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上人：以前Mahayana（大乘）認為自己是大乘，已包括小乘，小乘則執著小乘，不承認大乘，這等於自殘骨肉，大家都是佛的弟子，應該互相包容，互相感化，沒有大乘、小乘門戶之見。佛教教內先要沒有門戶之見，進而對世界所有宗教人士，都要當他們是摩訶迦葉，是佛的子孫，當他們是舍利弗、目犍連，是我們學習的對象，不起絲毫的分別。在任何情況之下，我們都存這種思想和志願，則將來佛教一定會發揚光大，如果執著分別彼此，那雙方永遠只是一半一半的，不會圓滿。我們要融會貫通，令佛教本身真正達到圓融無礙，達到無緣大慈，同體大悲，有情無情，同圓種智，這是我的志願。我所講的並不是新的，而是舊的，只是人早都忘了，現在把它想起來而已。
恆順師：我認為用佛教的音樂唱讚及儀式做為團結所有宗教及佛教自身的方法是很好的。
上人：現在我願意把萬佛聖城獻給Mahayana北傳、Theravadha南傳。甚麼時候北傳願用萬佛聖城，就可以用萬佛聖城；南傳甚麼時候願用萬佛聖城做任何事情，就可以用萬佛聖城，我們那兒是開從未有之先河。不過必須遵守不賭錢、不吸毒等規矩，要遵照佛所說的戒律去實行。
恆兆法師：Ven.Sumedho（蘇美度法師）想在明年借用萬佛聖城打兩個禪七。
上人：不要說兩個星期，兩個月，即使是兩年都可以。（編者註：萬佛聖城已於一九九一年六月二十一日至七月六日舉行第一個南傳方式的禪七，為期十六天，由來自英國的蘇美度法師偕同阿摩羅法師領導。）
上人：我們跟著他們做，他們怎麼做，我們就怎麼做。
恆朝師：真是不可思議，聽法時常聽說不要執著。經上也如此說：「若人言，如來有所說法，即為謗佛。」上人如此建議，真把經書活用了，我們想不出這種融會貫通的方法，一向只會吹毛求疵。
上人：所謂「敬人者，人恆敬之；愛人者，人恆愛之；打人者、人恆打之；罵人者，人恆罵之。」所以不想人打我，就不要打別人；不要被人罵，我就不要罵別人；我不想人家不恭敬我，我就要先恭敬別人。
待續 |
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Venerable Master: In the past the Mahayana Buddhists considered themselves the Greater Vehicle, which included the Lesser Vehicle. Those of the Lesser Vehicle were attached to their own ways and did not acknowledge the existence of the Greater Vehicle. It was like killing our own kin. We are all disciples of the Buddha; we should include one another and influence one another, and not discriminate between the Greater and Lesser Vehicles. First of all we should get rid of sectarian views within Buddhism. The next step will be to regard the followers of all religions as if they were Mahakashyapa, Shariputra, or Maudgalyayana--the Buddha's disciples from whom we should learn. We shouldn't harbor the slightest trace of discrimination. If we can maintain such an attitude and resolve under all circumstances, we can be certain that Buddhism will flourish. If we insist on discriminating between ourselves and others, then we will always be separate and alone; there can never be perfect harmony. It is my wish that we can see how everything is interconnected, that we can make Buddhism all-encompassing and unimpeded, so that its great kindness is felt even by those who have no affinities with it, and all creatures are seen as sharing the same substance. Then all beings, both sentient and insentient ones, will be able to achieve perfect wisdom. These are all old ideas, nothing new, but I'm bringing them up because people have forgotten about them.
Dharma Master Shun: I think it's a good idea to use Buddhist music, chanting, and ceremonies as a way to bring Buddhism and all other religions together in harmony.
Venerable Master: I would now like to present the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas as a gift to all Mahayana and Theravada Buddhists. Anytime the Mahayana Buddhists want to use the facilities of the City, they can do so. And the Theravadan Buddhists can also use the City's facilities for any activity they like. The only conditions on this unprecedented offer are that people must refrain from gambling, smoking, and so forth, and that they should honor the Buddha's precepts in their practice.
Dharma Master Jau: Venerable Sumedho would like to hold a two-week meditation retreat at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas next year.
Venerable Master: Not to mention two weeks, he can use the City for two months or even two years if he wants. [Editor's note: The Ven. Ajahn Sumedho and Ven. Ajahn Amaro led a sixteen-day Theravada-style meditation retreat at the City from June 21 to July 6, 1991. Dharma Master Jau: They are requesting a special area and invite us to attend as well.
Venerable Master: We will follow their lead and do whatever they do.
Dharma Master Chau: It's truly inconceivable. We often hear in Dharma talks that we should not have attachments. And it also says in the Vajra Sutra, "If someone says that the Thus Come One has spoken the Dharma, he is slandering the Buddha." The Master's suggestion is really making the Sutras come alive. We would never have thought of this method to bring everyone together. We have only known how to pick on others' faults.
Venerable Master: It's said: “Those who respect others will also be respected. Those who care for others will also be cared for. Those who beat others will also be beaten. Those who scold others will also be scolded.” Therefore, if we dont’ want to be beaten by people, we should not beat others. If we don't want to be scolded by people, we should not scold others. If we don't want others to disrespect up, we should not disrespect others.
To be continued |
