問曰：檀波羅蜜云何滿？答曰：一切能施，無所遮礙，乃至以身施時，心無所惜。譬如尸毗王以身施鴿。釋迦牟尼佛本身作王，名尸毗。是王得歸命救護陀羅尼，大精進，有慈悲心，視一切眾生，如母愛子。
時世無佛，釋提桓因命欲終，自念言：何處有佛一切智人？處處問難，不能段疑，知盡非佛，即還天上，愁憂而坐。巧變化師毗首羯磨言：天主何以愁憂？
答曰：我求一切智人不可得，以是故愁憂。
毗首羯磨言：有大菩薩，布施、持戒、禪定、智慧具足，不久當作佛。
帝釋以偈答曰： 菩薩發大心，魚子、菴樹華，三事因時多，成果時甚少！
毗首羯磨答曰：釋優尸那種尸毗王，持戒、精進，大慈、大悲，禪定、智慧，不久作佛。
釋提桓因語毗首羯磨：當往試之，知有菩薩相不？汝作鴿，我作鷹，汝便佯怖入王腋下，我當逐汝。
毗首羯磨言：此大菩薩，云何以此事惱！釋提桓因說偈言：
我亦非惡心，如真應金試；以此試菩薩，知其心定不。
說此偈竟，毗首羯磨即自變身作一赤眼赤足鴿，釋提桓因自變身作一鷹；急飛逐鴿，鴿直來入王腋底，舉身戰怖，動眼促聲。
是時眾多人，相與而語曰：
是王大慈仁，
一切宜保護，
如是鴿小鳥，
歸之如入舍；
菩薩相如是，
作佛必不久。
待續
上人語錄：
反求諸己，就是真認自己錯，莫論他人非。
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Question: How does one fulfill danaparamita (the perfection of giving)?
Reply: One is able to give everything without reservation even to the point that when one gives of one's body one's mind has no regrets. It is like the case of King Sibi who gave his body for the sake of a pigeon. In a former life, Sakyamuni Buddha was a king named Sibi. This king had attained the dharani ofdedicating his life to rescuing and protection. He possessed a mind of kindness and compassion which he invested with great vigor. He looked upon all beings as a mother loves her child.
At that time the world had no Buddha. The life of Sakradevendra was coming to an end and he was about to fall. He thought to himself, "Where is there a Buddha, an omniscient man?" He posed difficult questions everywhere and was unable to cut off his doubts. Realizing that none of them were Buddhas, he returned to the heavens and sat down in a state of worry and distress. The god Visvakarman who was a master of clever transformations asked him, "Why is the Lord of Heaven worried and distressed?"
He replied, "I have been seeking after an omniscient man and have been unable to find one. It is because of this that I am worried and distressed."
Visvakarman said, "There is a great Bodhisattva who is perfect in giving, upholding the precepts, dhyana samadhi, and wisdom. It will not be long. He will become a Buddha."
Sakra replied in verse:
Bodhisattvas who have brought forth the great thought,
Eggs of fish, and blossoms of the mango,
These three things are initially numerous,
[But] at the time of fruition are especially rare.
Visvakarman responded, "King Sibi of the Yushihna clan upholds the precepts, is vigorous, is greatly kind, greatly compassionate, [and is possessed of] dhyana samadhi and wisdom and shall before long become a Buddha."
Sakradevendra said to Visvakarman, "We ought to go and test him. We shall know then whether or not he has the characteristics of a Bodhisattva. You should change into a pigeon and I shall change into a falcon. Then you pretend to be frightened and fly into the armpit of the king. I'm going to pursue you."
Visvakarman said, "Why should we aggravate this great Bodhisattva with this matter?" Sakradevendra uttered a verse:
For my part I'm not of evil mind.
Just as with true gold, one ought to test it.
By this we shall test the Bodhisattva
And know if his mind is resolute or not.
After he spoke this verse Visvakarman then changed his body into that of a red-eyed, red-footed pigeon. Sakradevendra changed his body into that of a falcon which flew swiftly in pursuit of the pigeon. The pigeon straightaway came and flew into the armpit of the king. His entire body quivered in fright, his eyes moved about [anxiously] and let out cries of distress.
At this time many people gathered together and said,
"This king is greatly kind and humane.
Everyone rightfully testifies to his credibility.
Just as this pigeon, a little bird
takes refuge in him as if entering his [own] abode.
The characteristics of the Bodhisattva are just like this.
It will certainly not be long before he becomes a Buddha.
To be continued
Venerable Master's Dharma Words
Seeking within ourselves means truly recognizing our own faults and not discussing the faults of others.
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