開啟覺悟之門 |
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佛法修行最重要的就是「發菩提心」和「受持淨戒」。 師父們教導過，要發菩提心，就需要一些外在助緣來幫助我們自己，這些助緣就是戒律。理解了師父們所教導的佛法，就會明白受持在家菩薩戒的意義與重要性。而就在今年二○一七年八月，中台禪寺舉辦了傳授在家菩薩戒戒會。 這次澳洲寶林禪寺共有五十七名戒子報名前往中台禪寺參與戒會。雖然有些疲倦和時差反應，但我們滿懷著熱切、興奮與期待的心情。抵達後，我們被帶往寮區安單，接著認識了戒會期間我們受戒的壇區位置。此次發心受戒的戒子來自世界各地，總共多達四千位。 戒會中大量的坡務，靠著法師和義工們團結的付出而完成，這讓我們深感敬畏。他們努力不倦、平靜無聲、謙遜不已的發心，使這次戒會得以圓滿。每一項流程皆有條不紊地進行，策劃之精心有如一首和諧、莊嚴的交響樂曲。 儘管我們每個人都有不同的感受，但都一樣期許自己持守菩薩戒，並發願幫助一切眾生。這個願不僅只在這一世，而是生生世世常行菩薩道，度一切有情。這不是一個輕率的發願，它是一個全心全意的鄭重承諾。 因著受戒和發願，開啟了那扇通往究竟覺悟的門。我們還要持續不懈地走下去，直到目的地，徹見實相、本具的佛性。要達到目標是不能光靠空想、談論或者祈求，唯有不斷精進、落實修行才能實現。佛法、法師或者戒律，都僅是引導我們達到最終目標「涅槃」的方便與指引而已。 有了鄭重的發願，我願意受持菩薩戒。在燃香供佛時，我至誠供養佛。當我看到香珠慢慢地燒完，心中充滿了法喜，一點都不感覺疼痛。戒疤將成為我在佛前發願的印記。 （In Buddhism cultivation, the two most important principles is to "bring forth the bodhi mind" and to "uphold the principles of purity". We have learned from our dharma teachers that in order to bring forth our bodhi mind, we need external conditions to help us and these conditions are the Precepts. If we fully understand that, we will realize the importance of upholding the Bodhisattva Precepts - which is to be conducted at Chung Tai Chan Monastery in August 2017. There were a total of 57 devotees from Bao Lin, Australia, who registered and wanted to participate in the ceremony at Chung Tai. We all arrived with much eagerness, excitement and anticipation. Nonetheless, we were a bit tired and jetlag. We were promptly taken to our accommodations and shown to our places where we were supposed to be in preparation for the ceremony. There were so many participants from all over the world, a total of 4000 strong in number. We were struck with awe at the magnitude of work and effort put in by the team of Sanghas and volunteers. They worked so tirelessly, so quietly, so humbly to make this occasion a successful memoir. Everything was carried out perfectly, orchestrated harmoniously like a symphony in full grandeur. Each and every one of us have a very personal feeling of this occasion. Each of us wishes to uphold the Bodhisattva Precepts, to pledge our willingness to help all beings. With this pledge, we vow to walk this path, not only in this life but life after life, for aeons for all sentient beings. It is not a vow to be taken lightly, but with full commitment and wholeheartedness. By taking the Precepts and vows, the door of ultimate Enlightenment is opened. We need to walk through and get to our goal, our true reality, our inherent Buddha nature. This cannot be attained by thinking about it, talking about it, or wishing for it. This can only be attained by putting diligent effort in our cultivation. The dharma, Dharma teachers, precepts are just tools, pointers to guide us there to our ultimate goal, Nirvana. And so with that solemn pledge, I accept to uphold the Bodhisattva Precepts. At the burning of the incense on the arm, I offered to Buddha, every drop of my blood, my tears and sweat, every atom of my physical existence. As I watched the incense burnt slowly down, I felt no pain but a deep sense of joy and satisfaction. It was a seal to the pledge and vow that I have made to Buddha. ） |