佛法將要到滅亡的邊緣，無論是比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷，都應該以復興佛教為己任，所謂「天下興亡，匹夫有責。」現在可以說「佛教興亡，人人有責。」然而佛教徒，更有責任，不可推諉，我們應該捫心自問，怎樣才能使佛教復興起來，並且發揚光大？這就要深刻反省！時時檢討！應該做的做到沒有？為什麼沒有做到？

When Buddhism is on the verge of extinction, all Bhikshus, Bhikshunis, Upasakas, and Upasikas should take it upon themselves to make Buddhism flourish again. It is said, “The well-being of the nation is every citizen’s responsibility.” We can say, “The well-being of Buddhism is everyone’s responsibility.” However, Buddhists should take even more responsibility than other people, and should not shift the responsibility to others. We should ask ourselves: How can we revive Buddhism and make it grow and prosper? This takes some deep self-reflection! At all times we should take stock of ourselves to see whether we have done what we ought to do. If we haven’t, why have we failed?

弘揚佛法是大家的事，唯有大家分工合作：有錢出錢，有力出力，努力團結一致，才能令佛教興盛起來。所謂「團結就是力量。」不可一盤散沙，不要有袖手旁觀的觀念。

The propagation of the Buddhadharma is everyone’s business. Only when we all share the work－when people who have money give money and those who are strong give their strength－and strive to unite can we make Buddhism flourish. There’s a saying, “Unity is power.” We shouldn’t be scattered, like grains of sand on a plate, nor should we think that we can be idle spectators who just watch from the sidelines.

身為佛教子弟，既然認清了自己的任務，就不能再有依賴的心理，想：「反正有人宣揚佛法，我不過是其中的一份子，沒有多大的關係。」若是人人都有這種想法。那麼佛教何時能復興？何時能放異彩？恐怕遙遙無期吧！

Once we clearly recognize our duty as Buddhist disciples, we should not leave it to others and think, “Well, people are working on the propagation of Buddhadharma anyway. I am only one person; I can’t make much of a difference.” If everyone thought that way, when will Buddhism ever revive and flourish? Probably never!

在現今這個時代，若是沒有真正修行的有心人住世來領導，恐怕佛教注定要逐漸衰萎乃至滅亡，我們既然是佛教徒，就應當為佛教盡心竭力。在弘法時期，勇猛向前，不可畏首畏尾，不要怕人嫉妒，不要怕人障礙，這是考驗。因為經過大冶洪爐，千錘百鍊才能成為金剛。所謂「吃得苦中苦，方為人上人」，這是經驗之談。我們要誠心來為佛教貢獻，要拿出真正的堅志和決心來為佛教做事情。這樣，佛教才會一天比一天好轉起來。

In the present age, if there are no genuine cultivators in the world who can act as leaders, Buddhism will probably gradually decline and disappear. As Buddhists, we ought to do our very best for Buddhism. When it’s time to propagate the Dharma, we should advance heroically and unhesitatingly, without worrying whether people will be jealous or try to obstruct us; these are all tests. Vajra is forged only after being smelted and refined hundreds and thousands of times in the great blasting furnace. There’s a saying,

If you can endure the greatest suffering,
You’ll become the loftiest person.

These are words of experience. We must sincerely contribute to Buddhism. We should bring forth a firm resolve and true determination to work for Buddhism. Then, and only then, will Buddhism grow stronger day by day.

萬佛聖城是真正修行的道場，人所共知，絕不是掛羊頭賣狗肉的。我們必須腳踏實地，依教奉行，不能戴著假面具欺騙世人，也不可以有好高騖遠的思想，我們知多少，就做多少，這才是修行人的本分。光說不做，落為口頭禪，那是一無是處的，又怎麼希冀佛教能復興起來呢？

The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas is a place where genuine cultivation takes place. This is a known fact; we aren’t trying to deceive people. We must honestly and devotedly practice in accord with the teachings, and not fool people by wearing masks. We should not aim high without doing the groundwork. We should practice whatever we have learned. This is a cultivator’s duty. If you only talk but don’t practice, then you’re merely paying lip service, which won’t do any good. In that case, what hope is there of Buddhism ever flourishing?

一九八四年四月六日開示