Saturday, March 14, 2015

Heart of a Buddha



Heart of Buddha

We are what we think.

All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts, we make the world.

Do not dwell in the past.
Do not dream of the future.
Concentrate the mind on the present moment.

Even if everyone else is not doing good, I alone will.
Even if everyone else is doing wrong, I alone will not.

Just as water cools both good and bad and washes away all impurity and dust, in the same way you should develop thoughts of love for friend and foe alike. And having reached perfection in love, you will attain enlightenment.

Everything changes. Nothing remains without change.

There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt.
Doubt separates people.
It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations.
It is a thorn that imitates and hurts.
It is a sword that kills.

There is nothing more worthy than the virtue of selflessness.
Selflessness unites people.
It is a healing herb that unifies strangers and brings families together.
It is the love for others that is higher than self-love.
It is our only hope.

The rule of friendship means there should be mutual sympathy between them.
Each supplying what the other lacks and trying to benefit the other.

Always using friendly and sincere words.

If we failed to look after others when they need help,
who will look after us?

Indifference brings indifference; loving kindness brings loving kindness.

If a man's mind becomes pure, his surroundings will also become pure.

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle,
and the life of the candle will not be shortened.

Happiness never decreases by being shared.

Rainfalls, windblows, plants bloom, leaves matures and are blown away. These phenomena are all interrelated with causes and conditions, are brought about by them, and disappear as the causes and conditions.

Hatred never cease by hatred, but by love.

All that we are is the result of what we have thought; it is founded on our thoughts.

If a man speaks or acts with pure thought, joy will follow him, like a shadow that never leaves him.

In the light of his vision he has found his freedom.

His thoughts are peace, his words peace, his work peace.

The gift of Truth overcomes all gifts.
The joy of Truth overcomes all pleasures.
The taste of Truth overcomes all sweetness.
The loss of desire overcomes all sorrows.

Perfect wisdom, perfect tranquility, perfect compassion arise from our love, our sincerity, our understanding.

In separateness lies the world's great misery. In unity lies the world's true strength.

Impermanence - no ego - nirvana.

Phenomena are preceded by the heart, ruled by the heart, made of the heart.
If you speak or act with a corrupted heart,
then suffering follows you -
as you wheel of the cart, the track of the ox that pulls it.
Phenomena are preceded by the heart, ruled by the heart, made of the heart.
If you speak or act with a calm, bright heart,
then happiness follows you - like a shadow that never leaves.

We already have perfect compassion, perfect wisdom, perfect joy.
We only need to settle our minds so they can arise from deep within us.

Develop the quiet, even state of mind. When praised by some and condemned by others, free the mind from hate and pride and gentle go your way in peace.

He is able who thinks he is able.

You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.

Focus, not on the rudeness of others, not on what they've done or left undone, but in what you have and have not done yourself.

Those consummate in virtue, dwelling in heedfulness, released by right knowing. Evil cannot follow their tracks.

As a single slab of rock won't budge in the wind, so the wise are not moved by praise.

Irrigators guide the water. Fletchers shape the arrow shaft. Carpenters shape the wood. The wise control themselves.

Don't be heedless of merit (It won't come om me!) A water jar fills, even with water falling in drops. With merit - even if bit by bit, habitually - the enlightened one fills himself.

Avoid all evil, embrace all goodness, purify one's own mind.

When sitting quietly, reflect upon our own faults;
when speaking with friends, do not discuss the rights and wrongs of others.

Life is an illusion, a dream, a bubble, a shadow.
Nothing is real. Nothing is worthy of anger.
Nothing is worthy of disputes. Nothing.

Life is short. Time is fleeting. Uncover the True Nature. Purify the mind and heart to attain happiness. Be kind;be compassionate. Be generous; do good. Concentrate. Undetstand. Awaken.

Overcome greed with generosity,
Overcome anger with loving kindness,
Overcome ignorance with understanding.

When we free ourselves of desires, we will know serenity and freedom.

Through true honesty, deeply believe that all sentient-beings are one. That all beings have the same true nature, wisdom, virtue.

Find your faults, feel deep regret, and correct your mistakes, reform sincerely, practice kindness, concentrate the mind. sever selfishness, awaken.

Forgive and be free, forget that you have forgiven and be freer.

Why do we persist in our anger, our hatred, ur fighting?
Why do we have intolerance, selfishness?

We do not truly understand that everything arises from our minds, that every thought we have is instantly felt throughout the entire universe.

If we can look upon our work not for self-benefit, but as a means to benefit society, we will be practicing appreciation and patience in our daily lives.

Loving kindness is giving others happiness.
Compassion is removing others' bitterness.
Joy is freeing others from suffering.

When giving to others, do not linger on thoughts of I am giving, what was given, or you will have received.

Since everything is a reflection of our minds, everything can be changed by our minds.

When things are going well, be mindful of adversity.
When prosperous, be mindful of poverty.
When loved, be mindful of thoughtfulness.
When respected, be mindful of humility.

There are three ways to correct our faults:
We can change through behavior,
we can change through understanding,
we can change from the heart.

Until he has unconditional and unbiased love for all beings,
man will not find peace.

He who receives kindness should never forget it; but he who performs it should never remember it.

Cultivate peace first in the garden of your heart by removing the weeds of selfishness and jealousy, greed and anger, pride and ego. Then all will benefit from your peace and harmony.

Our problems are not solved by physical force, by hatred, by war.
Our problems are solved by loving kindness, by gentleness, by joy.

Awakening is natural, delusion is not.

Do not become attached to the things you like, do not cherish aversion to the things you dislike. Sorrow, fear and bondage come from one's likes and dislikes.

Always be mindful of the kindness and not the faults of others.

Those who are truly wise will remain unmoved by feelings of happiness and suffering, fame and disgrace, praise and blame, gain and loss. They will remain calm like the eye of a hurricane.

Maintain a state of balance between physical acts and inner serenity, like a lute whose strings are finely tuned.

Dignity and quiet joy in all that we do are the expression of perfect concentration and perfect wisdom.

Natural laws are impartial.
Only those who are virtuous are in harmony with nature.

To be honorable in thoughts, sincere in words, kind in deeds,
is to have the heart of a Buddha.

Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.

If the causes we create arise from wisdom, so then will the results.
If the caused we create arise from ignorance, so then will the results.

Good fortune comes from selflessness.
Misfortune comes from selfishness.

Everything that happens to us is the result of what we have thought, said, or done in previous lifetimes. We alone are responsible for our lives.

In our interactions with others, gentleness, kindness, and respect are the source of harmony.

This body is not "I". This body is just like our clothing. When finished with it, we will discard it and choose another, like putting on a new set of clothing.

When we think only of sincerely helping all others, not ourselves, we will find that we receive all that we wish for.

Loving kindness as thought is tranquility.
Loving kindness as speech is softness.
Loving kindness as activity is altruism.
Loving kindness as practice is peace.

Everything arises from the mind.

As human beings we chase afterfleeting pleasures like a child licking honey off a sharp knife or a person carrying a torch against the wind.

Whatever joy there is in this world, all arises from desiring others to be happy.
And whatever suffering there is in this world, all arises from desiring myself to be happy.

Those accomplished in integrity, dwelling in mindfulness, liberated through wisdom, fear cannot harm.

Think of the last tome you were happy ..
Think of the last time you were angry ..
What will you choose next time?

Speaking pleasant words without practicing them, is like a fine flower without fragrance.

Ignorance leads to ego, ego to selfishness, selfishness to resentment, resentment to anger, anger to hatred, hatred to annihilation.

Happiness and tranquility arise from concentration.
Frustration and worries arise from desire.

It is our own thoughts that lead us into trouble, not other people.

Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care, for people will hear them and be influenced by them, for good or ill.

Wherever there is light, there is shadow.
Wherever there is length, there is shortness.
Wherever there is white, there is black.
Just like these, nothing can exist alone.

To be proud of what we have received or
to envy others for what they have will rob us of our peace of mind.

Serenity and generosity are qualities of the heart.
Insight and concentration are qualities of the mind.
Compassion and wisdom are qualities of the true nature.

When eating, be mindful of eating.
When walking, be mindful of walking.
When smiling, be mindful of smiling.

I am the owner of my karma. I inherit my karma. I am born of my karma. I live supported by my karma.
Whatever karma I create, whether good or evil, that I shall inherit, and I alone.

Loving kindness can never exist unless it flows from the mind and heart, from understanding and love.

The contented person, who moves amongst sense objects, free from attachment or loathing, gain or loss, wins eternal peace.

Greed and anger, ignorance and arrogance, doubt and wrong conceptions. Even these can be restrained by the heart that is calm and compassionate.

Pity arises when we are sorry for someone. Compassion is when we understand and help wisely.

If you know anything that is hurtful and untrue, don't say it.
If you know anything that is helpful and untrue, don't say it.
If you know anything that is hurtful and true, don't say it.
If you know anything that is helpful and true, find the right time.

He who experiences the unity of life
sees himself in all beings, and all beings in himself.
He looks on everything with an impartial eye.

Serenity, respect, simplicity, self-control, purity of thought
are virtues of the mind.
Generosity, stillness, gratitude, happiness, purity of feeling
are virtues of the heart.

Rely on the teacher's message, not his personality.
Rely on the meaning, not just the words.
Rely on the real meaning, not the provisional one.
Rely on your wisdom mind, not your ordinary, judgmental mind.

Purity engenders wisdom,
Passion engenders avarice;
Ignorance engenders attachment, worry, darkness.

Hear what is said,
retain what is important,
speak what is worthy,
attach to nothing.

Peace is not the absence of war,
it is a virtue, a state of mind,
a disposition for love, honesty and trustworthiness.

Understand that the body is merely
the foam of the wave,
the shadow of a shadow.
Snap the flower arrows of desire and then,
unseen, escape the king of death, and travel on.

==============
In Appreciation

We wish to express our deepest appreciation to Venerable Master Chin Kung for providing the inspiration and conditions for writing and preparing this book.

Also to Venerable Thanissaro Bhikkhu for his beautiful translation of the Dhammapada, which we have quoted on pages 22, 23, 29, 30, 31, and 32.

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Dedication

May the goodness accrued from this work help to alleviate the suffering of all beings and enable them to find eternal happiness.

==============

For a list of Amitabha Buddhist Societies and Pure Land Centers

Please visit : www.purelandcollege.org.au

==============
Dedication of Merits

May the merit and virtues
Accrued from this act
Adorn the Buddha's Pure Land,
Repay the Four Kindnesses above,
And relieve the suffering of
Those in the Three Paths below.

May those who see or hear of this,
Bring forth the heart of
Understanding and compassion
And, at the end of this life,
Be born together in
The land of Ultimate Bliss.

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印赠者: 佛陀净宗学会 Amitabha Educational Center, "The Truth Education" 至善圆满的教育

地址 (A): 522 Kuaaina Way, Kailua, Hawaii 96734 - 2253 USA

电话 (T): (808) 262 - 5279

电邮 (E) : amituofo1818@gmail.com

网站 (W) : amitabhaeducationalctr.weebly.com

==============
净空法师影音网址

www.amtb.tw
www.amtb.cn
www.chinkung.org
www.hwadzan.com


Thursday, March 5, 2015

坚决的自己在这一生当中一定要成佛

【假令供养恒沙圣。不如坚勇求正觉。】

  这是坚求,坚决的要求正觉,这个「正觉」就是佛道。

坚决的自己在这一生当中一定要成佛,为什么?成佛才能够如佛度众生,你自己不成佛,你怎么能度众生?

怎样成佛?一心念佛,这一生当中就成佛。搞别的法门很难,要很长的时间;搞这个法门不难,念佛三年成就的人太多太多了。那我们深信这当中,三年念佛成功,有不少人他没走,他为什么没走?这个地方与他有缘的众生多,他留下来教化众生。如果没有缘,他就走了。

真正念到功夫成片,生死自在,想什么时候走,什么时候就走,这叫了生死出三界,这是真的不是假的。什么叫有缘?他住在这个世间讲经教学,有人相信他,有人能听得懂他所讲的,听懂了之后真正能够依教修行,这叫有缘。

如果有这种缘分,他虽然得,我们讲最浅的功夫,最浅的念佛三昧,功夫成片,他不能走;那得事一心、理一心,那更不必说了,他一定要弘护正法。什么时候走?缘尽就走了。

像释迦牟尼佛一样,跟他有缘的这批众生,他都帮忙了,都帮助他们、成就他们了,后面弘护的事情由他们来接替,世代相承,他就可以走了。这真正叫得大自在!对这个世间绝对没有任何留恋,完全是感应道交,有缘就是感,菩萨就应当应。

http://wap.goodweb.cn/news/news_view.asp?newsid=71252

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

一位出家人的真情告白,催人泪下...

http://www.xuefo.net/nr/article7/73277.html


●佛法明确告诉我们,一切生命和事物,生灭的只是假象,其本体却未曾有生,也永不坏灭。前者好比天空中的云彩,后者好比天空,不管浮云多变换,万里虚空无动转。面对人生万事和世界万有,你都不必在意。一心不动,万境俱闲,云散日出,还我蓝天。慧律法师说:“一切法无生,一切法无灭,你烦恼什么?!“这真是一语惊醒梦中人!

●人吃点亏不算亏,失掉了人身才是大亏;人吃点苦不算苦,进了地狱才是真苦。人身难得,佛法难遇,净土难信,这是实情,所以说,在短暂的一生中,能够闻到佛法,老实念佛,信向净土,这是真正有大福大慧的人啊。

●念佛往生是活着走的,这与世俗所谓的“死亡”是截然不同的两个概念,与死后的超度也不是一回事儿。用“视死如归”、“归心似箭”来形容念佛人的心态是最合适的,因为他们根本就不存在“死亡”问题,而是欢欢喜喜、迫不及待地“移民”到了另一个比地球不知道要美好多少百千万倍的极乐世界去了。

--释寂悟

出家比丘僧释寂悟师父给父母的一封信(全文)

亲爱的爸妈:

您们好! 随着春节日渐逼近,我把自己出家前后的岁月作了一个深入的反思,又把是否还俗的问题,反反复复思惟了无数遍。现将深思熟虑的结果,同二老作一个汇报和沟通。因为我妈不识字,所以请爸爸将此信大意,向我妈清楚的解说一下。

爸,您和我妈辛辛苦苦把我拉扯大,又送我上学,直至工作,可以说历尽艰辛,消耗了无数心血。可惜我一直烦恼深重,做什么事都一塌糊涂,没有好好地孝敬二老。后来为了解决心中日积月累的迷茫,为了解脱生死大事而出家学佛。我辜负了您们的重望,所以今天至诚向您们忏悔,期望能得到您们的谅解!

劣子出家学佛三年,走了一些弯路,也吃了一些苦头,但总算得到了一点点佛法的真实利益。现在的我虽然没取得成就,但与三年前那个迷迷糊糊、烦恼深重的我比起来,是有天壤之别的、完全不同的两个人。故我始终坚信,出家学佛是绝对正确的一条路。我出家之所以给家人带来这么大的困扰,只能怪佛法没有弘扬到我们那里去,您们大家都没有进过寺庙,没见过出家人,完全搞不懂出家是怎么一回事,不知道出家人每天都干些什么,也根本意识不到佛法是何等的宝贵。如果您们真正认识了佛法,得到真实利益,哪怕只一点点,对我出家就会支持都来不及,哪里还会有丝毫的阻挠呢?

佛法是什么呢?就是佛陀彻底觉悟后,把他发现的宇宙人生的事实真相告诉我们,把人类身心所存在的问题和解决这些问题的方法,也通通告诉了我们。所有这些真理和方法,就是佛法。认识这些真理,掌握这些方法,再用自己的身心作为实验室,亲自去实践和验证佛法,通过长期反复不断的熏修,就可以把自己从烦恼中解脱出来,从迷惑中解脱出来,从痛苦中解脱出来。这就是学佛。学佛可以彻底解决心灵的一切烦恼和痛苦,心灵转变了,外部的世界和自身的命运也随之改变。这是千真万确的事实,也是切实可行的出路。任何人只要肯,他就可以亲自办好这桩事。

佛陀早已告诉了我们六道轮回、因缘果报、苦空无常、缘起性空等等事实真相。譬如说苦:上自官僚富翁,下至乞丐民工,哪一个人不苦?谁骗得了谁呢?再仔细地观察周围的人,哪一个不都是烦恼重重,问题一大堆?当官的比打工的更苦,有钱的比没钱的更累!每年跳楼自杀的官僚和富翁成千上万,却没见乞丐自杀过。每个人都想逃避苦追求乐,我却没见一个人真正做到过。

再说无常,无常是说世间一切人和事物都没有固定性、永恒性。万事万物都随着一定的因缘条件而产生,又随着这些因缘条件的消失而消失,总是处在一种永不停息的变化和生灭的过程中。譬如说我们的身体,一开始就注定要迈向衰老、病变和死亡。譬如我们的心,从早到晚乃至作梦,经历了无数喜怒哀乐的情绪变化,每一天都有百千亿种念头生起又消亡。从这种变化的角度讲,世界上的一切就象电视和电影画面一样不停的显现,任何事物都只是短暂而虚幻的存在一下而已;在这种湍流不息的变化中,我们不可能追求到一样实在的东西。所以佛说“一切有为法,如梦幻泡影,如露亦如电,应作如是观”。可惜,我们大家都被事物的假像所蒙蔽,被愚弄得团团转。

其实真理早就呈现在每个人眼前,只是我们不肯去面对和承认它。我们每天都听到这个人病了,那个人死了,哪儿又出了事故或灾难,死亡死了多少人……电视和报纸每天都大量地报道这些灾难,无常就在我们每个人的眼皮底下,可是我们总是抱着一种侥幸的心理,以为那些灾祸是别人家的事,与我无关,以为死亡不可能这么早就轮到自己,自己的寿命还很长很长;即便有时灾难真的降临到自己头上,也盲目乐观地认为好景仍会到来,未来还可以有各种美好的希望。

这三年我见过好几人死亡,其中一人还死在我的怀里。我们家中也一样,奶奶去世,我二叔暴毙,幺舅妈、番林的哥都惨遭横祸而亡;我的好朋友陈昆他爸半身中风瘫,他妈也服毒自杀了;还有表弟小杜荣蹲进了监牢,直至我姐夫得了肝癌……灾祸可不管你年龄大小,死神从来不会给我们提前打一声招呼。说死就死,一秒钟也不会耽误,一分钱也不能带走,无常真的令人断肠!

我举这些例子的意思,就是说无常是可怕的,生命是短促的。这个世间到处充斥烦恼、痛苦和不幸。我们若能经常观察自己的苦,观察他人的苦,就会渐渐生起寻求解脱的动力;观察世间无常变幻,就会渐渐开始觉悟,就会开始反思----那些弄得我们痛苦不堪的欲望,是不是真的值得我们去拼命追求?

古代祖师有句话说出了我们的病根:让你捐款做善事,有钱却说无钱;待到长病住院的时候,没钱也有钱。让你念佛修行,有空却说没空;待到临死见阎王,没空也有空!

爸,我常常想,我出家给二老带来的损害,不是物质上的,即便我穷得没有一分钱孝养您们,您的退休工资也可保证二老不饿肚子,更何况我二哥他们也不容许您们饿肚子的情况出现。如果说现在没有房子住,不踏实,您们也不曾露宿街头呀,租别人的房子住也是一样的遮风挡雨。千万别打妄想要拼死拼活再去建一栋房子,完全没有这个必要。像朴鲁嘎那栋老屋,当初我奶奶要赶我们出去,打了好几架我都记得的,所以您们建了新房子。奶奶争房子是为了留给几个小儿子住,可是到今天,在那栋四合院老屋住过的人,大奶、奶奶都去世了,二叔也死了,三叔、四叔也迁居了,大娘、小娘嫁出去了。现在小中心一家住在那儿,将来又会换其他的人来住。我们家那栋新砖房,现在不也是走得一个不剩让给别人住了吗?

以前您为了几窝地,跟唐占虎叔闹得灰头土脸,现在我们家那几大片田地,果树林园,不是通通都让给别人了吗?这就应了佛教的一句话:“田也空,地也空,换了多少主人公!”田地还是那些田地,房子还是那些房子,可是耕田地的,活人换死人,住房子的,新人换旧人,不知已换了多少回了!因此说,在这个世间,我们有权暂时用一用,这就足够了,所有权是靠不住的,死了就必须交出来。爸,您要记住,这个世间的一切事物,都是“为我所用,非我所有”,万般皆是梦,惟有佛性真。我一直想,等您们二老对佛法不那么反感了,能丢得下家中一大堆儿孙牵挂和没完没了的闲杂事,那时我就把您们二老接到寺庙里来好好地孝养,让二老晚年能过上真正清净安乐的生活,直至百年时往生到西方极乐世界,永远脱离六道轮回,彻底解决生老病死长劫轮回的痛苦。我一直巴望这一天能早一点到来,这也是我能想出的孝敬二老的最好办法。所以不用再想建房子的问题。

我又想,假使我还俗回家,听从您们的意愿,娶妻生子,整天都在二老面前服侍,这也解决不了问题呀。内心的烦恼没有降伏,必定会有生存啦、健康啦、儿孙啦学业啦婚姻啦、家庭不和睦啦等等数不清的新老麻烦来纠缠我们折磨我们,直到死也不会有稍微喘口息的机会;尤其是死亡降临时,对没有学佛的人,无论活着的人还是将死的人,都是极其残酷的折磨。

死亡是生命的必然结局,世人注定都要以悲剧收场,无一例外!假如他没有学佛,没有觉悟,那么早死几年或迟死几年实在没有什么区别,因为他白天和晚上的生活都是在做梦,他从生到死永远是迷迷糊糊的,从来不曾了解过自己的生命、灵魂和佛性到底是怎么一回事,更别说做自己生命的主人了。然而,人生的悲剧绝不会因肉体的死亡而终止,就象一个人的债务和责任决不会因为他搬家而勾销,跑到天边他也赖不掉,迟早要偿还的。六道轮回和因果报应是千真万确的事实,所谓死亡只是丢掉这一期生命的躯壳,象搬家一样,死者的神识(即灵魂)随着各自的业力又去投胎转世,寄生于另一种躯壳,开始下一轮的悲剧。生生死死,死死生生,象车轮似的循环往复,在六种生命层次(天、人、修罗、饿鬼、畜生、地狱)中不停地旋转,佛教形象地称之为 “六道轮回”。

关于轮回这桩事,有的人是通过研读佛经,通达佛法义理,并通过自己的观察,相信六道轮回的存在;另一种人是在真诚的信仰和精进修持的过程中,逐渐突破了四维空间的限制,看到或感受到种种不可思议的境界,这些获得过佛菩萨加持和感应的人,你就是打死他,他都会相信佛法真实不虚,就像脚下的大地一样真实。

同样是死,不学佛的人、假学佛的人和真学佛的人,差别是巨大而且明显的,根本骗不了人。许多念佛人临终前几个月就知道自己要走了,好象考生接到清华大学的录取通知书、死囚犯接到无罪释放出狱证一样,非常高兴地早早处理好眼前的一切事情,站好最后一班岗,然后跪在佛像前,或盘腿坐在床上,自己念佛或在道友们的助念中,见到阿弥陀佛手持金台前来迎接,于刹那间安祥自在地往生西方净土。一往生就是大菩萨,花开见佛后就成佛,成佛后就可以施展无量神通妙用,分身到十方世界去普度众生。不仅自己前世与今世的父母亲人首先得度,凡是无量劫来跟自己有过一丁点缘分的众生也都会得到解脱!你看,这种胸怀与境界不是比伟大的共产主义还要高尚千万倍吗?

念佛往生是活着走的,这与世俗所谓的“死亡”是截然不同的两个概念,与死后的超度也不是一回事儿。用“视死如归”、“归心似箭”来形容念佛人的心态是最合适的,因为他们根本就不存在“死亡”问题,而是欢欢喜喜、迫不及待地“移民”到了另一个比地球不知道要美好多少百千万倍的极乐世界去了。至于极乐世界到底有多么美好快乐幸福自在,十方诸佛一致赞叹,宣说十万年也说不完,我这一封信哪能说明白呢。我特意将净土经典和佛教书籍寄给您,请您仔细恭敬地读读,会有很大好处的。

世间人对死亡极其惊怖,而且死得也极其痛苦。我二叔和我奶奶,都是这样痛苦死去的。我非常清楚这其中的苦衷和关键,所以当我姐夫得了癌症时,我急着要把佛法介绍给他。倒不是说相信佛法就敢打保票一定把他的定业完全扭转过来,然后长命百岁,而是说,如果他能对佛法生起哪怕一念恭敬心、忏悔心和清净心,都会迅速净除许多业障;即便真的早逝,佛法僧三宝的加持力,也能使他往生净土,最起码下一世重新得到人身,而这一世接触佛法的善根,将会种下他来世得度的因缘。学习佛法,就是了解自己生命的开始;实践佛法,我们才能彻底改造自己的命运,最后完完全全做自己生命的主人。

佛教要我们清醒地认识死亡、积极地面对死亡、主动地超越死亡,而不是逃避它、排斥它、恐惧它。但佛教绝不是对死亡的一种寄托,佛教的主旨是让我们活着的时候当下就获得解脱、自在、安乐。不懂佛法的人,以为改变外在的环境就可以使自己获得快乐,这是一个非常错误的观念。佛陀告诉我们:快乐与痛苦的根本并非取决于外在世界,而是来自于我们自己的内心。“万法唯心造”就是这个道理。一个人如果不了解这一点,就永远不可能知足回头,那他永远也不可能获得真正的快乐和幸福,这是毫无疑问的。比如世间好多“幸运儿”,生活、事业、爱情都一帆风顺,所追求的财富和名利也都统统得到了,可他始终得不到想象中的美满幸福。因为他始终没有办法了解和安抚自己那颗变幻无常的心,也无法驾御和降伏自己的欲望。于是他只好去吃喝玩乐,寻求感官刺激,但刺激过后就是疲乏、空虚、无奈、绝望,然后又去寻求刺激,嫖娼赌博吸毒麻醉自己,直到锒铛入狱或染上绝症,一命呜呼,神识堕入地狱……

在物质张扬的现代社会,这样的人,这样的悲剧,实在是太多太多了!

爸,我出家后,因为大家都不理解,难免有许多人会冷言冷语地讽刺几句,您们也都认为我使您们蒙羞,丢了唐家十八代祖宗的脸。我想这便是我妈、我二哥全力反对的原因所在,此外实在找不到什么理由来反对了。要我说:别人冷言几句,戳一下我们的脊梁骨,就会让我们痛苦不堪、气得吐血,这正说明了我们还很不成熟。把自己的苦乐建立在别人的赞叹或诽谤上,把自己的命运交由别人的看法所左右,那还叫人吗?我们只要安分守己地生活,不做伤天害理之事,心安理得地过自己的日子,别人怎么说,是他们自己的问题,跟我们有什么相干呢?要说丢脸,有什么事比去变猪变狗做畜生更丢脸的呢?!许多人活着时有头有脸,耀武扬威,不可一世,死了,灵魂又去投胎做畜生了!更有一部分人,连做畜生的福报都没有,他们死后被业力牵引,或做饿鬼,或下地狱,做更苦更惨的一类众生。佛陀说“得人身者如掌中土,失人身者如大地土”,可见绝大部分人都因为自己生前所造的恶力失掉了人身,一失人身,万劫不复,那才真正是一场漫长、久远、黑暗、恐怖的恶梦!

爸,人吃点亏不算亏,失掉了人身才是大亏;人吃点苦不算苦,进了地狱才是真苦。人身难得,佛法难遇,净土难信,这是实情,所以说,在短暂的一生中,能够闻到佛法,老实念佛,信向净土,这是真正有大福大慧的人啊。

学佛就是要我们转变自己错误的观念和行为。比如说我妈,她抱定这样一种观念:要是我不还俗回去过她想象的那种生活,那么她就不可能快乐起来,而且活下去也没多大意思。她把自己的苦乐寄托于别人,不痛苦是不可能的。如果她能放下这个观念,接受儿子出家这个事实,“他要出家,我有什么办法,就当他死了算了,我还是过自己的生活。”这样一想,马上可以轻松许多。其实我回家后,我妈就会快乐起来吗?也很难说,我工作能不能挣钱啦,讨的媳妇孝顺不孝顺啦,儿孙的健康、读书问题啦等等,真是操心一辈子,到死都还有忙不完的事。

爸,我现在郑重表明我的态度;我坚决不愿意还俗。在婚姻方面,我觉得最幸运的就是没有结婚就有机缘出了家,没有妻子儿女的系缚,了无牵挂,多么自在洒脱。仔细思维婚姻的种种束缚和烦恼,我视之如火坑、如牢狱、如枷锁,避之惟恐不及,哪里还愿意往里面钻呢?退一万步讲,如果将来为了照料二老,非还俗不可,我也绝对不会结婚的。

在事业上,我对做官经商毫无兴趣,而且我自知既没有那种福报,也没有那种管理才能。从前我教书时,很不快乐,后来到政协工作,仍然很痛苦,我就知道根本问题不在工作上。那时我就相信,即使我做稳了政协主席、县委书记、省长,我也不会快乐起来,因为我的问题出在对生命的无知和迷茫。我姐夫说某某参加公务员考试当了什么什么官,要我也去考。其实如果我志在当官,当初何必又辞掉政协的职务呢?我妈说,人家小显刚都去新加坡留学,多么的风光,哪个不眼红。换在三年前的我,的确会很羡慕,也真有可能激发我的斗志去拼搏一翻。可是现在,我对此心都不会动一下,小显刚即便做了教授,乃至到火星上转了一圈回来又能怎样呢?如果不学佛,他永远都只是生死轮回的凡夫,好景不长,轮回路险,钱财和地位有什么用?这不是我吃不到葡萄就说葡萄酸,也不是阿Q精神作怪。实际上,小显刚和我,两个人根本不能比较,好比一群酣睡者,其中一个已渐渐苏醒,这个人比之其余大梦不醒者,那就可贵得多。

爸,您或许说,学佛就学佛吧,为什么非得舍弃双亲、家人、朋友出家呢?的确,学佛不一定要出家,在家一样可以学得很好。自我出家以来,非常幸运地碰到了慈悲的师长、热心的师兄道友和护法居士,如果没有他们的慈悲教诲、引导和帮助,我很难走上佛法的正轨。我还见过许多了不起的圣者,他们刻苦修行,取得了大成就,获得了大安乐、大清凉、大自在,他们亲证了佛陀所说的真理,把自己的全部智慧和精力,用来护持佛法,帮助一切众生解除痛苦,引导他们走向觉悟和解脱。这些圣者所表现出来的种种难行苦行,难忍能忍,忘我利他的大无畏精神,那种无条件地慈悲利济一切苦难众生的高尚德行,使我深受感动。故我发愿要向这些圣者们学习,先专心致志地修行,解决自己的生死问题,积累功德资粮,以出家弘法利生为终生职业,把自己的生命全部奉献给佛教事业,全部奉献给法界众生。

像台湾的慧律法师,他自己从小到大一直被种种可怕的病魔折磨,可他从来不曾抱怨过,相反,他欢喜地接受这一切,始终以大慈悲、大智慧,无碍辩才讲解佛法,传播佛法,使全世界无数迷惘的人看到真理的火花,渐渐从苦难中解脱出来,获得了新生。

又比如我现在的上师,我亲眼看着他以种种大智慧、善巧方便,帮助他的弟子们走向觉悟,我看见他以不可思议的加持力,帮助许多恶疾缠身的人、冤魂附体的人、身心不安的人解除了身心的巨苦,使这些人渐渐如脱胎换骨般获得新生。故我发愿要学习这些圣者,生生世世都去实践这两桩事情——帮助所有的人解除痛苦,并引导他们觉悟成佛。

http://www.xuefo.net/nr/article7/73277.html

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

忍辱治瞋恚

后面这个四句是对治我们最严重的烦恼,我们修行不能成就的。

「忍辱治瞋恚」,这个烦恼重,所谓火烧功德林,瞋恚是火。

你这一生你修积的多少功德,学佛几十年了,得要问问,你什么时候到现在没发脾气?如果昨天发了一场脾气,你的功德从昨天到今天。为什么?以前呢?以前烧光了,一个脾气一发全完了。

功德很不容易成就,福德不会,瞋恚火不烧福德,烧功德,为什么?功德是清净心,清净平等觉是功德,你一发脾气心就乱了,你清净心就没有了。所以功德是非常不容易修,破坏功德第一个因素就是瞋恚。

所以佛教给我们要忍,忍,在古时候从小就学忍,要学包容、要学忍、要学让,忍让通常是连在一起的。最初是教你忍让,然后慢慢进步晓得谦让,谦虚、谦让,到最高的境界是礼让,都从忍辱波罗蜜得到的。

布施是修功德,忍辱是保持功德不失掉。喜欢布施,也喜欢发脾气,这样的果报在哪里?多半去当魔王去了,阿修罗、罗刹、魔王。他也有很大的势力,为什么?他修布施。为什么会变成魔王?他有瞋恚。可是魔也好,阿修罗也好,你要晓得,他也是盛极一世,死了以后到哪里去?堕到阿鼻地狱去。所以他是一世兴旺起来,下一世又堕落,这样看起来多可怜,好景不常,他保不住。做阿修罗、做魔王时候,你说他作多少业?他害多少人?所以忍辱不能不修。

这个辱是特别对中国人讲的,中国人对这个字看得很重,你看古人所谓士,士是读书人,明理的人,「士可杀不可辱」,杀头没关系,侮辱不可以,这个不能忍受。所以翻经的法师:你们中国人把辱看得这么重,好,忍辱,他辱都能忍了,那当然什么都可以忍了。所以本来就是忍耐的意思,这是翻经的法师特别应中国人的根性,用忍辱对治瞋恚。

http://wap.goodweb.cn/news/news_view.asp?newsid=71251