如何成為佛教徒　林鈺堂 簡繁轉換 - 繁體

非洲迦那的讀者來信
讀了幾本我的書　很高興
高興到想要成為佛教徒
問我有何程序

成為佛教徒
主要是了解及接受
佛法所教
　 世間苦　無常
　 眾生皆輪迴於諸苦
　 有解脫之道
　 願為救脫一切眾生而修習之　實踐之

若欲藉儀式表明此志
則可於佛像前　或師傅前
頂禮三拜　念皈依三遍
皈依佛　皈依法　皈依僧
密宗則加念　皈依上師　於前
　 以上師為佛法僧之匯集故

菩提志固可嘉
經由皈依以明志　以勸化世間　更值效法
但不經行持佛法
　 一般皆業障深重　難遂其志
所以成為佛教徒後
　 宜有日常定課
　 定時定量　以養成習慣
　 漸達清明　安定
方可望將來獻身佛法之修持及弘揚
真正普利一切眾生

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　二○○九年二月廿一日
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　養和齋　　　　於加州

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How to Become a Buddhist　Yutang Lin

Letter from a reader in Ghana, Africa arrived today
Having read several of my books, very happy
So happy that the intention to become a Buddhist arose
Asking me what are the procedures involved

To become a Buddhist
Mainly one need to comprehend and accept
What the Dharma teaches
　　　　 Suffering in the worldly realms, impermanence
　　　　 Sentient beings are transmigrating in the suffering realms
　　　　 Path to emancipation from such suffering is available
　　　　 One aspires to practice and advance on the liberation path so as to save all beings

To demonstrate this aspiration through a ceremony
In the presence of Buddha image or Dharma teacher
Make three prostrations, and repeat Refuge Formula thrice
I take refuge in Buddha, I take refuge in Dharma, I take refuge in Sangha
In Vajrayana, in addition, one recites first of all
I take refuge in the Guru
　　　　 Because Guru is recognized as the union of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha

Bodhi aspiration is admirable
Through taking refuge to demonstrate such aspiration and to help convert others
　　　　 Even more worthy of following as an example
Nevertheless, without practicing and upholding the Dharma
　　　　 Usually people are hindered by karmic hindrances heavy
That they could hardly carry such aspiration through
Therefore, having become a Buddhist
　　　　 It would be proper to have regular practice sessions daily
　　　　 Done at a fixed time for a fixed amount of practices
　　　　 So as to build up a good habit
　　　　 And then gradually achieve clarity and stability of mind
Only then could one be expected to devote oneself fully to Dharma in the long run
And genuinely contribute one's efforts to universally benefiting all sentient beings

Written in Chinese and translated on November 29, 2008
El Cerrito, California

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