时间：12/11/2027 12/12/2027
地点：星海禅修中心
主讲：净诚
佛法修行
布施获福无量
目犍连尊者的弟弟是城中的大富长者，他的金银财宝、仆从、奴婢多到不可称计。一天，尊者为了度化弟弟，来到他家：“弟弟，听说你不喜欢布施，但是佛陀常教导我们：‘若能乐善惠施，必能获福无量。’所以，你若能从现在开始广修布施，福报必定不可计量。”长者听了非常心动，于是开始广修布施，帮助贫困的人；并且还加盖了许多仓库，准备收藏因布施而得的福报。
过了几天，长者的财产已经快要布施竭尽，却还得不到任何回报，于是懊恼地去找目犍连尊者：“之前听你说布施会有大福报，所以我才不敢违逆，努力地去帮助需要救济的人。如今财宝尽空，却还是一无所得，你所说的是不是有错误呢？”尊者告诉他：“你千万不要这么说，我所说的都是千真万确。若要将福德以具体的形象来比喻，连广大的虚空也无法容受，现在我就带你去看你布施所获得的福报。”
这时，目犍连尊者以神通力带长者至欲界的第六重天。那里的宫殿以七宝所成，非常富丽堂皇；前后的浴池散发出阵阵香气，库房里的宝藏更是多到不可称计；仆从、奴婢皆为庄严的女众，多达千万人。长者见此异相，感到疑惑，于是问目犍连尊者：“为何这么雄伟的宫殿里，独独只见女众，而没有男众呢？”尊者请他自己去询问，便可得到答案。
于是，长者问天女：“是谁有如此大的福报，可以来享受这里的一切？”天女回答说：“在阎浮提内迦比国境中，释迦文佛神通第一的弟子目犍连尊者，有一位非常贤能富贵的弟弟，平时乐善好施、周济贫穷，他命终之后会生到此天，成为我们的主人，并且享用这里的一切。”长者听了之后，善心增长，即向尊者忏悔之前所生的疑心、恶念。回到世间后，更力行布施，广修福慧，无有疲厌。由此可知，布施能获得无量的福报，是真实不虚的道理。
Date: 12/11/2027 12/12/2027
Location: Star Ocean Meditation Center
Teacher: Jason
Dharma Talk
Boundless Merit from Generous Giving
The younger brother of Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana was a wealthy elder in the city, possessing immeasurable gold, silver, treasure, servants, and attendants. One day, the Venerable went to his house in order to guide him, saying, “Brother, I hear that you do not like giving. But the Buddha often teaches: ‘If one delights in giving with a joyful heart, one will obtain immeasurable merit.’ Therefore, if you can begin to practice generous giving from now on, your merit will be beyond calculation.” Hearing this, the elder was deeply moved and began to practice extensive giving, helping the poor. He even built many storehouses, intending to store the merit he believed would accumulate from giving.
After some days, his wealth had nearly been exhausted through giving, yet he had not received any apparent reward. Distressed, he went to Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana and said, “Previously I heard you say that giving brings great merit, so I did not dare disobey and diligently helped those in need. Now my wealth is completely gone, yet I have gained nothing. Could what you said be mistaken?” The Venerable replied, “Do not speak like this. What I have said is absolutely true. If merit were to be given a concrete form, even the vastness of space could not contain it. Now I will take you to see the reward of your giving.”
At that moment, by his supernatural power, Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana brought the elder to the sixth heaven of the desire realm. There the palaces were made of the seven treasures, magnificent and splendid. The bathing pools before and behind emitted fragrant scents, and the storehouses contained immeasurable treasures. The attendants and servants were all beautiful women, numbering in the millions. Seeing this extraordinary realm, the elder was puzzled and asked, “Why is it that in such a magnificent palace, there are only women and no men?” The Venerable told him to ask the heavenly beings himself, and he would receive the answer.
Thus the elder asked the celestial maidens, “Who has such great merit as to enjoy all of this?” They replied, “In Jambudvīpa, in the country of Kāpi, there is a disciple of Śākyamuni Buddha, Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana, foremost in supernatural powers. His younger brother is extremely virtuous and wealthy, always delighted in giving and helping the poor. After his death, he will be reborn here in this heaven and become our master, enjoying all of this.” Hearing this, the elder’s wholesome mind increased, and he repented to the Venerable for his previous doubt and unwholesome thoughts. After returning to the human world, he practiced giving even more diligently, cultivating merit and wisdom without weariness. Thus it is known that giving truly brings immeasurable merit, and this principle is real and not false.
