和合从心　天广地宽
Finding Harmony—From the Inside Out

文／美国佛门寺护法会副会长　传伦

　　在踏进佛门寺学佛前，我认为只有他人和我的想法、做法相同时，才能体验所谓的和合。幸运的是，当我在佛门寺上禅修课之后，情况开始有所改变。在教授法师的开示中一再强调「三大观念」：因果、空性、中道实相。我最喜欢的偈子是：「欲知前世因，今生受者是；欲知来世果，今生作者是。」这让我反思：我现在做的事情有何意义？人生将走向何方？我铭记这些道理并尽力理解和实践，这激发我决定发心受持三皈五戒，开启了我人生的重大转变。

　　受持三皈五戒之后，很快地我注意到自己正向的改变，尤其是反映在我与同事的人际关系上。我发现自己对他们能有较多的慈悲和宽容；我更愿意主动协助他人，而不再只是「把工作做好就好」。我体会到，更多专注在利他的念头和行动，能使自己的人生更有意义且快乐。我希望能由此营造一种和谐的生活文化。

　　佛门寺提供了一个完善的启发性环境，可以从中学习成长。我意识到过去大部分时间都用来追逐世俗的欲乐，妄想从外面的六尘境界中建构一个内心和平的世界。直到有一天我体悟到：真正的快乐就是找到自家珍宝，不假外求，本自具足。透过持续的禅修，我的心念自然而然变得更加平和、快乐和满足。我开始看清自己的妄想，练习放下，歇下向外追逐的心，创造自己内心的和谐。

　　很有福报成为佛门寺的一分子，感恩开山祖师慈心悲愿成立佛门寺。对我而言，佛门寺不仅是一个学佛的地方，也是推动心灵成长的团体，透过修行培养品德，使我们所到之处，皆能与一切众生分享法喜。

　　（Before starting my path at Buddha Gate Monastery and being introduced to Buddhism, my understanding was that Harmony was experienced only when others thought and worked the same as I did. Fortunately all of this changed when I started taking classes at BGM. In the Dharma talks, the Dharma teacher always emphasized the teaching of the “Big 3”: Karma, Impermanence, and Middle Way Reality. My favorite quote was: “To know what you've done in the past, observe what is happening now. And to know where you are headed in the future, observe what you are doing now.” This made me think:“What is the significance in what I'm doing now? And where is my life headed?” I always tried to take the teachings to heart and do my best to understand and practice them. This inspired me to take the Three Refuges and Five Precepts. This was the beginning of a major life change for me.

　　Shortly after taking and practicing the Precepts, I started to notice real positive changes in myself that were reflected most notably with my interpersonal relationships with coworkers. I observed I was more compassionate and tolerant with them. I was more willing to offer to help others, as opposed to just “getting the job done.” I realized that focusing on more altruistic thoughts and behaviors would lead me to a more meaningful and joyful life. I wanted to create a culture of harmony around me.

　　The monastery gave me a wholesome and inspiring environment from which to learn and develop from. I realized that previously, most of my personal time had been used chasing the pleasures of the mundane world—constantly searching for a peaceful “world” inside me by trying to create it from the outside world of the 6 senses. Then a small enlightenment happened! What I was learning at BGM was that my true happiness was the treasure found inside myself, not relying on or attaching to others, or something outside myself. By continuing my practice and meditating more, my mind was natually becoming more peaceful, joyful and content. I started to see through my illusions. Letting go and practicing nonattachment helped me stop the chase. I was starting to create harmony within myself.

　　I feel very blessed to be a part of BGM and grateful to Grand Master for his great vow of building a monastery here in the U.S. To me, BGM is more than a place to study Buddha's teachings. It also serves to promote a community for Spiritual growth from which to practice and cultivate our virtues, and to share these blessings with all sentient beings everywhere we go.）