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人生的過程中，因為種種的因緣，使我感受到人的生命，往往被時間與空間所侷限，而無法超脫；惟有及早修行，才能斷生死輪迴之苦，亦是人生最究竟的一條道路。
論起我學佛的因緣，大概分為三階段：
第一階段，是我成長的時代。在母親叮嚀之下：「你若心裡害怕走夜路，就念阿彌陀佛，阿彌陀佛會保護你！」那時因為年紀小，就相信不疑，以至養成心裡總會默念佛號的習慣。
第二階段，是我求學時代。每從學校回來，我一定先找母親。有一天從學校回來，找不到母親，隔壁鄰居過來跟我說：「妳爸爸帶妳媽媽去醫院檢查身體。」當時聽了心裡很著急，又難受，就跪到佛前，祈求菩薩加被；若母親身體能夠安然無恙，我願終生吃素、拜佛。
第三階段，經過十年後，我母親在一個天氣晴朗的日子裡與我們長辭。這樣的事實令我在霎那間無法面對與接受；只有欲哭無淚的跪在佛前，祈求佛菩薩接引我母親往生佛國，我願出家修行報答四重恩。
那時雖然學佛，尚未深入，心中盼望能遇明師指點，早日脫離這機關重重的娑婆世界。一九八八年師父回台弘法，聆聽師父法音洗滌之下，更肯定這是我盼望多年的明師。於是毅然將內心的感受稟告父親，父親為完成我的心願，助我走上菩提大道，就答應了。
於是我到上人在台灣所創辦的「正法佛學院」學習佛法，隔年即滿願出家。不久又來到美國萬佛聖城及法界聖城進修，又往雪山寺靜修。來美近四年，使我深感自己選擇的出家道路是一個正確的抉擇。 |
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Passing through the stages of my life, for a variety of reasons, caused me to realize that human life is always bound by time and space and that there is no way to transcend and get free except by cultivating as soon as possible in order to cut off the suffering of birth and death. That is the most ultimate path found in human life.
In discussing the causes and conditions of my study of Buddhism, there are probably three stages: the first stage was while I was growing up my mother would often remind us:“If you are afraid while walking on the road at night, recite Amitabha Buddha's name and Amitabha Buddha will protect you!” At that time, because I was young and had undaunted trust, I developed the habit of reciting the Buddha's name in my mind.
The second stage was when I was a student. Every day when I came home from school I would first go find my mother. But one day when I came home from school, I couldn't find my mother. A neighbor told me, “Your father took your mother to the hospital for an examination.” When I heard that I grew unbearably nervous and ran before the Buddhas. Praying, I made the vow that if the Bodhisattvas would aid my mother so there wouldn't be anything wrong with her, then I would be a vegetarian and bow to the Buddhas for the rest of my life.
The third stage came about ten years later on bright summer day when my mother bid us her last farewell. There was no way I could accept it; all I could do was to kneel before the Buddhas, weeping without tears. I prayed that if the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas would welcome my mother to rebirth in the Buddha's land, I would leave the home-life and cultivate the Way in order to repay the four aspects of kindness.
Although I studied Buddhism, I still had not deeply entered it and I longed to meet a teacher who could advise me so that I could leave the complex involvements found in this Saha world. In l988, when the Master returned to Taiwan with a delegation, upon hearing the purifying Dharma he spoke, I knew that he was the understanding teacher I had been longing to find. And so, I boldly told my father how I felt and my father, honoring my wishes, agreed to allow me to walk the Great Way toward Bodhi.
I then went to the Proper Dharma Buddhist Academy, established in Taiwan by the Venerable Master, to study Buddhadharma. The next year my wish was fulfilled and I left the home-life. Not long after that, I came to the United States and progressed in my cultivation at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas and the City of the Dharma Realm. Later I went to Snow Mountain for quiet practice. I've been in the United States four years already and I know for sure that my decision to leave home was absolutely correct!
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