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犯錯是難免的；人都有犯錯的時候，但從犯錯中學到東西才是最重要的。古人說君子之過，如日月之蝕。不正意味著連君子也有犯錯的時候？但當然不是說反正大家都會犯錯，就不管它了，而是要瞭解過錯，並且去改正過錯，達到像曾子所謂的「不二過」才是一個正確的態度。
記得去年（1998）因某件事差點毀了自己的前程。雖然當時有說不出的痛苦，但現在想起，卻覺得很不可思議。怎麼說呢？我只能說這因緣是非常有趣的。當一個人有兩條路可以走時，往往有人因為走錯路而墮落，但走對路的人卻是無比的幸運。我認為我是其中一個選對路的幸運人。對幫助我走上這條路的父母及老師們，我有說不出的感激。那一次的錯誤不但讓我的人格與心靈上大有提昇，也藉此打了全程的佛七和兩禮拜的禪七，以清除我多年來的垃圾。那時我真是有一種不可言喻的清靜，使我往後的課業也大有長進。這不正是因禍得福的好例子嗎？
曾聽說有人因為做錯事，沒臉抬起頭來。這些人因為事情本身的壓力，又加上旁人的嘲笑而自殺。自殺看起來似乎逃避了被嘲笑的麻煩，但以佛教觀點而言，是很愚癡的事。犯錯被眾人知道是常有的事，那種壓力我又何嘗沒有過？但如果你真能改過，久了大家不但不再嘲笑，反而會很恭敬你的。「君子之過如日月之蝕，人皆視之，過若則改，人皆仰之。」不正是比喻此事嗎？
這些話是出自於親身的經驗，句句都是真心話。如果犯錯時，能從錯誤中學習、改進的人，不但是因禍得福，更會大有所為的。 |
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Mistakes are inevitable. People will make mistakes regardless. However, it's most important to learn from our mistakes. The ancients said, "A humane person's mistakes resemble eclipses of the sun and moon." Doesn't that imply that humane beings also make mistakes? Of course, this is not to say that since everyone will make mistakes, we don't have to care. This means we should understand our mistakes and correct them, ultimately to attain the attitude of "not repaeting the mistake twice," as said by Tzeng Zi.
I remember how I almost destroyed my own future last year (1998). Although I cannot express the pain I suffered at the time, I believe it was incredible now that I think back on it. How is that? I can only say that causes and conditions are very interesting. When we are given only two paths to choose from, some people will walk down the wrong path and fall, while those with immense luck will choose the right route. I believe that I am one of those lucky people who chose the right road. I can't express the gratitude I have for my parents and teachers who helped me walk this road. That mistake not only uplifted my character and soul, but also cleared out the garbage from all these years. After participating in the entire Buddha recitation session and two weeks of the meditation session, I had an indescribable clarity at the time. My studies also improved immensely later. Isn't that a good example of reaping fortune out of misfortune.
I have heard that when people have made mistakes, they dare not lift their heads. Such people commit suicide because of the pressure of their situation and others' ridicule. Although suicide seems to be a way to escape ridicule, it's quite foolish from the uddhist point of view. It's common for people to find out about your wrongdoings; I have experienced that pressure myself.
However, if you can truly correct yourself, people will not only stop teasing, but will respect you instead. "A humane person's mistakes resemble eclipses of the sun and moon; everyone notices. If the mistakes are corrected, everyone looks up to him or her." Isn't that analogous to this issue?
Every word here is from the heart since I have personally experienced it. If we can learn from our mistakes and improve, we will not only attain advantages but accomplish great things. |
