湧泉以報 林鈺堂 簡繁轉換 - 繁體
「滴水之恩，湧泉以報」；這是流傳的說法。乍看之時，會覺得說得太虛誇，也不合世間的實情。但是，會流傳的話，應該有一些道理；所以，我就尋思一番。 這不會是在物質份量、事情輕重上的考量，因為太不對稱了；這應當是在情意上的講究。在世間，每一個人所能關懷、付出的，都極為有限；所以，領受到他人的關懷與付出，都是需要感恩的。而且，每個人的生活都仰賴人際間的互相幫助。在這樣的領悟下，他人的恩情，我們應當銘記在心，而不停止回餽的心態——遇有機會及能力報答時，就要回報。這應該是這句成語的深心涵意。 更推而廣之，則不止於回報有恩，而是要隨緣幫助其他有情眾生。如此推恩，則於冥冥中，增添世間少許溫暖，幾分和氣。 想學佛的人，若連這樣的感恩、推恩心態都缺乏，而是只依個人的好惡、利害來抉擇行止，那就很明顯地在覺道上，無從進展，而只能滯留在私心的小圈內打轉。
二○二○年一月十日
Paying Back as Spring Flowing Yutang Lin
″Favor of a drop of water is to be paid back as spring flowing.″ This is a well-known Chinese saying. Upon first encounter, it seems to be too boastful, and not in accordance with reality in life. However, if a saying can last and spread, there ought to be some reasons behind it; and hence, I pondered over it. It could not be based on considerations over material quality and quantity, nor over degrees of seriousness of matters, because it is too unsymmetrical; it should be based on considerations over intentions of caring and helping. In worldly life, what each one can care about and/or help are all very limited; and hence, the favor of receiving care and/or help from others should be well appreciated. Furthermore, each one′s life all depends on mutual support and help among the society. As one comprehends such truth, others′ favors should be well kept in mind, and one should never cease the intention to pay back whenever possible—when opportunity arises and capacity allows, one pays back favors. This should be the profound insight and significance of the idiom. If we extend the teaching further, then one should not stop at paying back favors received but help other sentient beings whenever the occasion arises, and capacity allows. Extending others′ favor to other beings would, in ways unnoticeable, increase some feelings of warmth and add some air of peace in the world. For people aspiring to gain full enlightenment, if they lack even this kind of appreciative and helpful attitude, but act only according to personal preferences and self-interests considerations, then, obviously, they have no way to make any progress on the enlightenment path, but can only remain stagnant and keep running around in tiny circle of selfishness.
Written in Chinese and translated into English on January 10, 2020 [Home][Back to list] |