长寿一定是福吗？

世间人都非常向往长寿、富裕或具有神通，但从长远的角度来看,这些对一个修行人或众生来说，究竟是好是坏，也是很难断定的。

You are all familiar with the story of Devadatta. If he had not had supernatural power, he would not have committed two of the Five Great Offenses leading to the avici hell. He subjugated the king with his supernatural power, convincing the king of his might and to obey his words. Together, they committed a great deal of the offenses that led to the avici hell.

大家都知道提婆达多。如果提婆达多没有神通，就不可能造两个无间罪。正因为他有了神通，才能收服那个国王。国王觉得这个人非常了不起，也就对他言听计从。两个人串通一气，才会造作很多无间罪。

About longevity, the following story makes a point. A disciple of the Venerable Atisha violated the precept and died after getting involved in a village dispute. Upon hearing the news, the Venerable Atisha noted with sorrow，“If he died three years earlier，he would have died a bhikkhu adept in the Tripitaka.” This means that if he died three years earlier，he would have died a bhikkhu with pure vows and of great knowledge in the Tripitaka. But he died a different person with a tainted reputation three years later.

关于长寿，也有一个公案：阿底峡尊者的一个弟子，因参与村子里的纠纷，死的时候犯了戒。听到消息后，阿底峡尊者很伤心地感慨道：“我那弟子早死三年还是一个三藏比丘。”这句话的意思是说，如果早三年他死去，还是一个持戒清净的比丘、学识渊博的三藏法师，但三年后却判若两人。

Therefore，having longevity is not necessarily a good fortune. Some beings may end up committing more negative karma with extended life span.

所以，寿命长也不一定有益。有些众生寿命长了反而会因此造很多恶业。