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我出生佛教家庭，家父果慶茹素數十年，是虔誠的佛教徒。因此在我成長過程中，多少受了佛法的熏陶。十多年前偶閱《虛空的雲》一書，記載了虛雲老和尚的生平事蹟，對於一代高僧的行持和修為，至為佩服。書中提及「度輪和尚」，印象深刻，是我與上人於書中結緣的開始。
數年後，一天我三叔王金平問及家父，是否認識一位在美國的上宣下化老和尚。家父雖信佛多年，但大部份時間在臺灣的寺廟走動，不曾聽過上人，所以答不認識。於是三叔便告訴了家父，他與上人的一段因緣。
據三叔說：「有位在臺灣犯了票據法的人來到美國，請教上人如何解決他的困境。上人答你回臺灣找一位立法委員王金平，他自然會幫你。但這位當事人只認識一位國大代表王中平，並不認識王金平。於是他再次問上人：『上人，不是王金平，應該是王中平吧？』上人卻斬釘截鐵地說，是立法委員王金平。」
於是這位仁兄便趕回臺灣找上了我三叔，道出原由，沒多久事情順利解決了。在這之前上人與我三叔未曾謀面，怎料上人遠在美國，居然點名找上了我在臺灣的三叔！
1988年上人來臺弘法，家父和三叔經人安排正式拜見了上人。家父提及高 雄六龜有棟別墅，願捐給上人當道場。上人微笑說：「好啊！好啊！」於是上人及僧團到了六龜一趟，擬將該棟別墅作為佛學院之用。弟子果邦一家四口也在此時皈依上人，正式成為「度輪」和尚的俗家弟子，因緣巧合，難以置信。
二年後，1990年弟子舉家移民來美，在紐約州北部羅徹斯特鎮定居。羅鎮緯度偏北，鄰近加拿大，華人不多，且都是基督徒，佛法在此難值難聞。雖然我曾數度參訪紐約附近的佛寺，擬請法師來羅鎮辦佛學講堂，為當地居民結法緣，卻因因緣不足而作罷。直到1993年家父來此渡假，得知情況後便建議我：「為何不找上人？」可是我想東西兩岸路途遙遠，舟車勞頓，不知上人能否成行？父想：「不妨一試，但不抱希望。」
電話接通後，上人一口答應了。為讓羅鎮幾位想聽佛法的信眾如願，上人願風塵僕僕從西岸遠赴東岸。其為法忘軀的精神，深深感動了我。弟子何其有幸！羅鎮的信眾何其有幸！
於是法會籌備會正式在九月成立了，開始籌備有關事宜。許多好友、鄰店都自願幫忙，從佛堂的佈置，車輛旅館的安排，如何請法皈依……等，我們都一一討論，務求盡善盡美。然而最令弟子擔心的是，羅鎮華人稀少，弟子惟恐沒幾個人來聽法，辜負上人心意。但家父說：「心誠則靈，只要你們誠心辦好法會，龍天護法一定會幫你們叫人來的。」果不其然，法會當天來了三、四百人，是羅鎮少有的盛況。佛力無邊，不可思議！
11月6日法會正式在 Wild wood 鄉村俱樂部舉行，上人在九位弟子行請法儀式後，開始主講「佛教與教育」，聽法人中不乏美國人；英文翻譯流暢，效果很好。上人講完法後還讓信眾們發問，一直到晚上九點半才結束。上人钁鑠的眼神環視著大家，看不出絲毫倦態。更叫弟子感動的是，當時我不知道上人是抱病前來的。
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※ 王珠慶(上人左手邊) 本文作者王竣邦(後排左，最高者)其夫人李淑媛(作者右手邊)
※ Wang Zhuqing (on the Ven. Master's left), the article's author Wang Junbang (the tallest one near the left end of the back row), and his wife Li Shuyuan (to the author's right.) |
就在次日清晨，上人不驚擾他人，悄悄前往醫院看病，完後馬上趕到會場主持「皈依與加持」儀式。當場有百多人皈依，上人幾乎沒有片刻的休息。法會一歇息，又有信眾請求上人加持，或解答疑惑。上人皆一一滿他們的願，不露半點疲憊或不耐。有時上人還談笑風生，語多禪機，逗得大家開懷大笑。
法會終於在下午四點結束，大家都法喜充滿地回家。上人為利益眾生，不畏己身病苦的菩薩精神，令人感動！
三天法會結束後，上人在9日離開羅鎮飛往華府。為省錢，他老人家竟坐了一個小時的車程，去水牛城搭小飛機。這種惜福節儉的精神，讓弟子倍覺汗顏。
上人來羅鎮弘法，雖只短短三天，但弟子何其有幸，隨侍左右，親承教誨，至今仍銘記在心，不敢忘懷。上人於1995年圓寂於洛杉磯，弟子果邦惟有秉承師教，恪遵上人六大宗旨--不爭、不貪、不求、不自私、不自利、不打妄語，惕勵自勉，於菩提道上勇猛精進，方能報師恩於萬一。
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I was born to a Buddhist family. My father Guo Qing has been a vegetarian for several decades and is a devout Buddhist. When I was growing up, I was more or less influenced by Buddhist culture. More than ten years ago, I happened to read the book
Empty Cloud, which is a biography of the Elder Master Hsu Yun. I really admired the conduct and cultivation of this eminent Sanghan. The book's mention of Master Du Lun made a deep impression on me. That was the beginning of my affinity with the Venerable Master.
Several years later, one day, my uncle Wang Jinping asked my father if he knew an Elder Master Hsuan Hua in the United States. Although my father had believed in the Buddha for many years, most of the time he went to temples in Taiwan. Hence he had not heard about the Venerable Master. He answered, "I don't know him." Then my uncle told my father his causes and conditions with the Venerable Master.
My uncle related, "Someone who violated the Law of Negotiable Instruments in Taiwan came to America. He asked the Venerable Master how he could resolve his difficult situation. The Venerable Master told him to look for a certain Legislative Representative named Wang Jinping and said he would be able to help. However, this person only knew a Representative of National Assembly called Wang Zhongping. He did not know Wang Jinping. So he asked the Venerable Master again, "Venerable Master, do you mean Wang Zhongping instead of Wang Jinping?" But the Venerable Master insisted that it was Wang Jinping, Representative of the Legislative Yuan.
This person rushed back to Taiwan to find my uncle. He told him the causes and not long after, the matter was settled. Prior to this, the Venerable Master and my uncle had not met. Who would have guessed that while the Venerable Master was far away in America, he named and found my uncle in Taiwan.
In 1988, the Venerable Master came to Taiwan to propagate the Buddhadharma. An appointment was made for my father and uncle to have an audience with the Venerable Master. My father mentioned that we owned a bungalow in Liugui, Kaohsiung. He wished to offer it as a Way-place to the Venerable Master. The Venerable Master smiled, "Good!" Then the Venerable Master and his Sangha delegation went to Liugui and designated that bungalow a Buddhist Academy. My family and I took refuge with the Venerable Master and formally became lay disciples of the Master Du Lun. These happenings were all quite unbelievable.
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※ 王珠慶居士(上人面前)機場獻花迎接上人，旁立者為比丘恆來(高)及恆斌(矮)
※ Upasaka Wang Zhuqing greets the Ven. Master at the airport with flowers. Next to him are Bhikshus Heng Lai (tall) and Heng Bin (short). |
Two years later, in 1990, my whole family migrated to the United States and settled in Rochester, which is near the Canadian border in upstate New York. Few Chinese people live here, and most of them are Christians. There is little opportunity to hear the Buddhadharma. Although I visited Buddhist temples in the surrounding area and tried to arrange for Dharma Masters to come to Rochester to set up a Buddhist Lecture Hall and establish Dharmic affinities with the residents here, I had to give up because the causes and conditions were not sufficient. It was not until 1993, when my father came for vacation and suggested, "Why don't you lookup the Venerable Master?" But thinking of how long and tiring it is to travel from the west to the east coast, I was not sure if the Venerable Master could make the trip. Then I thought, "Why not try? I won't hope for anything."
When I contacted the Venerable Master by phone, he consented to come. In order to fulfill the wishes of a few disciples who wanted to listen to the Buddhadharma, the Venerable Master was willing to travel from the West Coast to the East Coast. His sacrifice for the Dharma deeply moved me. How fortunate I am! How fortunate are the disciples in Rochester!
A planning committee for the Dharma assembly was officially set up in September and began various planning activities. Many friends and neighbors volunteered. We discussed every aspect--from the decoration of the Buddha Hall to transportation and hotels, requesting the Dharma, taking refuge, and so forth, trying to do an excellent job. One thing that bothered me was that there aren't many Chinese people in Rochester; I worried that no one would come to listen to the Dharma and we would let the Venerable Master down. But my father said, "If you are sincere, things will turn out well. As long as you are sincere in organizing the Dharma assembly, the dragons, gods and Dharma protectors would certainly help you to get people to come." Sure enough, on the day of the Dharma assembly, three to four hundred people came. It was a rare, grand occasion in Rochester. The power of the Buddha is boundless and inconceivable.
On November 6th, the Dharma assembly was officially held in Wildwood Country Club. After nine disciples requested the Dharma, the Venerable Master began to lecture on "Buddhism and Education." There were some Americans in the audience. The English translation was fluent and the effect was excellent. After the Venerable Master finished lecturing, he opened the floor to the audience for questions. The Dharma assembly finally ended at 9:30 p.m. The Venerable Master looked around with sparkling eyes. He showed no sign of fatigue at all. I was even more moved after I learned that the Venerable Master had come despite his illness.
Early the next morning, the Venerable Master visited the hospital quietly. After that he returned to preside over the ceremony for taking refuge and bestowal of blessings. More than a hundred people took refuge. The Venerable Master never paused to take a rest. Once the Dharma assembly was over, people would request a blessing or ask for instruction to clarify their doubts. The Venerable Master fulfilled their wishes accordingly. He did not show any sign of fatigue nor impatience. Everyone enjoyed the Master's spontaneous remarks, which were full of Dharma wit and humor.
The Dharma assembly ended at 4:00 p.m. Everyone returned home filled with Dharma bliss. The Venerable Master's Bodhisattva spirit of disregarding his own sickness for the sake of living beings was truly touching.
After the three-day Dharma assembly ended, the Venerable Master flew to Washington D.C. on the 9th. To save money he opted to take an hour's ride to Buffalo to take a local flight, which was cheaper. His attention to cherishing blessings and being frugal really made me feel ashamed of myself.
Although the Venerable Master came to Rochester for only three days to propagate the Dharma, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend upon him and receive instructions from him personally. To this day I clearly remember those instructions and dare not forget them. The Venerable Master passed into stillness in Los Angeles in 1995. I can only follow the teachings of my teacher and abide by the six guiding principles--no fighting, no greed, no seeking, no selfishness, no pursuit of personal gain, and no lying. I use these to encourage myself to be vigorous in the Bodhi Way. Only then can I repay the kindness of my teacher.
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