耕耘心靈（十九）

   

覺海虛空起 娑婆業浪流

若人登彼岸 極樂有歸舟

     心是覺海本體，一念心包太虛，量可遍周沙界。人只因念不能覺，而無明生，造作業風生起，十方虛空世界徧成形，眾生猶如海中漚，不斷生成還滅，隨業浪流，輪迴不已。  

在娑婆堪忍世間，如何能不隨業浪漂流，脫離輪迴，而得清淨自在？       

佛說信有極樂，欣求極樂，持名念佛，誠摯持念阿彌陀佛名號，命終之時，彌陀四十八大願，會承佛接引的。

雖然業力障礙重，只要誠摯懺悔、持念佛之名號懇切，因緣成熟，則能登於彼岸，花開見佛悟無生。

生在娑婆世間，生老病苦，無論貧富、貴俗，生命如電閃，一閃即逝，當警覺無常，即修心捨執，薰陶心行，入不思議知覺海、入虛空法海。

一心虔誠供養常住三寶、法界眾生、極樂導師阿彌陀佛、觀世音菩薩、大勢至菩薩、清淨海會眾菩薩，仰仗普入一真，真香普同供養。今日三十繫念…深深感受，感悟。 

                      感恩分享

 

資料來源：心靈甘露(四)，隆門圓通法師著。英文翻譯：張惠平。

 

Cultivation of the Soul—XIX

 

Realization arises from the Void.

With karmas, one is wandering in the Saha World.

If people wish to reach the opposite shore, 

There will be a boat for them to go to the Pure Land.

 

The mind is the essence of the sea of realization.  An intention may embody the universe, and, with its large quantity, may be pervasive all over the realms of sands.  People fail to realize due to their intentions, so ignorance arises and karmas are created.  The realms in the Great Void of the Ten Directions form.  Sentient beings are like the bubbles in the sea that keep generating and disappearing.  They wander according to their karmas and get reincarnated again and again.

 

In this Saha World of tolerance, how do we avoid floating with our karmas, escape from reincarnations, and attain peace and ease?  The Buddha said that if we can believe in the Pure Land, ask for it with pleasure, and be mindful of the name of Amitabha Buddha sincerely, then when we are breathing our last breath, He, with His 48 Great Vows, will come to receive us.

 

Even though we have deep karmic hindrances, as long as we sincerely repent and are wholeheartedly mindful of Buddhas, when the time is ripe, we will reach the opposite shore to see the flowers blooming and realize anutpattika-dharma-kṣānti.

 

In this Saha World, everybody must go through birth, old age, sickness, and death, whether he is rich or poor, noble or lowly.  Life is like lightning, so we should be aware of the impermanent, cultivate our minds, abandon attachment, and enter the incredible realization sea as well as the Dharma Sea of the Void.

 

We are piously making offerings to the Three Treasures of permanent residence, sentient beings in the Dharma realm, Amitabha Buddha in the Pure Land, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, and all the Bodhisattvas in the Pure Sea Assembly in the hope that they will enter the One Suchness to accept the offering of the real incense.  This is how I feel in the chanting assembly today.

 

Thank you and let us share this article.

 

Source:  Sweet Dew for the Soul (Vol. IV), Written by Master Shih Longmen Yuantong. Translated by Huei Ping Chang.

 

耕耘心靈（十八）

 

    請問師父：修行時，如果心亂至極而難過，萬不能忍受時該如何？      

   答云：修行自然有所考驗，當念人臨命終時，如活龜脫殼，不知是如何的痛苦，如此皆由我先不制心、不修行故。又當思維，來生受苦緣於今世不修，我今移未來之苦，於今日先消業除障，可謂便宜行事如此勝道，如此狂心剎那頓息。只一轉念，當下空寂。

 

    凡人習氣，潛伏根內不易覺察，如平地不見有草，難以拔除，反要其出生，然後除根，切不可不拔。此精進用功之時，運境修心正可藉以制心。

    修在二六時中，無雜用心，方是真精進。而「無雜」，非不用心，人事往來，不能免也，須常用智慧察照，只是不被無言無益之事所困，時時凜覺。

    雜緣莫攀，了達一切性空，心無懸戀，即不受污染，雜心、狂心，則自頓息。 

福田心耕 與眾共勉

   

資料來源：心靈甘露(四)，隆門圓通法師著。英文翻譯：張惠平。

 

The Cultivation of the Soul—XVIII

 

Q:  When my heart is too disconcerted to tolerate during the cultivation, what should I do?

A:  There are naturally tests for you during the cultivation.  You should bear in mind that people are very painful when they are about to die, like the exuviating turtle.  This results from the fact that they do not subdue their hearts and do not cultivate beforehand.  Also think about the fact that the sufferings in the next lifetime result from not cultivating in this lifetime.  Now you can get rid of karmic hindrances to prevent the sufferings in the next lifetime from happening, which can be called skillful convenience.  Fantasies may suddenly cease.  As long as you give something a second thought, it will become empty and silent at once.

 

The habitual tendencies of ordinary people are difficult to notice, like the rare weeds on a flat land that are hard to pull up.  But if you force them to grow and then wait to pull up the roots, you have no choice but to pull them.  During the time when you are diligently cultivating, you can subdue your mind via operating the situations and cultivating your mind.

 

Cultivating day and night without distracting thoughts is real diligence.  Having no distracting thoughts does not mean that you are not working hard.  People and matters come and go and are inevitable, so you should often observe and reflect with your wisdom without being bothered by helpless, unnecessary things.  Always keep alert.

 

Do not seek miscellaneous affinities.  Know that the nature of everything is empty and bear no suspense in mind, then you won’t be polluted, and the distracting thoughts and fantasies will suddenly cease.

 

Cultivate the blessing field with the heart.  Let us encourage each other with this article.

 

Source:  Sweet Dew for the Soul (Vol. IV), Written by Master Shih Longmen Yuantong. Translated by Huei Ping Chang.

 

耕耘心靈（十七）

 

西方極樂剎、無量七寶蓮

金台鬚蕊現、十萬億花瓣

廣大如山王、八功德池水

百寶玉樹列、香光勝莊嚴

無量佛菩薩、交輝普入定

演說第一義、超劫證菩提

 

   西方淨土寬廣平整，一望無際、廣大至極，地面都由七寶合成。或琉璃為地、黃金為路，或以不可說珍寶為地、為路。自然形成種種排布，又有種種妙花飄散。

   按色彩自然組合成美妙圖案，大地如畫、柔軟、光潔、舒適、微妙、芬芳。種種寶泉池、星羅棋布，水岸邊有無數旃檀香樹。吉祥果樹，恆時吐芳華香。極樂世界，行樹欄楯排列有序、諸寶樹都由一、二寶乃至無量寶自然合成。 

   妙樹寶林，都是彌陀的智慧所流現的。蓮花、泉池、樓閣、幢幡，也是佛的無漏自性功德所成，妙用無窮。 

  

資料來源：心靈甘露(三)，隆門圓通法師著。英文翻譯：張惠平。

 

Cultivating the Soul—XVII

 

There are countless lotuses of seven treasures in the realm of the Western Paradise.

The tassels and stamens appear on the golden platform with myriad of petals.

With the pond water of the eight merits, it is as vast as a king-sized mountain.

The jade trees of hundreds of treasures are lining up with magnificent fragrant radiances.

Numerous Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are entering Samadhi in radiance.

The first chapter is being lectured on, and those who are hearing can transcend kalpas and confirm Bodhi.

 

The Western Pure Land is wide and flat, stretching as far as the eye can see.  It is extremely widespread, with the grounds paved with seven jewels or colored glass.  The roads are made of gold.  Some grounds and roads are paved with inexpressible treasures.  Various kinds of arrangements are naturally made, with a great variety of wonderful flowers floating.  

 

There, gorgeous patterns are formed by the natural combination of colors.  The land is as beautiful as a picture, soft, bright, cozy, wondrous, and fragrant.  Ponds with all kinds of treasure spring scatter about like stars in the sky.  There are countless sandal trees near the banks.  The auspicious trees with fruits continuously give out a pleasant smell.  The trees and railings are arranged in order, and the treasure trees are all naturally composed of one or two, or even numerous kinds of jewels.

 

The wonderful trees and treasure woods are the manifestation of Amitabha’s wisdom.  The lotuses, ponds, pavilions, and banners, which are too wonderful for words, are also built up with the flawless merits of Amitabha Buddha.

 

Source:  Sweet Dew for the Soul (Vol. III), Written by Master Shih Longmen Yuantong. Translated by Huei Ping Chang.

 

耕耘心靈（十六）

 

芥子納太虛  大小可互攝

剎那入長劫  一多妙同時

一念超百億  廣狹能一體

萬流歸一心  清濁亦互具

 

    諸法海：有教法海和修證方面的證量。教法：按經、律、論分有無量的文句法蘊。證法海；按戒、定、慧分有無量的證德，所以都叫做海。 

    通常初學者，以一般的修觀方式相當有限，一次只能了知有限的一部分，或者只是在文句上瞭解，對於內證的境界，卻茫然無知。對於法分的意義，要通過漸次地觀照實修，才能有所了知。

        

芥子納太虛，行者當發願，求證慧眼。

一一剎那，都能分別→觀見如海教證。

 

    諸法的無上境界，頓時照見森羅萬象。智慧眼一時就照見，如海的教法和證法。對無量法的每一細節，都了了分明、毫無錯亂。

偈云：

大智發於心 於心無所尋

成就一切義 無古亦無今

 

資料來源：心靈甘露(三)，隆門圓通法師著。英文翻譯：張惠平。

Cultivating the Soul—XVI

 

The sesame seed can contain the universe.  

Big objects and small ones can absorb each other.  

A short moment enters a long kalpa.  

One and many are simultaneously wondrous. 

A flash of thought can transcend tens of billions of thoughts.  

Wide and narrow things can be an integral whole. 

Myriad of flows return to the single mind.  

There is impurity in purity and purity in impurity.

 

Various dharma seas include the doctrine dharma sea and the pratyaksa-pramana of cultivation and confirmation.  The doctrine dharma include countless sentences and dharma skandhas according to sutras, principles, and theories.  The confirmation dharma seas include countless confirmed virtues according to precepts, Samadhi, and wisdom.  All these can be called seas.  

 

Usually beginners can understand only a limited part if they employ the general way of the cultivation of viewing, or they may understand only the literal meanings but do not know anything about the realm of the inner confirmation.  They have to gradually and realistically view and reflect in order to know the principles.  

 

The sesame seed can contain the universe.  Practitioners should form aspirations to confirm the eyes of wisdom so that at each moment they can differentiate and see the sea-like doctrines.

 

The supreme realms of all dharmas can suddenly illuminate all the phenomena in the universe.  The eyes of wisdom can immediately see the sea-like doctrines and confirmations and clearly understand all the details of the boundless dharmas without any mistakes.  

 

A verse goes, “Great wisdom originates from the mind in which there is nothing to search for.  It achieves all the principles that know no differences between ancient and modern times.”

 

Source:  Sweet Dew for the Soul (Vol. III), Written by Master Shih Longmen Yuantong. Translated by Huei Ping Chang.

 

耕耘心靈（十五）

 

迷則人隨於法，悟則法隨於人，精進用功千日，悟在一時……。學習佛法之人，用功怕妄想，久坐的人怕昏沉。越是想靜，越是妄想、念念相續。舉心、動念、動轉、施為，一切念、一切處，都是一個妄想。根機利一點的人，用功起來，不假修證，當體本真。         

無欠無餘、清淨光明，不從他得、皆自本有。惟在我們不能如法，行妄想隨業轉，即是生死。          

    想了生死的人，忙用功。不知道有生死的人、忙辛苦。 

    當知：毫釐繫念，三塗業因。

    一天到晚，有太多妄念雜思。當知：一毫之念，如不驚覺，醒自心、歇妄念，而果感則有千差萬別。 

   大眾！世間上百工技藝，都要學得三年、五載以後，方纔有可混得一個飯盅。何況，我們這個出世間無上妙法，那有這麼容易呢？

   是日已過、命亦隨減，十世恆古今。但念無常、當勤精進。

共勉 感恩

 

資料來源：心靈甘露(三)，隆門圓通法師著。英文翻譯：張惠平。

 

Cultivate the Soul—XV

When one is deluded, he follows the principles.  When one is         enlightened, the principles follow him.  One may spend a thousand days cultivating diligently, but it takes just a little while for him to get enlightened.  Buddhism learners should avoid giving rise to false thoughts, and those who keep sitting for a long time should avoid getting dizzy.  The more one wants to calm down, the more wishful thinking he will have which will arise one after another.  All the arising thinking is the false thought and actions also result from false thoughts.  After those with higher capabilities cultivate hard, they will experience the intrinsic truth without confirmation.

 

If we have no deficiency and surplus, if we are tranquil and bright, and if we do not gain anything from others, then we can say that all these come from the innate existence of our own.  But if we don’t obey the principles but give rise to wishful thinking and shift according to the karma, then we are facing life and death.  

 

Those who want to sever life and death are busy cultivating, while those who do not know the existence life and death are busy toiling.

 

We should know that a slight thought can be the karmic cause of the Three Paths.  People may have too many miscellaneous thoughts for the whole day.  Be aware that if a slight thought is not noticed and if wishful thinking is not ceased, there will be totally different causes and conditions.

 

It takes three to five years for one to master a skill and earn a living, let alone the transcendental, supreme, and wondrous dharma that may even be more difficult to master.

 

This day has passed, and the lifespan has accordingly reduced.  This is an eternal truth.  Beware of the impermanent and be diligent.  Let’s encourage each other with article.  Thank you!

 

Source:  Sweet Dew for the Soul (Vol. III), Written by Master Shih Longmen Yuantong. Translated by Huei Ping Chang.

 

耕耘心靈（十三）

 

有事鏡寫影、無事還空明;

生滅鏡影現、緣應鏡不遷。

歸元罔自識、混然絕有無;

定理悲智具、空裏義利揚。

百善空中築、千慧性裡生;

明德行奕奕、佛月普映廣。

學佛的人，心胸要學習如赤子般的單純。單純一點思想就比較清淨，思想清淨就不會有煩惱。做事會感受到種種困難，乃在於道行不夠、能力上不足所致。 

學佛，是要訓練自己的內心有力量去面對生活與承擔。生活與修行，如同種子與水，一旦融入我們的心田，就會迅速薰發本具的佛性善根。

令自性很快蘇醒過來，要懂得萬法唯心，心量有多大，領受是同等。果報的量，會有不可思議，遍滿善行的人，生活充滿有意義的妙善人生。 

歷經多劫沈淪，若不遇正法，枉走道路之曲折蜿蜒。修學要化為證解，理具而事修。 

大德們；知光陰流逝而奮起！

明觀自性本淨、義賅萬相。

同皈無上菩提、是所慇盼。

  

資料來源：心靈甘露(三)，隆門圓通法師著。英文翻譯：張惠平。

 

Cultivate the Soul—XIII

 

When you have something to do, cast the shadow on the mirror. 

When you have nothing to do, return to the empty brightness.  

In birth and extinction, the image on the mirror will appear.  

When affinities are responded, the mirror is still there.   

There is no self-consciousness when you return to the origin.  

In times immemorial there was neither existence nor non-existence.  

Principles are replete with compassion and wisdom.  

In emptiness the benefits of doctrines will be hoisted.  

All the goodness is constructed in emptiness, and all wisdom arise from within the nature.  

Bright virtues are practiced widely, and the Buddha Moon pervasively reflects.

 

Buddhist practitioners should learn to be as simple-minded as a small child.  Simple-mindedness may bring pure thoughts which can make you free from afflictions.  The reason why you feel it difficult to do things is that your cultivation and ability are not good enough.  

 

To practice Buddhism is to train your mind to be capable enough to face your life and shoulder responsibilities.  Life is to cultivation what seeds are to water.  Once we blend in our minds, the innate roots of goodness will be revealed soon.  

 

Wake up your self-nature.  Know that all dharmas are made from the mind.  No matter how big your heart is, everybody receives equally.  The amount of the retribution is incredibly large.  People who always do kinds deeds will lead a meaningful and wonderful life.

 

Having gone through tortures of many kalpas, we will still take the wrong, winding roads if we cannot meet the right dharma.  We should turn cultivation into confirmation and understanding, with reasons replete and matters embellished.

 

Virtuous ones!  Know time fleets and rise vigorously!  Clearly see the self-nature as innately pure, and its significance includes all phenomena.  Let’s all return to the supreme Bodhi, and this is my expectation of you all.

 

Source:  Sweet Dew for the Soul (Vol. III), Written by Master Shih Longmen Yuantong.  Translated by Huei Ping Chang.

 

耕耘心靈（七）

 

日輪當午正中天 普見高低物像全

阿鼻獄中真淨土 蛣蜣身裏紫金仙

迷家蕩子殊堪愍 背父痴兒實可憐

今日始知歸故里 劫初田地尚依然

 

人不一定是十全十美，萬般世事，

加減乘除，總在天。

放心寬、莫膽怯、何苦愁腸千萬結。

金谷繁華眼底塵，丹陽縣裏簫聲咽，

粗衣淡飯足家常，養得浮生一世拙。

菩薩有三法，常懷至誠，

未曾欺佛、不自欺身、

亦不欺誑一切眾生。

共勉勵學

           

資料來源：心靈甘露(二)，隆門圓通法師著。英文翻譯：張惠平

 

Working Diligently on the Soul—VII

 

Between eleven AM and one PM, the sun is right in the middle of the sky.

Everything, high or low, is clearly seen.

The Avici Hell is the real Pure Land, and 

Inside the beetle’s body is the purple golden fairy.

A loafer away from home is worthy of a pity, and 

So is a foolish child away from his father.

Not until now does he know that he should return home.

The fields tilled when the sentient realms just formed are still there.

 

Man is not necessarily perfect.  Everything in the world is always disposed by destiny, more or less.  Do not worry, and do not be timid.  Why should we be weighed down with anxiety?  The prosperity in the golden valley is like the dust under the eyes.  The sorrowful sounds of the pan pipes in Dan Yang County are heard.  Plain clothes and simple food are enough for daily life and may keep one living an awkward life.  

 

There are three approaches for Bodhisattvas:  always bear a sincere mind, never cheat Buddhas, and never cheat yourself and all sentient beings.

 

Let’s encourage each other with this.

 

Source:  Sweet Dew for the Soul (Vol. II), Written by Master Shih Longmen Yuantong.  Translated by Huei Ping Chang.