|
 有的人就要求我，每一年到臺灣來做一次護國息災法會。我想若單單我回來做息災法會，沒有什麼大用，要大家齊心努力，共同來做這個事情；這樣子，才能風調雨順，國泰民安，老百姓都得到幸福，大家快樂。這個快樂，不是賭錢那個快樂，是求佛來護祐的一個快樂，平安是福。這樣子，我如果再回來，大家能斷宰殺，能都吃齋。做法會的期間，全國大家都吃齋、全國都斷宰殺，我們用至誠懇切心，來感恪天地，感恪諸佛菩薩，感恪這護法善神。「心誠則靈」，若是我們心誠了，沒有不靈的。
我們現在法界大學，也有僧伽居士訓練班。在僧伽居士訓練班，是四年為期。本來以前我供給獎學金也沒有什麼條件，但是就因為前人沙子迷了後人的眼睛，有一些人以為到那裡方便，很容易就去了。他到了那裡，也不守規矩，造出種種的是非來，然後他就一走了之；所以現在我們收學生的時候，非常謹慎小心，差不離不合格的，都不收了。這是我們大學的情形，大概的是這樣子。
這趟回到臺灣來，你們各位都被我欺騙了！我希望以後你們不要被我欺騙，大家不要都斷宰殺吃，還多吃一點肉，長得肥肥胖胖的，比較沒有上那麼多當。可是我告訴你，一個賣豬肉的、一個殺豬的、一個吃肉的，三個人到閻羅王那兒打官司，就互相講道理。這個殺豬的就說：「罪業是這個賣豬肉的。」吃肉的就說：「你不賣，我不買。你若不賣這個豬肉，我不會買這豬肉吃的。」那一個就說：「你若不吃；我也不宰。你若不吃豬肉，我也不宰豬的；因為你吃，所以我宰。」這三個人，這個講道理、那個講道理，閻羅王說：「好！你們都去做豬好了。」
要皈依的人，要鄭重其事的，不要拿皈依三寶當一個兒戲，不要好像湊熱鬧，為了隨喜來皈依。皈依之後，一定要不再參加旁門外道、自在天魔；皈依之後，也不要看外道的經典。皈依，要皈依一個清淨福田僧，要真正的出家人；那個又好像出家人，又不是出家人的，不可以皈依的。要守戒律，你不要學那個外道守貓狗戒、豬八戒那一類的戒律，所以要鄭重其事的。要皈依之後，做一個正信的佛教徒，好好的護持三寶；不要皈依之後，不盡自己的責任，不護持三寶，反而要三寶來護持。你不要藉著三寶的名義來指佛穿衣、賴佛吃飯，在佛教裏做生意，來欺騙人，又是加持這個沙了，加持那個土了，給人家喝，又給人家怎麼樣子，說可以消災；其實給人家消災，或者是會給人家消災，但是自己那個災跟著就來了。為什麼呢？你既然給人家消災，自己不能給自己消災，自己的刀不能削自己的把；所以恐怕你的功力不夠，果報現前的時候，那時候你就知道了。
你們皈依我，我不是嚇你們，鬼神都要聽我的招呼。你們做人不聽我招呼：叫你們打問訊，你還要拜，你不要以為那個就是恭敬了；我叫你不要拜，你還要拜，那就是不聽師父的教化。
你們以後要循規蹈矩，要守秩序、守規矩，不要亂來；好像這個供養，你既誠心供養，我也就破我的例：本來我到什麼地方，都不受人的供養的；但是我看你們很誠心的，不管我有沒有德行，我也應一應供，滿一滿你們的願，令你們種一種善根。我若是個石頭，善根就不會出芽的；若是肥沃的土地，這個善根種下去，會一天比一天長大一點，所以滿你們的願。我滿你們的願，你們就要規規矩矩的，要很有次序的這麼走路，不要那麼你擠我、我擠你，擠得亂哄哄的。這不知道像幹什麼？
那麼說過之後，我還是這一句話：「你們皈依我的人，如果有一個沒有成佛的，我就不成佛。」我要等著你們，但是你不要懶惰；懶惰的，你不修行，我就不等著你了；因為我這個願力是要勇猛精進的；你不修行，你皈依之後，根本還像沒皈依以前的那個樣子，做一個懶蟲，那是不行的，那就不在我願力之內。你們各位聽懂了嗎？懂了，就要好好的努力，我們在菩提覺果那兒見。
我方才已經請十方三寶到這兒來了，現在我們念一念簡單的懺悔文，然後再說三皈。簡單一點，因為時間不是太多。今天晚間，你們各位要發一點菩提心，不要留得我時間太久了，我還要開車到高雄去，那麼現在你們各稱法名。
現在給你們說三皈已盡，你們現在都是佛的弟子、法的弟子、僧的弟子、戒的弟子。因為佛入涅槃之後，我們佛教徒應該以戒為師。所以在我皈依三寶後邊就要皈依戒；你若不皈依戒，你就是不會恭敬三寶。你要皈依戒了，「諸惡不作，眾善奉行」，那自然就是三寶的弟子了；所以這個皈依戒，也是非常要緊的。
待續
|
|
Some people have asked that I come to Taiwan every year to host a Dharma Assembly to Protect the Country and Quell Disasters. I believe it’s not that useful to have only me come back here for a Dharma assembly to quell disasters. Only when everyone works together will the weather be conducive to a bountiful harvest, making the country prosper and its citizens peaceful. Everyone will be happy. This kind of happiness isn’t happiness that comes from gambling; it’s happiness that comes from praying to the Buddhas for protection, for peace is a blessing. And so, when I do come back again, I hope that everyone could stop killing and follow a vegetarian diet. During the Dharma assembly, everyone in the entire country should stop killing and be vegetarian. Let us move heaven and earth, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and the Dharma-protecting good spirits with our utmost sincerity. Miracles will happen if we are sincere.
That’s why we have the Sangha and Laity Training Programs and Dharma Realm Buddhist University. The Sangha and Laity Training Programs are four-year programs. Initially, I provided scholarships without many conditions. However, once bitten, twice shy. Those who arrived easily found it so convenient that they didn’t behave themselves when they got there. They created all kinds of problems and then left. Since then, we are very careful about admitting students. We reject anyone who isn’t qualified. This is roughly the situation at the university.
Coming back to Taiwan this time, I have tricked you all. I hope that you will not allow me to trick you in the future. Everyone shouldn’t stop killing and should eat more meat—get fat. You will not take such a big loss then. Let me tell you this though: the person who sells pork, the butcher, and the person who eats a pork chop will all be part of a lawsuit at King Yama’s. The butcher says that the man who sold him the pork is responsible for the offense. Each person defends himself. The meateater says, “If you did not sell the pork, I wouldn’t buy the pork chop to eat.” The other one said, “If you did not want to eat that meat, I would not have killed the pig. It’s because you do eat it that I killed it.” All three have their own rationale. In the end, King Yama concludes, “All of you can go and become pigs.”
People who take refuge must be serious about it. Taking refuge with the Triple Jewel isn’t a casual matter or an opportunity to join the fun. Once you take refuge, you certainly cannot join any heterodox groups and cults worshipping gods and demons. Once you take refuge, you cannot read heterodox texts. You need to take refuge with a member of the Sangha who is a pure field of blessings. You cannot take refuge with those who seem like monks in some respects and yet are not. You have to keep the precepts, but not the heterodox precepts that make you imitate cats, dogs, and pigs. You must be serious and be a Buddhist with proper faith after having taken refuge. You must protect and guard the Triple Jewel well. Don’t be irresponsible after having taken refuge, so that instead of protecting the Triple Jewel, the Triple Jewel has to protect you. In the name of the Triple Jewel, you expect clothing from the Buddha and rely on the Buddha for food. You are cheating people by using Buddhism to do business. You claim that this sand is blessed and that dirt is blessed. You tell people that they can quell disasters if they would drink a certain drink that you give them. Perhaps you do know how to quell disasters for other people, but disasters follow at your heels. You may have eliminated disasters for other people, but not for yourself. You don’t have sufficient skill to cure your own sickness. You’ll know this when the retribution occurs.
I’m not trying to scare you but anyone who takes refuge with me, including ghosts and spirits have to listen to my orders. Some of you people aren’t following instructions. Don’t think you are showing respect when you make a full bow to me after I have told you to just make a half bow. If I tell you not to bow and you bow anyway, you are not obeying your teacher.
In the future, you must follow the rules and not just do as you please. Since all of you are very sincere, I have made an exception for you. Usually, I don’t accept offerings from people no matter where I go. However, seeing how sincere you are, I have not paid attention to whether or not I am virtuous enough, but have gone ahead and accepted your offerings to fulfill your wishes so as you may plant roots of goodness. If I am a rock, then no such roots will grow. However, if I am fertile soil, the roots of goodness that you plant will grow bigger by the day. Since I am fulfilling your wish, you should follow the rules and stay in line. Don’t crowd each other by pushing and shoving. I don’t know what to make of such behavior.
I don’t know how to talk, but having said all this, I am back to the same words: if anyone who takes refuge with me does not become a Buddha, then I will not become a Buddha. I will wait for you. However, you must not be lazy. If you’re lazy and don’t cultivate, then I will not wait for you. My vow is for those who are courageous and vigorous. If you don’t cultivate and are the same way before and after taking refuge, then you are excluded from my vow because of your laziness. Do you understand? If you understand, then you must work hard. I will see you at Bodhi, the Fruition of Enlightenment. I have already invited the Triple Jewel throughout the ten directions here. Now let’s read the simple repentance text and briefly do the Three Refuges. There’s not much time left. Tonight, each of you should make the resolve for Bodhi and don’t keep me waiting too long, I still have to drive to Gaoxiong. Now everyone say your Dharma name.
Now that you have completed the Three Refuges, you are all disciples of the Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, and the Precepts. Since the Buddha has entered Nirvana, we Buddhists must take the Precepts as our teacher. Therefore, after taking refuge with the Triple Jewel, you must take refuge with the Precepts. If you don’t take refuge with the Precepts, you will not respect the Triple Jewel. If you take refuge with the Precepts, you will do no evil and do everything good. That way you naturally would be disciples of the Triple Jewel. Hence, it’s crucial to take refuge with the precepts.
To be continued
|
