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1979年關果誠居士逃離越南，定居加拿大亞伯達省的一個小鎮中。出生於西貢的他，從小就生活在血腥的環境中，父親是屠夫，從事燒臘生意，五十多歲便去世了。由於耳濡目染，他別無選擇，移民加拿大後也充當屠夫，以殺牛為業。直到遇到上人，才放下屠刀，可是九年中已殺害了無數生靈。
友人告訴他，離家兩小時車程的卡城有一座華嚴聖寺。他聽了很高興，即請朋友帶他去禮佛。他一直有個心願：如果卡城有寺廟，就搬離小鎮到卡城定居。現在終於如願以償，得以親近正法道場了。
1990年首次到聖城拜萬佛寶懺，覺得這裡的房廊屋舍都似曾相識，宛如舊地重遊。禮懺時清淨莊嚴的梵唄，也是那麼熟悉，聲聲入耳，滌盡俗慮。有次碰到上人，心裡恐懼不已；後來蒙上人加持，在他頭上打了三下，他如釋重負，從此再也不怕上人了。
當聖城在1992年舉行水陸空大法會時，他皈依了，並逐漸深入經藏，開啟智慧。
1993 年弟子們在長堤為上人暖壽，關居士領隊到長堤住了十天。上人悲心切切地告訴他不要再殺生了，一語驚醒夢中人，讓他從血腥殘暴的行業中覺醒；現在他是一名精進修行、護持道場的巴士司機。
有一年他興起捨俗出家的念頭，便偕同修到華嚴聖寺請求剃度。當時法師們都不同意，因為他還有三個年幼的孩子，只得悵然而歸。
關居士已經很明白未來的去向，希望早日了卻世緣羈絆到聖城修行；唯有在清淨的環境裡，才能從業海中急流勇退。但願世人都能「放下屠刀，立地成佛」。 |
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In 1979, Upasaka Guan Guo Cheng escaped from Vietnam and settled down in a small town in Alberta, Canada. Born in Saigon, he grew up in bloody surroundings. His father was a butcher who ran a barbecue business and died in his fifties. Raised in such circumstances, he had no choice but to become a cattle butcher after immigrating to Canada. It was not until nine years later when he met the Venerable Master Hua that he put down the butcher‘s knife for good, but by that time he had already taken the lives of many creatures.
When he heard from a friend that the Avatamsaka Monastery was only two hours’ drive away in Calgary, he was so pleased. He had always wished for a monastery in Calgary, and he was willing to move from the small town into Calgary if there was one. His wish finally came true, and he was able to draw near a monastery of the Proper Dharma.
In 1990, he came to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas (CTTB) for the first time and participated in the Jeweled Repentance before Ten Thousand Buddhas. The buildings and houses seemed so familiar to him, as if he’d been there a long time ago. The pure sounds of Sutra recitation also sounded familiar as they echoed in his ears, washing away his mundane worries. Once when he encountered the Venerable Master, his heart was filled with fear. Later the Venerable Master compassionately tapped him on the head three times, and it was as if a heavy burden had been lifted; he was no longer afraid of the Master.
He returned to CTTB for the Great Water, Land, and Air Dharma Assembly in 1992 and took refuge. Since then he has gradually entered the Sutra Treasury and developed his wisdom.
When disciples celebrated the Venerable Master’s birthday at Long Beach in 1993, Upasaka Guan stayed there for ten days. The Master kindly exhorted him to stop killing; he woke up and changed his bloody profession. Now he is a vigorous cultivator and a bus driver who helps out the monastery.
One year he wanted to renounce the home life. He went with his wife to Avatamsaka Monastery and requested to have his head shaved. However, all the Dharma Masters were opposed because he had three young children to take care of, and he went home disappointed.
Upasaka Guan is very clear about his future. He hopes to complete his worldly responsibilities soon and come to CTTB to concentrate on his cultivation. Only in a pure environment can he extricate himself from the ocean of karma. He hopes everyone can “put down the butcher’s knife and quickly become a Buddha.” |
