Two brothers from Jibin Kingdom

 

Two brothers from Jibin Kingdom

 

Agudengba led Mahu and the big gray donkey just bought from the market. On the way home, he met a young man. When the young man saw Agudengba, he asked: "Agudenba Sir, you are a well-known wise man. I have something to ask of you. Can you tell me?

Agudemba: Tell me, what difficulties did you encounter?

The young man said: I want to ask a question: Why can't people who don't pay back money get rich?

Agudengba: Have you heard of Jibin Country?

The young man said: I don’t know.

Agudengba: The Jibin Kingdom is located in the Western Region, and the area under its jurisdiction varies with the times. It is approximately in the northeastern part of Afghanistan and Kashmir. This country is mainly engaged in agriculture and the production of gold, silver, copper and iron utensils. It is also the birthplace of the Mahayana sect of Buddhism. After the Han Dynasty, many monks came to China to preach and translate scriptures.

The young man was very surprised and didn't know why Agudengba wanted to talk about this country.

Agudenba said:

There is a story in the Buddhist scriptures: Once upon a time, there were two brothers in the country of Yibin. The elder brother became a monk and became an Arhat, while the younger brother ran a business at home.

What is Arahant Fruit? There are many classics in Buddhism, and everyone's rank is different. For example, the ranks of Buddha, Bodhisattva, and Arhat are different. Arahantship is also something that many practitioners want to achieve, but this requires brothers to persist in practicing and slowly experience it.

The elder brother, Arhat, often comes to advise and teach the younger brother to give alms, observe precepts, and diligently practice good deeds to accumulate blessings. If you can practice good deeds, you will not only be able to benefit now; you will also be able to be reborn in a good place at the end of your life.

The younger brother always replied: Brother, you are a monk now and don't have to worry about these worldly things, but I still have a wife to take care of and a farm and treasure to manage. I have so many things to deal with, brother, don't waste your time with your words. Later, his younger brother fell ill and died, and was reborn in the animal realm and turned into a cow. They were driven into the city carrying bags of salt on their backs.

The elder brother came out of the city and met the cow, and he preached the Dharma for the cow. After hearing this, the cow was so sad that he cried non-stop.

The owner of the cow asked the brother: What on earth did you say? Making my cow so sad?

Arahant replied: This cow's predecessor was my younger brother. He owed you a salt debt, so he fell into the body of a cow and worked for you to repay the debt.

After hearing this, the owner of the cow said to Arahant: Your brother and I used to be good friends. I will let the cow go today and no longer use him to do hard labor.

After hearing this, Niu was very grateful and recited the Buddha's name sincerely. He ran to the edge of the cliff and jumped into the deep stream to his death.

The young man was surprised. Why did the cow commit suicide by jumping off the cliff?

Agudenba said:

After leaving the body of the cow, he was reborn in heaven and enjoyed great happiness. Because of this kind of fate, those who owe money cannot fail to repay their debts. Being willing to lend us money shows that the other party treats us well and trusts us. We should keep our word and never borrow something without repaying it. The other party didn't say that they gave it to us, so how could we not return it? If we really cannot repay the money to the other party for a while, we should explain it clearly to the other party and try our best to earn it back. Because the people who borrow from us are nothing more than family and friends, we will forgive slowly. We should keep it in mind at all times and pay it off as soon as possible. This is the duty of human beings.

The young man said: Why don't you pay off the money you owe in the previous life because of the cattle and horses in this life? I have also heard these statements, and I understand this truth. The relationship between cause and effect is an unavoidable substantive truth. But I am not the one who refuses to repay debts, it is the people who refuse to repay the money they owe me!

Agudenba said:

The person who is borrowed actually has great merit. Although you are not giving money to others, if the person is not in crisis, you will generally not lend money. You lend money to the other party so that the other party can survive the crisis, so it is a great merit.

Because you owe a salt debt of one penny and don't pay it back, you end up falling into the body of a cow. If you owe a bag of salt, you have to pay such a price, let alone if you owe others hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands and don't pay it back? Owing money to others is like depositing money in a bank to increase profits. It will increase day by day without repayment. If you can't even do the essence of being a human being in this world, how can you seek wealth, let alone achieve liberation? People in the world are ignorant and think that if they don't pay back the money they owe others, it will belong to them and they will get rich. Little do they know that there are gods three feet above their heads, and the cause and effect will not be confused at all. Therefore, people who do not pay back their debts will not make a fortune.

Agudengba sang "Making Friends" casually:

 

If you borrow money, you are still a liar.

It would be unethical not to be trustworthy.

The scoundrel deceived him for a while,

Lies can never fool you.

 

Have the ability to lend money to others,

It means that he has enough money,

Don't expect to pay back the money.

That would lead to an unhappy life.

 

Use a little silver,

Understand the other person’s character,

It's worth thinking about for yourself,

This is the principle of making friends.