|
瑪姬：本人將於四月份競選加州州參議員，政見主題包括：經濟、倫理、教育三方面，請您指教。
上人：布希落選很可惜，他是個好總統，本來可以扭轉乾坤，只是左右智囊不夠，不能當機立斷。好像在總統選舉之前，我建議布希當個不領薪水的總統，可是他不接受，結果落選了。這個國家的人思想很古怪的，可以說莫名其妙。……我為什麼給布希寫信，因為我住在這地方就要對這裡有點幫助，報百姓的恩。你們有沒有發覺西方國家的教育完全破產了？要扭轉世界人心，一定要從教育著手。自己本身要先做好，跟著講倫理、道德。現在美國學校公開講性教育，十一、二歲的小孩吃避孕藥，年輕人吸毒，看黃色電影，這些都是搗亂世界的大禍根。
瑪姬：我完全同意上人的看法，我在發表政見時也提到這些問題。
上人：政府發給人民救濟金，應該以工代帳，領救濟金的人要做工，否則養成依賴性，結果坐吃山空。美國另一個潛在的大患是種族問題。林肯當初說是解放黑奴，其實應該把黑人全部送回非洲去，避免日後的禍根。好像去年洛杉磯暴動，黑人與韓國人的仇恨，誰知道這禍根什麼時候再發作？所以我認為國家對槍械一定要管制，對移民應該只接受好的，否則助長了走私、販毒、搶劫，造成社會秩序大亂。
（因為到了午飯時間，上人接待來賓在君康餐廳用齋。）
上人：這世界沒有人願意講真話，人們都怕講真話，也不用真心說話。我是直心講真話，我不會英語，慢慢在學。今天聚在一起，我們是一家人。這些都是蔬菜，請大家嚐嚐。
瑪姬：人講真話很重要。
上人：我的宗旨是敬老懷少。這是本著孔子的思想，「老者安之，少者懷之。」教育的宗旨是注重孝道。為何國家不好？就是因為小、中、大學都不教育倫理道德。
瑪姬：上人，這也是我為什麼要競選的原因，因為我們國家沒有幾位國會議員真正關心這個問題，教育制度應歸到教育人們基本的道理，比如有責任感、正直。學校現在都不教這些了，小的時候就該學這些，缺乏這些基本素質，使我們整個教育失去控制。
上人：對！只敎育殺人。
瑪姬：電視太糟糕了，它可以是很好的工具，卻被用於宣傳暴力，如殺人和其他可怕的事。
楊校尊：小孩不讀書只看電視。你可知他們學到什麼？就是暴力和性行為。
上人：電視不敎人好事，電視使國家失控，人們不愛工作，工作只是為賺錢，大家看電視等著領救濟金，不想工作，不管家庭問題、國家的問題。
楊校尊：在英國利物浦，二個十歲男孩殺了一個七個月大的嬰兒。最近又有二個十七歲女孩，好好地就把一位七十歲的老婦人殺了。看看世界其他地方各處都是殺鬥。
上人：這都是敎育失敗造成的問題，所以我們萬佛城的敎育，要從小敎起，有幼稚園、小學、中學、大學。大學生收些食宿費，中、小學也幾乎沒有收費，只有住宿生繳一些膳宿費，沒有錢的也不收的。
約翰：當我小的時候，三、四十年代時，好萊塢影片是不可以有暴力的，看看他們現在發展成什麼樣子了？
上人：國家的大毛病是急功好利。問小孩子讀書為什麼？他說讀書為將來賺錢多。有了這種思想存在腦子裡，他根本不會愛國、愛家、愛個人了，只知道自私，要為自己多弄一點錢。全國都是這種人，誰還會真正治國？
約翰：生活品質變成什麼樣子了？
上人：人們認為只要有錢就有權利了。
約翰：心裡只想著錢。
瑪姬：如果我們敎育人們－正直、誠實、責任感，一切就沒有問題了。
上人：老師根本不可以罷工，這是誤人子弟，應該要以身作則。老師為什麼罷工？因為老師要錢。老師也為錢，學生也為錢，人人向錢看齊。
瑪姬：我之所以參選，因為我相信政府需要更多人參與，好的政府才能有所作為。太多人只是對政治有興趣，以搞政治為職業。現在我應該要出來為人民服務。
上人：這個國家犯了大病。
瑪姬：您說的是。所以該多用賢德的人，這是目前政府缺乏的。
上人：在選舉時，誰錢多，誰就勝；誰沒有錢，誰就敗了，這等於賄選一樣。…我提倡讀書，學生不收費，學校不收費，老師也是。沒有人肯這麼做，我們卻朝這個方向走。老師為教育而教育，學生為讀書而讀書，學校為教育人才而教育。不會今天也罷工，明天也罷工，互相爭鬥。教師罷工，全國損害最大，教師不可以罷工。這個世界就是一個「錢」字把它弄壞了，國與國爭為錢，家與家爭是為錢，人與人爭是為錢，自己與自己爭是為了錢。因為錢，煩煩惱惱，一天也沒有快樂。可是到現在，所有的人沒有從迷夢中醒過來的。心中永遠沒有安寧，這世界也沒有和平。一天到晚，不是爭這個，就是貪那個，貪名、貪利、貪權。
瑪姬：有沒有可能讓世界和平呢？
上人：人人都不要錢。不像這個國家，我有錢，就胳膊粗力氣大。我援助這個國家，就管這個國家；援助那個國家，就要控制那個國家；沒有錢的國家，就受人控制。
瑪姬：人來工作沒有薪水，人來讀書不付錢，您們這裡食物和建築物的維護費那裡來的？
楊校尊：靠信徒供養。
上人：錢是天上掉下來的，我們用的錢不是世間的，是天上掉下來的。
瑪姬：錢從心裡來的。
上人：有生以來，我做什麼事也沒有拿過薪水。我不要錢，現在楊校尊也學我了。
楊校尊：無憂無慮。
上人：希望妳當選後，也不要錢。
瑪姬：這是一個挑戰！
上人：如果能這樣的話，將來妳可以做領袖。
瑪姬：我已經聲明我不要車子和每日津貼，因為那簡直是濫用公帑。
上人：妳不要車，妳會要飛機。最好是甚麼都不要，那才是眞正為民服務，競選也不要用錢去競選。我現在要找知音，就是找不要錢而治國的，這樣能做清官，兩袖清風，愛民如子。國家如此才能強盛，有一點自私都不夠資格治國。我說這話誰願意信，我也這麼說，不信我也這麼說；有人聽過我也這麼說，沒人聽過我也這麼說，我也不管妳高不高興。
瑪姬：我知道您是個很開心的人。
上人：這個國家，人人爭第一，誰做第二？美國應該好。得天獨厚，地大物博，物產豐富，國不強，簡直沒有天理。我希望可以召集各國人士到這兒來，說一說他本國的長處與短處，成功與失敗的原因，集合大家的長處來治理國家。這樣，世界也許會好轉；不這樣，聯合國會愈來愈壞。這世界就是這麼個東西，鎮壓愈強，反彈力量愈強。這個道理很淺顯，這些治國的人都不懂，為什麼不懂？就因為他搞名搞利，把頭都搞昏了。
瑪姬：所以我們必須改變。
上人：完全要改。這世界要是不改，一天比一天壞。
約翰：我們希望上人去做，您一人就可以做到了。
上人：我就是什麼時候也不做嘍！我要做我就不在這裡嘍！
瑪姬：可是您要召開那會議…
約翰：上人，您才有那個智慧。
上人：我只是提供建議，我年紀老了，你們青年人去幹去。妳盡力去做，不要為錢。 |
|
Margie: I am running for California State Senate in April. My campaign is focusing on economics, ethics and education. Would you give me some advice?
Ven. Master: It is a pity that Bush lost the election. He was a good president who could have changed the world. However, his advisors didn't have enough wisdom and could not make quick decisions. For instance, before the election, I made the suggestion to Bush that he refuse to take a salary as President. But he didn't accept it, and he lost the election. People have strange ideas in this country Center: Ven. Master Hua From right, 1st: Prof. Richard Yang From left, 2nd: Prof. John Tsu 3rd: Bok Pon, 4th: Margie Handley, 5th: John Baird .....The reason I wrote Bush a letter is because I live on this land, and I have to make some contribution to repay the kindness of the people. Do you realize that education is completely bankrupt in the West? In order to change people's minds, we have to start from education. We must first rectify ourselves and then talk about ethics and morality. In American schools now, sex education is openly discussed, and eleven- and twelve-year-old kids take contraceptives. Youngsters take drugs and watch porn films — these are the Sources of disorder in the world.
Margie: I totally agree with you. In my speeches, I also have mentioned these issues.
Ven. Master: When the government gives people unemployment compensation, it should also put them to work. Otherwise, people will depend on the government, and use up the food and wealth of the country. Another hidden problem is the racial issue. Lincoln wanted to liberate the black slaves, but he should have sent them back to Africa to avert future calamities. Like the riot in L.A. last year, who knows when the hatred between the blacks and Koreans will come up again? Therefore, I think government has to control weapons and allow only decent people to immigrate. Otherwise, the rate of smuggling, drug-peddling, and robbery will increase and threaten the order in the society.
(Since it was lunchtime, the Ven. Master invited the guests to Jyun Kang Vegetarian Restaurant.)
Ven. Master: In this world, no one likes to speak the truth. Everyone is afraid to speak honestly, with a true mind. I am true at heart and I speak true words. I don't speak English, but I'm learning. As we gather here today, we are all one family. This is all vegetarian food, and I hope everyone will try it.
Margie: It's important to speak the truth.
Ven. Master: My principle is to respect the elderly and cherish the young. This is based on Confucius' ideal, "to bring peace to the elderly and cherish the young." The principle we emphasize in education is filial respect. Why is a country not doing well? It is because the elementary schools, high schools and universities fail to teach ethics and morality.
Margie: Venerable Master, that's the reason I'm running, because I don't think we have legislators who really care about what happens. I think it's important to return to basic teachings in our education system - integrity and honesty and responsibility. We don't teach that anymore in school. And they need to learn it when they're young. Our whole system is out of control, because we've gotten away from the basic things we need to teach young people.
Ven. Master: Right, they only teach how to kill people.
Margie: And television is bad. We could use television as a wonderful tool, but we use it for violence and killing and horrible things.
Professor Yang: The children don't study. They don't read books. They watch television. You know what they learn from television? Violence and sex.
Ven. Master: TV doesn't teach people anything good. Because of television, the country has gone out of control. People do not like to work, and they work only for money. Everybody watches TV and waits to receive unemployment benefits, not caring about the problems of the family and the country.
Professor Yang: In Liverpool, England, two ten-year old boys killed a seven-month-old baby. Now recently, two seventeen-year-old girls killed a seventy-year-old lady for no reason. Look what's happening in the rest of the world. Killing and fighting everywhere.
Ven. Master: All these come from the failure of education. So in the Sagely City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, there is a preschool, an elementary school, a high school and a university. The university students pay for room and board. The elementary and high school students pay hardly anything, except for the boarding students who pay for room and board. Students who cannot pay attend free.
John B.: When I was young, back in the thirties and forties, you couldn't have sex and violence in the movies. Whatever happened to that?
Ven. Master: The great sickness of this country is greed for merit and profit. Ask a child why he is studying, and he'll say it's so he can make more money in the future. With such an idea in his mind, he would never love the country, the family and himself. He only knows to be selfish. All he cares about is getting more money. With a country full of such people, how can anyone govern the country?
John B.: What happens to the quality of life?
Ven. Master: People think that to have money is have power.
John B.: The only thing they want is money.
Margie: If we teach them integrity, honesty and responsibility, then everything else would fall into place.
Ven. Master: Teachers should not be allowed to go on strike. They are just leading the children astray. They have to set examples of themselves. Why do teachers strike? It's because they want money. Both teachers and students want money. Everyone looks to money.
Margie: I am running because I believe we need more people in government. I believe in good government. We have too many people that are only interested in politics and making a career. I feel it's the time in my life for public service.
Ven. Master: This country is gravely ill.
Margie: You are right. It is time to try to get more ethical people in government which we don't have right now.
Ven. Master: Those who have more money win the election and those who have no money lose. This is like bribery.....I advocate an education in which the students do not pay tuition, the schools do not collect tuition, and the teachers do not take a salary. Nobody else is willing to do it this way, but this is the direction we're taking. Teachers teach for the sake of education, students study because they want to learn, and schools educate to develop students' talents. That way, there won't be one strike after another, and there will be no contention for benefits. When teachers go on strike, the country as a whole suffers the greatest harm. Teachers cannot go on strike. The world has gone to ruin all because of money. Countries fight against countries over money, families contend with families over money, people quarrel with people over money, and one struggles with oneself over money. Because of money, we are all afflicted and cannot enjoy a single day of happiness. Yet up to now, no one has awakened from this confused dream. The mind has never found peace, nor has the world been in harmony. All day long, people are fighting in their greed for fame, wealth and power.
Margie: Do you think there will be a time when there is peace in the world?
Ven. Master: Only when everyone decides they don't want money. Not like in this country, where the power is in the hands of the rich. Whenever a rich person wants to help any country, he ends up taking control of that country. As for poor countries, they end up falling under the control of others.
Margie: People work here and they're not paid. And people come to school here and they don't pay very much. Where do you get the resources to pay for the food and the upkeep of the buildings?
Professor Yang: Donations.
Ven. Master: Money came from the heavens. The money we use is not of the world; it fell from the heavens.
Margie: Money from the heart!
Ven. Master: In all my life, I have never taken pay for anything I do. I don't want money. Now Professor Yang is following my example.
Professor Yang: I am so carefree!
Ven. Master: I hope when you are elected, you will also refuse to take money.
Margie: That's a challenge!
Ven. Master: If you can do that, you can be a President in the future.
Margie: I've already said that I wouldn't take a car and I wouldn't take
per diem, because I think that's totally abused.
Ven. Master: You don't want a car, but you want an airplane, right? To want nothing at all is the best -- that's truly serving the people. Don't use money to get elected. I am looking for a friend who understands me, one who can govern the country without taking money. Such a person can be a pure official. He does not hoard money, and loves the people as if they were his children. That's the only way the country can become strong. If a person has the least bit of selfishness, he is not qualified to govern the country. I say this whether or not you believe it. I say it whether or not you like to listen. I don't care if you are happy or not.
Margie: I know you are a happy man.
Ven. Master: In this country, everyone fights to be number one. Who will be number two? America should be doing well. She is generously endowed with a vast territory and abundant natural resources. There is no reason she can't be strong. I hope to convene representatives from all countries in a conference here, so everyone can discuss the strengths and weaknesses of their own country, and the reasons behind their successes and failures. We should gather everyone's strengths to govern this country. Then, the world may turn for the better. Otherwise, the more the United Nations "unites," the worse things get. The world is such that the more you oppress people, the greater the backlash. This principle is very simple, yet the leaders of the world do not understand it. Why don't they understand? It is because they are just pursuing fame and gain and their minds have become all confused.
Margie: That's why we have to change.
Ven. Master: We need a complete change. If this world is not rectified, it will become worse day by day.
John: We hope the Venerable Master can do this. You alone can make it.
Ven. Master: I would never do it. If I were interested in doing this, I wouldn't be here.
Margie: But you want to call that conference....
John B.: Master, you are the only one who has the wisdom.
Ven. Master: I am only offering a suggestion. I am old. It should be the job of young generations. Do whatever you can, but don't do it for the money. |
