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智廣老法師生長於香港，俗名彭雪秋，出家前從事演戲工作。當年雖然尚未學佛，但他總是偏好參加教人為善、忠孝節義劇情的戲劇演出。他嘗試過許多角色，揣摩過不同人物的個性、心理與人生；其中印象最深刻的是扮演出家人的角色，覺得穿上袈裟看起來很莊嚴，心中有一種說不出的歡喜之外，一份莫名渴仰之情油然而生。就是那一齣戲的因緣，演出了他自己日後學佛並且進而出家的人生。
人生如戲，戲如人生。世事多變家蒙不幸，昔日恩愛親眷只剩得他一人。遂於香港寶蓮寺出家。初為沙彌，勤勤懇懇，幫著廟上做許多耕種、放牛等農事。心中懷著渴仰佛法是最為殊勝，圓融無上的信念，要找善知識希望能多多學習，好明白真理。
後來上人（當時的度輪禪師），帶領很多中外弟子到香港慈興寺講法，因看到上人和弟子們個個法相莊嚴威儀具足，使他無限歡喜。於是他決定到美國萬佛聖城，追隨上人修行。並且抱定志向，從此依止上人修福修慧。
今年九十歲的智廣老法師的修行法門是老實念佛，修行因緣成就，在萬佛聖城居住，心無旁騖，一句阿彌陀佛聖號，時時緊持不離。因為樂於用功念佛，他絕少開口、抬眼，也沒有旁人打他閒岔。耆宿老人修行如此精進，知者無不敬佩。他對阿彌陀佛有信心，每次生病時，勤念阿彌陀佛聖號，就必能康復！他希望大家都能精進修行，好好在心地上下功夫，人成即佛成。
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Elder Dharma Master Zhiguang was born and raised in Hong Kong. His layname was Peng Xueqiu and he was an actor. Even before learning Buddhism, he preferred to act in plays which taught people to do good, and to be loyal, filial and righteous. He has tried out the roles of many different characters, trying to fathom their personalities, psychological makeups and lifestyles. It was playing the role of a Buddhist monk that made the deepest impression on him. When he put on the precept sash, he felt very adorned, and there was an indescribable joy and a sense of admiration in his heart. As a consequence of playing this role, he later began to study Buddhism and then left the home-life.
Life is like a play, and a play is also like real life. The affairs of the world are always changing, and his own family met misfortune as well. His beloved family all passed away, leaving him alone in the world. Subsequently he left the home-life at Baolian (Precious Lotus) Monastery in Hong Kong. As a shramanera (novice monk), he worked hard at farming and herding at the temple. However, he always admired the Buddhadharma as the most supreme and perfect teaching, and hoped to find a wise teacher from whom he could study in order to understand the principles.
Later the Venerable Master, then known as Dhyana Master Tolun, led many Chinese and Western disciples to Cixing Monastery in Hong Kong to give a Dharma talk. He was overjoyed by the adorned appearances and awesome deportment of the Venerable Master and his disciples. He decided to come to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas to cultivate under the Master, resolving to follow the Master and cultivate blessings and wisdom.
Elder Dharma Master Zhiguang, now ninety years old, cultivates the Dharma-door of honestly reciting the Buddha's name. Finding the opportunity to cultivate while living at the City, he is so concentrated that the name of Amitabha Buddha never leaves his mind for a moment. Delighting in the diligent recitation of the Buddha's name, he hardly ever talks or looks up, and no one disturbs him either. An elderly person who cultivates this vigorously wins everyone's respect and admiration. He has faith in Amitabha Buddha: whenever he gets sick, he vigorously recites the Buddha's name and gets well! He hopes that everyone will apply himself vigorously and cultivate the mind ground. When one perfects oneself as a person, one can become a Buddha.
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