The Bodhi Mind and Action—III

066 菩提心行（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

俗語： 「人生不如意事，十常八、九。」凡在社會發光發熱的人，都是受苦受難多。他們的生命面對苦難時，都能保持正向的思考。 有正念的人，能觀功念恩，常思一、二，即是思惟如意、快樂、欣慰之事。最後超越苦難，讓苦難化成生命中最肥沃的養料。這些使我們深為感動的，不是他們的苦難。而是能面對苦難時，仍然能保有樂觀和氣，及堅持的善心。 原來決定生命品質的，不在於那自身在意的八、九不如意之事，而是那一、二可以無限擴充的光明。 放下！便能遨遊於天地之間，危機常常是轉機，在漫長生命旅程中，有時難免陷入煩惱的泥沼。 這些生活上所遭遇的種種困難、挫折，如果能以沈著的態度面對困境，就會發現助緣、助力往往就潛藏在困境之中。 那麼決定於自己是否有足夠的智慧，化危機為轉機的是什麼？ 是轉煩惱為菩提、學習放下一切得失，勇往直前邁向理想，這顆堅定的菩提心。首先：建立自己的信心、無限的希望、和無條件的付出。這些都是找到自己的必要條件，能使自己從生命中的枯井脫困而出。 如何使自己快樂，想……看……發覺，你會發現，有很多不可思議的事都在身旁環繞伴著你，不妨將心澄靜下來，感受慈光普照。

資料來源：心靈甘露(二)，隆門圓通法師著。

The Bodhi Mind and Action—III

Master Huang Mei created a new Dharma approach of the Zen Buddhism.
Master Fa Da had recited the sutra 3000 times, but his wishful thinking of gaining merits was extinguished by an instruction of Master Huei Nen.
During the Right Dharma Period, take the mind as your teacher.
During the Dharma-semblance Period, encourage yourself with precepts.
During the Dharma-end Period, follow your teacher’s instructions.
Be guided well to be wiser.

When the mind is seen, the principles are too deep to talk about.
When the nature is brightened, two hearts may correspond with a flash of understanding that transcends speech.
When the understanding is perfect, the vowing body will righteously accept Samadhi.
When the principles are true, all of them will manifest if seen clearly.

A disciple being taught can be given sharp advice for him to wake up from error.

It’s not easy to be consummate. There are different levels in cultivation and a cultivator should try to break through each level. There is no end to learning and the cultivation of the path.

We should cultivate the wisdom of right perceptions, the nature that transcends the world, the ability of tolerance, and the Bodhi vows.

We should cherish Buddhist Dharmas. How incredible it is for us to be nurtured by the supreme doctrines in this life. So we have to be diligent. Here is a poem by Master Han Shan:

The stars spread out in the cold night, making it deep and bright.
A lone lamp hangs on the rock, and the moon has not sunken yet.
In the clouds is the perfect splendor.
What hangs in the blue skies is my heart.

The Three Realms in this world are like a burning house. The properties in this world are owned together by five elements: kings, thieves, evil people, fire, and earth. Everything is impermanent.

Money makes people rich, but it lures people to chase it at will and even do evil deeds. People like these may eventually fall into Samsara.

The Five Desires are all impermanent and, with their false nature, are like water gathering foam.
All existences are like a dream, sunshine, floating clouds, and the moon in the water.
Wantonness may bring resentments and afflictions; it’s neither a way of sweet dew nor a path of life and death.

Everyone, even though you have hundreds of luxurious houses, all you need is a bed to sleep in. Though you have a lot of money and properties, your body alone cannot enjoy them all. So why don’t you practice more charities and create merits so that you will feel free and comfortable? Only when one realizes impermanence will his cultivation be utmost.

Haggling is innately empty and is like a dream without arising.
If one realizes Samadhi, he will be impartial and without discriminations.
All things are like hundreds of roles in a play and will turn empty.
One should know that this is an impermanent world and should cultivate the path diligently.

Let us encourage each other on the Bodhi path!
Source: Sweet Dew for the Soul (Vol.II), Written by Master Shih Longmen Yuantong.