待时节因缘成熟

有一天,佛陀在舍卫国祇树给孤独园为比丘们开示:“农夫耕种有三种需要随着时节来进行的工作,哪三种呢?就是耕田、溉灌及播种。农夫在耕田、溉灌及播种后,并不会希望:‘我今日或明天、后天就要让它成长,就要让它结果,就要让它成熟。’虽然农夫不会这么想,但是种子已然入土,自然会随着时节因缘长大成熟,并且结果。”

“其实,比丘们也有三种需要随时修习的善学,即善戒学、善意学、善慧学;但修习后,并不会认为:‘今天或是明天、后天,我就要不起烦恼,心得解脱。’但因为自心随时在增上戒学、增上意学、增上慧学,待时节因缘成熟,自然就能不起烦恼,心得解脱。

“又譬如母鸡孵蛋,经过十余天,随时保护、照顾着。但母鸡也不会这么想:‘我今天、明天或后天就要用口啄孵出或用爪刮蛋,使小鸡赶快出生。’母鸡会仔细地照顾、爱护蛋,小鸡自然能平安地孵出。所以,比丘善学三学,时节因缘成熟,自然能不起烦恼,心得解脱。”比丘们闻佛所说,个个心开意解,欢喜奉行!

摘自<杂阿含经 / 卷二十九>

随心自在

有了禅心,就能随遇而安。在生活里面有也好、无也好、多也好、少也好、大也好、小也好。有了禅心,就不会斤斤计较世间上的五欲尘劳、人我权位,那么一点小小的利益,算得了什么?因此,若想在生活里随遇而安,就要把心里的「禅性」提炼出来,照亮人间,那才能随心自在!

by 星云法师

Right Perseverance

We should then always attempt to have perseverance. The nature of the mental factor of perseverance is a mind that is happy to perform virtue. Perseverance in harming your enemies, in anger, attachment or ignorance, in meaningless activities of this life or in nonvirtuous actions is not the real; that's the wrong perseverance.

by Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Absolute Bodhichtta

Recognizing the empty, nonexistent, insubstantial nature of the ego is meditation on absolute bodhichitta.

by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

善事善行

有一天,佛在毗舍离狝猴岸边的大讲堂中说法。当时有一位名叫摩诃离的贵族来到讲堂中,恭敬地顶礼世尊后,退坐在一旁。

摩诃离坐定后请示佛陀:“世尊,请问您曾见过天帝释吗?”

佛陀回答:“我看过。”

摩诃离又继续请问:“有长得很像天帝释的夜叉鬼,世尊您所看见的不会是夜叉鬼吧?”

佛陀表示:“我所看见的究竟是天帝释本人或是长得很像天帝释的夜叉鬼,这是很容易辨别的。对于天帝释过去所做的善事,我也很清楚:天帝释在过去生中,非常地孝顺父母、尊敬师长,说话慈悲、柔软,也不会挑拨是非,所说的都是好话、实话。他还喜欢布施,心当中没有悭贪、嫉妒、瞋心等等不好的念头,也不会嫌弃或是怨恨他人,所作所为都是善事、善行。”

佛陀接着又以偈语开示大众:

于父母所,极能孝顺,    
于诸尊长,深心恭敬。    
恒作软善,恩柔好语,    
断于两舌、悭贪、瞋恚。    
三十三天,各作是语,    
如是行者,胜我等辈,    
应当别住,以为天王。”

在场比丘们听到佛陀的开示,心生欢喜,信受奉行。

摘自<别译杂阿含经 / 卷二>

Like the Wind

Thoughts are like the wind; they come and go. The secret is not to "think" about thoughts, but to allow them to flow through the mind, while keeping your mind free from after thoughts

by Sogyal Rinpoche

Arise From Inner Peace

Whether we consider the individual, family, local, national or international level, peace must arise from inner peace. For example, making prayers for peace while continuing to harbor anger is futile.

Training the mind and overcoming your anger is much more effective than mere prayer. Anger, hatred and jealousy never solve problems, only affection, concern and respect can do that.

by Dalai Lama

因果法则的肯定

如果我们能肯定因果的法则,就会对所遭受的不如意事,非但没有怨尤,反而会更积极努力地去改善未来的命运。

by 圣严法师

内护身口意清净

一日,波斯匿王在静坐时,思惟什么是“护己”?什么是“不护己”?最后得到一个结论:“若人修善,即是护己;若行恶事,则是不护己。”于是起座前往佛陀所在的祇园精舍。

波斯匿王至诚顶礼后,请示佛陀:“世尊!我在静坐中思惟如何是‘护己’,如何是‘不护己’?我认为修善就是护己,行恶就是不护己,这样的知见是否正确?”

佛陀回答:“没错,确实是如此。若有人以象兵、马兵、车兵、步兵守护在自己身旁,这也不是真正的护己。为什么呢?因为不是内护。若人能够清净身口意三业,修善积福,即使没有四兵围绕守护,亦是真正的护己。因为行善能使内心产生正向的力量,此内护力量胜过外在生灭事相的保护作用,这才是真正的护己。”

接着,佛陀又对大众说了一首偈子:

若人欲自护,当护身口意,
修行于善法,有惭亦有愧。
不护三业者,邪见及眠睡,   
障蔽诸善法,随从于恶魔,    
则为自毁伤,是以应自护,    
修定及智慧,常念佛所教。”

比丘们听完佛陀的教诲,皆心生欢喜,信受奉行。

摘自<别译杂阿含经 / 卷三>

每一个人都有禅

禅不是佛教所专有,也不是佛陀所创造;但是禅是佛陀发现的,是每一个人都有的。

by 星云法师

The Dissatisfied Mind

The dissatisfied mind of desire has created the problems of life, which clings first of all to this life, seeking only the temporary happiness of this life, and then to these eight objects: having comfort, not having discomfort, receiving materials (such as friends and so forth), not liking not to receive materials, having a good reputation, not having a reputation, receiving praise, not having criticism.

by Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Increasing Light

If you truly put the teachings into practice, as the Dharma takes birth and grows in your mindstream, all your faults will naturally diminish and all your positive qualities will spontaneously blossom, just as the sun, as it rises higher in the morning, gradually spreads increasing light throughout the world.

by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

永随己身

过去,佛陀曾在舍卫国祇树给孤独园弘法。有一天,一位年迈的婆罗门来到精舍,向佛问讯后即坐于一旁,向佛请法:“佛啊!我已年迈老朽,过去做了很多恶事,既没修福,也没行善,又没修持能远离恐惧的法门。慈悲的佛陀!请为我说法,让我命终之时可以被救护,就像有一间屋舍可以让我有所依怙。”

佛陀告诉婆罗门:“老、病、死如火般炽盛,要远离其害,就要在身口意上勤修善法。过去你未能修持身口意三业,今日若能改往修来,这些善法资粮就是你临命终时救度你的船、让你避难的屋宅。”

佛又说:“就好像屋舍着火,此时应该赶快将财宝搬出屋外,放置在无火的地方。为了免离生、老、病、死之火,应该勤修布施,救度贫穷。世间的金银财宝,无能免于国王、盗贼、水、火等侵害,临命终时亦不能随身。若能力行布施,则其功德将永随己身,坚牢稳固,国王、盗贼、水灾、火灾都无法侵损剥夺。假若悭吝贪心而不布施,则如昏昧不觉者;而能布施救济贫穷者,才是真正觉悟者。”

佛说法毕,比丘众皆欢喜奉行。

摘自<别译杂阿含经 / 卷五>

Unbiased Attitude

In the spaciousness of meditation, you can view your thoughts and emotions with a totally unbiased attitude.

by Sogyal Rinpoche

Wait for Difficulties to Arise

Merely thinking that compassion and reason and patience are good will not be enough to develop them. We must wait for difficulties to arise and then attempt to practice them.

by Dalai Lama

心念命运

把心念转过来,命运也就好转过来。

by 圣严法师

传法偈

吾本来兹土, 传法救迷情。 一花开五叶, 结果自然成。

by 达摩大师

忍辱最胜

有一天,佛陀在舍卫国祇树给孤独园对比丘们开示:很久以前,天帝释提桓因率领天众与阿修罗作战。释提桓因告诉阿修罗王:“今天,我们不要用打仗的方式来互相伤害,不如以辩论的方式决定胜负。”

阿修罗王回答:“可以!但是由谁来决定输赢?”

释提桓因回答:“天人及阿修罗众中,都有睿智、辩才无碍者,就由他们共同来决定胜负。”

阿修罗王回应:“帝释你先说!”

释提桓因谦让地说:“我可以先说,但您是旧天王,理应由您先开始。”

阿修罗王表示:“愚者忍辱,是因为害怕,他还以为这是自己胜过他人的地方。”

释提桓因则说:“愚者虽然因为怖畏而忍辱,但是忍辱对自己却是最有利的,即使拥有一切财宝和名利,都无法胜过忍辱的功德。”

阿修罗王又说:“愚者没有智慧,所以要先制止他们,就像慢吞吞的牛要被后面奔腾的牛赶上,所以要藉助刀杖来摧伏愚者。”

释提桓因则说:“我认为要制止愚者,沉默忍耐是最好的方法。面对怒气腾腾的人,如果能忍辱而不发一言,他自然会平息下来。一个人如果没有瞋心、恼害心,他就是圣贤,抑是圣贤的弟子,我们应该常常亲近这样的人。容易愤怒的人,因为瞋心重,障碍就会像山一样高;如果起瞋心,能忍耐克制,就是善业,就像用缰绳驾驭恶马一般。”

负责评断的诸天和阿修罗众认为,阿修罗王所说以诤斗为本,释提桓因则是止息诤讼,且没有忿恚、争执之心,因此评断天帝释提桓因赢得此次辩论。

佛告诉比丘们:“释提桓因在天中最自在,因为他能常行忍辱,并赞叹忍辱法。如果比丘们能行忍辱、赞叹忍辱,就是真正的出家。”

比丘们听完佛陀的开示,都非常欢喜并信受奉行。

摘自<别译杂阿含经 / 卷二>

人间佛教的根本

禅如画,可以美化环境;禅如盐,可以促进食欲;禅如花,让人欣赏;禅如胭脂,让人亮丽。禅是幽默、是大自然、是我们的心、是我们的本来面目,禅是人间佛教的根本。

by 星云法师

Purity Negative Karma

If we have met the holy Dharma we should feel so fortunate.

Even though we might still create negative karma, we have the opportunity to purify it. With an understanding of karma and refuge, we have the opportunity to practice Dharma, and so we know there is a solution.

by Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Adverse Circumstances

It is not when things go well that you can judge a true practitioner. When adverse circumstances arise, you can clearly see shortcomings in their practice.

by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

恭敬于法

一日,佛陀在舍卫国祇树给孤独园对比丘们开示∶“有一次,天帝释提桓因欲前往游戏园,令驾车人摩得梨准备一部用千匹马拉的大车。摩得梨接到命令,很快地备好马车来到宫外,并向天帝禀报:‘庄严的千马大车已准备好,可以出发了。’

这时,天帝释提桓因不急不徐地走出毗禅延堂,向南恭敬地合掌。看到天帝如此地恭敬,让驾车人摩得梨大吃一惊,害怕得连手中的鞭子及驾车的缰绳都掉了下来。帝释问道:‘发生了什么事,你怎会如此惊惧?’

摩得梨回答:‘天帝,我因为见到您合掌向南礼敬,心中感到惊恐万分,才会吓得连鞭子和缰绳都拿不住。’

他接着说:‘世间上一切有情众生都尊敬您,世间一切土地莫不属于您,甚至四天王天及三十三天的所有天人也都礼敬您,您的威德如此广大,还有什么人的德行胜过您,让您如此恭敬地行礼?’

释提桓因回答:‘如你所说,世间一切众生尊敬我,是因为我的德行,而所有天人亦恭敬法。今天我如此礼敬,正是具足戒法。’

帝释进一步解释:‘出家修行者,常行精进不放逸,长夜入于禅定寂静,持无上清净戒,舍离贪瞋痴三毒,而能解脱生死、出离三界,因为如此,我今至诚礼敬。所有大阿罗汉已远离一切欲爱、色爱,破除无明,息灭烦恼;在家居士能广修十善乃至一切善法,不造恶业,如此所有依正法修行者,今我皆恭敬普礼。’

听完帝释的解说,摩得梨说:‘您的言行皆依于正法,是最殊胜的,我愿跟随您一起礼敬所有奉行正法者。’天帝释提桓因再度合掌礼敬,然后搭上千马严车离开。”

佛陀告诉所有比丘:“天帝释提桓因位于人天第一,得大自在,尚且能够如此恭敬于法,何况比丘剃除须发,舍离世间一切,辞亲出家,修行学道,怎能不精勤修行,恭敬于法呢?”

听到佛陀的开示及劝勉,所有比丘皆发起无上道心,欢喜奉行。

摘自<别译杂阿含经 / 卷二>

View in Mediation

One of the greatest of Tibet’s many woman masters, Ma Chik Lap Drön, said: “Alert, alert; yet relax, relax. This is a crucial point for the View in meditation.”

Alert your alertness, but at the same time be relaxed, so relaxed in fact that you don’t even hold onto an idea of relaxation.

by Sogyal Rinpoche

Everything Springs Only From Yourself

When you think everything is someone else's fault, you will suffer a lot. When you realize that everything springs only from yourself, you will learn both peace and joy.

by Dalai Lama

当下独一无二

若能珍惜当下每一个因缘,每一个当下,都是独一无二的。

by 圣严法师

念念归道

凡夫当生忧死,临饱愁饥,皆名大惑。所以圣人不谋其前,不虑其后,无恋当今,念念归道。

by 达摩大师

守口慎语

有一天,佛陀对比丘们开示:“很久以前,在阿练若池水边有两只大雁,它们和乌龟是好朋友,一起在池边生活,互相照顾。

过了一些时日,每天赖以维生的池水渐渐干涸,于是大雁告诉乌龟:“这个池水干枯后,我们的生命会受到很大的威胁,所以不能在这里等死。我想到一个好方法,你可以咬住一根树枝,然后我们两个各衔住树枝的一端,这样就可以带你飞到有水源的地方,我们又可以一起快乐地生活。可是,有一件事你一定要记得,当你咬着树枝时,不论遇到任何事,千万不能开口哦!”于是大雁和乌龟一起咬着树枝出发了。”

当他们经过村落时,刚好有许多正在游玩的小孩,抬头看到在空中的大雁及乌龟,觉得新奇又有趣,便大笑说:“快来看!有两只雁衔着树枝,带着一只咬着树枝的乌龟在空中飞。”

乌龟看到这么多小孩在取笑它,生气地对孩子们说:“关你们什么事!”大雁听到乌龟的声音,心中一惊!果然,失去树枝依靠的乌龟,迅速地掉落,活活摔死了。

佛陀提示大众:“人的嘴巴里好似有柄利斧,常常引来杀身之祸。应毁诋的反而称誉,应称誉反而毁谤,这都会使自身遭受祸殃,始终无法得到真正的快乐。这只生气的乌龟就是提婆达多,过去由于起瞋心对孩子大吼,落地而死。即使到了今生,依旧瞋骂如来,因而堕大地狱。”

摘自<法苑珠林 / 卷八十二>

神妙的东西

禅是个神妙的东西,一旦在生活中发挥功用,则活泼自然,在生活中洞彻明白,不在物质上牵挂,到处充满人间的生命力,正可以扭转现代人生活的错乱。所以,禅能转迷为悟,转邪为正,转小为大,转苦为乐。

by 星云法师

Let go

"Let go" are just two very simple words but according to Buddhism, they have great meaning. Then, let go of the undesirable object of anger. Let go of the exaggerated beauty of the object of desire. Let go of the objects of other wrong concepts.. There are many things to let go of. Rather than keeping these wrong concepts in your heart, you let go of them. Let go of grasping and clinging frees you from stress.

by Lama Zopa Rinpoche

A Clarity Beyond Concepts

When the mind is positive, body and speech, the servants of the mind, will of course be positive also.

But how are we to make the mind positive? At the moment, we cling to the notion that our minds are real entities. When someone helps us, we think, ‘That person has been so good to me. I must be kind to him in return and make him my friend for lives and lives to come.’ This only goes to show that we do not know about the empty nature of the mind. As for our enemies, we think of how to harm them as much as possible… We think like that simply because we think our anger is a true and permanent reality – while in fact it is nothing at all.

We should therefore rest in the empty nature of the mind beyond all mental elaborations, in that state which is free from clinging, a clarity beyond concepts.

by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

如实修行

过去佛住世时,一天夜里,有八位天人依序来到佛所。第一位天人,容貌端严,身上所散发的光芒达一里之远,并有十位天女随侍在旁。天人至心顶礼后,佛陀告诉他:“你因广修福德而生天上,享有种种五欲之乐,得安稳自在的果报。”

天人表示:“世尊,我虽处天上,仍时感忧苦。因为我过去世对父母、师长、僧众、婆罗门虽心存忠孝、恭敬,却未能殷勤礼拜、送往迎来,所以今世善果太少,不如其他天人,因此常自责过去修行未尽圆满。”

第二位天人的容貌、光明及眷属,比第一位天人更胜十倍。然而这位天人也告诉佛陀说:“我虽处天上,却时感忧苦,因为前世虽对父母、师长尽孝,送往迎来,也恭敬礼拜僧众、婆罗门,却未能为其铺床暖被、整理卧具,所以今生果报不如其余诸天。”

接着又来了第三位天人,其容貌、光明及眷属更胜前一天人十倍。天人至诚顶礼后,禀告佛陀:“我虽处天宫,却常感忧苦,过去世虽对父母、师长、僧众、婆罗门忠孝、恭敬,也为其铺床暖被、整理卧具,却没有供养种种饮食,所以今世果报不如其余诸天。因此我对过去生修行未达圆满,常感到后悔而忧恼。”

第四位天人的容貌、光明及眷属亦更胜前一天人十倍,顶礼佛陀后则表示:“我过去世虽对父母、师长、僧众及婆罗门忠孝、恭敬,也为其铺床暖被、整理卧具及供养饮食,但因不听闻佛法,所以今生果报不如其他天人。因此,我常因自己的修行不圆满而心怀忧恼。”

而第五位天人的容貌、光明及眷属又更胜前一天人十倍,他向佛陀禀告说:“我虽生天上,仍时感忧恼,虽然前世对父母、师长、僧众及婆罗门忠孝恭敬,不仅为其敷设卧具、供养饮食,又能听闻佛法,但因不解其义,所以今世果报不如其余诸天,因此常责悔不已。”

另一天人的果报又比前一天人更胜十倍,顶礼佛陀后恭敬禀告说:“我前世虽对父母、师长、僧众及婆罗门心存忠孝、恭敬,亦能敷设卧具、供养饮食及听法解义,但因不能依法修行,所以今世果报不如其余天人。因此我对过去生修行未达圆满,心生忏悔而忧恼。”

最后一位天人的容貌、光明及眷属都胜过其他天人,当他顶礼佛陀后,佛告诉这位天人:“你得生天上,享有种种安乐。”

天人表示:“我今世得生天宫,种种五欲皆能应念而生,确实获得大快乐,没有任何烦恼。这是因为过去生中,对于父母、师长、僧众及婆罗门皆能心存忠孝、恭敬,为其铺具暖被,供养种种饮食,并能听法解义,如实修行,所以获得的殊胜果报是其他天人所不及的。”

摘自<杂宝藏经 / 卷三>

Dying and Compassion

At every moment in our lives we need compassion, but what more urgent moment could there be than when we are dying?

What more wonderful and consoling gift could you give to dying people than the knowledge that they are being prayed for, and that you are taking on their suffering and purifying their negative karma through your practice for them?

Even if they don’t know that you are practicing for them, you are helping them and in turn they are helping you. They are actively helping you to develop your compassion, and so to purify and heal yourself. For me, all dying people are teachers, giving to all those who help them a chance to transform themselves through developing their compassion.

by Sogyal Rinpoche

Mutual Acceptance and Respect

In today’s interconnected and globalized world, it is now commonplace for people of dissimilar world views, faiths and races to live side by side. It is a matter of great urgency, therefore, that we find ways to cooperate with one another in a spirit of mutual acceptance and respect.

by Dalai Lama

惜言慎语

话到口边想一想,讲话之前慢半拍。不是不说,而是要惜言慎语。

by 圣严法师

尽由一心而起

经云:‘若见诸相非相,即见如来’。八万四千法门,尽由一心而起。若心相内净,犹如虚空,即出离‘身心内八万四千烦恼病本’也。

by 达摩大师

鹦鹉天子

佛陀在舍卫国祇树给孤独园夏安居竟,便带领比丘们前往其他国家游化。当时摩竭提国频婆娑罗王带着群臣出城遥望佛陀,心想:“世尊,您此刻在哪里呢?唯愿世尊慈悯,和比丘们前来接受弟子供养。”佛陀遥知频婆娑罗王心生渴仰,便带着比丘们 渐次游行,前往摩竭提国。

这时,鹦鹉王遥见佛陀一行走来,立即飞到空中,迎上前去,请求佛陀:“恳请世尊及比丘们慈悲愍念,能接受到我林中住宿一晚的邀请。”

佛见鹦鹉王恳切祈请,便答应其邀请。鹦鹉王知道佛已许可,便飞回林中,告诉鹦鹉群前去迎接。

佛陀带领比丘们来到鹦鹉林,各各于树下敷上坐具,静坐思惟。鹦鹉王见到佛陀及比丘们寂然宴坐,心生喜悦,整夜都飞绕在佛陀和比丘们的周围,又向四处环顾,恐有狮子、虎、狼等禽兽或是盗贼前来扰害佛陀等一行人。

次日清早,佛陀便离开森林,继续向王舍城前进,鹦鹉们则在空中一路护送。鹦鹉王先飞到王舍城对频婆娑罗王说:“大王,世尊及比丘们快到这里了,恳请大王准备佳肴美膳供养佛陀及诸比丘,并起身前往城门迎接。”频婆娑罗王听了鹦鹉王的话,立即敕令准备种种幢幡、香花及佳肴美膳,与群臣们来到城门外迎接佛陀。

当天晚上,鹦鹉王寿尽命终,往生忉利天,很快地长大,犹如八岁小儿。天子思惟着:“我修了什么福报,得以投生天上呢?”便专注观察,得知自己由于请佛一宿止住的功德,所以得生忉利天。天子心想:“我应当要回报世尊恩德。”于是头戴天冠、身着璎珞,手持香花来到人间供养佛陀。佛陀慈悲为天子开示四谛法门,天子心开意解,即得须陀洹果,绕佛三匝后返回天宫。

隔日清晨,比丘们请示佛陀:“昨夜光明遍照,难道是释提桓因,或是梵天、四大天王,或是二十八部鬼神将前来供养世尊、请示佛法吗?”

佛陀告诉诸比丘:“并不是帝释、梵天,或是诸鬼神王。昨夜大众所见的光明,是之前迎请我们到它们树林住宿一晚的鹦鹉王,它命终后,往生忉利天,昨夜特别前来供养,听闻四圣谛,即得须陀洹果。”

比丘们又问:“这位天子过去生造了何业,投生为鹦鹉?又修了何福,得以闻法证果呢?”

佛陀告诉比丘:“贤劫中,波罗奈国有佛出世,号迦叶佛。当时,有一位受持五戒的长者,因曾毁犯一戒,所以堕入畜生道中,而为鹦鹉。又因他持守四戒,所以可以值遇佛陀,闻法得道。大众当知,过去那位受持五戒的优婆塞,就是这位鹦鹉天子。”
 
摘自<撰集百缘经 / 卷六>

人间共有的宝藏

禅不是从知识上去理解的,它必须从生活中去修行、体验,它是从矛盾中可以统一,从差别中可以交流,禅是证悟,不是知见解释的,禅是人间共有的宝藏。

by 星云法师

Attachment

Attachment always causes further attachment and this keeps us in suffering. Therefore, it is extremely important to renounce attachment as much as possible. Attachment is a thought that sinks into an object of beauty. The mind gets stuck or it sinks, and it becomes difficult to separate from the object. That is the nature of attachment.

by Lama Zopa Rinpoche

The Perfect Happiness

Everything depends on your intention. All the time, therefore, check your attitude and motivation. As Patrul Rinpoche said, everyone wants happiness, but the true way to reach perfect happiness is to bring happiness to others.

by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

因果

佛陀时代,有一位力大无穷的驼骠比丘,随佛出家后,精进行道,威德具足,证得阿罗汉果。由于驼骠比丘时常发心营办僧事,关照僧众的饮食起居,佛称赞其“营事第一”。

当时,在僧团中有一位福德浅薄的弥多比丘,几乎每次都拿到粗糙的食物,久而久之,便对驼骠比丘产生成见,认为对方是故意分给他不好的东西。后来,弥多比丘公然中伤驼骠比丘,并联合他已出家的姊姊,于比丘尼僧团中诽谤驼骠比丘。驼骠比丘为避免众人因毁谤罗汉而造恶业,只好选择离开,于是显现十八神变,灰身泯智,入火光三昧。

僧团中的比丘们对于驼骠比丘何以被诽谤?何以力大无穷?何以证得阿罗汉果?均感到疑惑且好奇,请示佛陀之后,终于明白。原来迦叶佛住世时,有一位年少比丘,长得眉清目秀,相好端严。一日外出乞食,在城中遇到一名少妇,少妇见其相好庄严,心生贪恋,于是目不转睛地直盯着他瞧。

当时的驼骠比丘是一名监督膳食制作的官员,看见这位少妇紧跟着年少比丘,于是不明就里到处传言:“年少比丘和少妇私通!”因为造作不实的诽谤,以此因缘堕落三恶道中受苦。又因过去在迦叶佛时出家学道,所以今生得证阿罗汉果。在其出家修行的期间,于僧团中料理僧事,某次极力挽救陷于深泥中、驮着米面的驴,以此缘故得力大无穷之果报。

摘自<杂宝藏经 / 卷二>

After Mediation

What really matters is not just the practice of sitting, but far more the state of mind you find yourself in after meditation. It is this calm and centered state of mind you should prolong through everything you do.

by Sogyal Rinpoche

Material Values

We need to understand the inadequacy of an educational system so slanted towards material values. The solution is not to give an occasional lecture, but to integrate ethics into the educational curriculum. To do this effectively requires a secular ethics, free of religious influence, based on common sense, a realistic view and scientific findings.

by Dalai Lama

过去未来现在

对于过去,无怨无悔;对于未来,积极准备;对于现在,步步踏实。

by 圣严法师

心解法

无智之人,不信此心‘解法’成于圣人,但欲远外求学,爱慕空中佛像光明、香色等事,皆堕邪见,失心狂乱。

by 达摩大师

虚妄不实的尘境

过去,佛陀与比丘们在鹿野苑中修行。一天,佛陀问比丘:“世间美女是否能吸引群众聚集围观?”

比丘们回答:“是的,世尊。”

佛陀再问:“如果世间美女又会种种歌舞伎乐,是不是会吸引更多人观赏呢?

比丘们肯定地回答:“是。”

接着,佛陀又说:“有一位喜欢欲乐、厌恶痛苦及死亡的男子,有人告诉他说:‘你要捧着装满油的钵,从围绕着美女、歌舞伎乐的群众中穿越而过,我会派一名刽子手跟在你身后,如果你不小心掉落一滴油,他会马上取你性命。’这个怕死的人会不系念手上的油钵,不恐惧身后的刽子手,流连于美色及歌舞吗?”

比丘们回答:“不会的。这个怕死的人因畏惧身后的刽子手,想到油若落下一滴,头就会被砍下,所以会一心一意顾好手中的油钵,于充斥美色、歌舞的人群中缓缓而过,根本不敢多看一眼。”

佛陀听到比丘们这么回答,便慈悲地开示大众:“修行人护念法身慧命,就是要这样戒慎恐惧。不要去贪恋外在虚妄不实的美色、音声等尘境,应当收摄身心,身口意三业谨慎而不放逸。”

佛陀教导比丘们依四念处观来修行,一心一意思惟“观身不净、观受是苦、观心无常、观法无我”,以正智、正念调伏贪爱、忧惧,烦恼自然断除,不再受生死轮回之苦。最后以一偈来劝勉诸位比丘:


专心正念,护持油钵,    
自心随护,未曾至方,    
甚难得过,胜妙微细,    
诸佛所说,言教利剑。    
当一其心,专精护持,    
非彼凡人,放逸之事,    
能入如是,不放逸教。”

比丘们听完佛陀的开示,个个兴起信乐欢喜之心,依着教诲,落实修行。

摘自<杂阿含经/ 卷二十四>