20110419 --- Cleansing Our Minds with the Water of Dharma (建立心靈的道場)

Date: April 19th, 2011 (Tuesday)
Lecturer: Master Zheng-Yan
Subject: Cleansing Our Minds with the Water of Dharma

In the Lotus Sutra, it says: ”In the era of turbidity, living beings have a lot of impurities”. Back in the Buddha’s time, society was simpler, yet the Buddha said:” In the era of turbidity, living beings have a lot of impurities”. By saying that, he was actually referring to our time now. This era we live in now is full of impurities. This root cause of all this lies in the impurities in people’s minds.

This is because living beings share collective karma, and so, they suffer collective karmic retribution. The disorder in today’s society comes from people’s inability to tell right from wrong and good from evil. As they are set to criticize others, they cannot look at things from a clear and correct perspective, and that’s why they cannot tell from wrong.

All this is the source of social disorder, which comes from the impurities in people’s minds. Such is a karmic seed, which originates from our mind. The disasters we are experiencing now, be they natural or manmade, are the result of the collective karma we created. So, we must let everyone know that such karmic seeds originate from our mind, and are manifested in our actions, speech and thoughts.

And, karmic seeds arise in our mind because our mind is easily swayed and affected. That is why we must seize every chance to form good karmic affinities with others. For example, if you listen to my teachings in the morning, but argue with others in the afternoon, doesn’t that show that you’ve forgotten everything I’ve said?

So, at all times, you must be mindful of every thought that arises in your mind so that you won’t forget what I say immediately, when things happen to you. Let me give you an example. You bump into someone standing behind you, when you suddenly turn around. Instead of apologizing to her, you say: ”What are you standing here for?”

See how we can easily form bad karmic affinities if we are not mindful. Such unwholesome thoughts can easily arise in our mind every day, causing us to do wrong things. This is how easily our mind can be swayed and affected external conditions. That is why we must work hard to take good care of our minds. In our daily life, it is very easy for us to sow bad karmic seeds or form bad karmic affinities with others.

So, we must be able to discern our wrongs. To do that, we need to take in the Dharma. Dharma is like water. Only Dharma can cleanse layers upon layers of filth away from our minds. As the dust of ignorance gathers and accumulates in our minds, our pure true nature, which is clear as a clean mirror, becomes blurred and unable to reflect the truths in the world for us to see and show us the correct path that we should walk.

So, we must cleanse the dust of ignorance away from our minds so that our true nature can become a clean and shinny mirror that can clearly reflect everything that comes before it. That is why I’ve been earnestly hoping that everyone can quickly practice repentance, take in the Dharma, and bathe in the spring of Dharma.

Dharma is like water. When we take in the Dharma, the water of Dharma cleanse us—It can wash away the defilements in our minds and help us get rid of our bad habitual tendencies.

As I often say, spiritual cultivation is all about changing our bad habitual tendencies. If we cannot do that, then no matter how kindhearted we are, we’ll often commit wrongdoings. That’s why we must repent deeply and work to get rid of our ignorance and afflictions. Everyone, the karmic law of cause and effect is true and cannot be defiled. How can we not repent when we’ve done wrong?

When our minds are pure and calm, afflictions won’t arise and we’ll be able to be at peace and bring harmony to world. So, we must constantly reflect upon ourselves. As we’re now learning the Dharma, we must be mindful of our thoughts and not let the dust of ignorance gather in our minds and cover our true nature. Instead, we must constantly wipe the mirror of our mind, so that it will remain clean and clearly reflect everything for us to see and show us the path that we should walk.

So, I hope everyone can memorize the passages from the Water Repentance text. We must work harder to remember and keep these teachings in mind at all times, and put them into practice in our daily life. This is how we can diligently cultivate ourselves step by step toward returning to our pure true nature.

I hope everyone can cultivate with such diligence. Practicing repentance is not about chanting sutras or praying. Rather, we should open up our hearts to others, be understanding and all-embracing, and support and encourage one another to walk onto the Bodhisattva Path.

If we can do that, then we will gain spiritual joy. When we truly repent with our hearts, walk onto this broad and straight Bodhisattva Path, and reflect on our wayward ways, we will naturally be filled with Dharma bliss and feel at peace and ease.

What I’m most worried about is that, while learning the verses and sign language, you will have a hard time remembering everything. So, in remembering one line but forgetting the next, you will end up feeling frustrated and giving rise to afflictions.

Please do not be troubled, or give yourself too much pressure. You must focus on learning first. As you get better, you’ll because more interested, and the more you read the text and repent, the more peace and ease you will feel.

This is to bathe in the spring of Dharma to cleanse away the impurities in our mind, eliminate our bad habitual tendencies, and rid our afflictions and ignorance through repentance. Then, we will find joy in the Dharma and truly come to feel at ease and peace.

All in all, everyone should delve into the Water Repentance text in order to bathe in the spring of Dharma. Doing so is very important as only then can we cleanse away the impurities in our mind and rid our bad habitual tendencies. I earnestly hope everyone can study the Water Repentance text and find spiritual joy and peace of mind. I’m sure such joy and peace in our minds will also bring peace and harmony to society.

Everyone, please cultivate diligently and do not give up halfway. But don’t give yourself pressure either. So, please be mindful always.

(Source: Da Ai TV 人間菩提)

Date: April 19th, 2011 (Tuesday)
Lecturer: Master Zheng-Yan 證嚴上人開示
Subject: Cleansing Our Minds with the Water of Dharma 建立心靈的道場

在《法華經》裡，有這樣的一段文，它說：「劫濁亂時，眾生垢重。」在佛陀的時代，那麼單純的社會，可是佛陀竟然會說：「劫濁亂時，眾生垢重。」其實是在說現在的這個時候，這時代濁氣很重，這樣的濁氣是因為眾生垢重。
In the Lotus Sutra, it says: ”In the era of turbidity, living beings have a lot of impurities”. Back in the Buddha’s time, society was simpler, yet the Buddha said:” In the era of turbidity, living beings have a lot of impurities”. By saying that, he was actually referring to our time now. This era we live in now is full of impurities. This root cause of all this lies in the impurities in people’s minds.

這就是因為眾生共業，共因緣現果報，現在這樣的亂，社會很亂，是非不分，有的時候善的變成惡的，惡的變成善的，這種批判的心態，他不會用很清楚明朗的方向，會變成了這種的善惡不分，這都是亂源。
This is because living beings share collective karma, and so, they suffer collective karmic retribution. The disorder in today’s society comes from people’s inability to tell right from wrong and good from evil. As they are set to criticize others, they cannot look at things from a clear and correct perspective, and that’s why they cannot tell from wrong.

亂的源是來自於人心的垢穢，那就是因，業因，業的種子是從心起，一念心起現在的業報，不管是天災人禍，就是因為：共因、共緣、共果報，所以我們要人人知道，這總是業因從心起，由身口意造。
All this is the source of social disorder, which comes from the impurities in people’s minds. Such is a karmic seed, which originates from our mind. The disasters we are experiencing now, be they natural or manmade, are the result of the collective karma we created. So, we must let everyone know that such karmic seeds originate from our mind, and are manifested in our actions, speech and thoughts.

業因從心生起來，我們這個心念，很容易起伏不定，所以我們人人，真的要把握好的因緣。假如不把握好的因緣…就像昨天早上跟大家說很多好的話，下午、中午、晚上，假如跟人家結一分的不好的緣，那不就是，把我昨天的話都推翻掉了嗎？
And, karmic seeds arise in our mind because our mind is easily swayed and affected. That is why we must seize every chance to form good karmic affinities with others. For example, if you listen to my teachings in the morning, but argue with others in the afternoon, doesn’t that show that you’ve forgotten everything I’ve said?

所以那一念間，要時刻不要放鬆，才不會，昨天師父說的，你們聽進去了，回過頭來，去撞到一個人的時候，人家站在我們的後面，我們一轉身，可能我碰到他，你不向人家說：「對不起。」還要說：「你站在這裡做什麼！」
So, at all times, you must be mindful of every thought that arises in your mind so that you won’t forget what I say immediately, when things happen to you. Let me give you an example. You bump into someone standing behind you, when you suddenly turn around. Instead of apologizing to her, you say: ”What are you standing here for?”

你看，這樣的心念，一轉身就結了一個不好緣，這種的心念跟動作是很簡單，日常中都可以發生的事情，所以這叫做：「緣起緣滅無常。」所以大家要好好地，照顧好這一念心，惡因、惡報、惡緣，這都是我們日常生活中，很容易發生的事，必須纖毫明鑑。
See how we can easily form bad karmic affinities if we are not mindful. Such unwholesome thoughts can easily arise in our mind every day, causing us to do wrong things. This is how easily our mind can be swayed and affected external conditions. That is why we must work hard to take good care of our minds. In our daily life, it is very easy for us to sow bad karmic seeds or form bad karmic affinities with others.

我們的心需要的就是法水，佛法如水一樣，唯有佛法才能洗滌我們心靈，一層層、一重重的塵埃，眾生就是這樣的，層層厚厚的塵埃落在心地，所以讓我們這一片，清淨圓明的本性，一面如鏡子的明鏡，就已經蒙塵，照不出天地之間的真諦、道理，路就照不明。
So, we must be able to discern our wrongs. To do that, we need to take in the Dharma. Dharma is like water. Only Dharma can cleanse layers upon layers of filth away from our minds. As the dust of ignorance gathers and accumulates in our minds, our pure true nature, which is clear as a clean mirror, becomes blurred and unable to reflect the truths in the world for us to see and show us the correct path that we should walk.

所以這種的污垢塵埃，一定要把它洗滌，這一片圓明的鏡子，才能發光、發亮。所以最期待就是唯有人間立心懺道場，人人的心趕快建立起了，懺悔的道場，那就可以沐浴甘泉。
So, we must cleanse the dust of ignorance away from our minds so that our true nature can become a clean and shinny mirror that can clearly reflect everything that comes before it. That is why I’ve been earnestly hoping that everyone can quickly practice repentance, take in the Dharma, and bathe in the spring of Dharma.

法譬如水，假如我們都沐浴法中，就如法水洗滌我們一樣，就是沐浴甘泉，滌心垢，除習氣，可以洗滌我們的心垢，可以除去我們過去的習氣。
Dharma is like water. When we take in the Dharma, the water of Dharma cleanse us—It can wash away the defilements in our minds and help us get rid of our bad habitual tendencies.

師父常常說：「其實要修什麼行，就是要改習氣，我們若習氣不除，心再好，還是有的時候常常犯錯。所以懺要入心，要除煩惱，要去無明。」各位菩薩，這種的因果歷歷不爽，造業豈能不懺？
As I often say, spiritual cultivation is all about changing our bad habitual tendencies. If we cannot do that, then no matter how kindhearted we are, we’ll often commit wrongdoings. That’s why we must repent deeply and work to get rid of our ignorance and afflictions. Everyone, the karmic law of cause and effect is true and cannot be defiled. How can we not repent when we’ve done wrong?

風平不起波瀾，靜寂法界充滿，這就是我們要常常去回顧。我們已經入經藏，這種的心念纖毫都要記得，不要一點點沾到鏡子，矇掉了。所以我們要常常讓它乾乾淨淨，這一面鏡子就會照徹了，我們普天之下，事事物物的路。
When our minds are pure and calm, afflictions won’t arise and we’ll be able to be at peace and bring harmony to world. So, we must constantly reflect upon ourselves. As we’re now learning the Dharma, we must be mindful of our thoughts and not let the dust of ignorance gather in our minds and cover our true nature. Instead, we must constantly wipe the mirror of our mind, so that it will remain clean and clearly reflect everything for us to see and show us the path that we should walk.

所以希望大家要記得，一首一首的，一段一段的經文，現在要加強，時時放在腦海中，而且碰到了事趕快拿來用，這樣子我們就會步步精進，接近一性圓明的自然本性。
So, I hope everyone can memorize the passages from the Water Repentance text. We must work harder to remember and keep these teachings in mind at all times, and put them into practice in our daily life. This is how we can diligently cultivate ourselves step by step toward returning to our pure true nature.

所以希望人人，要用這一分的心，這一個懺悔道場不是用唸的，不是用拜的，是我們在人群中，彼此之間，心寬念純，善解、包容等等的方法，去彼此互愛互動，彼此勉勵走入了菩薩道。
I hope everyone can cultivate with such diligence. Practicing repentance is not about chanting sutras or praying. Rather, we should open up our hearts to others, be understanding and all-embracing, and support and encourage one another to walk onto the Bodhisattva Path.

能這樣子，那就是得法喜，你若真的心入懺，入這個菩提大道，照這條真正直的菩提道走，心入懺，多反省，很自然就會得法喜，心輕安，意自在。
If we can do that, then we will gain spiritual joy. When we truly repent with our hearts, walk onto this broad and straight Bodhisattva Path, and reflect on our wayward ways, we will naturally be filled with Dharma bliss and feel at peace and ease.

最擔心的就是擔心大家，怎麼常常我這樣比，常常都忘記，唸頭一句，後面就忘了，比前面一個手勢，後面那個又忘記了，要高還是要低，煩惱啊，煩惱就起了！
What I’m most worried about is that, while learning the verses and sign language, you will have a hard time remembering everything. So, in remembering one line but forgetting the next, you will end up feeling frustrated and giving rise to afflictions.

不要有這樣的煩惱，也不要有自己的壓力，你要培養自己的興趣，有自己的興趣了以後，愈讀，愈反省，心愈清，愈輕安，愈自在。
Please do not be troubled, or give yourself too much pressure. You must focus on learning first. As you get better, you’ll because more interested, and the more you read the text and repent, the more peace and ease you will feel.

所以叫做沐浴甘泉，滌心垢，除習氣，懺入心而除煩惱，去無明，得法喜，心輕安，意自在，那就會輕安自在。
This is to bathe in the spring of Dharma to cleanse away the impurities in our mind, eliminate our bad habitual tendencies, and rid our afflictions and ignorance through repentance. Then, we will find joy in the Dharma and truly come to feel at ease and peace.

總而言之，這一次的入懺，大家應該都要入，才有機會沐浴甘泉，這是很重要的，才能真正地滌心垢，才能去習氣，所以希望大家真的要入懺，我們要的法喜，心輕安，意自在，相信這一片祥和之氣，會帶給了我們的社會的祥和。
All in all, everyone should delve into the Water Repentance text in order to bathe in the spring of Dharma. Doing so is very important as only then can we cleanse away the impurities in our mind and rid our bad habitual tendencies. I earnestly hope everyone can study the Water Repentance text and find spiritual joy and peace of mind. I’m sure such joy and peace in our minds will also bring peace and harmony to society.

各位菩薩們，一定要精進，不要半途而廢，但是不要讓自己有壓力，好！請大家要多用心。
Everyone, please cultivate diligently and do not give up halfway. But don’t give yourself pressure either. So, please be mindful always.

(Source: Da Ai TV 人間菩提)

【證嚴上人4月19日志工早會開示】人人立心懺道場

「無常的道理是『緣起緣滅』，有緣的時候碰在一起，緣盡的時候，就消滅掉了；就如我們每天的這個時候，昨天的你是你嗎？今天的我是我嗎？其實昨天的我已經不是今天的我，一天八萬六千四百秒個關卡過去，假如不好好的把握昨天的人事物，也許一念無明就會推翻了昨天早上我說的話……」

無常即為緣起緣滅，而緣分的起滅則來自於一念心，今日（19日）志工早會上，證嚴上人強調一念心的重要，而讓心心相繫、念念相續的則是因緣果報。

明因果念無常心鏡照徹天地物

「我常常提醒大家，看到別人（有錯）能反省自己，你這一天就受用了；知無常要把握當下，一念間的時刻都不要放鬆。」上人說，人能反省但卻常常無法顧好自己的心念，一轉身與人的一個碰撞，可能就忘了律己而就對他人惡言相向，種種日常生活中的起心動念，看似簡單，而此即是緣起緣滅的無常。

而緣起緣滅的因由還是起於因緣，上人開示，《法譬如水》的「惡因惡報惡緣，必須纖毫明鑑，因果歷歷不爽，造業豈能不懺。」就是要我們在生活中時時用心，除去心中的無明塵埃，讓心性清淨亮潔、時刻反省懺悔，心中的明鏡才能照徹天地萬物。

「各位菩薩，這就是我們要常常去回顧，我們入經藏、入大懺文的時候，就是要提醒自己的心念，纖毫不要沾染上一點點的髒污……希望大家要記得一首首、一段段的經文，時時放在腦海中，碰到事要趕快拿來用，這樣我們就能步步接近一性圓明的自然本性。」

入善門履悲願處眾懺悔菩薩行

上人說，慈濟已四十五年，成立之初即是為了要淨化人心，引導人人走入佛法，讓佛心入心，以法水洗無明，因此懺悔法門早已成立，只是當時，道理難以讓人入心，因此將「法化作為路，經化作為道」，引導眾生行善，力行慈濟見苦知福。

「懺悔道場不是念的，而是在人群中心寬念純、善解包容，等等方法，彼此互愛互動、彼此勉勵走入菩薩道，所以那個時候開始，就希望能啟發人人無染光明的大愛，這是四十五年前的用心，希望人人心入經藏、身體力行！」

順天理鋪坦途撥亂反正共善業

慈濟四十五年，志工們以師志為己志，心中有法、步步踏實，走過坎坷的道路而鋪起愛的菩提大道，上人說，慈濟就像是用連鎖磚鋪出的道路，既是為人間讓他人能平坦好走，也是為天地，讓大地呼吸、水能迴流。上人開示，「這就是順著天地道理的循環，為了淨化人心而起步創立慈濟的道場！」

《法華經》裡說「劫濁亂時眾生垢重」，這是佛陀時代即指出現代社會的問題，人人的無明煩惱重重疊疊，造成眾生共業共因緣，而所看到的即是種種亂象，是非不分、善惡難明，人心軌道已經偏移。

上人憂心地說，就如現在校園霸凌的問題，學生不尊師長，是非不分、倫理淡化，而這即是眾生共受的業報。「霸凌無法可治，用批判的方式，反而會善惡不分……所以我們要知道業因，人人要回歸源頭，要趕快提醒、追蹤自己現在的心態，雖然過去已造自己的因，我們仍要趕快覺悟。」

引法泉袪習氣懺過省思自在身

上人開示，「我們人人要知道，業因從心起、由身口意造，我最期待就是人人立心懺道場，假如人人心中沒有懺悔的道場，很可怕！天天接觸到這世界的訊息與科學家的資訊，真的都很令人擔心，所以要好好建立起心靈道場，要懺悔！」

修行即是要修去習氣，上人期許人人入經藏的時候，要以甘泉法水洗去惡習，「習氣不除，心再好也是常犯錯，心入懺反省，很自然就會得法喜、心輕安、意自在。」

勤精進法入心妙手修行斷煩惱

以手語的入經藏練習的過程，也是一項修行，上人鼓勵人人不要有壓力、不要起煩惱，用心入懺，要讓自我「得法喜、心輕安、意自在」。

上人說，「現在全台各地無處不道場，相信這一片祥和之氣會讓社會祥和，各位一定要精進，不要半途而廢、不要給自己壓力，請大家要多用心，彼此互相勉勵，看你們精進，師父很歡喜，感恩與祝福大家，多多用心！」