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 20170810《靜思妙蓮華》 身繫珠寶 卻不自知 (第1150集) (法華經•五百弟子受記品第八)

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20170810《靜思妙蓮華》 身繫珠寶 卻不自知  (第1150集)  (法華經•五百弟子受記品第八) Empty
發表主題: 20170810《靜思妙蓮華》 身繫珠寶 卻不自知 (第1150集) (法華經•五百弟子受記品第八)   20170810《靜思妙蓮華》 身繫珠寶 卻不自知  (第1150集)  (法華經•五百弟子受記品第八) Empty周三 8月 09, 2017 8:57 pm

20170810《靜思妙蓮華》 身繫珠寶 卻不自知  (第1150集)
(法華經•五百弟子受記品第八)

 
「人生一場如醉如癡,認假為真如幻迷向,無知如醉複製無明,不知身藏無價明珠。」
「爾時五百阿羅漢於佛前得授記已,歡喜踴躍,即從座起,到於佛前,頭面禮足,悔過自責。」《法華經五百弟子受記品第八》
「世尊!我等常作是念:自謂已得,究竟滅度,今乃知之,如無智者。所以者何?我等應得如來智慧,而便自以小智為足。」《法華經五百弟子受記品第八》
「世尊!譬如有人至親友家,醉酒而臥。是時親友官事當行,以無價寶珠繫其衣裡,與之而去。」《法華經五百弟子受記品第八》
自譬如有人至親友家,及至便以為足句止,為領悟昔權,自於後親友句下,至無所乏短句止,為領今實。
世尊,譬如有人至親友家:譬如:繫珠喻;有人:喻受化之眾生;親友家:喻前菩薩沙彌,應化之國。
「醉酒而臥」:醉喻昏迷,酒喻五欲,喻煩惱未斷,無明所纏,雖遇佛法,猶如昏醉。
醉酒而臥:當時大眾暫發,無明暫伏以得聞經,內心微解,如人至親友家,以無明重故,還復迷失,如醉酒而臥。
醉都不覺醉,有二義:一、重醉都不覺知;二、輕醉微覺尋忘,亦名不覺。雖有二義,終成繫珠之義。
是時親友官事當行:;喻菩薩應化緣已畢,當更示離去現化他國。
官事當行:明王子餘處機發,逗緣往應,故云當行,弘法化他,知非私務,故云官事。
以無價寶珠,繫其衣裡:喻教以大乘,使大菩提心,熏習於其識田之內。
無價珠:一乘實相真如智寶。佛性種子,名無價珠,今入其身,如繫衣下。
繫其衣裡:慚愧忍辱能遮醜恚,及防外惡,即是外衣,信樂之心,內裡善根,即是內衣。
於時聞法,微信樂欲,即了因智願種子,約結緣則圓解為珠,為説為繋,煩惱昏醉,少有微解,故曰繫珠。约天性,然昔繫亦非新無,未知令知,故云繫。
與之而去:謂授法已,轉化餘方。
 
【證嚴上人開示】

「人生一場如醉如癡,認假為真如幻迷向,無知如醉複製無明,不知身藏無價明珠。」
 
人生一場如醉如癡
認假為真如幻迷向
無知如醉複製無明
不知身藏無價明珠
 
人生難道不是這樣嗎?好像一場夢而已。世間實在是很短暫,但是短暫的人生,卻是不知來自何處,也不知去至何處,不知道,我們的去向在哪裡?我們也不知。但是在這短短的這場人生,就像如醉如癡的人。看看喝醉酒的人,是什麼樣的形態呢?清醒的人來看喝酒的人,酒醉之後說的都是醉話,說什麼「酒醉心頭定」,不論你如何的心頭定,卻是所做的事,在醒悟的人來看,都不將它當作是真的話,這是人生的生態,我們所看得到酒醉的人。除了酒醉的人生,還有,就像「如癡」。癡,什麼叫做癡?就是無法了解人間事,
但是也有一類,我們人明明道理你懂,卻是控制不住自己的心裡;道理都知道,但是心理控制不住,貪、瞋、癡。明知這是犯法的事,不可為,卻是無法控制自己,那就是一念貪念起,就做了不當的行為。所以,酒、色、財氣、名利、地位,無不都是迷戀了人心,控制不住,這就像「如醉如癡」的人生。明知不可去犯這個事情,但是那個無明就是讓我們,糊里糊塗去製造出來,這人間由不得自己。
 
所以「認假為真如幻迷向」,將假的東西當作是真的。我們人生不就是這樣嗎?看到就想要,我就是要這個東西,「這個東西」到底是什麼東西?自古以來多少人,為了將東西當作是寶。寶又是什麼呢?其實看清楚,覺悟的人,什麼叫做寶物?寶物就是來自於破壞一切,人工完成,人生將它認為這是寶。看看價值連城,寶石、鑽石、翠玉等等,這些東西,世間人說它是寶,這些寶有什麼利用?只是有錢人炫耀虛華的心態,滿足這樣的心態,將它稱為寶,因為它很貴,很貴就顯出了身分:「我就是有這樣的財,我能得到這樣的物,我的財多,我的力大。」
 
但是這些東西,它的來源是從哪裡來的?是礦,是山,礦山。大地要多少人去取?為了要爭取這個礦山,為了要得這些東西,到底自古以來,損失了多少的生命,去貪取這些東西?所以說它會貴,世間人認為這就是他所愛,所要取的,不知道這一切是一個假名相,假的名相。你說數字很多,這樣叫做貴重嗎?有的國家一用來,鈔票所印的都是用兆、億。億與兆,幾十兆,也買不到一條麵包。這是名稱,聽起來數字是天文的數字,物資若是欠缺時,它那個錢,貨幣比率很高,物價跟著它高。所以很高的數字,若是很安定的地方,幾元、幾角就能互相買東西,互相貿易,這數字如何定下來?一切都是假名相,認假為真。過去的辛巴威,要買一條麵包,就要背一整包,整布袋的錢去換一條麵包,有時也換不到。這假相啊!這種假相都是將它當作是真的,我們人生就是這樣,所以「如幻迷向」。
 
就如過去一位國王,疼惜他的小公主,造一座很美的花園,花園有樓台、流水,在水邊的地方,看到那個水這樣在流流流,流下來的水,那個水就有泡,泡的珠,剛好太陽照來的時候,那個水珠現出七彩,在那個水珠上。這個小公主看到了,歡喜啊,向她的父王說:「我要,我要水裡的這些珠,希望父王您給我這些珠。」父王就說:「這是水,水珠啊!這只能欣賞,就是拿不到啊。」小公主(說):「不管,我就是要,誰能將這個水珠拿起來,讓我在我的手中,讓我摸得到,讓我擁有這個水珠。」國王很無奈,小公主所要要求,沒有一項他沒達到她的希望,唯有這個水珠,在面前,到底是要如何拿出這個水珠?趕緊城中去貼告示,幾天後要找人來拿這個水珠,取給公主,要不然七天後負責這個案的人,他的命就活不下去,要斬頭。
 
在這當中,大家很擔心的時候,就有一位從外地,遊方而來的賢者,看到這個告示,看到這些人議論紛紛,看到這些人,有的人這樣互相抱頭而哭。家庭的人一直要來乞求,幫她的先生來乞求:「誰有辦法啊?」看到這樣很不忍心,他就伸手去將告示撕下來。「來,你帶我去見國王,我有辦法替公主拿出水珠來。」就這樣走到王宮,國王很歡喜。但是這位賢人,修行者,他就說:「我要求公主一起來,來選珠。」小公主聽到有人願意,將水中這個珠能夠拿起來,也很歡喜,就來了,在這水邊的地方來看。「來,公主,妳要的是哪一粒?我給妳這個工具,妳用妳親手將這個珠撈起來,妳若能將它這樣撈起來,這些珠,不只是這些,妳看,源頭這麼多一直下來,下來就已經成珠了,妳所要的,要如何串為鍊都可以。」很高興,東西拿來,「這個東西就能撈出水珠嗎?」「是啊!來,妳來撈。」她就用一個網,這個網開始要撈了,水一動,珠就破掉。「來,還有第二粒。」再來一次,還是一撈就破掉了。就這樣粒粒水珠,粒粒破,公主很生氣。「為什麼我怎麼得不到呢?我不要了!這個東西根本就不是真實的,哪有辦法用人、用東西,去將這水裡的珠撈起來呢?」這位賢人就說:「是啊!公主,妳撈不起來的東西,誰能撈得起來呢?這水珠只不過是假相,它名叫做水的珠。這個水珠是從水高而低,形成下來幻化的東西,水若是動,就是泡,泡是名,是水的名,或者是水是泡的名?這個珠是水的珠,或者是珠的水?來,公主,妳來將它,這個名稱妳若分析得出來,我就有辦法替妳取珠。」
 
公主就一直想,是水?是泡?是珠?「這說到最後還不是一樣,就只是水而已。」「是啊,就是水,水本來就是流動不息,哪有什麼東西名稱叫做珠,只是一個名,所以這是幻化無常,人生就是這樣幻化無常。」「幻化無常」,這個道理好像很深,開始這個公主就要追求道理,向國王說:「我不要什麼珠了,我要的是道理,幻化無常,到底這個這麼深奧的道理,應該就是人生最真實,我想要的。國王,將這位賢人留下來,當我的老師。」就這樣,國王要求賢人,來成為公主的老師。公主從這樣漸漸聽法,漸漸得道了,將這一條人生的道路,應該如何走,認清了道路,能夠身體力行,利益人群,這樣這位國王疼惜的公主,成為國王最好理政的,一位賢明的公主。所以說起來,人生就只是一念間,念迷了,世間一切幻化就認為是真;念若醒了、悟了,自然一切人間的物質認清楚,只不過是人生過眼雲煙,是有所用而無所權,所以一切只有使用的時間,沒有永恆的權啊!這就是我們要清楚,這就是道理。
 
所以人生不要「認假為真」,一切都是幻化,都是迷失了我們自己真如本性,所以對人間名相、物質會迷,所以惹成了很多人間人禍,就是這樣禍福都在這一念間造。就如現在(二0一六年),塞爾維亞難民營,我們已經慢慢開始在收尾了,人的感情愈來愈離別依依了,現在看到他們開始在點倉庫,整理倉庫,我們沒有用完的東西,要如何給那個難民委員會的人,來幫助我們如何管理,或者是授權如何去發放。再者,最後的晚餐,慈濟人大家親手為他們做晚餐,香積飯。現在,從這幾天一直都是,零廚餘,沒有垃圾,大家吃飽,珍惜粒粒的米飯,粒粒的菜餚,大家吃到碗底是這樣乾乾淨淨,垃圾筒裡全都沒有垃圾。過去一頓飯若吃飽,滿地都是垃圾,現在已經都改觀了,乾淨了。他們清楚了,他們了解了,粒米來得不易啊!這種滴油、片菜都是珍貴,所以他們懂得珍惜了。
 
看到他們把握時間,分秒都是這樣互動,這樣在愛灑,很多人能夠會合這分的情,能夠彼此之間情通了、愛也連了,愛,這樣整個連心起來,情,這樣彼此通達起來。看到孩子和孩子在不同的國家,不同的文字,不同的文字,互相在交換文字,互相教。十五歲的一位,阿富汗的少年阿里,他與來自英國,跟著媽媽來一位十三歲的尚恩,兩個成為好朋友。一個是懂波斯文,一個懂中文、英文。這樣在那個地方,互相交換這文字的常識,互相教,在那個地方,已經人與人之間打成一片了。在那個難民營受雇,聘雇的,有一位叫做亞歷山大,這位是在慈善會裡面(DRC 慈善組織所聘用的當地職工),這個難民營裡已經一年多了。他說,來來回回,已經是多少的慈善機構,這一年多的時間,但是所看到的,唯有慈濟這個團體是這麼的,將這個祥和的氣氛帶進來,將這個真誠的愛去付出。他與我們慈濟人,每天每天就是這樣,一直希望慈濟這種愛的精神,要如何能延續,在每一個慈善團體呢?
 
這個難民志工(阿富汗籍難民翻譯志工 EHSAN),也是這樣說,慈濟人從進去,開始帶那首「一家人」,「一家人」這首歌,成為他們每天最快樂的音樂,希望將這首歌,都翻譯讓人人能通,難民也是覺得聽到這首歌,開始就開心了、歡喜了,他們要將它翻譯成波斯文,可以再多一國的語言,將這愛的力量,再延伸給更多人。這種愛的力量,真的是只要用心,用真誠的心,儘管人間各人的業力,共一個業力,不同的國家,受同樣逃難的環境,來到這個地方,將所有心的煩惱、無明,暫時都放下,共同的愛凝聚起來,這實在是很不簡單。看他們彼此人種不同,彼此這樣擁抱著,因為慈濟人將要離開了,別離依依。「一家人」的手勢都統一相同。有的人要回去了,坐上車,這些難民不捨,擋在車子的前面,在那裡唱「一家人」,比手語,在車子的前面這樣,一直久久不肯離開。這種情,這種覺有情的愛,已經到那個地方去了。
 
這種物質的付出,是這麼誠意的付出,像是朋友對至好的朋友,供應給他的生活,這分讓他們久久,印在他們的心版裡,這分祥和的笑臉,那分柔軟的聲音,這就是他們永遠在。所以每一位志工,不同的團隊、不同的團體,以及難民委員會的人,都一直來分享、分享,分享慈濟人給他們的印象,這個印象久久都在他們的心裡。看他們,總共有十五個國家的,慈濟人進去,人數八十八位的志工,包括波士尼亞的志工,看到這八十八位,工作告一段落了,將要離開的時候,這種依依不捨,實在是看了很感動。
 
每天每天他們都是薰法香,每天都看他們的相片回來。晚上,他們的晚上,我們的早上,甚至(志工)早會,「人間菩提」(節目),他們對法沒有漏掉,每天在那裡精進,每天在那裡為苦難人去付出。你想,這是最真實的人生,生命中走過來的路,每一個腳步、每一天的人生,都是真實,叫醒了沉淪在那個,苦難中的眾生,讓他們了解一些人間的道理,去除愛恨情仇,建立一些真誠的愛,這是人間菩薩。所以我們要好好用心,要不然,人間幻化迷向,不知如醉,複製無明,愛恨情仇。在塞爾維亞,那個地方的志工菩薩,已經一一為他們掃除了。當然,這個時候他們何去何從?
 
「不知身藏無價明珠」。我們現在的人,人人身中都有一顆寶珠,只是我們不知道;道理人人都有,所以有了道理,人人就能過得平安自在。就是不知道身藏無價寶珠,就會如醉如癡,認假為真,才會造成這麼多的難民受苦難。同樣的,道理就是這樣,在心,心念一念善,造福人間;一念偏,如醉如癡,認假為真。同樣人生一場,差別是這麼大,所以我們要好好用心,真假的人間,真的道理我們要好好追求,假名相,看開一點。
 
來,我們來看前面的(經)文:「爾時五百阿羅漢於佛前得授記已,歡喜踴躍,即從座起,到於佛前,頭面禮足,悔過自責。」
 
爾時
五百阿羅漢
於佛前得授記已
歡喜踴躍
即從座起
到於佛前
頭面禮足
悔過自責
《法華經五百弟子受記品第八》
 
那時候五百阿羅漢,已經在佛的面前得授記了,大家歡喜,開始來到佛面前,這樣用最敬禮來禮釋迦牟尼佛,又要表達自己的心意。
 
「世尊!我等常作是念:自謂已得,究竟滅度,今乃知之,如無智者。所以者何?我等應得如來智慧,而便自以小智為足。」
 
世尊
我等常作是念
自謂已得究竟滅度
今乃知之
如無智者
所以者何
我等應得如來智慧
而便自以小智為足
《法華經五百弟子受記品第八》
 
這已經是這些五百比丘,共同的心聲,他們知道自己過去,就是常常這樣想:佛陀所說的我都清楚了,我都了解了,所以我這樣就好了。就以為是這樣。所以,我們大家,原來還能向前前進,與佛同等的智慧,但是我們都不知道,就是這樣「小智為足」。
 
所以「世尊」,再接下來這段(經)文再說:「世尊!譬如有人至親友家,醉酒而臥。是時親友官事當行,以無價寶珠繫其衣裡,與之而去。」
 
世尊
譬如有人至親友家
醉酒而臥
是時親友官事當行
以無價寶珠
繫其衣裡
與之而去
《法華經五百弟子受記品第八》
 
這就是做一個譬喻,五百比丘自己來譬喻,「譬如有人至親友家,醉酒而卧」,這段經文下來到「便以為足」,就是領悟昔日之權。
 
自譬如
有人至親友家
及至便以為足句止
為領悟昔權
自於後親友句下
至無所乏短句止
為領今實
 
那時候在很貧窮時,來到一位朋友的家庭,這位朋友就給他吃飯、喝酒,在那裡覺得,「我很滿足,很滿足了」。這樣,現在才開始,才開始了解,原來那時候吃一頓飽,只是權。「自於後親友」,這些文再下去,「至無所乏短」,後面再下去的文,才是真真正正,「為領今」就是「實」。現在佛陀所講的《法華經》,是成佛之道,人人能成佛,人人能走的路,現在大家都已經開始知道了。
 
世尊
譬如有人至親友家:
譬如:繫珠喻
有人:喻受化之眾生
親友家:喻前菩薩沙彌
應化之國
 
「世尊!譬如有人至親友家」。「譬如」就是繫珠這段譬喻,「有人」是譬喻受化的眾生,「有人」這段就是,譬喻受化的眾生。「親友家」就是,譬喻「菩薩沙彌」,「應化」這些境界,我們大家,我們這些人,有的人能接受到佛化,有的人還迷醉在外面,這就是譬喻接受佛法教化的人。「親友家」就是譬喻,「菩薩沙彌應化」這些境界,這是親友家,已經開始隨佛修學了,這個境界這些境界,這些人。再來有的人雖然接受到了。接受到一餐的飽食,但是還沒有很清醒,因為他喝到酒,他還沒有很清醒。這酒就像五欲,人醉了,醉在五欲裡,譬喻煩惱未斷。我們還在五欲裡,我們雖然在修行,雖然道理聽進去了,但是欲念未盡,煩惱未斷,無明還將我們纏著,雖然我們名稱說是在接受佛法,但是我們這些煩惱都還未除,就如酒醉的人,雖然遇到佛法了,還是在昏醉中,宿醉還未盡。
 
醉酒而臥:
醉喻昏迷
酒喻五欲
喻煩惱未斷
無明所纏
雖遇佛法
猶如昏醉
 
「醉酒而臥」,就是大眾開始「暫發」,大眾開始慢慢發心了,「無明暫伏」,暫時發心,無明開始這樣漸漸降伏了,所以「以得聞經,內心微解」。
 
醉酒而臥:
當時大眾暫發
無明暫伏
以得聞經內心微解
如人至親友家
以無明重故
還復迷失
如醉酒而臥
 
因為我們有聽到經,也這個心慢慢地在調伏下來,這樣慢慢有了解了,佛法就是這樣。所以「如人至親友家」,譬喻,譬喻貧窮的人,來到親友家,就是無明重,在這芸芸眾生中,來到這當中,「以無明重故」,就是我們的無明很重,又是「還復迷失」。來到親友家,無明還很重,雖然我們在聽法,我們的無明還是很重,法邊聽,無明還是一樣再重複。聽的法,同樣又迷失了,這「如醉酒而臥」,反反覆覆。所以聽法,聽,「我知道了、知道了」,但是很快忘掉了,法在他的身、行,就是沒有什麼作用到,儘管有聽法,但是,在他的身行中就是沒作用,雖然是知道,但是照犯,這就是無明很重,還在迷,所以不覺。
 
所以,醉有兩種的醉,一是「重醉都不覺知」,就是很重的醉。第二是輕醉。
 
醉都不覺醉
有二義
一、重醉都不覺知
二、輕醉微覺尋忘
亦名不覺
雖有二義
終成繫珠之義
 
一是「重醉都不覺知」,就是很重的醉。第二是輕醉,輕醉就是微覺,微微的覺,有稍微知道,但是很快就又忘記了。我看多數都是這樣的人,輕醉的人,聽法,好像知道,好像不知道,「亦名不覺」,這也是不覺。所以,「雖有二義,終成繫珠之義」。就是雖然是這樣,不覺或者是微覺,不論如何,還是同樣身中有寶珠。
 
所以,「是時親友官事當行」,譬喻「菩薩應化緣已畢」。
 
是時親友
官事當行:
喻菩薩應化緣已畢
當更示離去
現化他國
 
就如諸佛菩薩來人間,雖然將道理說給大家聽,但是人間短暫,有的人相聚,緣也有盡。就如塞爾維亞,這群菩薩在那裡,他們也要離開,或者是佛應化人間,最後也要入涅槃。所以「應化緣已畢,當更示離去」,就是要離開了,所以「現化他國」,再到外地去。
 
這就是「官事當行」,表示「王子餘處機發,逗緣往應,故云當行」。
 
官事當行:
明王子餘處機發
逗緣往應
故云當行
弘法化他
知非私務
故云官事
 
十六王子,那個時代所結的緣,眾生在不同的地方隨機應度,所以這裡之後,要再其他的地方去。所以「弘法化他,知非私務」,這是菩薩來人間,不是為了自己來的,是為眾生來的,一大事因緣來人間,所以叫做公事,也叫做官事。
 
「以無價寶珠,繫其衣裡」,用很寶貴的東西,放在這個朋友的身上,因為公事,所以要離開,這就是譬喻「教以大乘,使大菩提心、熏習於其識田之內」。
 
以無價寶珠
繫其衣裡:
喻教以大乘
使大菩提心
熏習於其識田之內
 
就是先為大家,種一個大乘菩提的種子,大家好好來熏習,雖然這生無法完全度化,還有來生啊!我們若看到孩子年紀小小的,他若聽到,「人間菩提」的聲音,開始電視機前雙手合掌,就在那裡頂禮。常常聽到阿嬤或是媽媽,都這樣說。你想,這是不是熏習來的呢?這些孩子,他的八識田中已經有種子了,過去也常常在看大愛的節目,常常在聽「(靜思)晨語」,「人間菩提」等等,相信熏習在心的意識,心田意識。
 
無價珠:
一乘實相真如智寶
佛性種子
名無價珠
今入其身
如繫衣下
 
所以「無價珠」,就是「一乘實相真如智寶」,這就是無價珠,已經給大家了,大家要知道有,是「佛性種子」,這就是無價珠。尤其是「今入其身」,這個無價珠,我們已經知道,知道我們有,「如繫衣下」,就如放在我們的衣服裡,就是在我們的心裡。
 
「繫其衣裡」,我們應該「慚愧忍辱能遮醜恚,及防外惡,即是外衣,信樂之心,內裡善根,即是內衣」。
 
繫其衣裡:
慚愧忍辱能遮醜恚
及防外惡
即是外衣
信樂之心
內裡善根
即是內衣
 
我們所穿的「柔和忍辱衣」,我們要好好,要常常知道,我們的衣的下面有寶珠,但是常常都把我們遮住。「及防外惡」,我們若是知道有這寶珠,我們就要修戒、定、慧,著起了「忍辱衣」,要好好忍得住貪、瞋、癡,這也是要忍啊!所以要柔和忍辱,外面種種的惡,就是表示這件衣服,我們衣服裡面有寶珠。所以「信樂之心,內裡善根,即是內衣」。裡面的這個善根,就是我們人人本具有的,我們要好好將它保護好。

「於時聞法」,在每一個時間聽法,我們一定要相信,不要只是,微小的信,只是信一點點而已,我們要很深信。

 
於時聞法
微信樂欲
即了因智願種子
約結緣
則圓解為珠
為説為繋
煩惱昏醉少有微解
故曰繫珠
约天性
然昔繫亦非新無
未知令知
故云繫
 
雖然信,要樂欲,哪怕是聽一點點,我們要起歡喜心。「即了因智願種子」,這就是智願的種子,了達我們過去無明的因,真實的善種子能在我們的內心。「約結緣」,這就是結緣。諸佛菩薩來人間,無不都是結善緣,度眾生,就是「圓解為珠」,這個善緣圓滿了,這就如珠一樣。「為說為繫」,為他們講,講解你的內心有真如本性,仔細地為你講解,就如這顆珠,這樣牢牢地放在你的心裡,牢牢地,很堅固地放在你的心裡,這就是我們(將)法接入心來,要好好地保護好。「煩惱昏醉,少有微解」。就如我們人有煩惱、無明,現在我們聽到這個法,我們了解了,儘管是稍微的了解,還沒用到這顆珠,因為人家放了一顆珠,在我們的身上,我們自己還沒有很清楚。
 
所以「約天性」,就是過去有放這顆珠,「亦非新無」,不是新的,也不是原來沒有的,本來就有的。這顆珠本來我們就有了,無始以來我們就有,這是天性,沒有外人給我們的,只是提醒我們一下。「未知令知」,不知道,讓他知道,這樣叫做「繫」,放在那個地方。「與之而去」,就是這樣放了,他就去了。
 
與之而去:
謂授法已
轉化餘方
 
因為這是在授法。是這樣跟你說,將來你也能成佛,這成佛還要輾轉在很多生世,無數世,這樣很長久的時間,所以我們要好好用心。這顆珠在我們的心裡,我們若不好好用心保護,這顆珠無法現前,會如那水珠一樣,光是在外面要撈水珠,沒有想到我們自己,有這樣很牢固的明珠在,所以我們要時時多用心!


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Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: We Are Unaware of the Jewel Hidden on Our Body (身繫珠寶 卻不自知)
Date: August.10.2017

“We live our life as if drunk or ignorant. We take the false for the true, as if deluded, lost in our direction. We lack understanding as if drunk and thus multiply our ignorance. We do not know that hidden on our body is a priceless jewel.”

Isn’t this the way life is? It seems as if it is only a dream. [Our time in] this world is truly short. But in this short life, we do not know what place we came from, nor do we know what place we are going to; we do not know. What direction are we going in? We do not know that either. But in this short life, we are like a person who is drunk or ignorant. When you look at people who are drunk, how do they appear? When a sober person observes a drunk, everything the drunk says is drunken ramblings. There is a saying, “Drinking calms your mind.” No matter how calm your mind is, the things you do [when drunk], in the eyes of a sober person, cannot be taken as truth. This is a way of living; this is what we see from drunk people. Aside from those who live as if drunk, there are also those who live as if ignorant. What is ignorance? It is the inability to understand human affairs.

However, there is another kind. We may clearly understand the principles, but be unable to control our minds. We may know all the principles, but in our minds we cannot control our greed, anger and ignorance. We clearly know that this action goes against the teachings and we must not do it, but we are unable to control ourselves. Having given rise to a thought of greed, we behave in ways that are improper. So, alcohol, lust, riches, fame, profit and status can all delude our minds so we cannot control ourselves. This is living life “as if drunk or ignorant.” We clearly know we must not transgress like this, yet our ignorance leads us to, in our state of confusion, create this karma.

In this way, the world is beyond our control. So, “We take the false for the true, as if deluded, lost in our direction.” If we regard what is false as true, won’t that be what our lives are like? Whenever we see something, we want to have it. “This is the thing that I want.” What is “this thing” anyway? Since ancient times many people have treated “things” as treasures. Then what is a treasure? If fact, for those who see clearly, for those who are awakened, what are these things we call treasures? These treasures originate in the destruction of [nature] and are then finished in the hands of man. People consider them treasures. See, they are priceless. Gems, diamonds, jade and so on are all things that people in this world consider treasures. What use are these treasures? They merely serve for the wealthy to show off; they satisfy that desire. We call them treasures because they are very expensive. Their costliness shows [their owner’s] status. “This is how rich I am. I can afford things like these. I have a lot of money, and I am powerful.” But where did these things originally come from? They came from mines in the mountains. How many people are needed to exact them? In the struggle to get [what is in] these mines, to obtain these things, how many lives have been lost since ancient times as people greedily extract these objects?

So, we say that they are precious; people feel these things are what they love, what they want to obtain. They do not know these are all illusory names and appearances, false names and appearances. If [the price] contains many digits, does that make it precious and valuable? The banknotes of many countries are printed in denominations of trillions and hundred millions. Yet tens of trillions still cannot buy a loaf of bread. These are just labels. A number may sound astronomical, but with a shortage of material goods, the rate of exchange soars, and prices soar along with it. So, the numbers will be very high. In a stable economy, with a few dollars and cents, we can buy things from each other, do business with each other. How can this number be stabilized? All things are illusory names and appearances, yet we take the false for the true. In the past, in Zimbabwe, buying a loaf of bread required a bag of money; a sack of money was exchanged for a loaf of bread. Sometimes even that was not enough. These are illusory appearances! We treat these false appearance as if true. This is how our life is. So, [we seem] “deluded, lost in our direction”.

For example, there was a king in the past. He spoiled his little princess by building a very beautiful garden for her. In the garden there were pavilions and streams. By the stream, one could see the water flowing continuously. The flow of the water produced beautiful bubbles like pearls. When the sun shone upon them a certain way, those water bubbles had the colors of the rainbow on their surface. When the princess saw this, she was very happy. She said to her father, “I want those bubbles! Father, I hope you will give me these bubbles.” Her father said, “These are water bubbles. All you can do is admire them; you cannot hold them.” The little princess said, “I don’t care. I want them! Who can pick up these water bubbles for me so I can hold them in my hand, so I can touch them, so I can possess them?” The king was helpless. Whenever the princess asked for something, there was never anything he would not give her, except these water bubbles before them. How could he possibly get them for her? He quickly had bulletins posted around the city. Someone had to be found within a few days who could pick up these water bubbles and give them to the princess. Otherwise, after seven days, the overseer who was put in charge of this would lose his life, have his head chopped off.

During this time, while everyone was very worried, from outside of the kingdom came a traveling sage. He saw this bulletin and saw all these people engaged in discussion. He saw some of these people holding each other and crying together. The overseer’s family kept begging; the wife begged for someone to help her husband, “Can anyone do this?” His heart went out to them when he saw this, so he reached out and tore down the bulletin. “Come, take me to see the king. I have a way to pick up the water bubbles for the princess.” With that, he went to the palace. The king was very happy. But this sage, this spiritual practitioner, then said, “I would like the princess to come with me to choose a bubble.” When the princess heard there was someone willing to help her pick up a water bubble, she was also very happy, so she came. They looked down from beside the stream. “Come, Princess, which one do you want? I will give you this tool. Then you can personally fish one out. If you can fish one out, then you can get many more. Look, so many are coming down from the source. Once they reach here they become bubbles. Whichever ones you want, you can string them together as you like.” She happily took the thing he gave her. “Can I fish out the water bubbles with this?” “Yes! Come and scoop them out.” Using the net he gave her, she began trying to fish one out. Once she touched the water, the bubble burst. “Come, there is another one.” She tried again, but it burst as soon as she tried to fish it out. With each droplet she tried to fish out, each one burst. The princess became very angry. “Why can’t I get any of them? I don’t want them anymore! These things were never real anyway. How is there any way for any person or thing to fish these bubbles out of the water?” The sage replied, “That’s right! Princess, if it is something you cannot fish out, then who can possibly do it? The water bubbles are but illusory appearances. They are called water bubbles, but they are merely illusory things that are formed when water falls from a higher place. When water moves, it creates bubbles. A bubble is just a label; is bubble’ a label for the water, or is water a label for the bubble? Is this a bubble of water? Or is this the water of a bubble? Come, Princess, if you can make a clear distinction between these terms, then I will find a way to obtain a bubble.” The princess kept thinking about this. “Is it water? Is it foam? Is it a bubble? In the end, it is all the same. It is just water.” “That’s right! It is water! Water fundamentally flows without stopping. How is there any thing called a bubble? It is simply a name. So, this is illusory and impermanent. Life is illusory and impermanent in the same way.” “Illusory and impermanent” sounded like very profound principles. So starting then, the princess wanted to seek the principles. She told the king, “I don’t want bubbles any more. What I want are principles. Illusions and impermanence are indeed very profound and mysterious principles; it is likely they are the truest things in life. I want them. Your majesty, keep this sage here to be my teacher.” In this way, the king asked the sage to become the princess’s teacher. As the princess gradually listened to the Dharma, she gradually learned the truth. She learned how to walk this path through life. She clearly recognized this path and could put it into practice and benefit others. This was how the king’s spoiled princess became a wise princess who was best at helping the king govern.

So, in summary, life is determined by a single thought. With a deluded thought, we treat all the illusory things in life as real. With a thought that has awakened, naturally we will clearly recognize all material things; they are as fleeting as clouds and smoke. We can use them but never truly own them. So, with all things, we can only use them for a time; we have no permanent ownership over them! This is something we must be clear on. This is the principle. So, in life we must not “take the false for the true”. Everything is illusory; it is because we have lost sight of our pure nature of True Suchness that we are deluded when it comes to worldly names and appearances and material things. This results in many manmade calamities. This is how it is; disasters and blessings are determined by a single thought.

For instance, right now (2016), in the refugee camps in Serbia, volunteers are slowly beginning to wrap things up. The more their relationships developed, the harder it became to leave. We see they have begun inventorying the warehouse, organizing the warehouse, and figuring out how the leftover things can be given to the refugee committee so they can help manage them for us or so we can authorize them to make distributions. Moreover, for their last dinner together, the Tzu Chi volunteers made dinner for everyone with Jing Si instant rice. Recently, for the last several days, there has been no kitchen waste or garbage. Everyone eats their fill and cherishes every grain of rice and every piece of food. They eat until their bowls are squeaky clean. There is no garbage at all in the garbage cans. In the past, after a meal, the ground would be covered in garbage. Now, their perspectives have changed; the ground is clean. They are clear, they understand, that every grain of rice is hard to come by, that every drop of oil, every bit of food is precious. So, they know to cherish these things now. We see them making the most of their time, working together with each other in every moment. By spreading love like this, many people come together; with this compassion they can be connected by this relationship, linked by their love. Love has linked all of their hearts together. Compassion has helped them to connect with one another. We saw children of different countries, who spoke different languages, teachings one another how to write each other’s language. A 15-year-ol Afghan youth named Ali and a 13-year-old youth who had come from England with his mother, named Sean, became good friends. One of them understood Persian, the other Chinese and English. In that place, they exchanged their knowledge of language; they taught each other. In that place, people have formed tight interpersonal bonds. One of the employees in the refugee camp was a man named Alexander. He had been hired by a charity organization and had worked in the camp for over a year. He said, “So many charities have already come and gone over this last year. But from what I’ve seen, only this one organization, Tzu Chi, brought in this atmosphere of peace and harmony and helped others with this genuine love”. He was with Tzu Chi volunteers every day. He kept hoping that Tzu Chi spirit of love could be continued by every charity organization. One volunteer, who was also a refugee, also said that from the time Tzu Chi volunteers arrived, they led them in the song “One Family”. That song “One Family” became the song that brought them the most joy every day. They hoped this song could be translated so that everyone could understand. The refugees felt that when they heard this song, it opened their hearts and they became happy. They want to translate this song into Persian, so that one more language could be used to help this power of love be shared with even more people. Truly, to have this power of love, we just need to be mindful and have a sincere heart. Though everyone has their own karmic forces, they share collective karma. From different countries, these refugees ended up in the same circumstances. Having come to this place, they could temporarily let go of all their afflictions and ignorance. The power of everyone’s love was pooled together. Truly, this was not an easy thing to do. We saw people of different ethnicities embracing each other. The Tzu Chi volunteers were soon leaving, and everyone was reluctant to part. Everyone’s sign language for “One Family” was in unison. When some of them got in their cars to leave, the refugees were reluctant to part, so they stood in front of the car and sang and signed the son “One Family”. They stood in front of the car and would not leave for the longest time. This compassion, this kind of awakened love, had already reached that place. When we gave out material things, we did so with this genuine sincerity. If was like someone giving to their best friend; this was how they provided for their living. This made a lasting impression on their hearts. The harmony and peace on their smiling faces, the gentleness of their voices will always remain with the refugees. So, all of the volunteers, from different teams and organizations, as well as the people from the refugee committee all came together to share their impressions of Tzu Chi volunteers, an impression that would remain in their hearts. Look at them; in total there were Tzu Chi volunteers from 15 different countries. There were 88 volunteers, including the from Bosnia. The work of these 88 volunteers has now come to an end. As they were getting ready to leave, they were reluctant to part with each other. This was truly very moving to see. Every day they listened to the Dharma. Every day I saw the pictures they sent back. When it is evening for them, it is morning for us. They even watched the Morning Assembly’s program, “Life Wisdom”. they never let the Dharma leak away. Every day they remained diligent. Every day they helped the suffering people there. Just think, this is the truest way to live. In life, on this road they have walked, every step, every day of their lives, is what is true. They have awakened sentient beings who were submerged in suffering to help them understand the principles of life, eliminate their afflictive emotions and establish genuine and sincere love. These are Living Bodhisattvas. So, we must put our effort into being mindful, otherwise, the world’s illusions will cause us to lose our direction. Lacking understanding is like being drunk. Then we multiply our ignorance and our afflictive emotions.

In Serbia, the Bodhisattva-volunteers have already helped them sweep these away one by one. Of course, at this time, their future is uncertain and they “do not know that hidden on [their] body is a priceless jewel”. All of us have a priceless jewel on our bodies; we just do not know it. Everyone has these principles, and having these principles, all of us can live peacefully and freely. It is just that we do not know that we have this priceless jewel on our bodies. Thus we are as if drunk or ignorant and take the dales as the true; this is why so many refugees are suffering. This is the same principle; this is how it is. With a thought of goodness in our minds, we benefit the world. With a thought that goes astray, it is if we are drunk or ignorant, and we take the false for the true. Either way, it is the same life, yet there is such a big difference. So, we must truly be mindful. In this world there is the false and the true. We must earnestly seek out the true principles and see through illusory names and appearances.

Come, let us look at the previous sutra passage, “At that time those 500 Arhats, having been given predictions before the Buddha, were happy and jumped with joy. They immediately rose from their seats, came before the Buddha, prostrated with their heads at His feet and repented for the past reproached them selves.

At that time, those 500 Arhats and already come before the Buddha and been given predictions. They all were happy and began to come before the Buddha. With utmost reverence, they paid respect to Sakyamuni Buddha and expressed what was on their minds.

“World-Honored One, we have often had this thought, thinking we had already attained the ultimate and crossed into extinction. Only now do we know that we were likfe people with no wisdom. Why is this so? We should have attained the Tathagata-wisdom, yet we felt content with limited wisdom.

The 500 bhiksus now all felt this way. They knew that in the past they had often thought, “I am clear on everything the Buddha has taught. I understand it all. This is good enough for me.” This is what they believed.

So, all of us can actually still continue advancing forward toward a wisdom equal to the Buddha’s yet we do not know this. we simply “felt content with limited wisdom.”

So, ”World-Honored One,” the next sutra passage states, ”World-Honored One, this is a parable of a man who went to a dear friend’s house, got frunk on wine a lay down. At that time, hos dear friend had official business and had to go. He took a priceless jewel and fastened it inside the man’s clothes, giving it to him and leaving.

This is a parable they shared, the parable the 500 bhiksus came up with. This is a parable of a man who went to a dear friend’s house, got drunk on wine and lay down. This section, up until it says, “He would be content, is explaining their awakening to the provisional teachings of the past.

From, “This is a parable of a man who went to a dear friend’s house” up to the sentence “He would be content” is explaining their awakening to the provisional teachings of the past. From the phrase “later, his dear friend” all the way to “not be lacking anything is explaining comprehension of the true teachings of the present.

At that time, in the midst of his poverty, he arrived at the home of a friend. This friend gave him food to eat and wine to drink, so he felt, “I am so satisfied, so satisfied!” it was only now that they were starting to, beginning to, understand, “it turns out that being able to eat my fill was only the provisional teachings.” From the line “later, his dear friend” all the way to “not be lacking anything,” and from that passage on was when they actually began to “comprehend that the present teaching” was “true”. The Lotus Sutra that the Buddha was teaching now is the path to Buddhahood. Everyone can attain Buddhahood. Everyone can walk this path. Only now did everyone begin to understand this.

”World-Honored One, this is a parable of a man who went to a dear friend’s house.” “A parable” refers to the analogy of the fastening of the jewel. “A man” is an analogy for sentient beings who are being transformed. “A man” in this passage refers to the sentient beings being transformed. “A dear friend’s house” refers to those “Bodhisattva-novices” and the places they transform. Among all the people here, some can be transformed by a Buddha, while some remain outside in drunken state. this is an analogy for those who accept the teachings and transformation of the Dharma. “A dear friend’s house” is an analogy for the transformation-lands of the previously mentioned Bodhisattva-novices.” Being in the dear friend’s house is like following the Buddha in spiritual practice. These people are in this state.

Next, “[He] got drunk on wine and lay down. Some people though they have been able to eat their fill, have not yet fully awakened, because they were drinking alcohol. So, they had not yet completely awakened alcohol is like the five desires. They were drunk, drunk on the five desires. This is an analogy for afflictions that have not been eliminated. We are still immersed in the five desires. Though we are engaging in spiritual practice, though we have heard and taken in the principles, we have not eliminated desirous thoughts nor have we eliminated afflictions. We are still entangled by ignorance. Though we say we have accepted the Dharma, we have not yet entirely eliminated afflictions. It is as if we are drunk; though we have encountered the Buddha-Dharma, we still remain in a drunken state. we are still hungover.

[He] got drunk on wine and lay down: “Drunk” refers to being confused and deluded. “Wine” is an analogy for the five desires. This shows they had not yet eliminated their afflictions and were entangled by ignorance. Though they encountered the Buddha-Dharma, it was as if they were still confused or drunk.

[He] got drunk on wine and lay down. Is like when the assembly began to “temporarily form aspirations,” when they were gradually forming aspirations, and “Their ignorance temporarily subdued”. When they temporarily formed aspirations, their ignorance began to be gradually subdued. So, “Since they were able to hear the sutras, they had a slight understanding in their hearts.”

Got drunk on alcohol and lay down: at that time, people in the assembly temporarily formed aspirations; their ignorance was temporarily subdued. Since they were able to hear the sutras, they had a slight understanding in their hearts. They were like this man going to a dear friend’s house. Because of the severity of his ignorance, he again lost his way. This is like getting drunk and lying down.

Because we listen to the sutras, we have gradually been able to subdue our minds, gradually come to an understanding. This is the way the Buddha-Dharma works. So, it is like “a man” “who went to a dear friend’s house.” This is a parable of a poor man who has arrived at a dear friend’s house. It means their ignorance is severe. Amidst the myriads of sentient beings, they have arrived at this place. “Because of the severity of his ignorance. Is expressing how severe our ignorance is. Then, “He again lost his way”. He had arrived at his dear friend’s house, but his ignorance was still very severe. Although we listen to the Dharma, our ignorance is still very severe. Even as we listen to the Dharma, we continue to replicate our ignorance. We listen to the Dharma, but we still lose our way. This is “like getting drunk and lying down.” We repeat this over and over. Having listened to the Dharma, [we think,] “I know, I know.” But we forget very quickly. The Dharma has no effect on our bodies and actions. Even though we listen to the Dharma, we are not utilizing it in our conduct. Though we know it, we continue to violate it. With the severity of our ignorance, we are still deluded, so we remain unaware. So, there are two types of drunkenness. One, “being severely drunk and completely unaware” and two, “being mildly drunk”.

Those who are drunk are unaware of being drunk. This has two meanings: 1. Being severely drunk and completely unaware. 2. Being mildly drunk with slight awareness but soon forgetting. This is also called being unaware. Although there are two meanings, eventually they both reveal the meaning of fastening the jewel.

The first is, “being severely drunk and completely unaware”. This is severe drunkenness. The second is being mildly drunk. When mildly drunk, one is slightly aware. Though one has slight understanding one forgets very quickly again. I see that most people are like this. when “mildly drunk, they hear the Dharma and seem to know it, yet also seem to not know it. “This is also called being unaware.” So, “Although there are two meanings, eventually they both reveal the meaning of fastening the jewel. Though they may be either unaware or only slightly aware, no matter what, they still have a jewel on their bodies. So, “At that time, his dear friend had official business and had to go. This indicates that these Bodhisattvas conditions for transformation had ended.”

At that time, his dear friend had official business and had to go: this indicates that these Bodhisattvas’ conditions for transformation had ended, so they had to display their departing and manifest transforming in other lands.

This is like how when any Buddhas or Bodhisattvas come to the world, although they teach the principles to everyone, their time in this world is short. People may gather together, but those conditions will end. It is like this in Serbia. This group of Bodhisattvas there eventually has to leave. When the Buddha manifested in the world, in the end He still had to enter Parinirvana. “Their conditions for transformation had ended, so they had to display their departing. This means they had to leave. So, “[They] manifest transforming in other lands.” They then go to other lands. “[He] had official business and had to go. This means that “the princes, because of opportunities arising in other places, followed the conditions and went in response. Thus, it says ‘had to do’”.

[He] had official business and had to go: This explains that the princes, because of opportunities arising in other places, followed the conditions and went in response. Thus, it says “had to go”. Promoting the Dharma and transforming others is known not to be a private matter, so it says “official business”.

The 16 princes, with affinities formed back then, went to different places to transform according to capabilities. Therefore, after being in this place, they must then go to other places. So, “Promoting the Dharma and transforming others is known not be a private matter.” These Bodhisattvas came to the world not for their own sake, but for the sake of sentient beings. They came for one great cause, so this is a “public matter. It is also called “official business.” “He took a priceless jewel and fastened it inside the man’s clothes.” He put a very precious thing on his friend’s body. He himself had official business, so he left. This is an analogy for “teaching the Great Vehicle to enable great Bodhicitta to permeate the field of their consciousness.” He first planted a Great Vehicle seed of Bodhi within them, so that everyone could be deeply permeated by it. Though they were unable to be completely transformed in this life, there would still be the next life!

We sometimes see small children who, when they hear the sounds of the [Da Ai TV program] “Life Wisdom,” out their palms together before the TV and pay their respects. We often hear their grandmothers or mothers say so. think about it; isn’t this something that has permeated them? These children already have this seed in the fields of their eighth consciousness. In thae past they often watched Da Ai programs, often listened to “Wisdom at Dawn,” “Life Wisdom” and so on. I believe this permeated their mind-consciousness, the consciousness of the field of their mind. So, the “priceless jewel refers to the treasure of wisdom of the True Suchness of the One Vehicle. This priceless jewel has already been given to everyone. Everyone should know they have it. The “seed of Buddha-nature” is “priceless jewel”. In particular, “Now it has entered our bodies.” This priceless jewel is something that we already know we have. It is “fastened inside the man’s clothes”. Like something placed inside our clothes, it is inside our minds.

“[He] fastened it inside the man’s clothes”. We should use “remorse and patience to cover ugly rage. We must quickly defend against outer evil. This is our outerwear. A mind of faith and joy is our inner roots of goodness. This is our innerwear.”

What we wear is the ”clothing of gentleness and patience.” We should constantly and thoroughly be aware that beneath our clothing there is a jewel. But we are always covering it up. “We must quickly defend against outer evil.” Since we know we have this jewel, we must practice precepts, Samadhi and wisdom, wear “the clothing of gentleness and patience.” We must put effort into patiently enduring greed, anger and ignorance; this takes patience!

So, we must be gentle and forbearing in the face of all kinds of outer evil. This indicates that inside our clothing, there is this precious jewel. So, “A mind of faith and joy is our inner roots of goodness. This is our innerwear.” The roots of goodness within us are what we all intrinsically have. We must pput effort into protecting them.

“At the time they listened to the Dharma” means every time we listen to the Dharma, we must have faith in it, not merely a slight faith, a little bit of faith, but deep faith.

At the time they listened to the Dharma, they had slight faith, joy and desire. This is understanding the cause of the seeds of wisdom and vows. In terms of forming affinities, perfect understanding is the jewel and teaching them is fastening it. They were afflicted, confused and drunk, with only a slight understanding. Thus, it speaks of “fastening the jewel. In terms of intrinsic nature, it was fastened to them in the past, so it is not something new or that they lacked. They did not know and were now led to know; thus, it speaks of “fastening”.

They had faith, but still needed joy and desire. Even if we only hear a little bit, joy must still arise in us. “This is understanding the cause of the seeds of wisdom and vows.” These are the seeds of wisdom and vows. By understanding the past cause of our ignorance, true seeds of goodness can exist in our minds. “In terms of forming affinities” is talking about karmic affinities. When Buddhas and Bodhisattvas come to the world, they are always forming good affinities and transforming sentient beings. “Perfect understanding is the jewel.” When the good affinities are perfect and complete, they are like a perfect jewel. “Teaching them is fastening it. He taught them, explained to them that within them is this pure nature of True Suchness. By meticulously teaching them, it was like He was fastening the jewel, firmly affixing it in their minds. He affixed it securely so it would remain firmly in their minds. When we take the Dharma into our hearts, we must earnestly protect it. “They were afflicted, confused and drunk, with only a slight understanding. This is like how when we humans have afflictions and ignorance. Now that we have heard the Dharma, we understand. Though we may understand a little bit, we have not made use of this jewel. Someone has fastened a jewel on our bodies, yet we still do not clearly understand. So, “in terms of intrinsic nature, this jewel had been placed on us in the past; it is not something new or that they lacked. It is not new. It was not that it was not there originally; it has always been there. We have always had this jewel; we have had it since Beginningless Time. It is part of our intrinsic nature, not something given to us by others; they just remind us about it. “They did not know and were now led to know.” They were led to know what they did not before. This is called “fastening,” securing it in place. “Giving it to him and leaving means after fastening it like this, he left.

Giving it to him and leaving: This means having taught the Dharma, they continued to transform in other places.

He was teaching them the Dharma, telling them that they too could attain Buddhahood in the future, but that it would take many lifetimes, countless lifetimes, such a period of time. This is why we must put effort into being mindful. There is this jewel in our hearts. If we do not put effort into protecting it, this jewel will never be able to9 manifest. It will be like those water bubbles. We will always be fishing for water bubbles, never imagining that there is this very solid, brilliant jewel within us. So, let us always be mindful!

(Source: Da Ai TV – Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
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20170810《靜思妙蓮華》 身繫珠寶 卻不自知 (第1150集) (法華經•五百弟子受記品第八)
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