佛法事業根本真諦

林鈺堂

簡繁轉換 - 繁體

佛法的種種法會、儀式往往是應施主、信眾的需求及供奉而舉行的,因而容易產生「這些都只是為了滿足少數人的願望而做」的誤解。如果只是這樣,便背離了菩提心與解脫道,而淪為世間的運作。因此,有必要提出其根本真諦,以維護佛法事業的純正,而達致其救渡的功效。

佛法事業所以能有不可思議的功效,完全是因為菩提大心平等普及一切眾生,而因之產生無可限量的功德;換言之,佛法事業之功能乃根源於全法界整體的作用,其中沒有偏私、隔閡、對立,所以能有無限的力用。

明乎此理,所有參預佛法事業的有情,上至諸佛、菩薩、護法聖眾,下及發心、奉獻、助成、隨喜、從事的一切有情,都要基於純粹的菩提大心,並且禁絕私心妄想、對立鬥爭、偏頗袒護的心態與行止。雖然迴向中會提及參預助成眾的善願,其用意只在加持善願以助成長遠的菩提普渡大業,而非限於狹隘的小圈內。

願此短篇能導正許多參預佛法事業者的心態,使一切眾生同蒙法益!

 

二○一八年二月六日
養和齋   於加州

 

Foundation of Dharma Activities

Yutang Lin

 

All sorts of Dharma assemblies or rituals are usually conducted upon requests from faithful followers or donors so as to meet their demands and offerings. Consequently, it may readily mislead people into mistaking such activities as conducted merely to satisfy the wishes of a few. If Dharma activities were merely like that, then they would move astray from Bodhicitta and the Path of Emancipation, and deteriorate into worldly operations. Hence, it is necessary to point out their fundamental principles so as to sustain the purity of Dharma activities, and thereby attain effective results of their salvation functions.

The reason why Dharma activities can achieve inconceivable effects rests completely upon the great Bodhicitta which is universally equal in caring for all sentient beings, and such Bodhicitta can yield limitless and unmeasurable merits. In other words, the functions of Dharma activities are rooted in functioning of Dharmadhatu as a totality of all, and within this boundless totality there is no partiality, no divisions, and no antagonism; consequently, limitless powers and functions become possible.

Upon comprehending this principle, all participants in Dharma activities, from Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Dharma protectors above, down to all sentient beings who aspire to, make offerings for, help carry out, show approval, or engage in the Dharma activities need to set their motives upon pure and great Bodhicitta, and extinguish any mentality or behavior that is tainted with self-centered illusions, antagonistic fighting, or partial preferences. Even though in the dedication of merits the good wishes of all those who participated in helping materialize the Dharma activities will be mentioned, the intention of so doing is only to bless these good wishes so that their fruition will eventually help realize the everlasting and universal salvation activities of Bodhi, but not to confine anyone within tiny circles of self-interests.

May this short essay help readjust the mentality of many participants in Dharma activities back to the right track so that all sentient beings will equally share the benefits of Dharma!

 

Written in Chinese and translated into English on February 6, 2018
El Cerrito, California

 

 

 

[Home][Back to list]