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我的名字叫胡鄭秀玉，出生於台灣省高雄縣旗山鎮。就像一般的中國人，父母也是崇奉觀世音菩薩，但他們並不吃素。第一次，我對佛法有所體驗，是在我還很小的時候。可是在當時，我並不知道那就是佛法。
記得從上幼稚園或小學開始，躺在床上，我時時想像人死後被埋在地底下的那種黑暗、無助及恐怖，想到傷心處，每每暗自啜泣。也可以說，從小我就對死亡的痛苦有很深的感受，雖然我未曾親自遭遇任何一個親人過世。但這件事一直是我心中的秘密，我一直沒有跟任何人講過，直到遇見胡大文。這主要是因為我在家中排行老大，父母忙於照顧弟妹，使我從小就養成獨立、自主的個性，能夠不麻煩別人就不麻煩別人。
高中時期，由於朋友的影響，我開始閱讀《聖經》。不久發覺，它不能解答我對生命的種種疑問。就在默默的探尋中，偶然地，我得到一本《佛說八大人覺經》。這部經典就像一把神奇的鑰匙，為我開啟了無上的佛法寶藏。由「如是
因，如是果」的因緣法中所引申出來的，「為你自己的生命負責」，及「眾生皆有佛性，皆堪作佛」的教義裡，就像暗夜裡的兩盞明燈，點燃了迷途者的希望，使我受益匪淺。
問：在你讀過的佛經中，你認為那個教義最有用？
答：「為你自己的生命負責」。所謂「欲知前世因，今生受者是；欲知來世果，今生作者是。」相由心生，命由己造，是沒有任何人能替代的。
問：你覺得要怎麼才能使佛陀的教誨活現於人心？
答：你自己先要有堅定的信心。若自己都沒有信心，別人怎麼會相信你呢？
問：你怎麼教導你的小孩佛法？你希望他們從佛法中得到什麼？
答：首先讓他們了解生命是怎麼循環的，種什麼因，就結什麼果。根據我的經驗，你不跟小孩子討論某些問題，並不表示他們就不會去想。與其讓他們私下去摸索，不如和他們一起探討。所以我不避諱和孩子談論生命過程中的種種現象，如死亡等，畢竟這是每個人遲早都要面臨的問題。知道死後會到那裡去，死亡就不再可怕了。當然這要靠恆久的修持，所以重點還是在積極的用功。
問：胡大文先生，自從你太太信佛後，你覺得她有什麼改變嗎？
答：最明顯的是，她比較少跟我鬥嘴了。更有趣的是，我們的兒子和女兒還會常常提醒我們：「你們已經受五戒了，不能再亂講話喔！不然護法神就跑光囉！」這還真有效，她是變了很多。
問：胡太太，你自己認為你有什麼改變？
答：我不再把錢看得那麼重。初來美國時，有段時間我重回學校唸書，為的是將來找一份工作，多賺一點錢。如今畢業了，我卻發覺或許替佛教多做一點工作，會更有意義。其次，原先我的生活圈很小，照顧家庭可說是我生活的全部。如今我漸能放寬自己。我將家裡的佛堂，開放給聖荷西的朋友，做為共修之用。每星期三晚上，我們固定有念佛、拜懺，及研習經典的活動。有時應附近佛友的要求，星期五中午也時有聚會。
問：胡太太，自從胡大文學佛後，他又有什麼改變呢？
答：每個人的情緒，都有高高、低低的變化。但現在當他跟別人接觸時，他變得和緩了許多。
問：你在什麼地方看到這些改變的？
答：從日常生活中，他現在懂得給別人表達意見的機會，這對我們家庭生活有很大的幫助，我很慶幸。
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My name is Hu Jeng Syou Yu. I was born in Chishan, Gausyung County, Taiwan. Although my family worshipped Gwan Yin Bodhisattva, they were not vegetarians. My first insight into Buddhism, although I didn't know it was Buddhism, happened when I was very young, before I went to kindergarten. Every night lying in bed I imagined how scary it would be to be buried in the ground after death. I was moved to tears by this. From very early on, I feared the pain of death. But I never told anyone about it until I met Darwin (my husband). For as the eldest child, I became very independent and decisive while my parents were busy taking care of my brothers and sisters. If I could solve a problem by myself, I would never trouble others with it.
In high school, a friend introduced the Bible to me. But it could not resolve my doubts. Continuing my search for truth, I came upon the sutra called
Eight Great Enlightenments. I had a real interest in Buddhism from the start. This sutra was like a magic key which opened up the supreme and profound treasury of Buddhadharma.
I especially liked the idea of "Be responsible for your own life," based on the law of cause and effect. The other idea that caught my attention was "All living beings have the Buddha nature and can become Buddhas." These ideas were two bright lamps which illuminated my confusion, and I benefitted greatly from them.
Q: In the sutras that you have read, what teaching have you found the most useful?
A: You have to be responsible for your own life. As it is said, "If you want to know your past causes, you are receiving their fruition now. If you want to know your future retribution, it comes from what you do in this life." One's mind is the source of one's appearance, and one's destiny is created by oneself. Nobody can take your place.
Q: In your opinion, how can one reveal the practice of the Buddha's teachings in the mind?
A: You have to have solid faith first. If you yourself have no faith, then how can others believe in you?
Q: How do you teach the Buddhadharma to your children? What do you want them to get out of it?
A: First, they should understand how life works: Whatever cause you plant, you will receive the corresponding result. If you don't discuss certain issues with children, it doesn't mean they won't wonder about them on their own. Rather than letting them grope around in the dark, it's better to talk things over with them. So I don't avoid discussing about the matters of life and death. Once we know where we go after death, there is no more fear. But this takes real, long-lasting cultivation, so it's important to practice vigorously.
Q: Darwin, what changes have you seen in your wife since she became Buddhist?
A: Darwin: The most obvious change is that she doesn't argue with me as much. What's even more interesting is that our children will say to us, "You've taken the Five Precepts now. You can't talk recklessly, or your precept protecting spirits will abandon you!" She has changed a lot. Definitely she was already very good. Now she gets an A+ or an A.
Q: Mrs. Hu, how do you feel you have changed since studying the Dharma?
A: First, I don't see money as so important anymore. When I first came to the U.S., I went back to school, so that I could find a better-paying job later on. Now that I've graduated, I feel it's more meaningful to work for Buddhism.
Secondly, the scope of my life used to be limited to my family. Now I'm gradually expanding my range, by letting my home be the meeting point for all Dharma friends from San Jose. Every Wed. evening, we get together to recite the Buddha's name, bow in repentance, and study the Sutras. Sometimes we also meet on Fridays at noontime.
Q: Mrs. Hu, what changes have you seen in Darwin since he began studying Buddhism?
A: Like everyone, he has his highs and lows, but now, when he deals with people, his personality is much mellower.
Q: Where do you see the changes?
A: In daily life. He gives people more of a chance now to express themselves, and that has really made a difference in our time together as a family. I am grateful for that.
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