A Field of Good Fortune

In the Amitabha Sutra we read that the Buddha “was accompanied by twelve hundred and fifty great bhikshus, all of them great Arhats, well known to everyone.”

One of the meanings of the word arhat is “one who is worthy of offerings.” An arhat is perfect in merit and wisdom. This perfection in merit and wisdom in the Theravada tradition is not yet great perfection; this perfection in the Mahayana tradition is great perfection. Therefore, he is entitled to receiving offerings from all beings. Why? Because he is truly a field of good fortune for all beings. Those who make offerings to him will have good fortune. This is called “planting a field of good fortune.” How will we receive good fortune? We do not have wisdom or good fortune. When we respectfully make offerings to someone who has wisdom, virtues, and abilities, and who is compassionately teaching all beings to accumulate good fortune and cultivate wisdom, we will receive his teaching and thus be able to cultivate good fortune.

It does not matter how great or how small an offering is. As long as we make an offering sincerely and wholeheartedly, the wisdom and good fortune we get will be perfect and true. If we often think of this arhat or observe him, we will naturally have wisdom and good fortune.

~ Based on Ven. Master Chin Kung's 2003 lecture series on the Amitabha Sutra