时间：07/26/2025 07/27/2025
地点：星河禅修中心
主讲：黄云全
佛法修行
神足第一的目犍连
目犍连是佛陀的大弟子，佛陀讲经的时候，他随侍在佛陀的左边。佛陀成道的最初两年中，舍利弗和目犍连就皈依佛陀，从他们皈依佛陀起，目犍连就站在佛陀的左面，舍利弗则站在佛陀的右面。除非他们到别的地方去弘化，否则不会离开过佛陀。
目犍连这名字的意思是极大的赞美称诵。他原来信奉别的教派，和舍利弗是非常要好的师兄弟。他曾经与舍利弗互相约定说，哪一日如果谁先成佛，应当互相度化照顾。而当舍利弗皈依佛教后，目犍连照着约定，也带领他的一百多名弟子来皈依佛门。他与舍利弗的加入，使得佛教的声势大增，所以在佛陀所有弟子里头，他们两人备受推崇敬仰，是佛陀座前数一数二的大弟子。
舍利弗随佛陀出家半个月后才尽诸结漏，断除烦恼，而目犍连只有七天的时间，即尽结漏，现神通力，证得阿罗汉的神通智波罗蜜。
《阿含经》记载目犍连是「神足轻拳，飞到十方」，所以他有神足第一的称号。目犍连尊者不但常游诸国，并且也常乘神通到地狱中观察众生受善恶的果报。
佛陀的比丘弟子中，有神通的弟子非常多，而目犍连被推为神通第一，就是因为他在教化中常显神通。目犍连的神通，耳朵听声音，不论远近都能听到；眼睛看东西，不受物体的阻碍都能看到；无论多远的路程，剎那间即至。他更常常显些神通变异，助佛宣扬。佛陀虽不许弟子显异惑众，但对目犍连的神通却常常称许。
目犍连为什么会有神通？关于这点，是他过去生中有着一段微妙的因缘。
目犍连过去生中本是一个以捕鱼为业的渔夫，常在海边捕捉鱼虾出卖，以这样的方法来求财生活，日复一日，终于天良发现，觉得这种求财的方法是大苦业。他觉得一个人今生应作来生的功德，由于这一念向善之心，他就决意改业为生。没有多久，他见到城中有一位辟支佛，每次走在街上，那进止安然的行为，威仪庠序的风度，他见到以后，很是恭敬。因此就把这位辟支佛请到家中供养膳肴。可是这位辟支佛虽然外现威仪，遗憾的是不善于说法，唯有用神通化世，不用其它的法门。这位辟支佛食后就跃身升入空中，或左或右，或前或后，上下自如。目犍连一见，生大欢喜，发愿来生要求得神通。目犍连尊者就因为这样的因缘，今生能皈依佛陀，在佛陀的弟子中被誉为神通第一！
关于目犍连，还有一个有名的典故，那就是「盂兰盆会」的由来。
由于目犍连尊者有天眼通，他能够知道众鬼的罪业报应因缘，有一天他忽然想起他死去的母亲，他立即运用神通力见到自己的亡母堕在饿鬼道中受苦，咽喉像针缝似的细小，皮骨连结在一起，目犍连见状，孝心油然而生，不禁伤感万分！他即刻用钵盛装了饭菜，藉神通力量往飨老母，但是他母亲取饭尚未入口，饭食在手中即化为火炭，不能饮食，目犍连悲号涕泣，不能自己。他能知道众鬼的因缘业报，但不知道母亲究竟以什么罪业因缘受着如此苦楚。他带着沉重的心情，赶快前去请示佛陀，目犍连尊者向佛陀禀告道：
「佛陀！弟子今日以神通力见到我此生的母亲，堕在饿鬼道中受苦，取食成火，不知是何因缘？弟子的神通，能够观察众鬼的罪业因缘，何以对生身之母，竟不知情？恳求佛陀慈悲开导！」
佛陀流露出怜悯的慈光，回答说：
「目犍连！你的母亲因为在生之时，谤佛谤僧，不信因果正法，贪瞋邪恶，戏弄众生，所以受此苦报。你因母子情深，神通为亲情所掩，所以不知母亲罪业！」
「佛陀！有什么妙法能使弟子的母亲脱离饿鬼的苦楚呢？」目犍连向佛陀哀求着。
「目犍连！你母亲的罪根深结，不是你一个人的力量可以救拔，你的孝心虽然感动天地，但天地神祇对毁谤三宝而堕落的人也无可奈何。你现在唯有仗十方僧众威神之力，方能令你母亲离饿鬼之苦。
「每年的七月十五日，是十方僧众结夏安居的最后一天，称为僧自恣日，又称佛欢喜日。于此日，做子女的人，应当为七世父母以及现在父母于危难之中者，设百味珍肴饭食，供养十方大德僧众。因为在此日，一切圣众，均具清净戒行，其德如汪洋大海，不可思议，如能供养此等僧众，则现世父母及六亲眷属，定能出离三涂之苦，应时解脱。若父母尚健在者，则福乐百年，这就是真正的超荐拔度的妙法！」
目犍连听佛陀说后，欢喜奉行，在僧自恣日供养圣僧大众以后，其母即于是日脱离饿鬼之苦。目犍连知道母亲脱离了饿鬼道中，很感激佛陀，并赞叹三宝功德，奉劝世间应行盂兰盆之法，供佛及僧，以报父母生养抚育慈爱的恩惠。
目犍连虽然号称神通第一，但晚年却死于外道手中。由于目犍连依仗着他上天入地的神通，帮助佛法的宣扬，其功甚伟，但不知道正因为如此，才更遭到外道的嫉妒。外道对于佛陀没有办法，但他们等待机会要暗杀目犍连。
有一次目犍连在弘法的途中，经过伊私阇梨山下，被当时的外道看到了，他们就从山上推下乱石击杀目犍连，乱石像雨点一般地落下，结果目犍连身受重伤，仍然挣扎着回到舍利弗的住处。舍利弗问他为何不逃走避开，目犍连回答：
「这是我前世的业报太重，应当受到这种痛苦，我想在临死之前来向你诀别。」
舍利弗说：「不，我们就一起殉道吧！」
于是，二人到佛陀那里向佛陀和师兄弟告别，又分别回到家乡为他们的亲朋好友和邻居们解说佛法，然后一起入了涅槃世界。
目犍连尊者被外道暗害的消息传到阿阇世王耳中，震怒非常，下令逮捕凶手，数千的裸形外道，在阿阇世王的盛怒之下，都被投进火坑！
外道被阿阇世王处死，消除不了比丘们对目犍连殉教的悲哀，大家唉声叹气，他们都感到世间上的事太不公平，以目犍连那么大的神通威力，为什么不能避免外道的袭击？
佛陀用安慰鼓励的口气对大家说道：
「诸比丘！目犍连殉教的时候，并不是他不能预防，他有大神通力，可以保卫自己不死，但这不是究竟的办法。修行人也不可违背因果法则，目犍连在过去生中补鱼，杀生的业要了结。而且，目犍连早就发愿要把他的生命献给真理，现在满了他的愿望，他很欢喜入灭，如果我的弟子都能有目犍连牺牲殉教的精神，佛法就能更加发扬光大，诸比丘！你们应该效法目犍连尊者！」
佛陀开示的法语，比丘和比丘尼们听了非常感动，一个目犍连的色身死亡，将有无数的目犍连为了宣扬佛陀的真理，为了圣教的流传，自愿而欢喜地踏着殉教者的足迹向前迈进！
Date: 07/26/2025 07/27/2025
Location: Star River Meditation Center
Teacher: Yunquan Huang
Dharma Talk
Maudgalyāyana, Foremost in Supernatural Powers
Venerable Maudgalyāyana was a great disciple of the Blessed One. When the Buddha expounded the Dharma, Maudgalyāyana stood at his left side. During the first two years following the Buddha’s enlightenment, Śāriputra and Maudgalyāyana took refuge in the Buddha. From the time they entered the Saṅgha, Maudgalyāyana was ever positioned to the left of the Buddha, and Śāriputra to the right. Unless they departed to teach in distant regions, they never left the Buddha’s side.
The name “Maudgalyāyana” means “One who is greatly praised and extolled.” He had formerly followed another religious path and was a close spiritual brother of Śāriputra. They once made a vow: whosoever among them first attained liberation would guide and support the other. When Śāriputra entered the Buddha’s path, Maudgalyāyana, keeping to their promise, also led more than a hundred disciples to take refuge in the Triple Gem.
Their joining gave tremendous momentum to the Saṅgha, and among the Blessed One’s disciples, they were held in highest esteem.
Śāriputra attained the exhaustion of the outflows and eradicated defilements fifteen days after ordination; Maudgalyāyana, however, realized the destruction of the outflows and attained the perfection of supernatural knowledge (abhijñā-pāramitā) within just seven days.
In the Āgama Sutras, it is said:
“With swift and subtle spiritual feet, he soared to the ten directions”
Thus, he was called Foremost in Supernatural Powers.
Venerable Maudgalyāyana not only traveled among many countries, he would often descend into the hell realms through his supernatural power, observing the karmic retributions of beings undergoing their rewards and punishments.
Among the Buddha’s bhikkhu disciples, many possessed spiritual powers, but Maudgalyāyana was foremost because he frequently used his powers in teaching and transformation. His divine hearing could perceive all sounds, near and far; his divine vision could penetrate all obstructions; no distance hindered his travel—he could arrive in a single instant. He often employed supernatural transformations to assist the Buddha in expounding the Dharma. Although the Buddha generally discouraged the use of miracles to mislead the masses, he often praised Maudgalyāyana’s powers.
Why did Maudgalyāyana possess such wondrous abilities? It arose from subtle causes in a past life.
In a former existence, Maudgalyāyana was a fisherman who made his living by catching and selling fish and shrimp along the sea. Day after day, he engaged in this livelihood until one day his conscience awakened. Realizing that such a life was one of grave karmic burden, he resolved to abandon it in pursuit of virtue.
Soon after, he encountered a pratyekabuddha in the city—one whose deportment was calm and majestic. Upon seeing the noble presence of this sage, Maudgalyāyana was filled with reverence and invited him to his home for a meal. Although this pratyekabuddha did not teach with words, he demonstrated Dharma through supernatural means. After the meal, he rose into the air, moving freely in all directions—left and right, up and down. Witnessing this, Maudgalyāyana rejoiced and made a great vow:
“May I in a future life also attain such supernatural power.”
It was due to this karmic aspiration that Maudgalyāyana, in this present life, took refuge in the Buddha and came to be known among the Buddha’s disciples as Foremost in Supernatural Powers.
There is a famous account concerning Maudgalyāyana—the origin of the Ullambana Assembly.
Possessing the heavenly eye (divya-cakṣus), Venerable Maudgalyāyana could observe the karmic conditions and retributions of beings in the ghost realms. One day, he suddenly recalled his departed mother. Using his divine sight, he beheld her reborn in the realm of hungry ghosts, suffering bitter torment. Her throat was as narrow as a needle’s eye, and her body was gaunt and skeletal. Seeing her in such agony, Maudgalyāyana was overwhelmed with sorrow and filial grief.
He quickly filled his bowl with food and, by his supernatural power, offered it to his mother. Yet before she could place the food in her mouth, it turned into burning coals and could not be consumed. Witnessing this, Maudgalyāyana wailed in helpless lamentation.
Though he could observe the karmic conditions of many ghosts, he could not fathom the cause of his own mother’s suffering. With a heavy heart, he hastened to the Buddha and reported:
“Bhagavān! Today I beheld my mother, reborn in the realm of hungry ghosts, suffering greatly. The food I offered turned to burning charcoal. I do not understand what karmic cause led to such a fate. Though I can perceive the karma of countless spirits, I cannot comprehend my own mother’s. I beseech the Buddha to compassionately reveal the cause.”
The Buddha, radiating the light of mercy, replied:
“Maudgalyāyana, your mother, while still alive, slandered the Buddha and the Saṅgha, rejected the law of karma, and indulged in greed, hatred, and false views. She mocked sentient beings and thus reaps such suffering. Your deep filial affection clouds your divine vision; thus, you could not discern her karma.”
Maudgalyāyana implored:
“Bhagavān! Is there any wondrous method by which my mother may be delivered from the suffering of the hungry ghost realm?”
The Buddha answered:
“Maudgalyāyana, your mother’s karmic offenses are deeply rooted. Your own power is not sufficient to rescue her. Though your filial piety moves even the heavens, the gods themselves cannot save one who has defamed the Triple Gem. Only by relying on the collective virtue and spiritual might of the saṅgha in all ten directions can she be freed.
On the fifteenth day of the seventh month—when the Saṅgha completes its summer retreat—it is the day of pravarana, also known as the Buddha’s Joyful Day. On this day, sons and daughters should offer an abundance of fine foods and delicacies to the Saṅgha on behalf of their parents—both living and deceased, including those in distress.
On this sacred day, all noble Saṅgha members dwell in pure discipline. Their merit is vast and inconceivable, like an ocean. If one offers to such a Saṅgha, then one’s parents and relatives shall surely be liberated from the three evil realms. If one’s parents are still alive, they shall enjoy health and happiness for a hundred years. This, Maudgalyāyana, is the supreme method of deliverance and transcendence.”
Maudgalyāyana rejoiced in the Buddha’s instruction and offered food to the noble Saṅgha on pravarana day. As a result, his mother was immediately liberated from her suffering in the ghost realm.
Grateful to the Buddha, Maudgalyāyana extolled the merit of the Triple Gem and exhorted the world to perform the Ullambana Offering, honoring the Buddha and the Saṅgha, and repaying the boundless kindness of parents.
Though Maudgalyāyana was renowned as foremost in supernatural powers, he met his end at the hands of heretics.
Because he used his powers to aid in the propagation of the Dharma, he incurred the jealousy of rival sects. Unable to harm the Buddha, the heretics schemed to assassinate Maudgalyāyana. While he was traveling to teach the Dharma near Mount Isigili, they ambushed him from above, hurling stones like a rainstorm. Though grievously injured, he struggled back to Śāriputra’s residence.
Śāriputra asked:
“Why did you not escape with your powers?”
Maudgalyāyana replied:
“This is the retribution of heavy karma from past lives. I must now endure it. Before I pass, I came to bid you farewell.”
Śāriputra said:
“No, let us fulfill our vow and depart together.”
The two of them returned to the Buddha to take leave, then journeyed to their native lands to teach their kin and friends the Dharma. Thereafter, they entered parinirvāṇa together.
When news of Maudgalyāyana’s martyrdom reached King Ajātaśatru, he was enraged and ordered the arrest of the murderers. Thousands of naked ascetics were cast into the fire pits under the king’s decree.
Yet the death of the heretics could not dispel the sorrow that filled the Saṅgha. The monks mourned deeply. They lamented the injustice:
“How could Maudgalyāyana, with such great spiritual power, be unable to avoid this fate?”
The Buddha comforted them, saying:
“O bhikkhus! Maudgalyāyana did not perish for lack of power. He possessed great supernatural might and could have preserved his life. But this is not the ultimate path. A true cultivator does not violate the law of karma. In a former life, Maudgalyāyana took life as a fisherman. That karma has now ripened.
Moreover, Maudgalyāyana vowed to offer his life for the sake of the truth. His vow is now fulfilled, and he joyfully entered parinirvāṇa. If all my disciples could emulate Maudgalyāyana’s spirit of selfless sacrifice, the Dharma would shine ever more brightly.
Bhikkhus, you should follow the example of Venerable Maudgalyāyana!”The Buddha’s words moved the Saṅgha to tears. Though Maudgalyāyana’s physical body perished, countless others, inspired by his vow, would willingly and joyfully walk the path of the martyr—dedicated to the propagation of the Blessed One’s truth, and the flourishing of the holy Dharma.
