In the Tang Dynasty （618-907 A.D.）, there was a highly-enlightened monk by the name of Yuanze who had a good friend by the name of Li Yuanshan. One day they went for a walk, enjoying the beautiful scenery as they laughed and talked. In the afternoon they passed by a place where a woman was washing clothes by the riverbank. She was pregnant, and her belly was very large. Monk Yuanze saw her, sighed, and shook his head. Li Yuanshan asked, "Why did you sigh?"

Monk Yuanze answered, "She has been pregnant for three years, waiting for me to reincarnate her son. I have avoided meeting her, but now I can no longer evade her." Li Yuanshan doubted him, "Really?"
Monk Yuanze said, "It sounds like you do not believe me. I will reach nirvana tonight. After three days, come to this lady's house, because she must give birth to a chubby boy. If that baby smiles at you, then that must be me smiling at you." After a pause, Monk Yuanze also told Li Yuanshan, "You are a good friend, and I want to be friends with you in my next life. Let us have a plan that after 13 years, on the Mid-Fall Festival, I will wait for you at Tiantu Temple in Hangzhou City, where we will meet again!"

Li Yuanshan replied doubtfully, "Okay, I will definitely be there according to your instructions."

Monk Yuanze did reach nirvana that night, and that lady did give birth to a boy.

On the third day, Li Yuangshan arrived at the woman's house. The baby boy did smile at him as soon as he saw him. Li Yuanshan had to believe what Monk Yuanze had said was true.

On the thirteenth Mid-Fall Festival （the lunar full moon day on August 15th）, Li Yuanshan went to Tiantu Temple in Hangzhou City to meet Monk Yuanze as promised. Upon reaching the gate, he saw a boy sitting on the back of a water buffalo, singing:

    "I am an old spirit sitting atop the Three Lives rock,
    but I am not here to admire the Moon or chant poems
    I am shy about my old friend visiting me from far away,
    I am still the same old me, except my body has changed."

The saying, "Predestined beyond three lives," is derived from this story. Chinese culture, which has a rich historical foundation, has been passed down by gods. The words we often use may have profound meanings. Modern day usage of this saying usually refers to a very lucky event or person. Actually the "three lives" mentioned here refer to one's previous life, this life, and the next life. This saying refers to people who have special predestined relationships.

成语典故：三生有幸

唐朝的时候，有一位高僧，法号圆泽。他有一个很要好的朋友，叫李源善。

有一天，圆泽约了李源善出去玩。两人路上一边说说笑笑，一边欣赏大自然的美景，好不快活。到了下午时，两人路过一个地方，看见有一个妇人在河边洗东西，这个妇人已经怀孕了，而且肚子好大好大。圆泽看到这妇人，不禁摇摇头，叹了口气。李源善就问道：“好端端的你干嘛叹气啊？”

圆泽答道：“这个妇人怀孕已经有三年了，一直等著我去投胎做她的儿子，所以我一直躲著她，不想去投胎。可是现在看见她了，也就没有办法躲了。”李源善带著怀疑的口气说：“真有这种事？”

圆泽说：“怎么，你不相信？我今天晚上就会圆寂，等过了三天，你到这妇人家中去看。她一定会生下一个胖小子。如果这个婴儿对你笑一笑，那就是我在对你笑。”隔了一会儿，圆泽又对李源善说：“你是个很好的朋友，下辈子我还要结交你这个朋友。这样吧！十三年后的中秋节，我在杭州天竺寺等你，那时我们再相会吧！”

李源善半信半疑的说：“好，到时候我一定赴约。”

果然，在这天夜里，圆泽就圆寂了，同时那个孕妇也生了一个男孩儿。

到了第三天，李源善按照圆泽的话，来到那妇人家，那男婴一看到李源善，就对他笑了笑，李源善这时不得不相信圆泽的话。

等到第十三年的中秋节，李源善如期到杭州天竺寺去和圆泽相会。刚到寺门口，就看到一个牧童坐在牛背上唱著：“三生石上旧精魂，赏月吟风不要论。惭愧情人远相访，此身虽异性长存。”

成语“三生有幸”就是出自这个故事。中华文化是神传文化，炎黄子孙有著悠久的历史积淀。我们在日常生活中耳熟能详，甚至经常挂在嘴边上的话，可能就有很深的文化渊源。现在人把“三生有幸”解释成非常幸运。实际上佛家说的“三生”是指前生、今世和来生，“三生有幸”的本来意义，是比喻人与人之间有一种特别的缘分。