順、4.不背後說人閒話、5.慷慨大方、不貪婪、 6.實話實說、7.不動氣

由於瑪伽在那一生中具足無數的善業和正確的德行,所以往生為帝釋。」

While residing at the Kåtàgàra Monastery near Vēsàli, the Buddha spoke this verse, with reference to Sakka, king of the dēvas.

A Licchavi prince named Mahàli, who lived at Vēsàli, hearing the Buddha recite the Suttanta entitled Sakka’s Question, thought to himself, “The Supremely Enlightened has described the great glory of Sakka. Has the Buddha seen Sakka? Or has he not seen Sakka? Is the Buddha acquainted with Sakka? Or is he not acquainted with Sakka? I will ask him.” So the Licchavi prince Mahàli drew near to where the Exalted One was, and having drawn near, saluted the Exalted One and sat down on one side. And having sat down on one side, the Licchavi prince Mahàli spoke thus to the Exalted One, “Venerable, has the Exalted One seen Sakka king of gods?” “Yes, Mahàli, I have indeed seen Sakka king of gods.” “Venerable, it must certainly have been a counterfeit of Sakka; for, Venerable, it is a difficult matter to see Sakka king of gods.” “Nevertheless, Mahàli, I know Sakka; I know what qualities made him Sakka; I know by the cultivation of what qualities Sakka attained Sakkaship.

“Mahàli, in a previous state of existence Sakka king of gods was a human being, a prince named Magha; therefore is he called Maghavà. Mahàli, in a previous state of existence Sakka king of gods was a human being who in a previous state of existence gave gifts; therefore is he called Purindada. Mahàli, in a previous state of existence Sakka king of gods was a human being, who gave alms assiduously; therefore is he called Sakka. Mahàli, in a previous state of existence Sakka king of gods was a human being who gave a dwelling-place; therefore is he called Vàsavà. Mahàli in a previous state of existence Sakka king of gods was a human being who could think of as many as a thousand things in an instant; therefore is he called Sahassakkha. Mahàli, Sakka king of gods has an Asura maiden named Sujata to wife; therefore is he called Sujampati. Mahàli, Sakka king of gods bears sway as lord and master over the Gods of the Thirty-three; therefore is he called King of Gods. Mahàli, Sakka king of gods in a previous state of existence as a human being took upon himself and fulfilled seven vows. Because he took upon himself and fulfilled these seven vows, Sakka attained Sakkaship.

“Now what were the seven? ‘So long as I live, may I be the support of my mother and father. So long as I live, may I honour my elders. So long as I live, may I speak gentle words. So long as I live, may I never give way to backbiting. So long as I live, may I live the life of a householder with heart free from taint of avarice, generous in renunciation of what is mine, with open hand, delighting in liberality, attentive to petitions, delighting in the distribution of alms. So long as I live, may I speak the truth. So long as I live, may I be free from anger. Should anger spring up within me, may I quickly resolve it.’ Mahàli, Sakka king of gods in a previous state of existence took upon himself and fulfilled seven vows. Because he took upon himself and fulfilled these seven vows, Sakka attained Sakkaship.” The Buddha said, “That, in a previous birth, Sakka was born as Magha. During that birth with thirty companions he built roads and resting places for the benefit of the masses. His unflagging effort brought him into the exalted position of king of gods, and recited this stanza.

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English source: "Treasury of Truth: Illustrated Dhammapada" by Ven. Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero
中文法句出處:《南傳法句經》 了參法師譯
中文故事出處:《法句經故事集》 達摩難陀長老著 周金言譯