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猶如一部哀怨動人的傳奇小說，訴盡了臺灣福慧寺恒承師坎坷艱忍的一生；其辛酸處令人一掬同情之淚，其峰迴處正可激勵世道人心。
出生於台灣美濃的恒承師，俗姓古，勤勞憨厚。24歲結婚，育有二女，飽經離亂。32歲時毅然看破世緣，尋求解脫之門；遂與兩個女兒自己搭建竹屋，長齋禮佛，帶髮清修達50年之久。
1992年3月，依止上人披剃出家。同年8月以82歲老病之身攜同兩女，遠到萬佛聖城受具足戒。聖城四眾弟子在山門口熱烈相迎，並恭請老人家開示道：「我是山裡人，沒智慧；希望大家好好修行，學菩薩行。」這就是恒承師純樸的風範。
恒承師老而彌勤，對上人所訂的功課，從早到晚，無不參加。常端然正坐於大殿，閉目念佛，不散心雜話。威儀莊嚴令人肅然起敬，處處以身說法來感化眾生。
老法師於1994年底臥病不起，兩女隨 侍照料。今年元宵節清晨，終於安詳捨報。信眾聞訊趕來助念佛號，並舉辦地藏法會。數日後四肢依然柔軟，面目如生。荼毘後，燒出舍利子及舍利花數百顆（尚未數完），令人歡喜讚嘆不已！
恒承師世壽88歲，戒臘6年。出家前堅貞守節，不事二夫，堪為女子師表。出家後戒德莊嚴，慈悲度眾，影響後人學佛修行。臨終瑞相，現身說法，更令人增加念佛求生西方淨土的信願。上人賜題在福慧寺山門口的對聯，正是秉承願力再來的恒承師的心願：
福壽雙圓，開示大乘，直登彼岸；
慧德同修，悟入妙法，共證菩提。 |
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Heng Cheng Shi’s life of tribulations reads like a poignant novel of romance and tragedy. The sad parts move one to shed tears of commiseration. The twists and turns of the plot stimulate one’s mind.
Heng Cheng Shi was born in Meinong, Taiwan, to the Gu family. She was diligent and generous. Married at 24, she raised two daughters. After experiencing a gamut of turmoil and separations, at the age of 32 she saw through the world and set out in search of a way to liberation. With her two daughters, she built a bamboo hut and cultivated there for 50 years, eating vegetarian food and reciting the Buddha’s name.
In March 1992, she left the home life under the Venerable Master. In August of that year, ill and at the advanced age of 82, she and her two daughters traveled to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas to receive full ordination. The fourfold assembly of the City welcomed her warmly at the mountain gate and requested her to speak. She said, “I’m from the mountains and have no wisdom. I hope everyone cultivates well and learns the Bodhisattva conduct.” That was her simple and sincere message.
Heng Cheng Shi only became more vigorous with age. She participated in the full daily schedule set up by the Master. In her spare time she sat upright in the Buddha Hall and recited the Buddha’s name with her eyes shut, avoiding distractions and small talk. Her serenity inspired respect. Through her personal example, she taught living beings.
At the end of 1994, Heng Cheng Shi became bedridden from illness. Her two daughters faithfully attended upon her. At dawn on the 15th of the 3rd month this year, she passed away peacefully. Upon hearing the news, everyone rushed to recite the Buddha’s name and join the Earth Store Dharma Session. After several days, her limbs were still soft and her face seemed alive. Several hundred sharira seeds and clusters were found in her ashes after cremation, which evoked praise and delight.
Heng Cheng Shi lived to the age of 88; she was ordained for six years. She never remarried and was truly a model for the women of the world. After leaving home, she held the precepts, saved living beings with compassion, and influenced young people to study Buddhism and cultivate. Her serene passing spoke the Dharma, reinforcing people’s faith in reciting the Buddha’s name and vowing to be reborn in the Western Pure Land. The Venerable Master’s couplet on the mountain gate of Blessings and Wisdom Monastery reflects Heng Cheng Shi’s wish to return on the power of vows:
Perfect both blessings and longevity, and reveal and demonstrate
the Great Vehicle that leads straight to the other shore.
Cultivate wisdom and virtue simultaneously, and awaken to and
enter the wonderful Dharma and together realize Bodhi. |
