时间：08/01/2026 08/02/2026
地点：星海禅修中心
主讲：净诚
佛法修行
象护比丘得道因缘
过去，佛陀在舍卫国只树给孤独园弘法时，摩竭国中，有一位长者生了一个儿子，相貌端庄，人见人爱。孩子出生的当天，家中仓库自然出现一头小金象。小儿的父母非常欢喜，请来许多相师为他取名字，相师们见小儿福德深厚，便询问他的父母：「小儿出生之日，有没有什么瑞相出现呢？」小儿的父母回答：「有一头金象和我们的儿子同时出生。」相师们就以此瑞相为男孩取名为「象护」。
随着象护渐渐长大，小金象也跟着长大；当男孩开始学会走路，金象也跟着能够行走。出入进止，不论象护走到哪里，金象始终形影不离；若象护不想骑乘金象，它就留在家里。当金象大小便时，所排出的都是上好的纯金。
象护经常与五百位长者子一起游戏玩耍，彼此也会各自说起家中奇妙之事。有人说：「我家里的房舍、床榻、坐席，统统是七宝做的。」也有人说：「我们家的屋舍及园林，都是众多珍贵宝物所成。」又有人说：「我家里的仓库，时时刻刻都充满着各式各样的胜妙宝物。」如是种种，不胜枚举。
这时，象护说出：「我出生当日，家中自然出现一头金象。当我逐渐长大，开始会行走，金象也跟着长大。它的个性温驯，从不违背我的心意。我时常骑着金象到处游玩观赏，它非常知晓人情，速度或快或慢，都依着我的意思。特别的是，金象的大小便，都是上好的纯金。」
当时，阿阇世王子也在大众之中，听到象护所说的话，心中便想：「将来如果我当上国王，一定要把那头金象夺取到手。」当阿阇世登上王位之后，便下令象护带着金象一起来到王宫。象护的父亲告诉他：「阿阇世王性情残暴无道，贪婪悭吝，对于自己的父王尚且敢虐待致死，何况是对待其他人呢？大王今日召见你，恐怕是贪图你的金象，金象可能会被大王所夺取。」象护回答：「我的这头金象，没有人能夺得走」。
长者父子二人立刻共骑金象至王宫。王宫守门人随即进宫禀报阿阇世王：「象护父子一起骑着金象来到王宫大门。」阿阇世王告诉守门人：「听许他们骑着金象进入王宫。」守门人便来到宫门告诉二人，于是象护父子骑乘金象入到宫内，随即从象背下来，向阿阇世王跪拜、问讯请安。
阿阇世王大为欢喜，命令父子二人就座，赏赐各种美味饮食，同时与他们稍作交谈。象护父子停留片刻后，便向国王告辞，准备离去。此时，阿阇世王对象护说：「就把金象留在王宫，别带回去了。」象护欣然答应，奉国王之命，留下金象，徒步走出王宫。不久之后，金象竟从王宫地面消失，出现在王宫门外，象护父子便骑着金象回家。
过了不久，象护心想：「国王凶残无道，滥用刑罚，由于这头金象的缘故，可能因此遭到加害。如今正值佛陀住世，恩德普润一切众生，不如随佛出家，修习清净梵行。」于是象护禀告父母，请求出家修道。双亲同意后，象护便向父母辞别，乘着金象来到只洹精舍。
象护见到了世尊，问讯顶礼之后，就向世尊请求出家，佛陀随即应允，对他说：「善来比丘！」象护随即须发自落，法服自然着身，成为沙门释子。佛并为他宣说四谛法要，象护心领神会，顿时悟道，漏尽烦恼，证得阿罗汉果。每当象护比丘与众比丘在林间树下思惟修道时，金象总在左右。
此时，舍卫国百姓听说只洹精舍出现一头金象，争相前往观看，精舍突然间人声鼎沸，失去以往的幽静，也因此妨碍了比丘们的修行。于是，众比丘向佛陀禀白此事，佛陀告诉象护比丘：「因为金象的缘故，导致比丘们心生烦恼、散乱。如今你可以命令金象尽速离去。」象护比丘禀白佛陀：「弟子很久以来就想让金象离去，但是它始终不肯离开。」佛教导象护比丘：「你可以告诉金象：『你我今生缘分已尽，我不再需要你。』如此重覆讲述三遍，金象自然会消失不见。」象护比丘遵奉世尊的教敕，对金象如此说了三次：「我不再需要你。」金象立即隐没于地底下。
比丘们对此事都感到奇怪，向世尊请教：「象护比丘以前修了什么样的福德，在什么福田种下此等善根，才能获得如此殊胜的果报？」
佛陀告诉阿难及比丘们：「如果有人在三宝福田中，即使是种下少许善根，都能得到无量的果报。过去迦叶佛住世时，人们的寿命是二万岁。当迦叶佛度化众生功行圆满，便趣入大涅槃，佛弟子们分布迦叶佛的舍利，也建造许多宝塔、寺院供养迦叶佛的舍利。
其中有一座佛塔，塔中刻有菩萨从兜率天，骑着六牙白象进入母胎的画像。由于画像中六牙白象身上的泥彩，出现少许剥落的现象，这时正巧有一人来绕塔，见到画像里象身剥落，便说道：『这是菩萨所骑乘之象，如今有所损坏，我应当发心修补。』于是取来泥土修补象身，又用雌黄涂色，并立下誓愿：『愿我将来生生世世都投生在富贵尊荣之家，财用无所匮乏。』此人命终之后，投生天上。当他天寿享尽，下生人间，常生富贵尊豪人家，不仅相貌端正，与世人有别，同时拥有金象随侍在旁，恒常守护。」
佛告诉阿难：「当时修补象身的人，正是今日的象护比丘。由于他前世修补象身的因缘，从那时候开始，在天上、人间自然享有荣华富贵，这一切都是因为以恭敬心供养三宝的缘故。如今生值佛世，领受如来微妙法音的教化，灭尽所有烦恼心垢，成就圣道，证得阿罗汉。」
慧命阿难及与会大众，听佛所说，无不心开意解，各成圣果，有人证须陀洹果、斯陀含果、阿那含果、阿罗汉果，也有人发起无上正真道意，更有人证得不退位。大众莫不欢喜，恭敬虔诚，顶戴奉行。
Date: 08/01/2026 08/02/2026
Location: Star Ocean Meditation Center
Teacher: Jason
Dharma Talk
The Karmic Conditions for Venerable Xianghu’s Attainment of the Path
In the past, when the Buddha was teaching the Dharma at Jetavana in Śrāvastī, there was an elder in the kingdom of Magadha who had a son of dignified appearance, beloved by all. On the day the child was born, a small golden elephant naturally appeared in the family storehouse. The parents were overjoyed and invited many physiognomists to name the child. Seeing the boy’s great merit, they asked whether any auspicious signs had appeared at his birth. The parents replied that a golden elephant had appeared at the same time. Thus, they named the boy “Xianghu” (Elephant Protector).
As Xianghu grew, the golden elephant also grew. When the boy learned to walk, the elephant could walk as well. Wherever Xianghu went, the elephant followed him closely; if Xianghu chose not to ride it, it would remain at home. When the elephant excreted, what it produced was pure gold.
Xianghu often played with five hundred sons of elders, each recounting the marvels of their households. Some spoke of homes made of the seven treasures; others of gardens filled with rare jewels; still others of storehouses constantly filled with precious items. Such accounts were countless.
At that time, Xianghu said, “On the day I was born, a golden elephant appeared. As I grew, it grew with me. It is gentle and always follows my will. I often ride it for pleasure; it understands human intention, moving fast or slow as I wish. Moreover, its excrement is pure gold.”
Prince Ajātaśatru was also present and, hearing this, thought, “If I become king, I will seize that elephant.” After ascending the throne, he ordered Xianghu to bring the elephant to the palace. Xianghu’s father warned him of the king’s cruelty and greed, but Xianghu replied that no one could take the elephant.
Father and son rode the elephant to the palace. The gatekeeper reported to the king, who permitted them to enter. They dismounted, bowed, and paid respects.
The king welcomed them warmly, offered fine food, and conversed briefly. When they prepared to leave, the king ordered Xianghu to leave the elephant behind. Xianghu complied and left on foot, but soon the elephant disappeared from the palace and reappeared outside, allowing them to return home.
Not long after, Xianghu reflected on the king’s cruelty and the danger posed by the elephant, and resolved to renounce the world. With his parents’ consent, he went to Jetavana Monastery.
Seeing the Buddha, he paid respects and requested ordination. The Buddha accepted him with the words “Come, bhikṣu!” Instantly his hair fell away, robes appeared, and he became a monk. The Buddha taught him the Four Noble Truths, and Xianghu immediately realized the path, eradicated all defilements, and attained arhatship. The golden elephant remained by his side.
People of Śrāvastī came in crowds to see the elephant, disturbing the monastery. The Buddha instructed Xianghu to dismiss it. Following the Buddha’s guidance, he told the elephant three times that their karmic connection had ended and that he no longer needed it. The elephant immediately vanished into the earth.
The monks, astonished, asked the Buddha about the cause of such merit.
The Buddha explained that even small acts of merit in the field of the Three Jewels yield immeasurable results. In the time of Buddha Kāśyapa, a man repaired a damaged image of a six-tusked white elephant depicted in a stupa, vowing future prosperity. Because of this act, he was reborn in heaven and later among wealthy families, always accompanied by a golden elephant.
The Buddha told Ānanda that this man was Xianghu in a past life. Through that cause, he enjoyed great fortune and, in this life, upon hearing the Dharma, eradicated defilements and attained arhatship.
Ānanda and the assembly, hearing this teaching, all rejoiced. Some attained Stream-entry, Once-returning, Non-returning, and Arhatship; others aroused the aspiration for supreme enlightenment; still others reached the stage of non-retrogression. All respectfully received and practiced the teaching.
