Thursday 30 April 2015

如是因如是果

在佛陀時代,某日,舍衛國國王波斯匿王在睡眠中,聽見自己的左右兩位侍衛官爭論不休。其中一位說:「我是依靠國王才得以活著」;另一位則說:「我沒有依靠什麼,完全是隨著自己業力所牽引而活著」,國王聽了這番對話後便沾沾自喜,驕傲地以為是自己的威德服人,準備賞賜那位依靠國王而活著的人。於是派人告訴夫人說:「國王現在請一個人到夫人您那裡,請您賜與他錢財、衣服及珠寶飾品。」接著就請那位依靠國王而活著的人,拿著喝剩下的酒送給夫人。但是當他一腳才剛跨出門檻,準備前往時,突然不停地流鼻血而無法前往。這個時候正巧遇見那位隨著自己業力所牽引而活著的人,於是就請他代為送酒給夫人。

夫人一見到這個人,就想起國王曾經交代的話,於是將錢財、衣服及珠寶飾品全部賞賜給他。之後,國王看到這位隨著自己業力所牽引而活著的人得到賞賜而心生疑惑,於是叫那位依靠國王而活著的人來,就問他:「我派你去送酒,為什麼沒去呢?」他回答說:「我一腳才剛跨出門檻,準備前往時,突然不停地流鼻血而無法完成國王您交代的事,就請人代為送酒給夫人了。」

國王聽了就感嘆的說:「我現在才知道佛陀所說的話皆是真實不虛的。自己造業,自己承受果報,沒有人可以代替。從這個因果的道理來看,或善或惡的報應都是從自己的所作所為而來,不是上天也不是國王所能賜與的。」

典故摘自:《雜寶藏經》

省思



經云:「假使百千劫,所作業不亡;因緣會遇時,果報還自受。」過去所種的因牽繫著眾生受苦樂等報,即使父子至親也無法代受業果,能夠了達因果,更要努力殷勤修行,在因中努力,莫讓時光空過,待業果現前,才空自悔恨嘆息。

Wednesday 29 April 2015

The Buddha had unlimited compassion

One day, the children’s nanny got very sick. She was in great pain. Both Vishaka and Bimsara were very concerned. As soon as they returned from school they went to see their nanny, and helped her with whatever they could. It is a very good quality to extend help when needed, for a person who always helps others. The two children showed this quality of gratitude. Both Mother and Father were very happy about the good qualities of their children. That day after the evening worship, the mother praised her children.

“My dear children, we are very happy about you. Most parents are not blessed with kind-hearted children. Proud and lazy children can be a burden to their families. If someone does not help a person who has helped them, then that person will not develop the quality of gratitude.”

“Mother, today we helped nanny to wash herself. She is getting better now.

“Yes my children, that is very good! This is the real offering to the Buddha. The Buddha discoursed  “Yo gilanan upatteyya, so man upatteyya”  that means; if someone cares for a sick person, he is the one who cares for me.

Children, the Buddha highly appreciated the kind act of nursing sick people. The Buddha liked to see everyone doing well. That is why the Buddha is regarded as the greatest person ever to be born in this world.  King Dharmashoka who ruled India around two thousand three hundred years ago built hospitals not only for humans but also for animals.

One day, the Buddha visited the temples with bhikkhus. While observing each room of the bhikkhus’, the Buddha heard someone moaning in pain. He stopped and listened. Then walked to the door of the room where the sound was coming through, and opened it. A very strong smell of badly festered wounds came out of the room. The Buddha went inside the room. An old bhikkhu was lying on a bed. His body was covered with blisters and most of them had burst and pus was oozing out along with blood. The Buddha went to him and asked kindly “Dear bhikkhu, don’t you have anyone to care for you?”

Then that bhikkhu started to cry and said “My dear lord Buddha… I made a big mistake. I never cared for my peer bhikkhus when they got sick. I even failed to ask how they were doing. And I never offered any medicine to those who were ill. I lived without caring for others. When I heard their cries in pain, I pretended not to hear. Because of that, no one cares for me now. ”

Then the Buddha called all the bhikkhus in that temple. “Dear bhikkhus, when one falls sick, it is a must that you take care of him. Especially, you who have severed all your family bonds, all your relatives, friends, and properties and have become bhikkhus, you should be very kind to each other. Never should you be selfish or work in isolation. If someone likes to care for me, he should care for the sick. That is what I like.”

Thereafter, the Buddha called disciple Ananda; “Dear Ananda, please prepare some warm water. Take these robes and wash them well. And dry them well. Hand over the warm water to me”.

Then Buddha gently sponged the body of that sick bhikkhu with warm water. Then He softly wiped the body. Owing to the pus and blood that oozed out from the wounds, the robe of the sick bhikkhu was glued to his body. Once his body was cleaned, the bhikkhu felt so much comfort, and he felt very happy and his mind became calm.”

“Mother, the name of that sick bhikkhu was Poothigattatissa, wasn’t it?

“Oh! Do you know the story?” asked mother.

“Yes Mother… The little bhikkhu at the temple told this story to us on a poya day.”

“Very good! You must remember what you learn like that. Then the Buddha discoursed on Dhamma to bhikkhu Poothigattathissa. The bhikkhu Poothigattathissa listened to Dhamma with total concentration. And he started contemplating deeply in order to understand the meaning of Dhamma. Finally, he realized Dhamma. Just after the Buddha left the temple, the bhikkhu Poothigattatissa, while contemplating Dhamma with a calm and happy mind, passed away.

My children what we must understand is when someone falls sick, not only his body but his mind too gets sick. Hence, he gets hurt quickly. And he feels sad even for little things. He feels alone and helpless. Therefore, we must always help the sick people to get better. We should never expect anything in return for what we do for them. Then we could cultivate a lot of merit in this world.

by- Most Ven. Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero
 Source : Mahamevnawa Monastery

Tuesday 28 April 2015

【問佛...........格桑】

弟子問佛陀:
您既神通又慈悲, 為何還有人受苦?
佛陀答曰:
我雖有宇宙最大的神通力,
但是依然有四件事是做不到的!


<因果不可改>
自因自果、自業自報,別人是替代不了的。

<智慧不可賜>
智慧不是佛給予的, 而是本來就在你心中,
任何人想要開啟智慧, 都離不開自心的磨練。

<真法不可說>
宇宙真相用語言講不明白,只能靠自身實修實證。

<無緣不能度>
無緣之人是聽不進你的話,也感受不到你的慈悲;天雨雖大,不潤無根之草。
佛法無邊,難度無緣之人。


Monday 27 April 2015

PRAY FOR NEPAL


























Please think of all those effected by the earthquake near Kathmandu, Nepal. Please pray strongly for those who have died, and also for those who are living — all those who are injured, shocked or suffering — and for what lies ahead for them. May help and support of all kinds directly reach those who need it in time: quickly, effectively, and without any delay or obstacle. Along with your prayers, please also consider helping practically in whatever ways you can.

For those who want to make the donation, here are the link:



请为尼泊尔祈福 PRAY FOR NEPAL























讓我們一起為尼泊爾震災供千燈、萬燈,回向,願 罹難者蒙佛接引往生淨土;受傷者身心安康增福增慧,世間災難平息,風調雨順國泰民安。

大家出錢出力透過各種管道協助尼泊爾救災。
国际援助机构呼吁公众捐款以筹集资金购买紧急救援物资,帮助幸存者。这些幸存者需要从清洁饮用水、食品到医护的全方位援助。

新加坡朋友可以通过这个网页红十字会捐款,帮助尼泊尔的救灾工作。 公众可从星期一至五,早上9点到傍晚6点,到红十字会大厦留下善款。地址是槟榔巷(Penang Lane15号。

别的国家的朋友可以通过网页寻找捐款的方法。

Please think of all those effected by the earthquake near Kathmandu, Nepal. Please pray strongly for those who have died, and also for those who are living — all those who are injured, shocked or suffering — and for what lies ahead for them. May help and support of all kinds directly reach those who need it in time: quickly, effectively, and without any delay or obstacle. Along with your prayers, please also consider helping practically in whatever ways you can.

For those who want to make the donation, here are the link:




Sunday 26 April 2015

Shake it off and take a step up

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.  Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

MORAL :
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.


Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.
2. Free your mind from worries - Most never happens.
3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less from people but more from yourself.


Pass this along to someone else to share the lesson


Saturday 25 April 2015

INEVITABLE DEATH (SUTTA NIPATA 574 - 581)

Life in the world is unpredictable and uncertain. 
Life is difficult, short and fraught with suffering.
Being born, one has to die; this is the nature of the world.


With old age there is death; this is the things are.
When fruit is ripe, it may drop early in the morning.
In the same way, one who is born may die at any moment.
Just as all pots made by all the potters
End in being broken,
So it is with the life of all who are born.
Neither young nor old, foolish or wise
Will escape the trap of death.
All move towards death.
They are overcome by death.
They pass on to another world.
A father cannot save his son or a family its members.
Look! With relatives watching, with tears and crying,
Men are carried off one by one,
Like cattle to the slaughter.
So, death and aging are a natural part of the world.
Thus, the wise grieve not, seeing the nature of the world.

Source : dhammasara.webs.com


Friday 24 April 2015

出言不逊

在一个村子里有一个年轻人,这个年轻人极其优秀,可是他有一个致命的缺点:经常对别人出言不逊。他的父母和朋友总是劝他,他总是说:这有什么大不了的,不就是几句话么,有什么值得大惊小怪的?” 然后依然我行我素。
  
一次村子里来了一位僧人,年轻人对僧人说了一句很不尊敬的话,别人批评这个年轻人,年轻人振振有词地说道:不就是几句话么,我向他道歉不就可以了吗?” 僧人听了微笑着对年轻人说:我给你讲个故事吧!” 好多人包括这个年轻人都围在了这个僧人的旁边,准备听僧人讲故事。僧人顿了一下开始讲故事:
  
有一个人养着一只从小就从深山里捡回来的狗熊,他一直养着这个狗熊,可是有一天这个狗熊把邻居家的一片玉米糟蹋了,邻居找上门来。他很生气,拿起棍子对着狗熊就是乱打,而且边打边骂:畜牲始终就是畜牲,我白养你了。打完后,他把狗熊赶出了家门。
  
第二天的时候,他又后悔了,可是狗熊已经走进了后山。
  
他很后悔,可是再也找不到狗熊了。在一次上山打猎的时候,他碰到了一只老虎,手无寸铁的他闭上了眼睛。突然他听到了搏斗的声音,他睁开眼睛一看,原来是那只狗熊回来了。狗熊把老虎赶跑了,他高兴地上去爱抚着狗熊说道:太好了,上次我打了你还疼吗?你跟我回去吧!
  
狗熊说:早就不疼了,可是你说过的那些话却还在让我疼,而且很疼很疼。”  狗熊说完头也不回就又回到了后山中。
  
僧人的故事讲完了,大家都在感叹说过的话竟然会有这样大的伤害,惟独这个年轻人却是一副不屑的样子,僧人又从口袋里取出了几颗钉子对年轻说:你去把这几颗钉子钉在树上。”  年轻人按僧人的话去做,把钉子钉在了树上。
  
年轻人刚回去,僧人又说道:你去把钉子取下来。”  年轻人没有说什么,又回到了树下准备把钉子取下来。可是年轻人费了半天的劲,用各种工具折腾了半天才取下了一颗钉子。
  
僧人来到了年轻人身边,用手指着那个钉子留下的痕迹说:就是拔出来,那又能怎么样呢?树干上不是还留下了深深的伤痕吗?就像那个故事里的狗熊一样,虽然棍子留下的疼早已消失了,可是那个人说过的话对它的伤害却是终身难忘的。
  
僧人又看了一眼年轻人,接着说:对别人有所伤害的话,就像钉子一样,尽管你能取回来,可是你留给别人的伤害就像钉子留在树上的疤痕一样是永远消除不了的。
  
年轻人听了,顿然大悟,他说:我现在终于明白出言不逊对别人会是多么深的一种伤害,谢谢大师的指教。”  僧人听了点头称是,然后飘然而去。
  
世界上对别人最深的伤害永远是语言,当我们对别人出言不逊的时候,也就是把钉子钉进了别人的心中,而且这样的伤害是永远无法弥补的。

永远珍惜自己的每一句话因为语言对别人造成的伤害永远无法弥补

文章来源 :佛陀的追随者网

Thursday 23 April 2015

六不退法

一者身常行慈,不害众生;
二者口宣仁慈,不演恶言;
三者意念慈心,不怀坏损;
四者得净利养,与众共之,平等无二;

五者持贤圣戒,无有阙漏,亦无垢秽,必定不动;
六者见贤圣道,以尽苦际。

前三者讲的身口意三业,就是让我们要身行慈悲,口说爱语,心存慈念。
第四条与六和敬中的同和同均有些相仿,就是当我们得到清净的供养时,应该与大众平等分享,不能独占。
五条仍是谈到了持戒,可见佛对戒的重视程度;
第六条是告诫我们要如实了知佛法的真谛,断除苦的根源。

文章来源:网络

Wednesday 22 April 2015

Good Question Good Answer E-Book By Ven S Dhammika
























Download Ebook here Good Question Good Answer E-book

佛說阿彌陀經

釋迦牟尼佛留在這個世間最重要的一本經典《佛說阿彌陀經》,以此經典告訴世間所有有情,這個世間的真相是什麼?世間的真相是苦、空、無常。

這個世間沒有一寸土地,你可以找到生命的安頓,也沒有一個對象,包括家庭、愛情、地位、名望,你可以依靠。所有的一切都只是一個暫時的關係,最後變化無常、苦。如果能夠體悟輪回的苦,特別是已經往生的亡魂,特別是往生49天內的中陰身,這個時候祂最容易體悟了:「我沒有肉體了,誰也不能跟我講話了,未來不知道如何?」

尤其是在餓鬼道,更感受到那一種極苦啊,餓鬼道祂想的是什麼?趕快死掉。因為沒有死掉,祂就一直在噴火受苦啊。地獄道也是天天想著:「我趕快死掉!」但是死了以後又活過來,又在地獄又在受苦,這樣不斷的痛苦。
所以釋迦牟尼佛,講此十方諸佛共同稱讚這難信之法,發願往生西方極樂世界。所以這個世間叫「極苦」,因為沒有一樣是圓滿的——身體老化了,生病啊、打針、走路不方便,甚至死亡以後,哎呀,孤獨的來孤獨的走啊。

所以金錢財產,感情、地位,一點也帶不走,就帶了一個痛苦的心態,所以佛陀講出了《佛說阿彌陀經》,願六道有情信願發願往生西方極樂世界,願往生西方極樂世界,就得到了不退成佛,不退阿耨多羅三藐三菩提,不但究竟解脫,將來還可以成佛普度有情。

所以佛陀雖然講了《佛說阿彌陀經》,但是眾生業障我執很重啊,所以佛陀特別要我們念拔除一切業障根本就是我們的我執,得生淨土陀羅尼。所以念這個經,乃至你是因為恨、自殺死亡的,皆可放下這個我執、恨,看到西方極樂世界,當下願往生得往生。

後面念的《彌陀讚》:「阿彌陀佛大願王,慈悲喜捨難量」,這樣的來觀想阿彌陀佛如何接引眾生,極樂世界的莊嚴。如來聖號、彌陀聖號若宣揚,同願往西方。願我們的父母祖先、六道有情,以及現場的所有參加佛子們,都要一心一意,天天乃至睡覺也時時觀想死亡,一心一意的願生西方。

我們留在這個人間,是來償還宿債的,是來廣結善緣的,是來累積資糧的。世間的一切都是幻化的、無常的、帶不走的,雖然是變化無常,但至少像點燈、點香一樣,產生了一種利他的光、利他的香味。所以這樣子一方面瞭解無常,二方面積極廣造福德善根,乃至念佛、發願的因緣,願我們自己乃至父母祖先、六道有情,皆得往生西方極樂世界。

所以大蒙山施食,讓眾生得到一個暫時的安樂,有吃有穿,離開病苦,種種功德回向,究竟來說,願祂能夠發願往生淨土,能往生淨土必得解脫乃至成佛。

海涛法师

图 : 如是我闻网

Monday 20 April 2015

心胸,是被痛苦和委屈撑大的

沙粒进入蚌体内,蚌觉得不舒服,但又无法把沙粒排出。好在蚌不怨天尤人,而是逐步用体内营养把沙包围起来,后来这沙粒就变成了美丽的珍珠。

吸血蝙蝠叮在野马脚上吸血,野马觉得很不舒服,但又无法把它赶走,于是就暴跳狂奔,不少野马被活活折磨而死。科学家研究发现,吸血蝙蝠所吸的血量极少,根本不足以致野马死去,野马的死因就是暴怒和狂奔。

启示:不如意事常八九。我们遇到不如意的事时,不妨多想想蚌和野马。

我们何不像蚌那样,设法适应,利用自己无法改变的环境,以的肚量去包容一切不如意的境遇,使之为我所用。不要像野马那样一不如意就暴跳如雷。这样只能自食苦果。

成功者说:让自己停止烦躁,学会适应一切逆境因为逆境是成功的阶梯,痛苦和委屈是人生最宝贵的经历。一个人的心胸和格局也都是被痛苦和委屈给撑大的。

慢慢的才知道:人这一辈子,要经得起谎言,受得了敷衍,忍得住欺骗,忘得了诺言。

慢慢的才知道:给自己一个迂回的空间,学会思索,学会等待,学会调整。人生,有很多时候,需要的不仅仅是执着,也需要回眸一笑的洒脱。

可能您一个小小的分享动作,就可能照亮无数人的命运!

文章来源 佛陀的追随者

Sunday 19 April 2015

生死事大,无常迅速

昔日,佛陀在舍衛國時,有一位年近八十歲的婆羅門,他雖家財萬貫,卻頑固闇昧,慳貪成性,不肯布施,難以教化,既不知道德規範,也不解無常之理,每天忙於謀求家計,更熱衷於建造舒適的房屋。他的房子一間又一間地蓋了起來,除了前廳、後堂、涼臺、溫室,還有廳堂兩側的廂房等十餘間。現在,還在加緊趕工蓋著後方的廳堂。 

一日,佛陀觀察到這位老婆羅門壽命將盡,而他對此事卻毫無所知,仍舊疲於奔命的建造房舍,而讓自己精疲力竭,實在非常可憐。佛陀慈悲,想要度化這位老婆羅門,便帶著阿難尊者來到婆羅門家,慰問老婆羅門說:「你每日親自監工建造房舍,真是辛苦!你家的廳堂已經這麼多了,為什麼還要蓋房子呢?」婆羅門回答:「這些房間各有用處,前廳是用來接待客人的,後堂是我們自己住的,東西兩側的廂房可以安置我的孩子、財物和僕人。夏天太熱時,可以到涼臺乘涼;冬天太冷時,就進到溫室保暖。」 

佛陀又說:「我有一個偈子,對你生命有所幫助,想要送給你,你是否有空和我坐下來談談?」婆羅門回答:「世尊,很抱歉!我現在急著蓋新房子,實在沒有時間聽法,等以後有因緣再去向您請法!至於,您說要送我的偈子,就請您直說。」 

於是佛陀便說了以下的偈語: 

  「有子有財,愚惟汲汲;
   我且非我,何憂子財? 
   暑當止此,寒當止此,
   愚多預慮,莫知來變; 
   愚蒙愚極,自謂我智;
   愚而勝智,是謂極愚。」 

婆羅門無心聽偈子,便說:「世尊,您所講的這個道理實在很好!可惜我現在真的很忙,等以後再談吧!」世尊見無緣度化便離去。婆羅門又繼續去監工蓋房子,正當他指導如何上屋樑時,竟被掉落下來的樑木打中頭部,當場死亡。婆羅門全家哀痛啼哭,驚動了附近鄰居。 

這件事,在佛陀尚未走遠就發生了,路上數十位梵志見到佛陀,上前問佛:「請問您從哪裡來?」佛陀回答:「我剛從那位往生的老婆羅門家離開,我曾數次為他說法,可惜他心中只想蓋房子,不信佛說的話,不知無常的道理。結果,今天仍無法逃避無常生死的到來。」佛陀藉此因緣對梵志們宣說偈子中的真理,梵志們聞法歡喜,即得道跡。 

世尊進一步為梵志們開示: 

「愚闇昏昧的人親近智者,如同以水瓢嘗味,如果不能親身去體會,就像水瓢在美味的羮湯中浸泡許久,仍然無法知道羮湯的味道。 

開朗明達的人親近智者,如同以舌嘗味,雖然只是很短的時間,也能夠馬上知道食物的味道。 

愚人的所作所為,多為自己招來禍患。只知一意孤行去作惡,自然會引來重大的災禍。 

對於不善的惡行,所引發的禍端,事發後再悔不當初,也只能痛哭流涕。應當如實認知,所有的果報都是自己過去的業習所招感!」 

梵志們聽完佛的開示,更加堅實篤信,向佛頂禮,歡喜奉行。


典故摘自:《法句譬喻經卷第二愚闇品第十三

省思


《無常經》云:「大地及日月,時至皆歸盡,未曾有一事,不被無常吞。」世間一切人、事、物,無一不是在剎那剎那生滅變化當中。人生幾何?若不明白「生死事大,無常迅速」之理,終日只在「財、色、名、食、睡」中汲汲營求,當無常忽爾到來,只能隨業受報,流轉生死苦海。人命在呼吸間,常將生死掛心頭,懂得看破、放下,不被五欲所牽,能通達因緣果報、緣起性空的真諦,把握每個當下因緣,修福修慧,精進不懈,方有「了生脫死,自在解脫」之期。

 原文来源 :中台世界网