廣修供養

簡繁轉換 - 繁體

林鈺堂

一切設施，與菩提心相應，方成修行。菩提心無可限量，平等普及一切有情，因此修行供施，首當觀為無限且平等普施眾生之一例。供養之目的，在使一切眾生早日平順證覺，因此必與此目的相順，方可行之，至少亦需於心中存此祝願。力所能及，以最佳者獻於菩提大業，此中即包括供養三寶，弘揚佛法等。心有餘而力不足，則以祝願，隨喜、觀想補充。

供養非僅提供物質之需，亦包括法上之開導，精神上之支持、安撫，以及危難之救脫。廣修供養應量力隨緣而常行之。常持佛號或佛咒，則凡有見聞皆成法緣，亦廣修供養之一法。遇有好受用，先想成供佛，再享用之，可增進心住於法，於菩提。

密法之施身法，觀身等同全法界，而完全割捨供施於有需求之眾生，因而同步去執增福慧，又是具大心者皆得修習之法，可謂廣修供養之妙法。

有財力，修供養必真正行布施，方成真修。有能力，遇法務必參預以助成，方是修供。若有不能，亦可以祈禱佛佑、祝願順吉之心力供施。

行供施最易消執取；廣修之則隨緣不起分別，應機應境而於種種方便施與中不斷展現菩提大心。如此，行供養，而實為修菩提，修同體之融通矣！

　　　　
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　二○○九年四月十五日
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　養和齋　　　　於加州

Extensively Conducting Offerings

Yutang Lin

All contrivances, in correspondence with Bodhicitta, only then constitute Dharma practices. Bodhicitta is immeasurable, and universally and equally applies to all sentient beings. Therefore, to practice offering, one should first of all regard it as one case among boundless and universally equal offerings to all beings. The goal of making offerings is to help all beings to attain full enlightenment sooner and smoother; hence, it could be conducted only when it is in accord with this goal, and at least, it should be accompanied by such an aspiration in mind. Within the reach of one's means and resources, offer the best to Bodhi activities, and these include offerings to the Triple Gem, propagation of Dharma, etc. When one's intention is limited by one's means and resources, then it may be supplemented by well-wishing, approval and visualization.

Making offerings is not confined to fulfilling material needs; it also includes providing Dharma guidance, offering spiritual support and relief, and deliverance from dangers or hardships. Extensively conducting offerings should be practiced constantly as occasions arise and in proportion to one's means and resources. Constantly sustaining a Buddha's name or mantra in mind so that all who come into contact with one would have a Dharma connection; this is also one way to extensively conduct offering. Whenever one is about to enjoy something nice, first think of offering it to Buddhas, and then enjoy it; thus one's mind will be trained to abide more and more in Dharma and in Bodhi.

Chod, the Tantric practice of offering one's body, identifies the body with the whole Dharmadhatu, and then in visualization offers it completely, piece by piece, to all beings in needs. Thus, simultaneously released one's grasping and accumulated merits and wisdom, and in addition, it is a practice that all with Bodhicitta can practice, so it is indeed a wondrous practice for extensively conducting offerings.

Within one's means and resources, to practice offering one need to carry it out through deeds for it to count as real practice. Within one's abilities and capabilities, as Dharma activities arise one need to take part to help their completion, only then can it be counted as genuine practice of offering. If it is beyond one's means and abilities, then one may still practice offering of one's mental efforts in well-wishing and prayers to Buddhas for blessings.

Conducting offerings is the easiest way to reduce grasping; to extensively conduct offerings one should face situations as they arise without making distinctions, and in response to the circumstances and beings in front, exhibit great Bodhi aspiration through all kinds of skillful offering of suitable ways and means. Thus, while conducting offerings one is indeed practicing Bodhi and the harmonious unification of all in oneness!

Written in Chinese and translated on April 15, 2009
El Cerrito, California

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