|
最近在中文課上讀了上人寫的清末中國東北吉林省人王夢醒的事跡，有一點深深觸動我的是：王夢醒為母親在墳前守孝時，久而久之他對於生死這一問題也就慢慢看透了。這就是為什麼他在惡人持刀相向時，能夠心無驚懼，泰然受之。
這學期在「世界宗教」課上也正好學到佛教和道教。我學到一則莊子的故事。當莊子的妻子去世時，莊子卻在浴缸裡嬉笑玩樂。弟子們就問他為什麼不感到傷心，反而玩樂呢？莊子說life goes on！。生死如同四季循環，是一種大自然的現象，無法避免；所以我們人不應該將生離死別看得那麼重。
不錯，生死無常，但是一般人對死非常恐懼；一點刀傷、火傷尚且呼天叫地的，況且叫他去面對像王夢醒所遭受到的那種痛苦和死亡呢！王夢醒不僅能忍受種種的艱難困苦，盡他對母親的孝道，而且還能以一種不瞋恨的心來面對歹徒，坦然就死。這一點是我們一般人無法相比的，也是我們應該學習的地方。
一方面我們要珍惜生命，為社會盡我們最大的貢獻。生命短暫不可隨便浪費放棄。
另一方面，我們也應該慢慢地學習像王夢醒那樣，看破最難看破的——死關。 |
|
Recently in my Chinese class, I read the biography of Wang Mengxing composed by the Venerable Master, and I was deeply touched by one thing. During the lengthy time that Wang Mengxing remained beside his mother's grave as an expression of his reverence toward her, he gradually realized the nature of life and death.
In my World Religions class, we happened to be studying Buddhism and Taoism, and I eventually encountered an interesting story about Zhuang Zi. It narrated that when Zhuang Zi's wife died, Zhuang Zi was playing and laughing in his bathtub. His disciples questioned his behavior, "Why are you delighted instead of being in mourning?"
Zhuang Zi replied, "Life goes on! Life and death are natural phenomena which cannot be avoided, just like the cycle of the four seasons; therefore, we should not take things so seriously."
Yes, life and death are ephemeral events. However, death, to ordinary people, is extremely frightening. Even a minor cut or a simple burn would drive them wild and make them scream in agony; how could they endure such pain and death as those experienced by Wang Mengxing? Not only was Wang Mengxing able to endure much hardship and suffering in order to fulfill his obligations as a son, but he was able to die serenely, without harboring a single thought of anger toward the bandits. We ordinary people could never match up to Wang; nevertheless, we should strive to emulate him.
On the one hand, we should cherish our lives in order to contribute our greatest efforts to society. Life is short; we should not squander or waste it.
On the other hand, we should gradually learn to be like Wang Mengxing, who overcame the most difficult challenge—that of death. |
