龍女成佛
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今天要來跟大家講一個《妙法蓮華經》裡的故事：
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在深海中有個娑竭羅龍王，他有個孩子叫＿龍女，龍女從小就跟一般的孩子不一樣，當別的孩子還在喜歡玩具、糖果的時候，她卻只喜歡聽佛法、探索人生的奧祕。
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有一天，8歲的龍女請求文殊菩薩帶她去敬拜佛陀、聽聞佛法。文殊菩薩答應了，便帶龍女到靈鷲山聽佛陀講解《妙法蓮華經》，龍女聽完法後當下就開悟了。
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有一位智積菩薩不相信地問：「好多人在這裡聽經聞法這麼久，都沒有成佛，一個小姑娘怎麼可能這麼快就證悟呢？
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文殊菩薩對大眾說：「雖然龍女才8歲，但是因為她累世修行，有很好的慧根，非常聰明。佛陀所講解的深奧佛理她都能聽懂，也能夠理解因果的道理，而且她已經發了菩提心，所以就得證了。」但是智積菩薩，和現場許多行者們依然不可致信。
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龍女知道多說無益，就拿出了一顆價值連城的寶珠，恭敬地獻給了佛陀，佛陀接受了。然後龍女便問舍利弗尊者和智積菩薩：「剛才我把寶珠獻給佛陀，佛陀接受了，這個過程是不是很快呢？」
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舍利弗尊者和智積菩薩都點頭：「是很快。」
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龍女又說：「那我現在便能成佛，比把寶珠貢獻給佛陀的時間更快。」說著，會場中所有人都看到龍女的形象突然改變了，她變成菩薩的樣子，而且法相莊嚴，端坐於蓮花之中，真的成佛了，舍利弗尊者和智積菩薩，頓時明白了龍女成佛的原因了。
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這故事說明了，無論咱們在修行的路上，甚至在面對苦難的生活、若能學會自我開解，就會在苦來臨時找到出路。並且深信著….
「只要願意發出菩提心，任何人都可以成佛。」
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最後祝福大家都能發菩提心，每個人都能成佛！
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#龍女成佛、#文殊菩薩、#發菩提心、#寶珠獻佛
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Longnü attains Buddhahood
Today, I’d like to share with you a story that was extracted from the Lotus Sutra:
In the depths of the ocean lived the Dragon King called Sagara, who had a daughter called Longnü (meaning Dragon Daughter). Since young, she was not typical like the other children. While other children indulged in toys and candy, she only liked to listen to the Buddhadharma, and explore the mysteries of life.
One day, the 8-year-old Longnü request to Manjushri Bodhisattva to bring her to venerate the Buddha and attend the Buddhadharma. Manjushri Bodhisattva agreed, and took Longnü to Vulture Peak (Gadhrakuta) to listen to the Buddha expound the Lotus Sutra. After listening, Longnü attained enlightenment at that instant.
One of the Bodhisattva, Prajnakuta Bodhisattva was not convinced, so he asked, “.. many people here have been attending the Dharma talks for a long time, but have not reached Buddhahood; how can a young girl attain enlightenment so quickly?”
The Manjushri Bodhisattva explained to the congregation, “.. although Longnü is only 8 years old, due to her prior cultivation for many lifetimes, she has a strong foundation and exceptional wisdom. Thus, she could understand the esoteric Dharma expounded by the Buddha, including the principle of ’cause-and-effect’. Besides, she had developed an altruistic mind, thus she was able to swiftly gain realization.” Despite this, the Prajnakuta Bodhisattva and many of the followers there were still not convinced.
The Longnü knew that it was futile to elaborate. She took out a priceless orb, and respectfully dedicated to the Buddha, who accepted it. Turning to Sariputra and Prajnakuta Bodhisattva, Longnü then asked, “I presented the orb to the Buddha a moment ago, and he accepted it – is this process very fast?”
Sariputra and Prajnakuta Bodhisattva both nodded and said, “it is very quick”.
Longnü continued, “.. similarly, I am able to reach Buddhahood faster than the time it takes for me to dedicate the orb to the Buddha.” As she was saying, the congregation witnessed the change in the image of Longnü. She had changed into a bodhisattva form, with an imposing stature, and was seated on the lotus – indeed a Buddha. Sariputra and Prajnakuta Bodhisattva immediately understood the reason for Longnü’s attainment of Buddhahood.
This story tells us that no matter how we are on the path of cultivation, even in the face of hardships in life, if we can pull ourselves together, we will find a way out. Also, we must have unwavering conviction; as the saying goes..
“Anyone who is willing to embrace Bodhicitta can attain the fruits of Buddhahood”
Finally, I wish that everyone develops Bodhicitta, so that you can all attain Buddhahood!
#LongnüAttainsBuddhahood, #ManjushriBodhisattva, #EmbraceBodhicitta, #VenerateBuddhaWithTreasures
