Repent to Purge Afflictions so the Dharma may Enter...
地、水、火、風 成就世界 但 成、住、壞、空 世間何物常住
Earth, water, fire and air make up this world. But they form, abide, decay and disappear. So what is everlasting in this world?
我們在這裡坐著，外面的境界如此輪轉，我們坐在這裡靜靜的，我們的身體同樣新陳代謝，在每一秒當中，我們的細胞都不斷的生滅。
As we sit here, our external surroundings are constantly changing. As we sit here quietly, what is happening in our bodies? We are constantly metabolizing. In the span of a second, cells are constantly arising and dying
我們的身體自己不知道，沒有感覺，其實在身體內裡的這個世界當中，還是不斷有各種微生物，彼此相處、互相排擠、互相摧滅。這在我們身體當中，每一秒鐘的新陳代謝，不斷地消耗又不斷產生出來。
We do not realize this is happening in our bodies because we do not feel it. Actually, inside our bodies microorganisms are constantly coexisting peacefully, or crowding against or even destroying one another. In every second, our bodies are metabolizing and cells continually consumed and produced.
在生理上都是無常了，何況是心理呢？很多無明、煩惱，就是從這個地方不斷變化，但是到了最後還不是滅掉了！世間沒有什麼是真實永遠不會變 的。
There is no permanence in our bodies. Let alone in our minds. Ignorance and afflictions constantly arise and change. In the end, they will still be extinguished. Nothing in this world can remain forever unchanged.
人身會生、老、病、死 人心亦緣外境生七情六欲 不斷輪轉變化 生、住、異、滅 世間又有何物常住
Human bodies go through birth, ageing, illness, death. The human mind, as it encounters external conditions, produces 7 /emotions and 6 /desires, Witch cycle through states of arising, abiding, changing, and ceasing. So what os everlasting in this world?
所以這種心理的生、住、異、滅；生理的生、老、病、死；物理的成、住、壞、空，都不離開四大假合。
In mental arising, abiding, changing, ceasing, biological birth aging, illness and death, material formation, continuation, decay and annihilation, all are the temporary union of the Four Elements.
有了人這個身體，才會有生、住、異、滅。有了身體同樣到最後還是黃土一杯，死了之後只是埋起來而已，還有什麼呢？也是什麼都沒有。
Having attained human birth, we are blessed with a body, which goes through the process of arising, abiding, changing and ceasing. But this body will eventually return to dust. After a person dies, they will be buried. What remains? Nothing at all.
天地宇宙之間，有什麼東西是常住的？難！所以這麼簡單的道理，我們如果可以通徹的話，就沒有什麼煩惱。所以我們本來就無一物了，偏偏我們的心要去惹塵埃。
In this universe, nothing lasts forever? Nothing. This is such a simple truth. If we can truly understand this, we will not have any afflictions.” There was nothing to begin with but our minds still seek to attract dust”
菩提本無樹 明鏡亦非臺 本來無一物 何處惹塵埃 《六祖慧能法師 》
Bodhl really has no tree. And there is no bright mirror. Since there was nothing to begin with, where can the dust alight?
-Dhama Master Hui-nerg, the 6th Patriarch
所以我們現在，應該要每天用心懺悔，懺悔每天做了、想了許多本無、虛妄的事情。這種種在虛妄中的境界，既然都已經知道是虛的、虛幻 妄有的東西，我們卻還是不斷在那裡製造煩惱。
So, from now on, earnestly repent every day. Things that happen are unreal, delusions. We live in the illusion and we fabricate false things and continuously produce afflictions in response to them.
我們要很感恩，現在之所以能夠知道過去是在夢幻中產生種種煩惱，是因為幸好在兩千多年前的四月初八那一天，有佛陀這位大聖人降生來人間。 所以，佛陀誕生之後，開始隨著年月的增長，發現了這個真理，從而開始對人間宣告真理。
We must be grateful to know our past, that we created afflictions out of illusions. Fortunately, over 2500 years ago on the 8th day of the fourth month, this great sage came to this world. That was the beginning. As He grew older, He discovered the Ultimate Truth and began to proclaim it to the world.
在人間已經經過了二千多年的現在，已經讓我們可以知道這個道理，且在這兩千多年間，也已經讓不知有多少人能夠覺悟，令多少人能透徹這個真 理，並且從真理的源頭去探討物理、生理的種種根本！甚至現在很多科學家，也是從源頭不斷追究，變成現在人人都能顯神通，這都一樣是從源頭 的真理而來。既然是這樣，我們應該更加敬服釋迦牟尼佛。
It has been over 2000 years since that era. We already know this Truth. During these 2000 plus years. He awakened so many people, led so many to thoroughly understand this Truth and explore its source and see it in physics and biology. There are even many scientists today who continue to study that source. Now it seem like many people can manifest spiritual powers. The Truth was the source of all these things. In light of this, let us have even greater respect for Sakyamuni Buddha.
修行的第一步就是懺悔 懺悔才能消除煩惱 消除煩惱心才能淨 真理佛法才能入心
The first step of spiritual practice is repentance. Repentance can eliminate afflictions. We need to do so for our minds to be clean, then Truth and Dharma can enter our minds.
所以佛陀時時跟我們說：「眾生的煩惱一定要懺悔。懺悔了煩惱，才能靜下我們清淨的心，真理才能入心。」
The Buddha always told us that sentient beings must repent their afflictions. Only when we repent our afflictions can we calm our minds so that they become pure. In doing so Truth can enter our minds.
就像我們想要寫一篇好文章， 那張紙也要是淨白的，很白的紙、清淨的紙，我們才能夠寫出好的文章。我們身上要穿的衣服，有很多顏色，這麼多的顏色也是從白布去染，染成很多種顏色。同樣的意思，我們要接受法之前，我們要飲水思源，我們先 將心清淨了，保持清淨的心地，然後來探討道理。
It is like wrutung a good essay. To start with, we need a piece of white paper. We need a clean page to write a good essay. Also, the clothes we wear can consist of many colors. All these colors are dyed onto white cloth. Similarly, before we receive Dharma let us think of the source. First purify the mind and then keep it clean. Then we can explore the Truth.
夫欲禮懺 必須先敬三寶 所以然者 三寶即是一切眾生 良友福田
People desire to practice repentance. First they must respect the Three Treasures. Clearly, the Three Treasures are kind friends and fields of blessings for sentient beings.
所以我們應該要先瞭解，要先恭敬三寶，有佛、有法、有僧，這樣才能將真理不斷地流傳下去。所以我們要先敬重三寶，因為三寶是一切眾 生的良友福田。
So first we should seek to understand and respect the Three Treasures. Only with Buddha Dharma and Sangha can the Truth be continuously passed down. Thus, we first pay respect to the Three Treasures. They are the kind friends and friends of blessings for all sentient beings.
所以我們在這個時候，應該要很虔誠從內心起這分敬重。佛、覺者，如果沒有這一位覺者，我們哪有法呢？所以「法」就像「藥」一樣，每一樣 法，都能救治眾生的心病。生病是多麼痛苦的事情？何況人的心起了一念心病，這分病毒就源源不斷地一直傳染下去，這是人生一個苦的源頭，所 以我們應該要恭敬三寶。
So now at this very moment, let us be deeply reverent. Let respect for the Buddha, the Enlightened One, arise from deep within our hearts without this Enlightened One, how could we have Dharma? Every teaching can cure living beings of their spiritual illnesses. Therefore Dharma is like medicine. Being sick is so very painful. Once illness arises in the mind, this virous will continue to exist. This is a source of suffering in life. Therefore, respect the Three Treasures.
有了佛，他的智慧覺悟出天地萬物真理，他用心說法，佛法經千古而不變，一直流傳到現在，就是因為有很多出家眾，願意追隨佛菩薩的芳蹤。這種愛道者，行道者，我們更應該尊重。因為佛出生在印度，說法在印度，很多的法都留在印度，我們要很感恩，無論是從印度或是從我們中國， 這種愛好佛法，追求真理的人，他不惜辛苦。
Buddha, with his wisdom, realized the Truth of everything in the world. He dedicated himself to expounding Dharma. The Dharma has not changed through the ages and has been passed down to this day because. Many monastic willingly followed in the path of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. We should truly respect those who love and practice the spiritual path. The Buddha was born and expounded Dharma in India. Many teachings remained there. Let us be very grateful to those from India or China who admired Dharma and spared no effort to pursue the Truth. Remember them?
我們還記得過去在講「佛遺教經」的時候，提到「摩藤、竺法蘭」這兩位，他們是中印度的人，他們為了弘法，知道佛法這麼好，為了弘法傳教， 既然佛陀不在了，他們就毅然而然承擔如來家業的責任。所以遠從西域，兩個人以白馬馱經，傳道中國。還有「鳩摩羅什」，我們誦「法華經」的時候，我們知道鳩摩羅什，不斷傳經來中國，甚至翻譯很 多大乘經典，如果不是鳩摩羅什，我們怎麼會有這麼多佛法在世間？特別是大乘經典！
When we spoke of the Sutra on the Buddha’s Bequeathed Teaching, we mentioned Kasyapa Matanga and Dharmaraksa. They were from India knowing that the teachings were so good, they went on a mission to spread Buddha Dharma and propagate the teachings. Since Buddha was gone, they wanted to shoulder the responsibility of continuing the Buddha’s work. From India, they carried Sutras on white horses to spread Buddhism to China. There was also Kumarajiva. When we recite the Lotus Sutra, we learn that Kumarajiva brought Sutras to China. He even translated them into Chinese. He translated many Mahayana texts. If it was not for Kumarajiva, we would not have so many of Buddha’s teachings remaling especially the Mahayana teachings.
我們現在看印度，佛法在印度已經是埋沒了。但是佛法現在還在我們身邊，無論是在東、在西、在五大洲，大家都還能體會到佛法的真理，能夠用 心研究。就算在英國也是一樣，在大學中開設宗教的課程，去研究佛法。在美國同樣也是。很多文明的國家，尤其是日本，從唐朝時傳經到日本，所以日本很多的文化也是一樣以佛法為他們的文化。在我們中國，也有很多生活禮節，同樣 也是從佛教傳來的。佛教真的是人類的文化！
When we look at India now, Buddhism has practically disappeared. However, Dharma now exists in the East and West across the five continents. Many people experience the Truth in Buddha’s teaching and diligently study it. It is the same in England. Universities there have courses in religion to study Buddhist teachings. It is the same in America and many other developed countries, especially in Japan. In the Tang Dynasty, Sutras were brought to Japan, so a lot of Japanese culture is rooted in Buddhism. In China, many of the courtesies and proprieties in daily living came from Buddhism. Buddhism is truly the culture of humanity.
看在西域，也就是印度，這樣的高僧不惜辛苦，傳法來到我們東土。還有我們東土，在中國大陸，看玄奘法師，就他所瞭解的佛法，好像還不是很齊全。所以因為這樣，他發心從中國的長安出發，經過十分辛苦走過的絲路。我們如果從地圖上去瞭解，實在是很辛苦。他走過阿富汗，經過了土耳其，才繞道到印度去。那時的交通如此遙遠，而且又沒有交通工具，你看他從長安出發，一直繞過其他國界，從中東才 進入到印度。
Look, these eminent monks from India to the west of China, spared no effort to bring Dharma to us in the East. Here in the East, in China, Venerable Master Xuan-Zang felt that the understood seemed incomplete. Therefore, he vowed to travel from Chang’an, China to India. It was an arduous journey along the Silk Road. Tracing that route on a map we can see that it was a truly difficult journey. He traveled through present-day Afghanistan and Turkey before making his way to India. It was far away and there was no transportation. He set out from Chang’an and circled around other nations, entering India through the Middle East.
假使黑風吹其船舫 飄墮羅剎鬼國 其中若有乃至一人 稱觀世音菩薩名者 是諸人等 皆得解脫羅剎之難 《觀世音菩薩普門品》
When the black winds blow the large boat, it will fall into the land of raksas and ghosts. But if one person on the boat calls on the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva. Then everyone can escape the ordeal of the Raksas.
-Universal Gate Chapter of the Lotus Sutra
在沿路上所經歷的氣候更是艱苦。我們在誦「普門品」的時候，有讀到「黑風」，那樣的黑風，在取經的過程中經常都會經歷到。
The climate was very harsh. When we recite the Universal Gate Chapter of the Lotus Sutra, we read many accounts of black winds on his journey
我們現在看阿富汗，或是我們去看巴基斯坦，我們去看看這些慈濟國際賑災時曾經走過的路，看看一望無際都是沙漠，沒有水、沒有樹、沒有草， 風忽然間吹來時，昏天暗地。甚至有的地方整片都是沙漠，一陣風吹來，整座山都會被搬走，忽然變成好像山丘擋路一般。風還沒有來之前，能夠看到一片平坦一望無際的沙 漠，那種地形千變萬化。
Now if we look at Afghanistan or Pakistan, the places we have been to, everywhere we look is endless desert. There is no water, tree or grass. When the wind suddenly blows, it becomes dark as night. Even worse in some areas of the desert, the winds can move an entire sand dune so a hill can suddenly appear out of nowhere. Before the wind comes, there is just a flat, endless stretch of desert.
隨著這種氣候，單身一個人、一匹馬，走在這種一望無際的沙漠當中，一日之中氣候千變，地形千變，我們能知道這是多麼辛苦。熱的時候天煎地迫！
So in that ever- changing terrain and under those weather conditions, Ven. Xuan-Zang traveled alone, with only a horse. He trekked through that endless desert where the weather and terrain can change at any time. We can imagine how arduous it must have been. When it is hot, it is blistering.
現在在約旦，有時候白天熱起來四十多度，晚上氣溫降下來有時接近零度，在我們現在能聽到、能體會到的，慈濟的人員在那裡都能夠親身感受到。何況當時玄奘法師要去取經，經過的路途是多麼辛苦，才有現在的般若經等等很多的經典，都是他以生命，不怕辛苦所換來的。
In Jordan at this time of year, temperatures can reach over 40 degrees Celsius. At night, it can drop close to zero degrees. Now we hear this, we can understand and feel those temperatures, much like what Ven. Master Xuan-Zang must have felt. The journey must have been very difficult. He is why we now have the Prajna Paramita Sutra. He tirelessly risked his life for many Sutras.
各位，佛、法、僧，真的是我們應該要尊重的，我們要恭敬的。倘若我們沒有辦法起恭敬心，這個法絕對無法入心。
Everyone, respect and revere Buddha,Dhrrna, and Sangha. If we are not respectful, Dharma cannot enter our minds.
要尊重、感恩「佛、法、僧」！如果沒有佛，我們今天沒有法可以聽；沒有僧，現在也沒有法可以傳下來。所以我們應該要敬重三寶，要懂得飲水思源。所以無論是佛、法，或是僧，從印度遠道來傳教的，或是中國的高僧去探討、帶回來的佛法，我們都要很感恩傳法的僧，要視同如佛。所以說「心敬佛在」，我們人人都是未來佛，我們若是不敬過去佛，怎麼可能會在未來成佛？過去如同現在；現在如同未來。所以我們的心念要時時保持好。
Looking at the Three Treasures, without Buddha, there is no Dharma to hear without Sangha, there is no one to pass on the Dharma. Thus, we must respect the Three Treasures. Remember the source as we drink the water. Whether Buddha, Dharma, or Sangha, they all came from Indian monks who spread teachings or venerable monks who brought Dharma back to China. We must be very grateful to Sanghas that spread. Dharma and respect them like the Buddha. When we are respectful, the Buddha is with us. Everyone is a potential Buddha. So , if we do not venerate past Buddhas, how can we be future Buddhas? The past is like the present and the present is like the future. So constantly guard the mind.
無論是過去、無論是現在、或是未來，佛法僧是永恆的。只要我們好好把心中過去的煩惱去除，保持這片清淨的心，好好接納這分難得難遭遇的佛法僧。若能如此，我們的心版中才能銘刻真理。所以要請大家時時多用心啊！
Be it in the past, present, or future. Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha are eternal. If we diligently cultivate our minds eliminate past afflictions. Maintain a pure mind and accept this rare encounter with Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Only if we do so, can the Truth be carved into our minds. So, everyone please always be mindful.
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