法輪法語 2021.12月  釋隆門圓通法師

79心靈工程（十一）

 

中文原著：隆門圓通法師  英文翻譯：張惠平

Written by Master Shih Longmen Yuantong  Translated by Huei Ping Chang

   

修行是要離開障礙的對緣境，喜、怒、哀、樂、是世間的散亂心。菩薩於世所修之十八不共法：

1.行施不隨他教。

2.持戒不隨他教。 

3.修忍不隨他教。 

4.精進不隨他教。 

5.靜慮不隨他教。 

6.般若不隨他教。 

7.行於攝事、能攝一切有情。 

8.能解迴向。 

9.方便善巧為主，自在令一切有情有所修行、復能示現於最上乘， 而得出離。

10.不退大乘。 

11.善能示現於生死涅槃、而得安樂。言音善巧能隨世俗。

12.智為前導，雖現前起種種受生、而無所作、離諸過失。                             

13.具足十善身語意業。 

14.為攝諸有情、恆不捨離、常能忍受一切苦蘊。 

15.能為示現一切世間之所愛樂。 

16.雖於眾多苦惱愚夫及聲聞中住、而不忘失一切智心，如寶堅固清淨莊嚴。

17.若受一切法王位時、以繒及水繫灌其頂。

18.能不捨離諸佛正法希求。

    菩薩一切智，功德無量，大悲智慧中自在、定中自在、變化自在，智慧無減，常施捨行、常觀眾生、無煩惱習、不失念。

    大眾：我們在世間常講修行用功，是直須發大志、立大願，踏得穩步伐，信心堅定、念念相續，縱經千生萬劫、萬難千魔，此心此志，終不能退失菩提心。菩薩摩訶薩能行十八不共之法，而成就難思議功德。 

    大眾眾等更當勤精進，向菩薩學習諸行、慈、悲、喜、捨，同圓種智，共證菩提。

 

註：出自寶雨經卷四，又新譯華嚴經卷五十六，離世間品出菩薩十不共之說、與寶雨經所載雷同，奮迅王問經卷下：亦出菩薩十八不共法、亦有不少與前載相通者。

 

資料來源：心靈甘露(二)，隆門圓通法師著。

 

The Soul Engineering—XI

A spiritual practitioner has to stay away from obstacles.  If he responds to circumstances with joy, anger, sorrow, or cheer, then his mind is chaotic in this mundane world.  

 

The following are the Eighteen Avenika-Buddha-Guna (the Buddha Dharma cultivated by Buddhas and Bodhisattvas exclusively):

(1) When practicing giving, Bodhisattvas do not follow others’ instructions.

(2) When abiding by precepts, Bodhisattvas do not follow others’ instructions.

(3) When cultivating tolerance, Bodhisattvas do not follow others’ instructions.

(4) When dedicating themselves to progress, Bodhisattvas do not follow others’ instructions.

(5) When thinking quietly, Bodhisattvas do not follow others’ instructions.

(6) With Prajna, Bodhisattvas do not follow others’ instructions.

(7) During cultivation, Bodhisattvas can absorb things and all sentient beings.

(8) Bodhisattvas are able to understand and turn their merits toward others.

(9) With expedients, Bodhisattvas can freely make all sentient beings cultivate, manifest in the supreme level, and stay away from what they used to cling to.

(10) Bodhisattvas do not retreat from the Great Vehicle.

(11) Bodhisattvas are able to manifest in the Nirvana, gain peace, and follow the mundane world with speech and expedients.

(12) Led by wisdom, Bodhisattvas receive birth of various kinds, but they do not take any actions and thus do not make mistakes.

(13) Bodhisattvas are replete with the Ten Goods as well as the karmas of the body, speech, and thought.

(14) In order to absorb all sentient beings, Bodhisattvas never abandon them.  Bodhisattvas can always endure all skandhas of sufferings.

(15) Bodhisattvas can manifest whatever the living beings love in the world.

(16) Although abiding among stupid people and hearers who suffer a lot of afflictions, Bodhisattvas will not forget about their minds of all wisdom that are like firm, pure, and magnificent jewels.

(17) If granted with the throne of all dharmas, Bodhisattvas will tie its top with silk fabrics and pour water on it.  

(18) Bodhisattvas will not abandon the quest for the right dharmas of all Buddhas.

 

All the wisdom of Bodhisattvas have boundless merits.  They are unrestrained in the wisdom of great compassion, in Samadhi, and in changes.  Their wisdom does not decrease.  They often practice giving and often observe sentient beings.  They don’t have the habitual tendencies of afflictions and don’t discontinue their intentions.  

 

Everyone!  Before we start to cultivate diligently, we need to make great decisions and great vows.  With steady steps, firm confidence, and continuous thoughts, we will not lose the Bodhi mind, even though we have gone through countless difficulties and devils for tens of thousands of kalpas.  Bodhisattvas Mahasattvas can practice the Eighteen Avenika-Buddha-Guna and attain incredible merits.  

 

Everybody should cultivate more diligently and learn kindness, compassion, joy, and abandoning as well as the wisdom of common consummation from Bodhisattvas and then confirm Bodhi together.

 

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

78心靈工程（十）

 

中文原著：隆門圓通法師  英文翻譯：張惠平

Written by Master Shih Longmen Yuantong  Translated by Huei Ping Chang

 

    大智度論卷二十一中記載： 

    若佛弟子於閑靜處，乃至山林曠野中，善修不淨等觀，厭惡其身，忽生驚怖、及為惡魔作種種惡事，惱亂其心、憂懼轉增，故如來為說八念法，「若心存此八念」，則恐怖即除。此八念為： 

    念佛：謂修禪觀之人，若遭恐怖障難之時，應念諸佛慈悲，救濟眾生、功德無量，如是一心、念念不捨，怖障即除。 

    念法：法力廣大，通達無礙、能滅煩惱，如是一心、念念不捨，怖障即除。 

    念僧：僧是佛之弟子，能修正道、能證聖果、為世福田，如是一心、念念不捨，怖障即除。 

    念戒：戒是無上菩提之本，能遮諸惡、得安隱處，如是一心、念念不捨，怖障即除。 

    念捨：捨有二種：施捨，能生大功德。捨煩惱，以此得大智慧。如是一心、念念不捨、怖障即除。 

    念天：四天王天乃至他化自在天等，果報清淨、利安一切，如是一心，念念不捨，怖障即除。 

    念出入息：息即鼻中出入之氣，為治散亂之良藥、入禪定之捷徑，如是念念不已、則心不馳散、怖障即除。 

    念死；死有二種：自死，即報盡而死。他緣死，即遇惡緣而死。此二種死，從生以來，常與身俱、無可避處，如是一心、念念不已、怖障即除。精進用功之行者，於此若能穿透識心，一直到達自己的心源…自己覺性、真如的本性，沒有停止中斷，則能自然通達開悟。

修學道上 共勉之

 

資料來源：心靈甘露(二)，隆門圓通法師著。

 

The Soul Engineering—X

Volume 21 of the Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom says:

If Buddhist disciples cultivate the asubhanupassin (the impurity view) in a quiet place or even in the wild, get disgusted with their own bodies, and suddenly become scared, this is because demons have done some evil deeds to disturb the disciples’ minds and make them more worried and scared.  So the Tathagata lectured on the Eight Thoughts for them.  If people have these Eight Thoughts in mind, they won’t be scared anymore.

 

The Eight Thoughts are as follows:

(1) Being mindful of Buddhas:  If meditators encounter terrifying things or obstacles, they should be mindful of the Buddhas’ compassion, rescuing sentient beings, and boundless merits.  If they could be mindful single-mindedly and unceasingly, the terror and obstacles will disappear immediately.

(2) Being mindful of the Dharma:  The power of the Dharma is vast, can penetrate things without hindrances, and can help sever afflictions.  If meditators could be mindful single-mindedly and unceasingly, the terror and obstacles will disappear immediately.

(3) Being mindful of Sanghas:  Sanghas are the disciples of the Buddha and can cultivate the right path, can confirm the sacred fruit, and can bring blessings to the world.  If meditators could be mindful single-mindedly and unceasingly, the terror and obstacles will disappear immediately.

(4) Being mindful of the precepts:  Precepts are the root of the supreme Bodhi, can cover up all evils, and can bring meditators to a peaceful place.  If meditators could be mindful single-mindedly and unceasingly, the terror and obstacles will disappear immediately.

(5) Being mindful of abandoning:  There are two kinds of abandoning.  One is giving, which can bring great merits.  The other is abandoning afflictions in order to gain great wisdom.  If meditators could be mindful single-mindedly and unceasingly, the terror and obstacles will disappear immediately.  

(6) Being mindful of the heavens:  In the Heaven of the Four Heavenly Kings or even the Para-nirmita-vasa-vartin, the karmas are pure and can benefit all.  If meditators could be mindful single-mindedly and unceasingly, the terror and obstacles will disappear immediately.  

(7) Being mindful of the breath:  Breath is the air entering and exiting in the nose.  It is a good cure for a scattered mind and is the shortcut for entering Samadhi.  If meditators could be mindful unceasingly, the mind won’t be scattered and the terror and obstacles will disappear immediately.  

(8) Being mindful of death:  There are two kinds of death.  One is that someone has finished his retribution and dies.  The other is that someone dies due to some bad karma.  These two kinds cannot be avoided, because they are always with us after our birth.  If meditators could be mindful single-mindedly and unceasingly, the terror and obstacles will disappear immediately.  If diligent practitioners can penetrate into their minds and even to the origin of them, and if their perception nature and the nature of true suchness do not cease, then they will naturally penetrate into things and get enlightened.

 

On the path of cultivation, let us encourage each other.

 

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

62心靈甘露（三）

 

中文原著：隆門圓通法師  英文翻譯：張惠平

Written by Master Shih Longmen Yuantong  Translated by Huei Ping Chang

 

    看盡蒼生苦，知福更惜福，逆境是個最好的老師，順境是個最大的機緣，人間是最佳的修行處。當我們有能力去愛人、助人、扶持別人時，我們都珍惜這份福氣。 

  在人世間好好的讓自己發一個心，哪怕是你的舉手之勞去捐一點點的福報，你都要去佈施，這都是造修福德。 

    人都有理想目標，希望是能開創一個好的結果，希望比別人傑出。這個企圖心愈大，所付出的心力比別人更多，一生就為這幅遠景去耕耘。然而能如願否？其實是一個未知數。 

    福德資糧不足時，往往是跟生命本願本源背離的。可是人卻不明白，窮盡一生都在追逐，追逐這得不到的福報，心中難掩失望與怨懟。 

   「心」能夠學習，告訴自己、耕耘自己、面對自己，因人在一念之間，就能夠讓我們在世間培育福報，只要你肯用心，心念不空。 

 

大眾修福、修慧、當勤行 

施比受有福      共勉之 

                           

 

資料來源：心靈甘露(二)，隆門圓通法師著。

 

Sweet Dew for the Soul—III

After seeing all the sufferings of common people, one should know the value of blessings and cherish them.  The adversity is our best teacher, the favorable circumstances are the biggest opportunities, and the human world is the best place for cultivation.  When we have the ability to love, help, and support people, we should cherish this blessing.  

 

Make a good vow in this world.  Even a small donation that is as easy as lifting your hand should also be made.  This is the making of blessing.

 

Everyone has ideals and goals.  They all wish to gain good results and become more outstanding than others.  The greater the ambition is, the more efforts they will have to put in.  They work diligently for their prospect all through their life.  But, can they fulfill their dream?  It remains unknown.

 

When the accumulated blessings are insufficient, the dream will deviate from the vow.  However, people do not know this but keep chasing the unattainable dream throughout their life until finally they are filled with disappointments and complaints.

 

The mind has the capability to learn.  Tell yourself, work diligently by yourself, and face yourself.  Just a flash of thought can make you cultivate blessings as long as you are mindful.  Be mindful of the names of Buddhas unceasingly.

 

Everyone should cultivate blessings and wisdom diligently.  It is more blessed to give than to receive.  Let us encourage each other with this.

 

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

59見解

 

中文原著：隆門圓通法師  英文翻譯：張惠平

Written by Master Shih Longmen Yuantong  Translated by Huei Ping Chang

 

請問師父：真正修行的人，是不是知道得越少、見解越少越好？或者只須依止善知識與一兩部經典，而不必廣研經論，老實參禪念佛，必能大事成就，這種說法對嗎？ 

答：修法不研習經論，不懂道理、怎麼修呢？這種說法是怕人著在文字裹，鑽牛角尖，不去實修，而耽誤了修行。 

經典為佛所說法，具足功德光明，時時教導心性、心行與佛相應。行者先從誦經、持咒、禮拜開始，調伏安定自心增長智慧，但能在精通教理後，一切放下，不再執文字相，而腳踏實地的去修，  

那是最好了。 

為利世間修苦行  往來諸有無量劫

普徧十方諸國土  以法滋味益群生

勇猛能知此方便  放光明網不思議

普淨一切諸含識  悉使發生深信解

普為世間開正道  淨智於此能深解

 

資料來源：心靈甘露(二)，隆門圓通法師著。

 

Views

 

Q:  Is it better for a real spiritual practitioner to have less understanding and views?  Is it correct to say that he just needs to rely on virtuous friends and one or two sutras instead of widely researching into sutras and treatises, and that he just needs to do the meditation and is mindful of Buddhas, then he will make great achievements?

A:  If a practitioner does not study the sutras and treatises and does not know the principles, how can he cultivate?  People say so for fear that practitioners might get caught in the scripture and waste their time on insignificant problems, and then they will not practice realistically and their cultivation will be delayed.

 

    Sutras are the dharmas taught by Buddhas and are replete with merits and brightness.  They often teach us to make our nature and mind actions correspond with Buddhas.  Practitioners should start from reciting sutras, abiding by mantras, and worshipping Buddhas to subdue and stabilize their minds and increase their wisdom.  Once they master the doctrines, let go of everything, do not cling to the words, and cultivate realistically, that will be the best.

 

In order to benefit the world, one lives an ascetic life and goes through all phenomena in countless kalpas.   

He benefits living beings in the realms in the Ten Directions with the taste of dharma.

Brave and powerful, he knows such a convenience and casts the incredible net of brightness,

Which purifies all sentient beings and makes them believe and understand deeply.

He also opens the right path for the world in which all living beings can deeply understand with their pure wisdom.

 

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

58又如何

 

中文原著：隆門圓通法師  英文翻譯：張惠平

Written by Master Shih Longmen Yuantong  Translated by Huei Ping Chang

 

    請問師父：近來對一切有相佛法，難以生恭敬心，看得見的世界尚屬虛幻，看不見的世界又如何？很難令人產生絕對信心。 

   答：「相」雖屬虛幻，但不是沒有作用。所以說非空非有；有即是空，空即是有。二邊具不能住，天空之大，世界之多，以現代科學尚不能測其端倪，只有佛眼明淨，一清二楚。 

    信為道源功德母，你只要一心按佛法修持，到根塵脫落時，所謂看不見的世界，自然得見。 

世間所有諸光明，佛光如是不思議

一切諸佛法如是，悉坐菩提樹王下

令非道者住於道。

眾生盲暗愚痴苦，是故為燃智慧燈，

悉使修行至於果。

 

資料來源：心靈甘露(二)，隆門圓通法師著。

 

So What?

 

Q:  It’s hard for people to be respectful to the tangible Buddhist Dharma.  The visible world is illusory, and what about the invisible one?  It’s hard for us to have absolute faith in the invisible world.

A:  Form is illusory, but it doesn’t mean that it is without function.  So it is said that things are neither empty nor existing.  Existence is emptiness, and emptiness is existence.  We should not abide in either one.  Modern science still cannot measure the inkling of the vast skies and numerous worlds.  Only the bright and pure eyes of Buddhas are very clear about them.  Faith is the origin of principles and merits.  As long as you cultivate according to the Buddhist Dharma, the invisible world will be seen when the contaminations are gone.

 

Among all the different kinds of brightness, the Buddha light is so incredible.  All Buddhist Dharmas are like this:  by sitting under the Bodhi tree, one can make the non-Buddhists abide by the principles.  Sentient beings are suffering from blindness and stupidity, so we should light up the lamp of wisdom for them and make them succeed by cultivation.

 

Let us encourage each other with this.  

 

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

 

Dharma Wheel Monastery, Pingtung

A Share of Tzulong Dharma Text

 

The Seeing Stupa Chapter of the Wondrous Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra says:

When the Buddha was lecturing on the Wondrous Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra, a stupa of seven treasures emerged from under the ground and stayed in the skies.  A voice coming from inside the stupa said, “Excellent!  Excellent!”  Shakyamuni Buddha taught the Bodhisattva Dharma with impartial and great wisdom.  He was mindful of the Wondrous Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra and taught it to the masses.  As such, all the Dharmas Shakyamuni Buddha taught were true.  Banners made of the mixture of seven jewels like gold, silver, crystal, and so on immediately appeared from the stupa and billions of necklaces, treasure bells, and jewels like these were hanging on the stupa.

The All Tathagata Minds Secret Whole Body Sarira Treasure Box Mark Dharani Sutra

 

The Buddha tells Vajrapani:  The big whole body sarira is stored in the Tathagata stupa.  All the Dharma essentials of the Tathagata’s immeasurable koti mind dharani secret marks are in there now.  Vajrapani!  Because there are Dharma essentials in it, this stupa overlaps without apertures like a sesame seed.  It should be noted that the koti hundreds of the Tathagata bodies are also like sesame seeds.  The accumulation of the koti hundreds of the Tathagata whole body sarira and even the 84,000 Dharma skandhas are also in it.  So are the thousands of koti Tathagata head images.  Wherever there is such a wondrous stupa, there is always a god who examines the magnificent prestige and merits and brings auspiciousness to the world.

A Share of Tzulong Dharma Text

 

Prabhuta-ratna, also called Numerous Treasure Tathagata, is a Buddha in the Treasure Pure Realm of the East.  The Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom says, “Buddhas who are not invited will enter Nirvana and will not lecture on the Dharma.”

Prabhuta-ratna used his original vows as his whole body sarira.  Numerous Treasure Tathagata made a great vow when walking the Bodhisattva Path:  Even though I have entered Nirvana, if there is someone lecturing on the Wondrous Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra, the Buddha’s embodiment and the stupa of seven jewels will definitely manifest due to the confirmation and lecturing of this sutra.

A Share of Tzulong Dharma Text

 

The Buddha told Heaven Crown Bodhisattva:

Virtuous man!  If Bodhisattvas achieve four Dharma approaches, they will increase their magnificent

wisdom and will know the deep and differentiating Dharma well.  What are the four?

 

They will comply with the law of affinities and know the true nature of the self.  They will know and enter the true nature of all sentient beings.  They will know the circulation of life and death and know that there is neither coming nor going.  Moreover, they will know that all Dharmas can mark a form in the Great Void.  

 

~The Questions of the Kimnara King Druma

A Share of Tzulong Dharma Text

 

The Buddha told Heaven Crown Bodhisattva:

Virtuous man!  If Bodhisattvas achieve four Dharma approaches, they will gain the magnificent eloquence of various kinds.  What are the four?

 

Such Bodhisattvas do not have the intention to infringe any sentient beings, and do not regret abandoning whatever they love.  They do not interrupt those who are lecturing on the Dharma, but are moved and become joyful at the sight of it. Then they may even praise it and ask the lecturer to talk about the Dharma.

 

Day and night, whether they are among the sangha or in the stupa, they will give rise to ambitions to be fond of various kinds of Dharmas initiated by the Bodhi mind.  Such Bodhisattvas concentrate on their ambitions and impartially give Dharmas to others and never ask for offerings from others.

 

~The Questions of the Kimnara King Druma