慈視眾生    林鈺堂  簡繁轉換 - 繁體

 

 

通常我們對他人都會有些看法及評論。但是,做為佛教徒,不管涉及的內容是個人或公眾的是非、恩怨,還是佛法上的正誤與修法,在根本上仍然只是輪迴裡的糾纏,因為解脫及證悟是需要有情自願努力纔能實現的。若說完全超越見解,在平常生活裡是近乎不可能的。

要解決這樣的困擾,我們應當效法已達解脫證悟的佛、菩薩。在〈普門品〉裡,提到「觀世音淨聖 慈眼視眾生」。觀世音菩薩當然清楚地瞭解輪迴中有情的種種心態、行為及處境,但是,在祂純淨的境界裡,祂的態度是慈悲地平等關懷一切有情。

從已經超越輪迴的境界看來,輪迴中的有情都是因為種種迷執而不斷地造業與受報;即使能苟安一時,也免不了終究面對生、老、病、死之諸苦。因此,一時一地的爭論,只是片刻的紛擾;只有致力於解脫開悟的修持,纔能究竟地利益自他。佛、菩薩的慈憫眾生,即在於憐憫眾生的迷執受苦,而施予能達到解脫開悟的教導。

修行佛法者,若滯留在世間的見解與評論裡,則超脫無期。只有在能夠自覺地將心態轉成「慈眼視眾生」,而平等地關懷一切有情,並且努力從事佛法的修持與弘揚之後,纔能在解脫證悟的大道上邁進。這種轉變是超出輪迴的關鍵樞紐;希望修行者咸能認清其重要性並遵循之!

 

                     二○一九年六月廿八日
                     養和齋    於加州

 

 

Compassionate View

 

Yutang Lin

 

Normally we have some views and comments about others. However, as Buddhists, whether the contents thereof are about personal or public right or wrong, favors or grudges, or about correctness and practices in Dharma matters, fundamentally the views and opinions are still amount to merely entanglements in Samsara because liberation and enlightenment can be realized only through a sentient being′s voluntary efforts. As to completely transcending all views, that is nearly impossible in our ordinary daily life.

To resolve such puzzles, we should follow the examples as set by enlightened Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. In the well-known ″Universal Gates Chapter″ (of the ″Wondrous Dharma Lotus Sutra″) it is mentioned, ″Pure Holiness Guan Shi Yin, Watching sentient beings with merciful eyes.″ Bodhisattva Guan Yin, of course, comprehends clearly the various attitudes, behaviors and situations of sentient beings in Samsara; nevertheless, in His realm of original purity, His attitude is to regard all sentient beings equally with compassion.

From the viewpoint of realms transcending Samsara, sentient beings in Samsara, due to their grasping to various delusions, are incessantly creating Karmas and their consequences; and even for those who are having temporary ease, they cannot avoid the eventual undertaking of sufferings in birth, senility, illness and death. Therefore, arguments at a point in time and space are merely transient hassles; only endeavoring at Dharma practices toward liberation and awakening can ultimately benefit oneself and all others. The compassion of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas toward sentient beings lies in pity for their suffering from deluded grasping and offering of guidance that may lead beings to liberation and full enlightenment.

For a Dharma practitioner, if he/she remains stagnant in worldly views and comments, then there will be no date for liberation from Samsara. Only after one can consciously change one′s attitude to ″watching sentient beings with merciful eyes″ and care equally for all beings, and endeavor to engage in Dharma practices and activities, can one make significant advancement on the path toward liberation and enlightenment. This kind of change of attitude is the key turning point for liberation from Samsara; May all Dharma practitioners be capable of recognizing its importance and adopting it accordingly!

 

Written in Chinese and translated into English on June 28, 2019
El Cerrito, California