《靜思晨語。法譬如水》511. 消弭惡業的良方

The Best Way to Eliminate Negative Karma

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人生累世以來誰能無過，多數都是造惡因而不知。我們從過去不知多久以前開始，一直到現在，累生累世，我們當中沒有一個沒有犯過錯的人。我們若是從來沒有過錯，就不必再到六道中輪迴、不必到人間，來遭受種種精神上心靈上的無明、污染、煩惱等等的痛苦。這都是我們在過去生所節的緣，所造的業，只是我們現在自己不知道過去作了些什麼而已。

After living through so many lifetimes, who has never made mistakes? Most people commit evil without realizing it. For who knows how long, there has been no person who is without fault. If we made no mistakes, we would not be in the Six Destinies. If we made no mistakes, our minds and spirits would not face ignorance, defilement, affliction, and pain in this world. These are the result of the affinities and karma we created in our past lives, we just do not know it right now.

看看在之前一段時間所聽到的「靜思晨語。法譬如水」的開示當中，我們所聽到的都是地獄種種苦難型態，以及目前在人間，我們能體會到很多的苦，真的都是苦不堪言。

Look at what we have said, what we have heard about the suffering in Hell. In this world we experience a lot of pain. This truly seems unbearably painful.

唯有一樣我們一定要牢牢記得的，就是要好好懺悔。我們在人間，什麼人有錯誤，即時若是知道了，就要趕緊懺悔。我們若能夠發露懺悔，就是勇敢，所以我們若能如此，就是洗滌罪惡，內心煩惱都沒有了，就是消弭惡業的良方。

There is only one thing to do, repent. In this world, if we make a mistake and catch it in time, we step forth and repent. If we can openly admit it, if we can repent, we are very brave. If we can do this, we wash away our wrongdoings. Then our afflictions will disappear. This is the best method to eliminate bad karma.

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人生累世以來誰無過
皆是多造惡因而不知
勇於懺悔
即是洗滌罪過
消弭惡業的良方

After living through so many lifetimes, who has never made mistakes? Many people commit evil without realizing it. Bravely repent to wash away your wrongdoings. This is the best method to eliminate bad karma.

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過去在南部有一群慈誠隊，每次我若是來到南部，就都會聽到：「誰和誰怎樣，誰對誰有意見，批評誰過去如何？有什麼不好的習氣？」

In the past, in the south, there was a group of Faith Corps members. Whenever I visited, they would complain about who did what to whom.

把這些話詳細聽清楚之後，發現那些講出來的理由，不論是哪一方講的理由都很正確，但就是不肯相讓。總是會計較那個人過去怎樣，所以人和人之間不願意互相原諒，動不動就會聽到有人在說：「過去那個人如何如何？」一直在互相批評。

But when I listened more closely, they all had logic on their side, they just refused to accommodate each other. So I would hear, "That person did this and that." They did not forgive each other so they would point out each others' old faults and criticize one another.

後來我就說了：「來，我們大家都要勇於面對過去所做的錯誤，對於曾經作錯的，都要勇於認錯。你在過去是不是曾經有過這樣的人生歷程和習氣？有沒有？」

Then I said, "Come. We all need to bravely admit our faults. Didn't you lead this kind of life in the past? Didn't you have these habitual tendencies?"

其中有一位居士他就對我說：「師父，確實我過去尚未進入慈濟時，的確我是這樣的人，但是我已經改了，怎麼總是要把我的過去拿出來說？」

One of the lay practitioners told me, "Master, before I joined Tzu Chi, I was truly a bad person who did this and that. But I've changed. Why do you need to talk about my past?"

我就說：「你若是讓別人說，不如自己說。」

I said, "Why don't you talk about it instead of letting other people do so?"

他說：「過去荒唐的事情真的很不好意思，不知道該怎麼說？」

"It's embarrassing. What should I say?"

我就說：「漏氣吧！自己漏氣求進步。」我鼓勵他說：「來，你現在在大家面前把過去的事情說給大家聽，以後就不會再被別人在背後傳你的話。」

"Reveal your mistake, so you can make progress." I encouraged him, "Come, stand in front of everyone. Tell them the stories of your past. Then no one will spread rumors about you."

他說：「不過這都是些很漏氣的事情。」我回答他說：「是啊！漏氣求進步！」

"But these are embarrassing things." "Yes, reveal your mistakes so you can improve."

這位居士說：「漏氣求進步！好吧！漏氣就會進步嗎！」然後居士就在大家面前，把自己的事情說出來。「過去對誰怎樣不好，對誰不好，我實在是出於一念愛心。師父也說這樣要求是沒有錯，只是說我比較剛強、比較倔強。現在我要在師父面前說，我不是只得罪了某人，而是無論在座的每一位，都有所得罪，請大家能夠原諒。師父叫我要漏氣求進步，與其讓大家在背後傳我的過去，我不如全部倒出來讓大家知道。」

"If I can make progress this way, then fine." So in front of everyone, he began repenting, "I recently mistreated this person in this way. I actually did it out of love. As Master said, I wasn't wrong, I was just more blunt, more stubborn. Right now I want to tell everyone. I didn't just wrong this person, I have wronged all of you. Please forgive me. In talking about my past, Master told me to admit my mistakes and improve. Rather than have people talking behind my back, why don't I lay it out for everyone to know."

開始就把他過去少年時代的事情，從幼年時開始就如何的惡劣，年輕時是如何風光，結婚後他又如何花天酒地，如何對待妻兒等等…在生意場中又作了很多糊裡糊塗地事情。他花了一段不算短的時間，把這些過去的事情過錯，通通都講了出來。

So he began to talk about his youth, how bad he was as a child, how successful he was at a young age, how he drank and partied after he got married, how he treated his wife and children, how he made a mistake in his business, and so on. He took a while telling this to everyone.

等他說完之後，我就說：「這些過錯，大家都聽到了，這裡面所有的過失，誰可以說自己什麼誰都沒犯過？都沒有犯過的舉手？」結果沒有人舉手。我又接著說：「既然這些錯，是不是你們大家多少都有犯過？」大家都說：「有。」

After he was done I said, "You have all heard this. Can any of you say you have not made any of these mistakes? If you have never, raise your hand." No one raised their hand. "As he spoke, did you recognize your faults?" "Yes"

我說：「好，有犯過這些錯的人，從今以後，就要大家互相漏氣求進步。大家要在大庭廣眾前面，把你作錯的事情要自己說出來，發露懺悔，這樣就不會被別人在背後被批評那個某某人如何。就算被別人這樣批評，其他聽過的人會說：『我都知道了，他自己已經說過了，他過去是有所不對，但是現在已經改了。』大家會幫忙說你已經改了，你全都改了，就不會在被別人在背後批評。這樣作就是勇敢，這就是互相漏氣求進步。」

"Good. If you did, good. If you did, then starting today, you must share your mistakes to make progress. You can all talk about your past in front of everyone. Then people cannot talk about you behind your back. If anyone says anything about you the listener would say, 'I know, he already talked about this. He made mistakes, but now he has changed.' This person will tell others that you have changed. So be courageous, admit your mistakes to make progress."

「漏氣求進步」這句話很有用，從此開始，在慈濟大藏經中，我們可以聽到很多人，在過去人生當中曾經犯了很多的錯誤，但是現在已經洗心革面、改革人生，都已經改過，把過去的習氣和壞習慣等等都改過了。

This phrase is very useful. Starting with this, we have accumulated many stories in the Tzu Chi Almanac. People who made mistakes have now changed their lives. They corrected all their mistakes.

因為大家都知道你曾經犯過什麼錯，所以我們若是要再犯錯時，就會有人會提醒：「我們要注意喔！我們不要再作錯同樣的事情。」這個時候，我們就要很感恩有這些人，因為有他們的提醒，所以才可以讓我不再犯同樣的錯。在心裡面自己打氣：「是的！我要注意，我要成長慧命！感恩啊！現在大家在照顧我的慧命，都是我的善知識。」

So if we are about to make another mistake, someone will remind us, "Be careful. Let us not make the same mistake again." "Yes, I need to pay attention. I need to nurture my Wisdom-life. Thank you for helping care for my Wisdom-life. These are our spiritual friends."

我們若能夠像這樣時時提醒自己——「不要造惡因，而不自知。」在這個清淨的大團體，我們要做好自己心田的農夫，要耕耘好自己的心田，同時也要彼此關心，照顧別人的心田。所以在道場中好修行，所以我們大家要時時要自我警惕。

To always keep ourselves alert and avoid doing evil without realizing it, those of us in this big pure group need to be farmers who tend our mind-fields, while also helping to care for those of others. A spiritual training ground helps us practice. So we need to always be vigilant.

我們在前面《靜思晨語。法譬如水。善惡參半人道中》已經說了一切罪業惡報，但現在我們已經洗心祈禱，叩頭稽顙，已經向十方佛及大地菩薩，祈求懺悔，所以一切在過去造作的罪惡報應，都可以完全畢竟消滅。

As I said earlier regarding negative karma, we need to cleanse our minds and sincerely bow our heads and prostrate to the Buddhas of the Ten Directions, and Bodhisattvas of the land. Sincerely repent so all karmic retribution can be completely eliminated.

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願承是懺悔地獄等報
所生功德
即時破壞 阿鼻鐵城
悉為淨土 無惡道名

We vow to repent all retributions of Hell. The merits and virtues that arise can instantly destroy the iron walls of Avici Hell. It becomes a Pure Land, where no evil exists.

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接下來這段懺文又說－－「願承是懺悔地獄等報，所生功德，即時破壞阿鼻鐵城，悉為淨土，無惡道名。」

The next part of the repentance text states, "We vow to repent all retributions of Hell. The merits and virtues that arise can instantly destroy the iron walls of Avici Hell. It becomes a Pure Land, where no evil exists."

意思是地獄的苦難，我們都已經懺悔，我們內心已經獲得清淨，升起了「功德」。

This means we have faced all of the painful retributions of Hell. We have also repented, so merits and virtues will arise in our minds.

功德是什麼？常常對大家說「功德」是「內能自謙、外能禮讓」。內心一定要信實誠正，作人要謙虛，我們要縮小自己。人會在外面犯錯都是因為太自大、太我慢。

What are merits and virtues? As I often say, "We must humble ourselves, be courteous to others." Have faith, steadfastness, sincerity, integrity, and be humble. We have to humble ourselves. People make mistakes when they are too proud or arrogant.

貪、瞋、癡、慢、疑這五樣，都是我們的心病，都是因為心地中的無明，種種惡業才會由內心所起造的。所以我們受到很多罪報，或是現在已經瞭解有這些地獄罪報後，就要認真去懺悔。懺悔之後，內心的貪、瞋、癡、慢、疑，才能把這些起造惡因的心態都把它去除。

Greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance, and doubt are all mental ailments. They all blind us. These are all created by our minds. So after we face and understand the retributions of Hell, we repent them all Thus we eliminate greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance, and doubt, all the mindsets that sow the seeds of evil.

所以「內能自修」就是「功」，自修就是要把「我（執、慢）」去除，要懂得謙虛。外面的行為，對待人要能禮讓，從現在開始，對大家結好緣，要去發揮大愛的精神。「得福因、結好緣，就是成就功德」。

So, self-cultivation is a merit. We do so to completely eliminate the "self". Then we are humble. We also need to be courteous to others. Starting now, we need to create good affinities with everyone, to display the spirit of Great Love. We sow blessed seeds to attain blessed affinities. These are merits and virtues.

過去是「愛欲交錯」，現在已經把「私我、小愛」的貪欲去除，所留下來的是「本性清淨無私的大愛」，這就是功德。

In the past, love and desire intermixed. Now we have completely eliminated selfish love and desires. What is left is our intrinsic pure nature, unselfish Great Love. So, these are merits and virtues.

我們造福因，得福緣，能付出大愛，就能「即時破壞阿鼻鐵城，悉為淨土，無惡道名。」

We sow blessed seeds to attain blessed affinities. We express this Great Love. Because of this, we "instantly destroy the iron walls of Avici Hell, so it becomes a Pure Land".

我們心靈的地獄，因為這份功德，該懺悔的懺悔了、該發心的也發心了；只要發心了，自然就會破壞阿鼻城。「悉為淨土」，轉地獄為淨土，沒有惡道之名。這些就是因為我們的心境的轉變。

As for our mental hells, once we have merits and virtues, once we have repented what we need to repent, made the aspirations we need to make, we will destroy the Avici Hell, and turn all these hells into a Pure Land where no evil exists. This depends on our mindset.

我們心念一轉，地獄就會變成淨土。懺悔的力量很大，因為勇敢，不用害怕過去被別人知道，所以懊惱、悔恨等等…的心境，這些心獄就通通都沒有了，可以很坦然的面對自己。那種黑闇的心地，只要把心門一打開，變成外面陽光照耀進來，心地當中就是一片的光明。

If we transform it a bit, Hell will turn into a Pure Land. This is the power of repentance. If we can repent, we will be peaceful and free. We will not be afraid that people will find out about our mistakes. We will not be annoyed, etc.. This will all be eliminated. We will be calm and at peace. We open our darkened minds so the sunlight can shine in.

所以這應該就是一切唯心造！我們的心要受苦或是樂，要造福或是結禍，都是在於一念而已，要轉變並不困難。

This sunlight is inherent to our minds. Will our minds create suffering or joy, blessings or evil? This happens in the space of a thought. It is not difficult to change.

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其餘地獄
一切苦具 轉為樂緣
刀山劍樹 變成寶林

As for the remaining Hells, all torture devices turn into joyous conditions. Mountains and forests of knives turn into groves of treasures.

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鑊湯爐炭 蓮花化生
牛頭獄卒 除捨暴虐
皆起慈悲 無有惡念

Hot cauldrons and stoves turn into lotus flowers. Ox-headed jailers abandon their brutal ways, adopt compassion and have no evil thoughts.

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「其餘地獄，一切苦具，轉為樂緣；刀山劍樹，變成寶林；鑊湯爐炭，蓮花化生；牛頭獄卒，除捨暴虐，皆起慈悲，無有惡念。」

Next the text says, "As for the remaining Hells, all torture devices turn into joyous conditions. Mountains and forests of knives turn into groves of treasures. Hot cauldrons and stoves turn into lotus flowers. Ox-headed jailers abandon their brutal ways, adopt compassion and have no evil thoughts."

這段文也很前顯易懂，心一轉，一切都轉。所有的地獄，以及所有地獄當中的一切苦具，讓罪人受諸難忍苦刑的刑具，都「轉為樂緣」，好比「刀山劍樹」，也都會變成好像是寶林一般。

This is all very obvious. When we change our minds, all conditions change. The "remaining Hells" refer to all Hells. "All torture devices", everything that causes pain, will "turn into joyous conditions". Mountains and Forests of Knives will turn into groves of treasures.

我們都知道，在彌陀經中所描述的極樂淨土當中的環境很美，有八功德水，功德林。八功德水可以清洗身心，陶冶身心、讓人起歡喜心。在地獄則都是鑊湯爐炭，但只要惡心轉為愛，那個地方也會便成功德水。那些刀山劍樹也可以變成功德林。

If we read the Amitahba Sutra, we read about beautiful environments, like. Waters and Forests of Merits and Virtues, etc. The Eight Waters of Merits and Virtues make our bodies and minds joyful. Hell is full of hot cauldrons and stoves. If the evil in our minds turn into love, the Hell filled with cauldrons and stoves will be filled with Waters of Merits and Virtues. Mountains and Forests of Knives will turn into the Forest of Merits and Virtues.

總而言之，一切都只在我們的心境造作，只要心念一轉，「壑湯爐炭」也會變成「蓮花化生」。

Therefore, everything hinges on our mindset. If we can change it, cauldrons and stoves can also be transformed into lotus flowers. In summary, a thought can cause.

「牛頭獄卒，除捨暴虐，皆起慈悲。」牛頭夜叉本來都是很兇惡的獄卒，但只要我們心念一轉，即便是再怎樣的兇惡，他也都可以變成很慈悲的人。所以說誰對自己惡壞？其實都不是別人惡，都是因為自己惡在先，所以才會引動別人對我們壞惡在後。

"ox-headed jailers to abandon their brutal ways, and adopt compassion." The ox-headed Yaksa jailors are very vicious. But if we turn our minds around, even the vicious can become compassionate and "have no evil thoughts". Come to speak of it, are they vicious or are we? Our viciousness came first, their viciousness followed suit.

所以要好好反省自己，不要說：「他怎麼那麼壞！」都是因為我們先對他不好。不要只說別人對我們多壞，要先反省，是因為我們先不好，所以別人才會對我們壞。一切都是自己造的惡因惡報。若是自己先對別人好，再怎樣惡壞的人，看到別人對待他好，他也會跟著轉變。

So, we must truly self-reflect. Do not talk about how vicious they are. Think of it as, "We were cruel first, so then others are cruel to us." If we sow evil seeds we reap evil retributions. If we can cultivate our minds and treat others well, we will create good affinities. No matter how badly someone behaves, they can change when they meet good people.

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地獄眾生
得離苦果
更不造因
等受安樂

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再來說－－「地獄眾生，得離苦果，更不造因，等受安樂。」

Next, "Sentient beings in Hell can escape painful karmic effects, stop creating bad causes and receive peace and joy."

不只一個人改變而已，連同自己的環境會隨著改變，連別人也會跟著改變。這在慈濟大藏經中，大家可以自己多去看看。有的家庭很像不定時炸彈，什麼時後會爆炸都不知道。但只要家庭裡面有人改了，戒毒了，戒酒了，把這些等等不好的習氣都改了，這個家庭裡面的不定時炸彈就會跟著消除，家裡也就變成祥和了。所以說一個人若改，周圍的環境都會改。

Not only do we change, our environment changes too. Once our environment changes, others in that environment also change. Look at the cases in the Tzu Chi Almanac. In some families, it seems like there is a bomb that can explode at any moment. But if one person changes, if they quit taking drugs, or quit drinking, or quit gambling, or get rid of other bad habits, that ticking time bomb will disappear. The household will become peaceful. So if one person changes, the entire environment around him changes.

所以「地獄眾生，得離苦果」，講到地獄眾生的苦果，或在天堂的享樂，其實都是自造的。我們周圍的環境、乃至於地獄中的夜叉，也都是我們的心造。周圍的菩薩也是心造。

"Sentient beings in Hell can escape painful karmic effects." Hell is created by our minds. Heaven is also created by our minds. The Yaksas surrounding us are also created by our minds. The Bodhisattvas around us are also created by our minds.

所以只要我們心念轉了，只要本身改了過去，就可以同時改變很多人的心態，造福很多人。這樣也就是生在人間天堂，人生淨土。

So, if we can really change ourselves, think about all the blessings we can bring. This can be our Heaven on Earth, our Pure Land.

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如第三禪
一時俱發 無上道心
懺悔已
至心信禮 常住三寶

We attain the Third Dhyana. Instantly our supreme resolve to practice arises. After we repent, we have sincere faith in and respect for the Three Treasures.

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再來－－「如第三禪，一時俱發，無上道心。懺悔已，至心信禮，常住三寶。」

Next, "We attain the Third Dhyana. Instantly our supreme resolve to practice arises. After we repent, we have sincere faith in and respect for the Three Treasures."

在這裡告訴我們，心境清淨，就和進入第三禪一樣。

This part is telling us that having a pure mind is like entering the Third Dhyana.

在四禪天中的第三禪天，這其中有三個天，就是少淨天、無量淨天、遍淨天。

This is the third of the Four Dhyana Heavens. In this state there are three Heavens, "the Heaven of Lesser Purity, the Heaven of Infinite Purity, and the Heaven of Universal Purity".

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四禪天：
色界諸天分為四禪
即初禪天
第二禪天
第三禪天
第四禪天

The Four Dhyana Heavens: The heavens in the Form Realm are split into four.
The First Dhyana Heaven, Second Dhyana Heaven, Third Dhyana Heaven, Fourth Dhyana Heaven.

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第三禪天：
少淨天
無量淨天
遍淨天

Third Dhyana Heaven: the Heavens of Lesser Purity of Infinite Purity, and of Universal Purity.

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淨就是完全沒有污濁。要能脫離煩惱覆著的地獄，就要從心理去除污濁。

This purity is completely undefiled. To truly be free from Hell, we have to start by eliminating the turbidity in our minds.

心清淨，就會從少淨天開始，到無量淨天，乃至於遍淨天。開始的時候，這樣一段一段消除我們的無明，就可以慢慢的由少淨，變成無量淨；乃至於由無量淨，轉變成為遍淨。

When our minds our pure, naturally we reach the Heaven of Lesser Purity, the Heaven of Infinite Purity, and the Heaven of Universal Purity. We start by eliminating little bits of ignorance. We slowly go from lesser to infinite purity, then from infinite to universal purity.

我們不也常說：「寂靜清澄，志玄虛莫。」就也是我們所要要追求的境界，讓心中無煩惱、無惡念，這樣就是我們在培養的心境，要修的「心境」，要修的目標。

Aren't our minds pure and tranquil, with vows as vast as the void? This is our mindset. We are in this meditative state, our minds free of afflictions or evil thoughts. This is our mindset. This is the mindset we need to cultivate.

懺悔之後還要發願，用願力破除無明，讓苦轉樂。看看我們慈濟人，能替別人做事，付出無所求，汗流浹背，付出快樂，不是辛苦而是幸福。我們有體力，有這麼多菩薩伴侶，可以幫忙人，這都不是辛苦而是幸福，就能夠「轉苦為樂」、「轉苦為福」。一切苦樂的根本都在我們的心境中。

So after great repentance, we need the power of great vows. These powers can turn suffering into joy. Look at Tzu Chi volunteers. They help others, give unconditionally. Sweat soaking their backs. It is not taxing, but rather a blessing. We still have strength, are accompanied by so many fellow Bodhisattvas, so helping others is not hard work but a blessing. So we turn hard work into joy, into blessings.

我們學佛就是要學會轉心境，轉惡為善，我們要好好保護我們這一念心。一旦心境轉了，自然外在惡的境界就會跟著轉。既然惡的境也會轉，地獄當然就可以變成淨土。

Everything is a matter of our mindset. So everyone, we learn Buddhism to transform our mindset, turn evil into goodness. Let us work hard to protect our minds. Once our mindset changes, evil conditions will change too. Hell will become a Pure Land.

人人要記得、要相信，在要說今天這一段經文之前，一開始就先說明要「明信因果」。是的，多生累劫的因緣都是我們自作。我們怎麼作？永世以來誰能無過？若無過，怎麼會在這一生當中覺得有不歡喜的事情？所以今生所遭遇的一切，其實都是過去造作的，我們造了這些惡因，而不能自知。

We all must remember this and believe it. Before these passages in the repentance text about Hell, didn't we talk about believing in cause and effect? Yes. What do we do about the causes and conditions, we accumulated over many lifetimes? After living through so many lifetimes, who has never made mistakes? Do not say, "I have never made mistakes." Do not say that. We all have Otherwise in this life, why would we often say "I'm not satisfied. Why am I around this person? Why do so many things make me unhappy?" They come from causes we have accumulated. We created evil without knowing.

現在我們要勇於懺悔、洗滌罪惡，懺悔就是消弭惡業的良方，這個方法大家要相信。要多用心。

So now, we must be brave and repent. Repentance washes away our mistakes and is the best method to eliminate bad karma. Everyone please believe in this method and please always be mindful.