|
在中國從未聽聞過佛法的我，來到美國萬佛城後，不知道為什麼看到聖城的出家人，覺得他們過著清淨的生活，又只吃一餐不會浪費時間，就想要和他們一樣。第一次問媽媽時，媽媽不同意。第二次是在看到有幾位小孩出家，我又問媽媽，還是不同意。
有一次參加地藏七，我就跟地藏菩薩說希望我在十四歲以前出家。我自己也開始練習日中一食，不倒單。媽媽很擔心，說：「對身體不好，長不大」。但是我沒聽。又一次我和母親一起去見上人，我就問上人說：「吃一餐會不會長不高、長不大啊？」上人說不會；又說：「在香港我有個徒弟年齡很小，長得很矮，但是很會翻譯」。上人說他告訴這個弟子每天跳一跳就可以長高，結果他果然長得很好。上人也教我怎麼樣坐著睡，這樣子媽媽也就沒再擔心了。
又一次我和媽媽到長堤見到上人，上人要我們和沙彌一起上課背經，更加深了我的出家念頭，心想我出家可以幫上人弘揚佛法、翻譯經典、了生脫死。
回聖城後不久正好有剃度儀式，就再一次要求媽媽；媽媽還猶豫，我就去跟上人說：「我要出家。」上人說：「出家很好啊！回去寫給我看為什麼要出家。」就這樣我出家了；但我有一種感覺，是地藏王菩薩滿了我的願。
|
|
Having never heard of the Buddha's teachings in China, I came to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in the United States. For some unknown reason, when I saw the monks and nuns at the City, I felt that their lives were very pure and that they saved time by eating only one meal a day, and I wanted to be like them. The first time I asked my mother, she did not approve. The second time I asked my mother when I saw several other children enter the monastic life, she still did not approve.
Finally, when I participated in an Earth Store recitation session, I told the Bodhisattva my wish to enter the monastic life before I turned fourteen. On my own, I began eating one meal a day and sleeping sitting up. My mother was worried and said, "It's not good for your health. You won't grow properly." I didn't listen to her. On another occasion, my mother and I went to see the Venerable Master, and I asked him, "Will eating one meal a day prevent me from growing big and tall?" The Master said no. He said, "In Hong Kong I had a young disciple who was very short but was good at translation." He told the disciple that if he practiced jumping for a little while every day, he would grow taller, and the disciple did in fact grow considerably. The Master also taught me how to sleep sitting up. Consequently, my mother's worries were dispelled.
One time when my mother and I went to Long Beach and saw the Master, he had us attend classes and memorize Sutras with the novices. After a few days with them, I wanted even more to join the monastic order, thinking that I would then be able to help the Master propagate Buddhism and translate Sutras, as well as liberate myself from the cycle of transmigration.
Soon after we returned to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, we heard there was going to be a ceremony for joining the monastic life, and I pleaded once more with my mother. She was rather reluctant, but then we went to see the Master. I told the Master, "I wish to enter the monastic life." The Master said, "Entering the monastic life is a good idea. Go back and write down for me why you want to do it." That is how I entered the monastic life. I have a feeling it was Earth Store Bodhisattva who helped me fulfill my wish.
|
