On the monthly lunar day on which the Four Devarajas (Four Heavenly Kings) patrol the heaven and earth, I saw a legion of celestial guards approaching from afar in the clouds. They traveled in marching formation with heavy security and their banners flew high. Before the legion was a marshal who rode on a great white horse. The marshal had a dignified and stern-looking face.

He wore the "nine clouds" golden crown, cloth made from a thin layer of red-colored strong celestial fabric, an outer layer of battle armor, and "dawning cloud" boots. He looked extremely fierce.

When the marshal saw me, he quickly dismounted, joined his palms in respect and addressed me.

"Grandmaster Lu, you look as well as you did when we last met."

I stared at him. He seemed familiar, yet unfamiliar. It was as if I had once known him.

He said, "I was Tao ..."

"Ah!" I suddenly remembered him.

I asked, "Why are you in the Four Devaraja heavens?"

He replied, "I am currently the Lord of Victory Banner City. It is located in the Four Devaraja heavens. It is under the rule of the Devaraja Vaisravana ("The Well-Known Heavenly King," "The Heavenly King of the North Cardinal Direction").

I asked him again, "You should have been reborn into the Pure Land of the Maha Twin Lotus Ponds. Why are you in the Four Devaraja heavens?"

He replied, embarrassed, "Because I was too attached to my wife and was not able to forsake her."

Then I noticed that behind the Lord of Victory Banner City there was a carriage. Through the carriage's window, a well-dressed young maiden of exceptional beauty could be seen sitting inside.

*　*　*

This Lord of Victory Banner City was a wealthy merchant in his previous life. His surname was Tao and he was one of my students.

His first wife had passed away. He and his second wife divorced. Then he married a third time. He and his third wife were a very loving couple.

This student, Tao, liked to cultivate and he cultivated daily. His heart was calm and clear. He experienced many yogic responses. Every time he saw Grandmaster Lu, he would respectfully make offerings of gifts. He continued this for many years without interruption. His heart had become as luminous as the sun and the moon. He even attained yogic response with his Principle Deity practice.

(to be continued)

(From Book #191 "Staircases to the Heavens")

(本文選自蓮生活佛第191冊著作「諸天的階梯」文章「幡旗城主」)