 我來自臺灣臺南縣，家中不學佛。記得小時感覺恐懼時，不知怎麼自然就念起「南無阿彌陀佛」，恐懼心也就消失了。
我本想在臺灣別的道場修學，可是母親積極阻擋，但當我準備到臺北「正法佛學院」就讀時，她竟笑著答應了，令我很驚訝。
1993年上人回臺弘法時，我在高雄福慧寺於元月17日來皈依上人。那年（農曆）新年時，福慧寺拜「三千佛懺」，我遲疑著該不該去參加。
一晚夢見上人，很年輕，穿袍搭紅祖衣在一處園子裡講法。我則與姊姊在另一邊與其他蓮友朝山。拜到上人講法處，只記得大概的意思是說人生無常，我竟號啕大哭，跟姊姊說，「你看那位和尚說人生無常，我怎麼還在這兒混呢？」次日我就決定去福慧寺參加「三千佛懺」。
記得當時到「臺北法界印經會」報到時天下著雨，換公車時又坐過頭了，再坐回來也不知在哪下車。正巧遇到的是先前的司機先生，他問，「妳怎麼又在這兒？」就向我要地址，說到時他會叫我下車。
後座有位婦人看到地址，就說，「『法界』我很熟悉，在那兒我好像走自家廚房一樣。」可是我到印經會之後，只見過她兩次面，以後再也沒有見過她！
在學佛過程中我體會到，學佛的人是幸福的。雖說上人報身不在，但法身是盡虛空通法界，遍一切處，只要我們依教奉行，上人永遠都與我們同在的。
※編按：恆建師於1995年出家，去年（2000）授具足戒，現在臺北法界印經會服務。 |
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I come from Tainan County in Taiwan. My family did not practice Buddhism, though I recall that during my childhood, whenever I felt frightened, I would instinctively chant "Namo Amitabha" and my fear would disappear.
My mother staunchly opposed my plans when I originally wanted to cultivate in other Way-places in Taiwan, but to my surprise she consented with a smile when I prepared to attend the Proper Dharma Buddhist Academy. In 1993, when the Venerable Master returned to Taiwan to promote the Dharma, I took refuge with him on January 17th at the Blessings and Wisdom Temple in Kaoshiung. I then pondered whether or not I should particpate in the Repentance Before Three Thousand Buddhas to be held at Blessings and Wisdom Temple over the Lunar New Year. Then one night, I dreamt of the Venerable Master. He seemed very young, and was wearing a robe and the red sash. He was speaking the Dharma in a courtyard. My older sister and I went with some other Buddhists to pay respects. When we reached the place of the Venerable Master's lecture, I only remember his main theme being the impermanence of life. I started to weep aloud, telling my older sister, "You see that monk there just said that life is impermanent. Why am I still lingering here then?" The next day, I decided to go to Blessings and Wisdom Temple to bow the Repentance Before Three Thousand Buddhas. It was raining on the day of the sign up at the Dharma Realm Buddhist Books Distribution Society in Taipei. I missed my stop after transferring buses. When I took the reverse route, I did not know where to get off. Coincidentally, the bus driver was the same one from my earlier trip. He asked, "What are you doing here again?" He then asked for the address, saying that he'd let me know when I should get off the bus. Behind me sat a lady who, upon seeing the address, said, "I am very familiar with the 'Dharma Realm', I know it like it was my own kitchen." However, after I joined the Distribution Society, I only saw her twice. Afterwards, I never saw her gain.
By the time I reached the Dharma Realm Buddhist Books Distribution Society, it was already past 10 o'clock in the evening. The Dharma Masters and my family were all very concerned, thinking that I had gotten lost.
In the process of practicing Buddhism, I realized that people who practice Buddhism are fortunate and blessed. Although the Venerable Master is no longer with us physically, his Dharma body pervades the Dharma Realm and space. His presence is everywhere. As long as we cultivate and abide by his teachings, the Venerable Master will always be with us.
※Editor's note: Heng Jian Shi entered the monastic life in 1995, received full ordination last year (2000), and now serves at the Dharma Realm Buddhist Books Distribution Society in Taipei. |
