法苑珠林 68.91

68.91

又辯意長者子經云。爾時世尊與無央數大眾共會圍繞說法。時舍衛城中有大長者子。名曰辯意。從五百長者子。來詣佛所為佛作禮。叉手白言。欲有所問。唯願慈愍。有何因緣得生天上。復何因緣來生人中。復何因緣生地獄中。復何因緣常生餓鬼中。復何因緣生畜生中。復何因緣常生尊貴中眾人所敬。復何因緣生奴婢中為人所使。復何因緣生庶民中。口氣香潔身心常安。為人所譽不被誹謗。復何因緣得生為人。常被誹謗為人所憎。形體醜惡身意不安。常懷恐悑復何因緣所生之處。常與佛會聞法奉眾。初不差違。遭遇知識逮得好心。若作沙門當得所願。所問如是。唯願世尊。分別解說。令使眾會得聞正教。願使一切得濟彼安。佛告長者子。諦聽諦聽。善思念之。吾當為汝解說妙要。有五事行得生天上。何謂為五。一慈心不殺。恤養物命令眾得安。二賢良不盜他物。布施無貪濟諸窮乏。三貞潔不犯外色男女。護戒奉齋精進。四誠信不欺於人護口。四過無得貪欺。五不飲酒不經過口。行此五事乃得生天。

Furthermore, the Sūtra of the Elder's Son Bianyi states: At that time, the World-Honoured One was gathered together with an immeasurable great assembly, surrounded by them as he expounded the Dharma. At that time, in the city of Śrāvastī, there was a great elder's son named Bianyi. Followed by five hundred elders' sons, he came to the Buddha's abode, paid homage to the Buddha, joined his palms, and said: "I wish to ask some questions; may you only show loving-kindness and sympathy. What karmic causes and conditions cause one to be born in the heavens? What karmic causes and conditions cause one to be born among humans? What karmic causes and conditions cause one to be born in hell? What karmic causes and conditions cause one to constantly be born among hungry ghosts? What karmic causes and conditions cause one to be born among animals? What karmic causes and conditions cause one to constantly be born into honour and nobility, revered by the multitude? What karmic causes and conditions cause one to be born among male and female servants, ordered about by others? What karmic causes and conditions cause one to be born among the common folk, with fragrant and pure breath, body and mind constantly at peace, praised by others and never slandered? What karmic causes and conditions cause one to obtain birth as a human who is constantly slandered and hated by others, with an ugly body, unsettled body and mind, constantly harbouring fear? What karmic causes and conditions cause one, wherever born, to constantly meet the Buddhas, hear the Dharma, serve the Saṃgha, never erring or falling away, encountering good friends and attaining a virtuous mind, and, if becoming a śramaṇa, to attain what one wishes? Such are my questions; may the World-Honoured One alone analyze and explain them, so that the assembly may hear the correct teaching, and wishing that all may be saved and brought to peace." The Buddha told the elder's son: "Listen attentively, listen attentively, and reflect on it well! I shall explain the wondrous essentials for you. There are five practices through which one is born in the heavens. What are the five? First, with a mind of loving-kindness, not killing: caring for and nurturing living creatures so that the multitude attains peace. Second, being virtuous and not stealing the property of others: practicing dāna without greed, aiding the impoverished. Third, being chaste and not violating outside men or women: upholding the precepts, observing the fasts, and being vigorous. Fourth, being sincere and trustworthy, not deceiving others, guarding the mouth: having no greed or deceit regarding the four faults [of speech]. Fifth, not drinking alcohol, allowing none to pass the mouth. By practicing these five things, one is then born in the heavens.