With Reverence, Our Thoughts Will Reach Buddhas
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時間易逝，我們要好好把握每一秒鐘，每一個秒鐘，我們的心一定要建立，那分敬意至誠。
Time flies by quickly. We must make good use of every second. Every second, we should have the utmost reverence in our hearts.
「敬意至誠即天心則靈」我們的心和天地的心，合在一起，也就是我們的心和佛的心，也是一樣貼在一起。常常說「佛性天成」，人人生下來就有這分，與佛同等的佛性；所以一個人是否有天知、良知？要看人的心有否這分至誠的心意。
With deep reverence, our hearts will connect with the universe. Our minds and the Buddha's mind are connected. It is often said that everyone has the same innate Buddha-nature as the Buddha. Connecting with this innate awareness all depends on having the utmost reverence.
緣於想法
懇切至禱
Reverence arises from deep within, connecting to every thought I pray with sincerity.
所以「敬意至誠天心則靈；待人懇切無事不成」，我們做人、做事還是有誠懇。要人家相信，相信我們的這股力量很大。
"With reverence, heart and heaven are connected. With pure good will for others, we can accomplish anything." In dealing with people and affairs, we want people to have faith that our collected energy is quite powerful.
人人信佛，就表示佛陀來人間人格成了，所以佛的烕力大。為什麼說佛的威力大？因為佛，他的人格已成，所以不論他的說法，人人相信，所以佛格成了。
The reason we believe in the Buddha is that. He came to the world and perfected His character. So, the Buddha has great power. Why do we say He is powerful? Because He perfected His character. No matter how He taught the Dharma, everyone believed in His teachings.
同樣的，我們要學佛，也要接近佛的人格，所以要接近佛格，就要待人懇切。
Therefore, as we learn the Buddha's way, we must perfect our character. To achieve character like the Buddha's, we must be sincere with people.
我們不是也說過：「人格成佛格才成。」所以，我們的人格要建立起來，一定要待人懇切，這就是建立我們的人格；我們若是虛偽，就沒有人格了。所以要這分懇切，若有懇切的心就無事不成。
Only when we have perfected our character can we attain Buddhahood. And order to establish our character, we must be sincere with others. This is the way to build character. If we are pretentious or hypocritical. So we must be earnest and sincere. When we are earnest, we can accomplish anything.
待人懇切無事不成
舉頭三寸信有神祇
懇誠至禱上達佛聽
With reverence, the heart and heaven connect. If one is sincere with people, one can do anything. We must believe spirits hover above our heads. Sincere prayers will reach the Buddhas.
所以大家一定要相信，舉頭三寸，信有神祗。過去在講經也說：「無論天龍八部，魑魅魍魎，都在我們周圍身邊。」所以我們「懇誠至禱」就能夠「上達佛聽」。
So we must believe that there are watchful spirits above us. In my previous lectures, I talked about the eight classes of Dharma protectors and other supernatural beings, they are all around us. "Our sincere prayers will reach the Buddhas"
同樣我們說話、做人，我們的心聲，每一句話，不只是說給人聽，我們也是說給佛聽；不只是說給佛聽，還是一樣，天龍八部，魑魅魍魎都一樣聽。所以佛陀每一場的說法，在佛經中所描述的，都是幾萬人，幾億來聽法，這就是天龍八部、魑魅、魍魎，天人、天神都會來聽。
In our interactions with others, every word we speak is not only for them, but also for the Buddhas. Not only do we speak to the Buddhas, we also speak to the eight classes of Dharma protectors and all sorts of demons and monsters. So every time the Buddha gave a teaching, as described in the Sutras, millions of beings gathered to hear Him, including the eight classes of Dharma protectors, demons, heavenly beings and deities.
所以我們也很期待，我們所說的話，值得人聽，值得魑魅魍魎聽，值得天龍八部聽。這也就是我們要說出，內心的真實話；所以我們說話要負責。
They all came to listen to the teachings. We hope that our words are worthy of being listened to by people, demons, and the eight classes of Dharma protectors. So we must speak truthfully and from the heart. We are accountable for our speech.
所以常常說至誠虔敬，要虔誠恭敬，也要戒慎虔誠。這也就是要讓大家知道。我們人人都一樣要說好話，人人都一樣要有那分好的心意，大家虔誠祈禱，才能天無災難，人能平安。
This is why I always say we should be reverent and sincere. We should also be vigilant and disciplined. We should strive to let everyone know that we must all speak kind words and think kind thoughts. Only when we pray sincerely can we eliminate natural disasters and bring peace to everyone.
我們前面說過「內起敬意，緣於想法，懇切至禱。」這是我們之前說過的，我們的內心一定要起那分敬意。時時我們的心在茲，常常都在我們心中，我們人在哪裡，心就在哪裡，就是這分虔誠敬意，若能如此，我們就生兩種心。
We have said before that we should "be reverent in every thought and pray sincerely." This is what we have discussed. We must let reverence arise in our hearts. We must constantly be mindful and reverent. Wherever our bodies are, our minds should be there as well. If we are sincerely reverent, two knids of thoughts arise.
自念我此形命難可常保
一朝散壞
不知此身何時可復
這兩種心到底是什麼心呢？
What are these two kinds of thoughts?
「一者，自念我此行命難可常保；一朝散壞，不知此身何時可復？」
The first is to "Contemplate that this physical life of mine is hard to keep. Once it decays, I do not know when I can regain human form".
真的人生的生命是無常的，經典中常常提醒我們，我一定要常常有這種心念。
Life is truly impermanent. The Sutras often remind us that we should always keep this in mind.
所以說「我此形命」，這個形就是身。所說的形，眾生的身形不同，人人各人雖然名稱是人，每一個人同樣有頭有腳，有手有身體，但是，張三李四各不同。不只是人有命，其他的生靈有命. 我們看到精舍裡，除了人的形命以外，還有我們的大寶，還有善來，還有和大寶一樣而不同形的，常常來我們這裡。
So it says "this physical life of mine". This "physical life" refers to our bodies. All living creatures have different appearances. Although we are all humans with heads, arms and legs, we all look quite different. Humans are not the only living beings; there are also other living beings on Earth. When we look at the Abode, we see that besides human beings, we also have Da-bao, Shan-lai, and other types of dogs that come here often.
狗的種類也很多，這都叫做形命。所有的眾生生命都是無常。 There are many types of dogs. This is what we mean by "physical life" Life is impermanent for all beings.
但是我們自己要念，常常要念，我的形命畢竟難可常保，也是要提醒我們－－光是我們人，我們有童年的形，我們也無法常常保持在童真、孩子的形。常常說，如果看到孩子，就覺得很可愛。那種可愛的形命，無法常常保持住，因為，可愛的年齡他會再長大，變成少年。
However, we need to constantly remind ourselves that it is impossible to stay alive forever. We should also remind ourselves that when we were children. But we could not maintain that appearance forever. When we see a child we often comment on how cute and adorable he is. Cuteness will not last forever . The child will grow up and become a teenager .
少年的形態，是不是像小時候，那麼童真可愛呢？在少年時期，他以為我已經長大了，我青春、我美麗。是否能常常保持青春美麗呢？那種形是不是能常常保持著，也不可能，難可常保。因為，經過了青少年的時期，再進入就是壯年的時期。
Does a teenager look as innocent and cute as a child? Teenagers perceive themselves as grown-ups, with youth and beauty. Can they remain young and beautiful forever? It is impossible to remain young forever. After adolescence they become young adults.
到了壯年時，覺得我什麼都很行，我學業已成，我事業已成，我孔武有力。這種壯年期的形命能夠常保嗎？還是不能常保，那就進入中年，中年能常保嗎？事業正穩定時，賺錢正多時，意識正成熟時。是不是能常保？不可能，那就再進入老年了。
As adults we feel we can accomplish anything. We have completed our studies, established our career, and have physical strength. Can we maintain this forever? No, we cannot. After young adulthood, we enter middle age. Can we stay middle-aged forever? Our career is stable, our income is growing, and our thoughts are maturing. Can we stay like that forever? That is impossible. Then we enter old age.
曾幾何時，不覺也已經老年了，老年常常都有警訊出來，眼睛花，手腳不那麼俐落了。跪下去拜佛要起來，好像有點困難了，不是一點，很困難了。像這樣這個時期能有多久呢？「一朝散壞」有一天五根五識都沒有用了，那時就散壞了。
Before long, we have reached old age without our awareness. With old are come some physical symptoms. Our vision blurs, out arms and legs become less nimble. It becomes harder to kneel down and prostrate to the Buddha. Not just a little bit harder, but quite difficult. How long does this stage last? When the body stops functioning, all senses and consciousnesses are gone and the body starts to decay.
「不知此身何時可復」－－到底我們這個身體，何時能再回復人身呢？我們也常常都說：「祝福他吧！快回來吧！」去了就快回來，趕快能看到小菩薩，這就是最期待的。
"I do not know when I can regain human form." When will we be reborn as human? We often say of the dying, "Let us bless him so that he can return quickly. Once departed, let him come back quickly and be born as a little Bodhisattva." This is our hope.
我們常說人身難得，在六道中要得人道難得；人身難得，得了人身，是否能再得聞佛法呢？能聞正法嗎？我們能親近佛法嗎？我們能行在佛法中，菩薩道中，我們還有這個機會嗎？那就要我們平時，是否真正虔誠，這種虔敬敬慎，我們到底有沒有？
We often say we are blessed to be born human. Within the Six Destinies, to be born human is very rate. With a human body, can we learn the Buddha-Dharma, listen to the true teachings? Can we be exposed to the Buddha's teachings? Will we have the opportunity to hear. His teachings and walk on the Bodhisattva-path? It depends on if we are sincere. We must be earnest, careful, and mindful of our thoughts.
「念茲在茲」－－我們的心念不論在何處，都有這念心念，十分虔敬的心。無論是禮佛如佛在，我們對人，人人如佛恭敬，處事時時感恩，對人時時至誠的愛。這叫做佛心、菩薩心,所以念茲在茲，時時都是這個心念，即使有一天身形散壞掉，這樣我們再回來，還是保持著這念心念。
Wherever our minds lead us, we should always be mindful and completely sincere. Pay respect to the Buddha as if He were present. Respect everyone as if they were Buddhas. We should always be grateful for everything and treat others with love. This is the heart of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. So be mindful at every moment. We must be mindful at every moment so that even though our bodies deteriorate and we die, when we come back, we will still have the same mindset.
所以「念茲在茲，行茲在茲」，這念佛心，菩薩心，還是一樣再來。所以我們要把握人身，好好行菩薩道。
So, always be present and mindful of your conduct. This Buddha and Bodhisattva mindset will come with us in our next life. We must make use of this precious human body to practice on the Boohisattva-path.
如其一朝散壞
四大分散
不知此身何時可復
We must contemplate the impermanence of the body. Once the body decays, the Four Elements disintegrate.
所以要知道：「念念不停，難可常保。」
We must "Always contemplate impermanence".
我們要時時知道，我們要時時常念；光是我們的心念，都是念無常了。所以要訓練我們的工夫，時時要能念分「真的人身難得，命難得常保」。
We should always be aware of this and always contemplate it. We should always be mindful of impermanence. So, we must train our minds to always remember that this human body is hard to come by Human life is not forever.
尤其是形命，今天的形命很重要，形命從童年一直到現在，一直到所有的生命，都是不一樣的形。今天我們這樣的形，明天是否還是這樣的形？新陳代謝不斷在變遷，在我們的身體上，和昨天、今天一樣不同一天；所以今天的形態，明天的生命，一直都在變遷。
Human life is not forever. The physical body is important. Throughout our lives, from childhood to old age, our bodies go through many stages. Will we look the same tomorrow? The body is constantly metabolizing and changing. The body we have today is different than that of yesterday. So, our physical appearance is constantly changing.
所以要常常念－－「難可常保，如期一朝散壞，四大分散，不知此身何時可復。」
We must contemplate the impermanence of the body. Once the body decays, the Four Elements disintegrate.
地、水、火、風我們的身體和天地一樣，還是不能缺水；也不能缺風，我們如果缺風就無法呼吸了；也不能失去了火，失去火，我們的身體就沒有温度了；不能失去了地，我們若失去了地，體重就變輕了，肉少了就輕了。有時說要捐大體，若是不到四十公斤，大體也捐不成。所以我們地、水、火、風要保持。有的人認為我要減肥，減肥，若減得太過頭，這就是地大不調，就是太瘦了。
The Four Elements are Earth, Water, Fire and Wind. Our body is like the Earth. It cannot be without water or air. Without air, we cannot breathe. Nor can we survive without the fire element. Without it, our bodies cannot maintain their warmth. We cannot survive without the Earth element. Without it, we cannot maintain our muscles. Our medical college will not accept Silent Mentors that weigh less than 40 kilograms. So our bodies need the Four Elements. Some people try to lose weight. If you lose too much, then the Earth element is out of balance and you become too skinny.
四大者假使不調和，這樣就會散壞掉。
If all Four Elements are out of balance, the body starts to deteriorate.
又恐不值諸佛賢聖
倘然忽逢惡友
仍復造作眾罪
依舊墮落地獄深坑惡道險處
Even if we can regain human form, we are in danger of not meeting the Buddha and noble and sacred beings. If we meet bad friends and continue to create negative karma, we will regress and fall into the deep pit pf the Evil Destiny of Hell.
「即使復此人身」，「又恐不值諸佛賢聖」我們若是得到人身，不能得到佛法；這樣又遇上惡友，我們若和人結了惡緣，惡友又來時，就把我們牽走了。善緣若薄，惡緣若盛，很快就被人牽走了。
Even if we attain human form again, "we may not meet Buddhas, noble and sacred beings." If we can regain human form, but cannot hear the Buddha-Dharma, when we encounter unwholesome friends, we will create evil connections. When bad friends come along they lead us astray. If we have few good affinities and many bad ones, we go astray easily.
我們常常會聽到，吸毒的人去勒戒，已經要改了，又加上有慈濟人的因緣，也把他牽引進來了。但是我們也常常聽到，他在心得分享時還是會說：「我已經全都改好了，我也知道做慈濟很好，郤不知為何很沒志氣，過去的朋友又叫我一下，我就忍不住，就又去了。」
We have often heard of drug addicts who have already been to rehab. Their connections with Tzu Chi brought them in. when talking with them we often hear them say, "I have already changed. I know that doing Tzu Chi work is good, but I just don't have the will power. Once my old friends call me, I lose control and follow them."
所以無論是，酒友、賭友、毒友等等…都是一牽又去了，這是最擔心的惡緣惡友，若如此，就無法常常保持這念心，這是讓我們最擔憂的。
These are friends who drink, gamble or do drugs. Once reconnected with bad friends, they may follow they evil affinities. This is most worrisome. If so, they will not remain pure of thought. This concerns us the most .
所以，我們常常若是如此的話，又再造作眾罪，這樣依然要再「墮落地獄深坑」惡道中，最終「一失人身，萬勢難再」。
If we repeat this often and continue to create negative karma, then we will still "fall into the deep pit of the Evil Destiny of Hell". "Once lost the human form is difficult to regain".
各位，難得人身來修行，既然有此人身來修行，我們若不好好時時念無常，我們若沒有好好，顧好這個身形，我們到底什麼時候能把握，好的因緣去付出呢！人身本無常，自然的法則，我們就是隨著自然的法則走，所以，這個形命是難可常保的。
Everyone, Since we are blessed to have this precious human body and can engage in cultivation, we should always be mindful of impermanence. If we do not make use of this body now, when will we ever have the opportunity to give to and help others again? Life is impermanent. This is the natural course of life. We can only follow this natural law. This physical life is hard to keep.
我們隨著這個法則走，我們最重要的，我們有福，我們有緣，所以我們要好好把握，我們一定要念茲在茲。念什麼呢？就是要念敬意至誠, 無論對人對事敬意至誠。我們在人，對事，天心則靈，諸天護法天龍八部，我們都要知道，這些都在我們的周圍。所以，我們自己的心，良知以外，一定要相信，舉頭三寸有神祗。
As we follow the natural course of life, the most important thing is that we are blessed and have good affinities. So we must grasp this chance and always remember to be present. What should we be mindful of? Having utmost reverence and sincerity in our interactions with people or things. In dealing with people or affairs, our hearts need to connect with heaven and all the Dharma protectors. We must remember that these beings are always around us. Deep in our hearts, we must know that. We must believe that, aside from our conscience, the are watchful spirits everywhere.
什麼是神祗？天龍八部、護法、龍天，魑魅、魍魎。所以我們一定要知道，無論做什麼事情，人在做，天在看；所以我們說話也一樣，大家要時時保持這念善，敬意至誠的心。
What are these spirits? They are the eight classes of Dharma protectors and all sorts of demons and ghosts. Always remember that when we do things, heaven is watching us. Therefore, we should speak kind words and think good thoughts with a reverent and sincere heart.
所以，時時要多用心！
So , please always be mindful!
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