文／美國佛心寺研經禪修班學員　法康

　　對這個地球上所有的人來說，過去的一年半是極具挑戰性的時期。新冠肺炎病毒初襲美國時，我感到困惑不解，不懂這個病毒為什麼會如此危險？真正讓我了解病毒傳播危險的是佛心寺的法師，我也從而學習到保護自己與他人的重要。

　　這一段時日裡，我關注於世界的相互關聯。世界各地的人正承受著被病毒危害的相同命運，這證實了業網將我們牢繫在一起。同時，我也觀察「封城」對地球上其他生物造成的影響。少了人類的活動，河水變得清澈，自然界萬物開始蓬勃生長，這證明一切萬物息息相關。

　　我被恐懼與憤怒所困擾，但透過靜坐與佛法，我平和坦誠地面對造成自己痛苦的原因。當恐懼、憤怒時，透過靜坐，我認知到是自己內心的三毒與我執造成這些苦。認清這個事實，使我頓時從困擾中得解脫。

　　最讓我驚訝，並覺得極重要的是，我學習到「慈悲」的重要。因為心中把對方看作「他人」，我對他們的憤怒、貪婪、無知，感到不能忍受。透過靜坐修慈悲觀，放下自己的想法，一念的慈悲讓我看見他們的恐懼，進一步將功德回向給他們。我真切地知道修慈悲觀改變了我。

　　因緣法與無常觀，在這一段歷程中對我也有所助益。了解無常的道理，使我不執著於自己的感覺與想法，因而心得到平靜。當我勤勉地禪修與學習，覺察、覺照力有了提升，更能有助於覺悟，唯有覺悟這念心，才是最究竟的。覺悟，幫助我得以摒除錯誤的知見，更能運用慈悲心善待自己與他人，降伏妄念，而不被妄念牽引。

　　感恩中台禪寺，讓許多人得以知道佛法。很榮幸自己能成為其中的一員，祝福大眾。

　　（The past year and a half have been a challenging time for human beings on this planet. Initially, when COVID-19 reached the United States, I was confused and unsure as to why it was so dangerous. The master at Buddha Mind is the person who helped me understand some of the possible dangers that could happen as the virus spread and helped me understand the importance of protecting ourselves and others.

　　During this time, I concentrated on the interconnectedness of the world. The whole world was suffering from the same consequences of the disease. It was a demonstration to me of just how our karma is tied together. I also spent a lot of time contemplating how “shutting down” effected the other sentient beings on the planet. The waters became clearer, and all of nature began to thrive in our absence. Again, the proof of the interconnectedness of all sentient beings became an undeniable truth to me.

　　I struggled with feelings of anger and fear but through meditation and the Buddha's teachings, I was able to be gentle and honest with myself about what was creating my suffering. As I sat with the anger and fear, I was able to recognize how the three poisons and my ego were creating the suffering. Acknowledging this truth brought immediate relief.

　　One of the most surprising and important parts is the importance of compassion. When I viewed people as “others”, I struggled with being impatient and intolerant of their anger, greed and ignorance. Through sitting meditation, my practice provides me the tools to stop my thinking and examine from a place of compassion. I can see their fear. I have learned how practicing compassion, offering well wishes and merits to those I view as “wrong”, I know with certainty the practice changes mine.

　　Other concepts that have been useful to me during this journey are causality and impermanence. Understanding impermanence helps me. By not attaching to my feelings and beliefs about how I think things should be, I experience peace. When I am diligent in my practice of meditation and studies, my mindfulness increases. Mindfulness creates awareness and awareness is the key. Awareness helps me correct and challenge faulty beliefs, practice compassion for myself and others and deal with thoughts as they arise instead of allowing the thoughts to direct and control me.

　　Thanks to Chung Tai Chan Monastery that work on making the words of the Buddha available to so many. I am honored to be a part of this community and send nothing but love and blessing to all.）