感化_Reformation through Influence

人不是都可以勸得來的
尤其當他正在自以為是的時候
無從讓他從盛氣凌人中冷靜下來
也不可能以言語幫他
　馬上開闊視野、覺悟自己的偏頗
愈說他愈生氣
更何況要講佛理　談無我
一點用都沒有
　　反而顯得勸者的不智及執著

所以我常常順著對方
老是說
　　是、是、是　對、對、對
這並非盲從、討好
而是說
我瞭解對方的想法和感受
從那樣的觀點和立場
他說的當然都是順理成章
至於佛法的教示與修行
在此際根本談不上

旁觀者不易瞭解
往往批評我的作法
認為是怠忽了以正理教導的義務
其實我是了解
言教的有窮
修行的人不能勸人修習無我的時候
只能靠自己實行無我
　　以身教來默默地感化

身教不是一朝一夕的事
需要自己全心全力一生不斷的奉獻
況且人是複雜多變又少信心的
即使曾蒙佛恩從癌症救回一條命
也有叛離更加誹謗的
但是多年不改的正直踏實行徑
加上毫無反擊與計較的慈悲寬容
終於使浪子回頭
　　使盛氣逐漸軟化
因為長久了
人是會觀察、比較及反省的
一旦體會了真相與真情
不皈依佛及佛法
又豈有更好的依止與安穩

寫出這麼多的內情
希望修行者能了悟
不要只寄望於言教的傳達
長遠看來
不論對自己還是對別人
都是自己的行持最重要
要能勸化十方
一定要能先感化週遭
切莫在一時一地計高下
而是要讓一生的行持
在歷史上不斷地放送光芒
無盡地照亮有情的覺道

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　二○○九年十二月四日
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　養和齋　　　　於加州

Reformation through Influence　Yutang Lin

Not all people can be changed by persuasion
Especially when he feels that he is self-righteous
No way to cool him down from his overbearing height
And impossible to help him by words
　　　 To instantly open his panorama and realize his own prejudice
The more said, the more angry he would become
Not to mention to venture into Dharma talks on selflessness
That would be completely futile
　　　 Just showing, on the contrary, that the speaker is unwise and attached

Therefore, I often go along with the other party
Always saying
　　　 Yes, yes, yes　Correct, correct, correct
This is not following blindly nor aiming at pleasing
But to say that
I appreciate the other party's views and feelings
From that kind of viewing angle and such standpoint
All he said, of course, must follow by reason
As to Buddhist teachings and practices
At such juncture they are simply out of the question

Bystanders could not comprehend my points readily
Often criticized me for my approaches in such manners
Regarded me as ignoring the duty to guide people according to Dharma
Indeed I fully comprehended that
Teaching by words is limited
When a practitioner could not persuade others to practice selflessness
He can only put it into practice by himself
　　　 So as to set example and convert in silence through influence

Teaching through setting an example is not a matter of one day or one night
It takes incessant and constant devotion of a whole life with full intention and efforts
Not to mention that people are complicated, variable and scant in faith
Even one saved from cancer through blessing of Buddha
Could have regressed and even committed slander
And yet long years of solid and straight Dharma activities
Accompanied by compassionate tolerance that is free of hitting back and calculation
Eventually moved the strayed son to turn back
　　　 And gradually softened the arrogant attitude
That is because in the long run
People will observe, compare and reflect
Once they realized the facts and sincerity
Not to take refuge in Buddha and Dharma
How could there be an even better refuge and stability

Revealing so many hidden facts in writing
With the hope that Dharma practitioners would comprehend
Not to rely solely on propagation of teachings through words
In the long run
Be it for oneself or for others
The most important thing that matters is one's own deeds
To convert all in the ten directions
One must, first of all, be able to convert one's surroundings through influence
Definitely not to compare high or low at one juncture of time and space
But instead let the actions and inactions of a whole life time
Constantly shinning forth lights in history
To everlastingly enlighten sentient beings on their paths to full enlightenment

Written in Chinese and translated on December 4, 2009
El Cerrito, California

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