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比丘尼近德﹕
……記得曾看上人開示，是針對幾位即將受具足戒弟子講的，上人把自己喻為造磚造瓦的工匠。上人說：「……溼泥巴做成的磚頭，如果放著讓它自己風乾的話，那麼做出來的這些磚頭很容易就破掉，就不能成為很好的建材，也不能夠建一個房子。」我本人就覺得像是剛由溼泥巴做成的磚頭，尚不能成建材。
那怎麼樣才能讓這些磚塊變成很好的建材呢？這些磚塊，首先必須要用火烤，烤了又烤，烤到一定的時候，這些磚塊有很堅固的特質了，這時才可以拿來蓋房子。什麼樣的房子呢？上人期許弟子要蓋一座「法」的房子，就是佛法的「法」；上人告誡弟子，要做那種不容易破碎的磚頭。
三十多年後，我們溫習上人當年的開示，也感覺到上人一直都在提醒我們，在修行的路程中，那些辛苦、考驗，都是必然的現象，我們不要被這些境界所轉；就像在大冶洪爐當中，這些都是幫助我們去蕪存菁，把無始劫來的無明去掉。每當我們通過一些考驗，忍耐過一些辛苦，就會覺得，「咦！我的無明好像少了一點。」我們的智慧，相對地也會增加一點。這都是幫我們奠定修行的基礎，成就我們修行的必要條件--堅、誠、恒。
我們這一期的戒子們很幸運，幾乎每個人的共同經驗都是，從到道場，到出家後的生活過程中，我們有很多機會，在法總各單位學習，經歷不同的訓練。譬如，我們從經教理論，從威儀戒律，甚至日常生活中的待人接物，來認識佛法，這都是幫助我們把修行的基礎，一步步打穩。
即使在一百零八天的密集訓練當中，我們也一樣有很多很多的機會，練習如何福慧雙修。
在這樣的環境薰陶，潛移默化下，我們都有一些改變，只是自己未必察覺得到，但已花了師長很多的心血，及各單位人力、物力種種的支援配合，我們非常感激。上人曾說：「報恩的最好方式，就是要好好地修行。」我們要以努力修行來回報。
這次戒子們來自世界各地，年齡、文化背景各異，不過都有一個共同的願望，那就是希望在未來的日子中，我們要老老實實盡一個出家人的本份，要隨緣幫助眾生，還有一項更重要的，我們要團結合作，護持這樣的誓願。我們希望不會辜負師長的期望，不要當易碎的磚頭，要做堅固的磚塊，幫佛教建立一座堅固的法房子。
阿彌陀佛！
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Bhikshuni Jin De:
I recall once reading an instructional talk the Venerable Master gave to some disciples who were about to receive full ordination. Comparing himself to a brick or tile maker, the Master said, “Brick made from mud that is merely left to dry naturally will crumble very easily and not make good building material. It would not make a good house.” I myself feel like a brick made from mud, which is not yet ready to build anything.
How can we make brick into good building material? They must be fired for a long time till they reach a certain solidity and durability, before they can be used for building. What kind of houses do we want to build? The Master hopes his disciples will build Dharma houses—abodes for the Buddhadharma—and warns us not to be bricks that easily crumble.
Thirty some years later, as we review the Master’s instructions, we can feel that the Master is still reminding us that the hardships and challenges we encounter on the path of practice are meant to be; we ought not let them sway us. Like firings in a huge furnace, these tests help us get rid of impurities and cast out the ignorance that has accumulated since time without beginning. Each time we make it through a difficult situation or endure some hardship, we will feel, “Wow, my ignorance has decreased a bit!” Conversely, our wisdom will have grown. These experiences help us to lay a foundation for our practice and accomplish three essential qualities for cultivation: determination, sincerity, and perseverance.
This year’s preceptees have been very fortunate. Virtually all of us share a common feeling that “from the time we first came to the Way-place till after we left the home life, we have had ample opportunities to learn and receive various kinds of training in various departments of Dharma Realm Buddhist Association.” For example, in learning the Buddhadharma from the sutras and doctrines, from the rules of deportment, and from daily life interactions and activities, step-by-step we are building a solid foundation for our practice.
The 108-day intensive training has also provided plenty of opportunities for us to learn how to cultivate both blessings and wisdom.
Immersed in this learning environment, we have all been changing imperceptibly without realizing it. However, our senior Dharma brothers and teachers have taken great pains to facilitate this process, which has also required the coordinated energy and resources of many people and departments, for which we are deeply grateful. The Master said, “The best way to repay someone’s kindness is to work hard in your cultivation.” We must practice with great effort to repay all the kindness we’ve received.
This year’s preceptees hail from various parts of the world and are of various ages and cultural backgrounds, yet we all share a common wish, which is that in the future we will diligently fulfill our roles as left home people, helping living beings whenever we can, and—this is very important—remain united and harmonious as we carry out this vow. We hope we will not disappoint the Venerable Master by being bricks that easily crumble; may we be durable bricks that will build a strong Dharma house.
Amitahba!
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