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| 2013/02/27 07:55:51瀏覽363｜回應0｜推薦0 | |||
Create Good Causes, Attain Blessed Affinities
我們人想要怎麼樣能夠解脫苦惱，我們唯一要先了解－－「當觀知足，知足之法，即是富樂安穩之處。」 How can we transcend our afflictions? First, we need to learn to be content. When we learn to be content, we find ourselves in a place of abundance, happiness and peace.  人若欲解脫諸苦惱 所以，經中說言－－「人若欲解脫諸苦惱，當觀知足，知足之法，即是富樂安穩之處。」意思就是說：知足的人常常都是很富有，人若能夠知足，雖然所住的房子很簡陋，甚至沒有床鋪，睡地上，也是覺得很安然自在，很快樂；假使若是不知足的人，雖然是堂皇富麗的房子，讓他住得再好，同樣不知足、不稱意等等… Those who are content are very wealthy. If people can be content, although they live in a crude house, have no bed and sleep on the floor, they will still feel happy and free. If people are not content, even if they live in an opulent house, in great conditions, they still feel discontent and dissatisfied. 這就是我們世間人的心態，無論是苦、是樂，是貧或者是富，就只是在一念心而已。 This is the mindset of people in this world. Suffering and joy, poverty and wealth all depend on our mindset. It all depends on our thinking. 能知足的人，就是相信因緣果報－－「相信我就沒有造這麼多福，我要去哪裡找來那麼多、豐富的物資、家財呢？沒有啦！我自己知道，這樣就好了，有夠就好。」若是有餘，世間的東西，不是永遠都是我們擁有的，我們應該我們有餘時就要去付出。付出時覺得這就是，真正我們的歡喜，最歡喜的是看到別人平安，看到苦難中的人得到解脫，這就是我們最歡喜的，這也是叫做知足之人，這也就是叫做信因果的人。 We can be content because we believe in karmic retribution. If we did not create so many blessings, we would not have found such an abundance of material goods and wealth. We know that this is good enough, that we have enough. If we have extra, we also know that worldly things will not always belong to us. So if we have extra, we will give. When we give, we feel that this is our true source of happiness. We are happiest to see others at peace, to see them escape suffering. This makes us the most happy. This is what it means to be someone who is content and believes in cause and effect. 那造好因、得福緣，這是一定的道理。假使不肯信因果，那自然就是貪欲心大，再多對他來說永遠都是不夠。因為他不相信因果，所以他有個錯誤的觀念－－「什麼叫做造福？我現在享福最重要。」覺得他目前他所應該享受的，一切所有，名、利、功名、富貴，這他認為這是他一生中，所應該有的。這種不信因果，那只看到眼前的短視，一直到忽然間，無常業報現前時，那個意亂心慌，才想著說：「我要捨錢消災難。」已經是不可得了。 Create good causes, attain blessed conditions. This is an unfailing truth. If some refuse to believe in cause and effect, then naturally their desires are very strong. No matter how much they have, it is never enough, because they do not believe in cause and effect. "Why would I want to create blessings? Enjoying my blessings now is more important." They think they need to enjoy all they have, right now, recognition, wealth, status, fortune. They think this is all rightfully theirs. They do not believe in cause and effect; they are short-sighted until something happens and retributions manifest, and they become lost and confused. Only then do they think of giving to make amends. But by then it is already too late. 人生，我們在平時，我們就要相信因果。做人我們要知足，我們要少欲，我們若能夠知足少欲，這也就是知因緣果報的人；若能夠如此的人生，想想看，這是不是最富樂，也是最安穩的！ In life, we always need to believe in cause and effect. We need to be content and have few desires. If we are content, with few desires, that shows we understand karmic retribution. If we lead such a life, won't that be the most abundant and happy, and the most peaceful life? 所以人生，哪一個地方是安穩的地方？心平安，那一切環境祥和無災難！這就是最安穩的地方。 In life, where is the most peaceful place? With a peaceful mind, every place is serene and free of disasters. This is the safest place. 所以我們大家時時，若能夠抱持著這種的心態，是不是我們日日都是平安日？日日都是我們修行的好日子？所以我們要時時把握在此時，敬天地、愛萬物，感恩所有的一切因緣，這樣我們就能夠很滿足。 So, if we can always maintain this mindset, won't every day be a peaceful day? Every day is a good day for spiritual practice. So, let us always seize the moment, respect heaven and earth, love everything and be grateful for all causes and conditions. In this way we can have everything we need. 所以我們要知足，知足我們就能夠像是住在天堂一樣；不要等到說有災難來臨時，才想要捨財，這就太過晚了。 Thus, we need to be content. Then we will feel as if we live in Heaven. Do not wait until a disaster arrives before thinking about giving. That is too late.  而不知此身 We do not know that this body is on the brink of the Three Destinies' deep trench. If we cannot inhale again, we immediately fall.  忽有知識 勸營功德 Friends suddenly advise us to create merits as fuel for future good practices, but we are attached to stinginess and refuse to do it. 所以接下來這段懺文就這麼說－－「而不知此身，臨於三途深坑之上，一息不還，便應墮落；忽有知識，勸營功徳，令作未來善法資糧，執此慳心，無肯作理。」 So the next passage of the repentance text states, "We do not know that this body is on the brink of the Three Destinies' deep trench. If we cannot inhale again, we immediately fall. Friends suddenly advise us to create merits as fuel for future good practices, but we are attached to stinginess and refuse to do it." 這一段就是說，「人不知足，就只是為自己享受、享受，等到臨時才願意捨財。」這本來就是來不及！因為他不肯相信，不知道這個身體「臨於三途」，不知道我們自己的生命，到底還有多長，生命在呼吸間。 This passage says that people are not content; they only act for their own enjoyment. They wait until their life is over to give, but then it is already too late. They refuse to believe, they do not know that the body is "on the brink of the Three Destinies". We do not know how long we have to live. Life exists in the space of a breath. 我們現在有人來勸我們，勸我們要做一些好事情，勸我們要做一些功徳，好預備我們未來－－為了最後那口氣若不來的時候，那我們是不是要積一些福德呢？ We now have people coming to counsel us. They advise us to do good and create merits and virtues. Shouldn't we have some blessings and virtues stored away for the moment when we take our last breath? 常常說：「我們要做來囤，不要做來抵。」等到說臨頭時，我才趕緊要去花錢，已經來不及了！ I often say to accumulate a surplus of merits, not just balance out negative karma. If we are not willing to spend money to make amends until the last minute, by then it is already too late. 我們要知道，我們的生命就是在呼吸間，萬一我們什麼若沒做，其實這口氣不再來時，孤魂獨逝，茫茫渺渺的時候，到哪裡去呢？掉入三途－－「餓鬼、畜生、地獄」這三惡道。看我們平時的為人，你的為人，造了這麼多的惡因，沒有一點的福，自然這個三途難免，就是飄飄浮浮就到這個三途去了。那一墮進去，好像似墮入深坑，在那裡哀叫，沒有人能救我們。 We need to know that, life exists in the space of a breath. If we have not done anything, when we stop breathing and our spirit passes on alone and confused, where will it go? Into the Hungry Ghost, Animal and Hell Realms, the Three Evil Destinies, depending on our usual behavior. If we sow many bad seeds and create no blessings, we will inevitably end up in those three destinies. We will drift toward them. When we fall, it is like falling into a deep trench. We cry out, but no one can save us. 所以這段懺文是這麼說－－說不定在我們這輩子，還沒斷氣時，說不定當我們洋洋得意的這個時候，有善知識來對我們說：「你做一些好事情好嗎？哪一個地方有苦難人，你有力量，是不是你也付出一些力量來？只要你心手向下一下，你就能夠救人了。若如此你的功德無量；救人就是造福，你要造！」 So this passage of the repentance text says that perhaps in this lifetime, before we stop breathing, perhaps as we are flush with success, a spiritual friend will tell us, "Why don't you do some good deeds? There are people suffering there. You have the ability. Can you contribute some of your strength? When you humbly give to others, you can save people. Then you will have infinite merits and virtues. Saving people creates blessings. Please do so." 雖然有人好言勸導，但是因為他很固執，所以「執此慳心，不肯作理」。有很多人聽到人來向他勸募時，他就想說：「我哪裡那麼傻？我賺錢很辛苦！我賺錢怎麼不會自己用、自己享受？為什麼我就要拿錢去給人？」他就是不肯付出。 Although someone may provide us good counsel, if we are very stubborn, we "are attached to stinginess and refuse to do it". When people are asked for donations, many think, "Why would I be so stupid? I work hard to make money. Why wouldn't I spend it and enjoy it myself? Why would I give it to others?" They refuse to give. 即使是說：「你已經那麼富有了，捐一點吧！」他還是會找理由說：「我若要捐我就要捐很多，捐那麼一點沒面子。」你若是順著他的話說：「好啊，你捐多一點更好，做大功德！」他又找理由了：「我現在還不行，等到我更富有時…」 Even if we say, "You are already so wealthy. Just donate a little bit." "If I donate, then I will donate a lot. Donating just a little would be shameful." "Great! If you donate more that is even better. You will create great merits." "I can't do it right now. Wait until I am even wealthier." 這種人世間到處都是，所以這就是「執此慳心不肯作理」。 We see this type of people all over the world. Such people "are attached to stinginess and refuse to do it". 當我們健康，當我們富有時，我們什麼都不肯捨；雖然有貴人來引導我們，我們就是不肯行，所以這叫做沒有冥途的資糧。那種暗暗、茫茫、渺渺時，沒有人來接引你去好的地方，就是隨著你的業力那樣去了。這就是因為有人要度你，你也不肯接受，只是這一念慳貪的心；這個慳吝、慳貪，就是不肯相信別人的勸導，這種的人難道不就是最愚昧的人？ When they are healthy, when they are wealthy, they refuse to give anything. Although a benefactor tries to guide them, they refuse to follow. So, they have no provisions for their future. Then, when everything is dark and hazy, no one will guide them to a better place and they follow their karmic forces. This is because someone tried to help them change, but they refused to accept it. They only have a greedy and stingy mind so they refuse to believe other people's advice. Aren't these people the most foolish? 真的很愚癡！他不知道一口氣出去若不再來，那就是隔世，和這輩子一點都沒關係；這輩子所賺的錢，所擁有的物質，擁有的名利富貴，都已經放下了，你想要執著和你一起去，也不可能！所以這輩子所造的都是惡，沒有善，那就是「一失人身，萬劫難再」，這善的資糧一點都沒有，就是因為這念「慳心、貪念」。 They do not know that this breath might be their last. Then they are in another life. It is completely unrelated to this life. They will leave all the money they earned, all their things, all their fame and wealth behind. They want to hold on to it and bring it with them, but that is impossible. So if a person only creates evil, not good, when they lose human form, it will be hard to regain. They have not accumulated any goodness because they are stingy and greedy.  夫如是者 Those who are like this are extremely deluded by ignorance. Why is that? 所以接下來這段懺文，再又這樣說－－「夫如是者，極為愚惑，何以故爾。」 So then the repentance text goes on to state, "Those who are like this are extremely deluded by ignorance. Why is that?" 如何，像是這種的人真的是很愚癡，也是自我迷惑，不明道理，這到底是什麼原因？ How can people be truly ignorant like this? They are deluding themselves. They do not understand the principle. What is the reason behind this?  經中佛說 In the Sutras, the Buddha said that when we are born we bring nothing with us and when we die we take nothing with us. What we have gathered through suffering and worry does not benefit us and is only left to others. 經中佛說：「生時不賚一文而來，死亦不持一文而去。」苦身積聚，為之憂惱；於己無益，徒為他有。 "In the Sutras, the Buddha said that when we are born we bring nothing with us and when we die we take nothing with us. What we have gathered through suffering and worry does not benefit us and is only left to others." 這段懺文是說－－佛這麼說，在我們在生的時候，不想要積福，去幫助，去付出，去尊重三寶，去憐憫苦難人，這些都不肯做，那死後其實一文錢都沒帶去。 This section states that the Buddha said, while we are alive, we refused to give. We refused to accumulate blessings, to help, to give, to respect the Three Treasures, to comfort those who are suffering. We refused to do all of this, but we cannot take a cent with us when we die. 在我們現在的社會也是如此，有的人事業做得很大，做到連鎖在國際間。他若來時，我就說：「你怎麼需要做成這樣？為什麼不拿出一些時間，自己親身來投入來做呢？捐錢雖然是很好，但是你都沒有去感受到說；苦難人怎麼苦，你無法去感受到說你親自去幫助他的苦難那種的歡喜。這種的歡喜你沒有得到，雖然你有福，雖然你也有在捐錢，但是你能否不要再做那麼多，利用這些時間真正來付出？你的身體己作己獲！是不是花一些時間來投入？你看，別人做得那麼歡喜…你看看，為什麼你的事業，要一直一直就要開拓出去了？」 Modern society is like this. There is a very successful businessman who opened chain stores overseas. When he visited, I asked, "Why do you need to do all this? Why don't you take some time and do these good deeds yourself? Although donating money is great, you do not truly feel their suffering. You cannot experience the joy of alleviating their suffering in person. You do not attain that happiness. Even if you are blessed and donate money, can't you try to not work so much? Use this time to truly give. You have already done and attained many things. Why not devote some time to charity? Look at how happy others are to be doing this. Why do you need to keep expanding your business?" 他都會這麼對我說：「師父！我知道！我知道！但是其實我這樣也是在救人。」 He would always respond in this way, "Master, I know, I know. But if I do this I'm also saving people." 我說：「對啊！我知道，你這樣在救人，你捐錢救人；你去開拓事業也是在救人，這個道理我知道。因為你的事業若是愈大，那很多的家庭就因為你的事業，而有工作，所以他們的家庭能夠安定，對不對？」 I said, "Yes, I know you save people this way. You donate money to save them. You expand your business to save people too. I understand this reasoning. If your business expands, then many people will have jobs, so their family life can be stable. Right?" 他說：「對了！對了！我就是這麼想。」 He said, "Yes, Yes. This is my thinking." 我說：「你知道嗎？我們的力量、時間總有限。你在某一個國家最貧困的地方，去開發它；但是開發也要選擇開發的方式，要不然，現在的溫室效應，都是工業太過於發達了，我們適可而為。我們要去那裡，我們看得到的範圍，我們去做，去安定人的家庭。」 I said, "Do you know, our strength and time are limited. You pick the poorest region in a country, and then develop it. But you need to choose the right way to do so. Look at how global warming happened because manufacturing became overdeveloped. Do just enough. Go there and do everything that you feel needs to be done to help stabilize those families." 他說：「不過，一些幹部都一直要我出資再一直做下去。」 He said, "But some of my core staff want me to keep funding projects and doing this." 我說：「人心的欲念愈來會愈大，你放手讓這些幹部，一直做下去，一直開發下去，無了時啊！自己如果顧不到，無法去做評估，無法去評估說這樣做對不對，你還又再一直投資下去，這樣是不是一輩子？到底誰能夠接續到你的精神，用愛去安定人的家庭呢？用這個高科技，愈來其實這個污染的情形愈多，這種開發的方向是無盡期的。」 I said, "Human desires will keep growing. Leave this to your staff. If you keep going, there is no end. If you cannot take care of yourself, you cannot evaluate whether or not it is right to do something. You just keep investing. That is your entire life. Who can take on your spirit of using love to stabilize families? With modern technology we are actually creating more pollution. This direction of development is never-ending." 他就說：「我現在已經由不得自己了。」 He said, "This is already beyond my control." 聽了實在得不忍心！到底過度去了，由不得自己，到底對人群是不是很造福，抑或不是呢？實在是無法去分析。 This was truly unbearable to hear. The overdevelopment is beyond his control. Is this beneficial for humankind? It is impossible to analyze. 那對大地是不是會破壞？真的，雖然若是單獨，那不是那麼厲害；若是不斷不斷擴展下去，像是這樣的工業方式愈大，真的是很擔憂！ Will this destroy the land? Truly. If it is only one instance, it is not that bad. If they keep expanding and increasing production, that is truly worrisome. 人生壽命多長，為什麼不看開呢？這就是不了解－－往生時我們一文錢都帶不去。在這個平時身心苦惱，負擔很大，不必以身體去苦勞，擁有很大很多的事業，其實那種的精神負擔很大，那種心靈的苦勞，比那個身體的苦勞更大。這種就是「苦身積聚，為之憂腦，於己無益」。 The human lifespan is only so long. Why don't people take a wider view? They do not understand that when we die, we cannot take even a cent with us. Afflictions of body and mind are a heavy burden. We can own a big business without much physical labor, but it is actually a heavy mental burden. The labor of the mind is greater than that of the body. "What we have gathered through suffering and worry does not benefit us." 到底到了最後那口氣時，到底對自己有什麼益處？病倒時又是要怎麼辦？到了臨終時，還不是一樣大自然的法則嗎？是，大自然的法則總是會來！那何必汲汲營營在這些地方呢？既然帶不去，為什麼不要利用現在，事業有成，撥一些時間來投入？能夠出錢，能夠出力，這分分己獲，在這種的菩薩人群中多結好緣，這樣不是很好嗎？怎麼要做這種的人生，也不肯付出，也不能夠見作隨喜，這樣的人生，真的一輩子徒勞無功！到了最後也「為他有」－－對自己無益，最後也是別人的。這就是我們的人生，這是不是「極為愚惑」？ When we take that last breath, how have we benefited ourselves? When we get sick, what then? In the end, aren't we subject to the laws of nature? Yes! Our time will eventually come. So, if we cannot take it with us, why not take advantage of business success and set aside some time to volunteer? We gain so much with every bit of money or strength that we contribute. We create many good affinities with this group of Bodhisattvas. Isn't that great? Why lead a life where you refuse to give and cannot take joy in others' accomplishments? Such a life is busy without merit. In the end, everything "is only left to others". There is no benefit to us. In the end it belongs to others. This is our life. Are we "extremely deluded by ignorance?" 還有一些人賺錢還懂得布施；但是還有一些人賺很多錢，他就是不肯布施！但是我更希望－－「他會賺錢、會布施，還會自己去做」；若如此，把握此人生的時間，才能夠增長慧命！造福又再增慧，若能夠造福增慧更好。 Some people make money and know to give. But some people earn a lot of money, yet refuse to give. I hope they can earn money, give and also join the effort themselves. If we can do this, if we can seize our time in this world, we can develop our Wisdom-life. We can create blessings and develop wisdom. Cultivating both blessings and wisdom is great. 那應該看了這段懺文，若還不只是不懂增慧，也依然不會造福，就真的一文帶不去，唯有業隨身！ After reading this passage, if we do not know to increase wisdom or create blessings, we truly take nothing with us. Only karma will follow us. 這真的是到了最後那時候，他孤魂獨逝，那個精神受地獄的折磨，那才是真苦！那時候墮地獄，或者是臨終那個時候，我們若平時都沒有造一點福緣，到了最後那個境界現前時，那種可怕的現相在眼前，人間在啼哭，可怕的夜叉惡鬼在眼前，那時候他的折磨就很苦了！好像似螃蟹，活生生把牠丟下去煮湯一樣；好像似烏龜，活生生把牠脫殼一樣…很多很多的苦，在那個精神生死中再折磨，一直到將來由不得自己。 Truly at that last moment we lose everything. Our soul passes on alone and is tormented in Hell. That is true suffering. At that time, we fall into Hell. Or, at the moment of death, if we did not create any blessed affinities, when that final state appears, frightening sights will manifest, like people crying, scary Yaksas and evil ghosts appearing. Then our torment gets worse, like a live crab cooked in boiling water, like a live turtle whose shell is removed. There is so much suffering. Our spirit is tormented in life and death until it ends, which we have no control over. 到底會到哪一個地方去？自己都不知道！這種「萬般帶不去，唯有業隨身」，這我們大家應該要清楚。 Where will we go? We do not know. We cannot take anything with us, only karma. We need to clearly understand this. 所以我們一定要知足，我們若能知足的人，才是真正最安穩樂處的地方。所以「當觀知足，知足之法，即是富樂安穩之處」，所以大家要時時多用心。 So, we must be content. If we are content, we live in a place of peace and happiness. So we must learn and practice contentment. Then we are in a place of abundance, happiness and peace. So everyone, please always be mindful. 註： 本段懺文出自「 佛說佛名經卷12,卷27 」及「 三劫三千佛緣起(出觀藥王藥上經) 」，「 過去莊嚴劫千佛名經卷1 」： 歸命如是等十方世界無量無邊諸大菩薩摩訶薩，敬禮聲聞緣覺一切賢聖，歸命如是等無量無邊辟支佛。 禮三寶已次復懺悔，弟子等已懺地獄報竟，今當復次懺悔三惡道報。 經中佛說：「多欲之人多求利故苦惱亦多，知足之人雖臥地上猶以為樂，不知足者雖處天堂猶不稱意。但世間人忽有急難便能捨財不計多少，而不知此身臨於三途深坑之上，一息不還定應墮落。忽有知識教營福德，令修未來善法資糧，執此慳心無肯作理。夫如此者極為愚惑，何以故爾！經中佛說生時不賚一文而來，死亦不持一文而去，苦身積聚為之憂惱，於己無益徒為他有，無善可恃無德可怙，致使命終墮諸惡道。是故弟子等，今日至心稽顙，懇切丹誠歸依佛。」 以及 佛說無量壽經卷上 佛告阿難：「譬如世間貧窮乞人在帝王邊，形貌容狀寧可類乎？」 阿難白佛：「假令此人在帝王邊，羸陋醜惡無以為喻，百千萬億不可計倍。所以然者，貧窮乞人底極廝下，衣不蔽形食趣支命，飢寒困苦人理殆盡，皆坐前世不殖德本，積財不施富有益慳，但欲唐得貪求無厭，不信修善犯惡山積。」 「如是壽終財寶消散，苦身積聚為之憂惱，於己無益徒為他有，無善可怙無德可恃。是故死墮惡趣受此長苦，罪畢得出生為下賤，愚鄙極示同人類。」 「所以世間帝王人中獨尊，皆由宿世積德所致。慈惠博施仁愛兼濟，履信修善無所違諍。是以壽終福應得昇善道，上生天上享茲福樂，積善餘慶今得為人，遇生王家自然尊貴，儀容端正眾所敬事，妙衣珍膳隨心服御。宿福所追故能致此。」 |
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| ( 知識學習｜隨堂筆記 ) |
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