 老子曰：「吾之有，為吾有身，及吾無身，吾有何患？」從小體弱多病，舉其大者，肺結核、十二指腸潰瘍、脊椎軟骨突出（俗稱骨刺）；後者動過手術。長時看醫吃藥，無法根治，苦痛不息。去學打坐，遇到佛法。開始斷葷，皈依受戒。每日早晚打坐外，亦常禮佛拜懺、念經持咒。仗三寶威神力，所有病痛，暫獲安穩至今，十分受用。蒙師父攝受出家，行萬佛城家風，日中一食，常坐不臥，亦無障礙。
年輕時，喜愛儒學，亦涉獵道家。孟子曰：「人之異於禽獸者，幾希！」生而為人，樂意探討此幾希處，如何差別。其後懂得「人人皆可為堯舜」，認為非西方哲理可比。西方重於知識理智之析辨，但少談心性，輕於道德主體之力行。學儒，可成聖成賢，如孔孟堯舜，教理民主又平等。信奉上帝，可否成為上帝？是否民主平等？接觸佛教，對世尊悟道語，震撼十分：「眾生皆有佛性，皆堪作佛。」儒家人人，擴大為一切眾生；堯舜聖人，提昇為聖中聖之佛祖。何其博大！何其民主平等！師父曾言：「儒家小學，道家中學，佛教大學。」我好似循序就學。師父亦說：「儒家少年，道家中年，佛教老年。」我亦彷彿如此長大成人。
「身從無相中受生，猶如幻出諸形像；幻人心識本來無，罪福皆空無所住。」其實，哪有身需安？哪有命要立？「見身無實是佛見，了心如幻是佛了，了得身心本性空，斯人與佛何殊别？」
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Lao Zi said, "I have suffering because of this body. Without this body, what suffering would I have?" Ever since I was little, I have suffered from poor health and many illnesses. To name the major ones: tuberculosis, duodenal ulcer, and herniation of interjacent vertebrate disks (HIVD). I underwent surgery for the last one. Chronically seeing doctors and taking medicines did not cure the illnesses at their source. The pain and suffering were incessant. Later, I learned meditation and encountered the Buddhadharma. I stopped eating meat, took refuge, and received the precepts. In addition to meditating every morning and evening, I often bowed to the Buddha, performed repentance ceremonies, and recited Sutras and mantras. The awesome spiritual power of the Triple Jewel has been truly beneficial in alleviating all my illnesses. After leaving the home-life with the Venerable Master, the traditional practices at the City of the Ten Thousand Buddhas of eating only one meal a day at noon and never lying down to sleep have presented no problems.
In my youth, I was fond of studying Confucianism. I also studied Taoism. Mencius said, "The differences between humans and animals are few." Being a human, I wanted to investigate those rare qualities which made human beings different. Later on, I realized that "Everyone has the potential to become like the Emperors Yao and Shun." In my opinion, there is nothing comparable to this statement in Western philosophy. Western philosophy emphasizes the analysis of knowledge and intellect; but the nature of the mind is rarely touched upon, and the practice of virtue is taken lightly. By studying Confucianism, one can become a sage or worthy one like Confucius, Mencius, Yao, and Shun. Its doctrines are democratic and equal. On the other hand, can a person who believes in and worships God become God? Is it democratic and equal? Coming to know Buddhism, I was struck by what the Buddha said when he awakened to the Way: "All living beings have the Buddha-nature. All can become Buddhas." This expands the Confucian focus on people to encompass all living beings; it raises us from the level of sages such as Yao and Shun to the level of the Buddha, the sage among sages. How vast and great! How democratic and equal! The Venerable Master has said, “Confucianism is like elementary school; Taoism is like high school; and Buddhism is like college." I seem to have learned them in that order. The Venerable Master has also said, "Confucianism is like a youngster, Taoism is like a middle-aged person; and Buddhism is like an old person." I also seem to have grown up that way. "
The body is born from that which has no appearances, just like myriad forms which arise from illusion. The mind and consciousness of an illusory person are originally non-existent. All offenses and blessings are empty and abide nowhere." In fact, is there a body to be secured? Is there a life to be established? "If one could perceive the body as unreal, that is the Buddha's perception. If one could understand that the mind is illusory, that is the Buddha's understanding. If one could realize that the body and mind are basically empty, then one is no different from the Buddha." |
