Three Stalks of Hay

From Book No.231 – The Great Legends of The Dharma King [法王的大傳說]
Source: 231 法王的大傳說 – 三根稻草
Translated to Bahasa Indonesia by TBS Indonesia: Tiga Batang Jerami
Translated to English from Bahasa Indonesia by Lotus Nino – May 11, 2013

In the past, Shakyamuni Buddha brought his entourage of disciples to have a walk, passing the foothills of a big mountain.

The Buddha, with his wisdom eye, saw the arteries of the mountain going up and down, the three sides surrounded by water, each on the right and left side having a blocking mountain, and the grasses being fragrant and green.

The Buddha said, “On this ground, we may build 3 sarira stupas!”

Just after finishing his statement, from the sky a deity descended. The deity was Indra and he held 3 stalks of hay. Indra stuck them into the auspicious ground as pointed by the Buddha and flew up to the sky again afterwards.

Indra told the Buddha, “Three sarira stupas have been erected.”

The Buddha replied, “Thank you very much, Lord Indra!”

The disciples were astonished. How could 3 stalks of hay become 3 sarira stupas?

Sariputra smiled and said, “Why don’t we spend this night in this sarira stupas?”

The Buddha answered, “Very well.”

Therefore the Buddha guided the disciples to enter into the sarira stupas. Unexpectedly, the sarira stupas were very august. The hall was very cosmic, the palaces exquisite, the buildings stunning, the interiors had beautiful carvings. Very marvelous, they were adorned by resplendent jades, precious stones and jewels, gold and silver. The main disciples were bedazzled.

The following day.

The Buddha and the main disciples left the stupas and after walking a few steps, they turned their heads and looked over. Where were the 3 sarira stupas?

They were just the same 3 stalks of hay.

Everyone didn’t understand and asked the Buddha, “What is happening?”

The Buddha replied. “Why don’t you just ask Sariputra!”

I answered, “Illusory humans dwelling in the illusory palaces.”

In the past, Grand Master Lu discovered Mount Hu in Caotun, Nantou. He felt “Diling Renjie” that the ground was very auspicious, so he laid the “foundation stone”.

I said, “A very grand Vajragarbha Temple shall be erected here.”

So I blessed the mix of salt and rice, and spread them into the four sides.

I said, “At the four sides and eight directions are the Vajragarbha Temples!”

Thus a grand Vajragarbha Temple had been erected on Mount Hu, Caotun and it could even withstand the great earthquake since it was protected by the Maharajas of the Four Quarters (Four Heavenly Kings).
Meanwhile, the four sides and four directions, countries from all over the world, are erecting countless Vajragarbha Temples.

“Why is that so?”

I answered, “Illusory humans dwelling in the illusory palaces.”

Writing you a verse:

Do not think that what being held by Lord Indra were just stalks of hay.
If you but understand,
The three stalks were
No less than the mundane temples.
Disciples of True Buddha, worry ye not!
Never exhaust your spirits
When meet with the Buddha
You shall be liberated from the mundane and supramundane (conceptions).

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Om Guru Lian Sheng Siddhi Hom.