Reflections on Still Water
我们每天就是在这个时刻，所感觉到的就是同样的安详，感觉到人生平安的幸福。不过这种安详、平安，是不是一整天的时间，都同样是这样个感觉呢？难啊！感觉就是我们的心随着境界转。这个心经过昨天一天的辛苦劳动，对人对事，在昨夜经过一段时间，几个小时的休息，无论是身体的劳作，或是心灵的浮动，一直到晚上我们才能休息。
但是有的人，昨天或是过去的人事物，说不定连晚上睡觉，心都无法静下来，还是很浮动。早上起来也无法忘记昨天不高兴的事情，或是昨天所烦恼的事情。只要眼睛睁开，过去的事就马上覆心。这片心的湖水，好像只要眼睛一睁开风就动了，湖水没有静止的时候，这就是烦恼。凡夫就是烦恼不息，无法停息，常常都是模糊的境界。无法水镜月照清朗，都无法这样。
所我们学佛，就是要学得我们的心湖，常常都可以平静。心不能离开水，但是这一湖水是平静的水；我们的心水如果平静，自然境界明亮，就很清明。所以有一句话说：「千江有水千江月。」这就表示水的静止，没有受到动摇，他就能明净。
心的湖水，若能平静无波，不为烦恼无明动摇，就能月映千江，照见朗朗清空。
不过凡夫想要心的水平静不容易，所以一切众生都是在愚痴中。所以我们学佛，就要能知道－－在愚痴中都是贪！贪女色，或是贪一时口快。所以这里说凡夫心不知忏悔，错了还不知道忏悔，所以常常和恶友相结交；所以没有忏悔的心，就是还有一股的垢秽。
所以我们在这之间所做的一切，都是迷上加迷。已经很昏暗了再加上迷乱，这种昏迷，都是因为我们自己又自做。
或饮酒昏迷，无智慧心。
本来人人的凡夫心，无始以来都是层层叠叠。到了这一世人，又是自己对外境的境界，不断自己去创造。心迷昏暗的人生，所以说：「或饮酒昏迷，无智慧心。」
凡夫心，常在愚痴中产生贪恋，而无忏悔心，犹如污秽的水，无法清澈明朗。
所以我们学佛教是要学得，如何在面临困难时，我们应该用什么态度来面对，才能共济困难。人人心中都有现成本具的智慧，只是被无明所覆盖住，所以不得开朗。所以我们的心要很用心，尽量让我们心湖的水能平静下来，外面的境界才能看得清楚，要不然现行慧心就不得开朗了。
只要是这样，我们就会常常和无明愚惑的凡夫结交在一起，这个无明过不去。就像乌云遮挡在太阳面前，或是月亮面前，如果云不开的话，日与月就不得现前。
无智慧心，恒与众生造逆破戒。
同样的意思，因为我们「无智慧心，恒与众生造逆破戒」。我们常常就是和这些众生，在造逆、破戒。无论是国外劳工的罢工，这也是无明。钱难赚、工资少等等…大家如果能更认真一点，让这个社会平安下来，工作都能就序，人人平安，各国就能互通，那怕没有工作可以做呢？
所以如果人人都能智慧开通，运不就通了？就是不断地将我们的前途，我们的希望，自己阻挡了起来。我们心中本来就有光明，只是自己常常把他遮挡了起来，所以常常在那里造逆。
逆就是不顺，不顺道理、不顺人伦，都称为逆。若能依顺道理，自然人生就能平顺。既然是造逆，就是不肯按照顺序，像这样该守的规矩不肯守，反而去破戒。破戒就是很多人生的人伦道德，我们不遵守。
我们不只要爱自己，还要去爱别人，我们要敬重长辈、伦理，我们要开启爱心，爱天地一切万物。我们更要爱一切的性命。我们凡夫不敬不爱，这就是逆，有了这种逆，就会破很多的戒。因为他不爱不敬，所以他会杀害众生，只是逞一时的高兴，他不肯舍弃自己的固执，这样自己本身由不得自己就会贪。贪一时口福，杀了很多的众生。
人们心中本具，日月光明智慧，却因无明愚痴遮蔽，不顺人伦道理，不守规矩戒律，造逆破戒残害众生。
人称为万物之灵，却是伤害万物的刽子手，这就是人生最可悲的！对人不敬，对生命不爱，所以人的名称也叫做「众生」。所以我们要知道，这种造逆破戒是人的一念心，罪恶的源头，所以就会造作很多的罪业。
过去诸罪，现在众恶，今日至诚悉皆忏悔。
「过去诸罪，现在众恶。」「过去诸罪」就是指过去生所造的种种罪业，与生俱来带来的业。在这一世我们就已经带来很多过去生所造的业，带来很多的恶。过去的罪业不断地累积，什么都没有带来人间，只带来累积的业力来到这个世间，以致于隐伏的习气、恶劣的习气，这颗业的种子都带来了。这就叫做过去诸罪，既成的叫做罪。
「现在众恶」就是现在还在不断不断地在造业，不知道业的种子还不断累积，什么人造恶而不成业？每个人造恶过后，罪的种子就存在了。自己造业那个罪要自己去承担，若是又教别人去做，这种恶是非常可怕的！所以自做是罪，教别人去做就是恶。所以说「诸罪、众恶」。
我们不晓得知不知道，这种明知故犯，或是无知被人拖过去。若是知而故犯，这种罪恶就很重了。绝对是逃不过的，就算逃过这一生法律的制裁，逃过了这一辈子，但是逃不过来生。这一世让你逃过了，是因为过去生你除了造恶之外，你还有造了一点福缘，所以那些福享完了，结束了这一生。但这一世所造的种种罪恶，就会带到下一世。
在下一世一旦出世，可能出生的地方就无法像现在的环境，而是边地下贱、贫穷苦难的环境。或者是一生下来就处于或是身体、或是家境、或是人缘、周围的缘等等来世的苦难，处处都是折磨，也有可能会是这样。
人们来到世间，总是带着前世，累积的业力而来，今生又不断造新业，所以过去诸罪与现在众恶，层层纠缠。
过去或是自做，或是教他人做，我们如果在这个时候知道不对了，那怕是只有一天的生命，或是只有一年的生命，我们在有生之年，都要赶紧及时忏悔，多一年的忏悔，就能洗涤一整年的污秽；多一个月的忏悔，就能够洗涤一个月的污秽；那怕是最后的一天，就算是最后一天忏悔的种子也同样会存在。
我们若能忏悔就有机会得救，人生愈能及早即时忏悔，我们就能愈早累积忏悔、清净的种子；我们的罪恶就能早一天除灭－－消除一分覆盖的无明、被覆盖的罪恶。所以我们今天知道了，就应该要「至诚悉皆忏悔」，赶快将内心过去的错误、现在的过失，我们都要好好从内心忏悔出来。
忏悔就是发表出来，我错了，我承认我错了。昨天的错，今天的错，或是刚才说错了话，这都是错。我若能及时认错，这就叫做忏悔。
所谓「忏悔即清净」，即时发露忏悔，由内心起至诚之心，累积清净的种子。
忏悔能去除无明，所以各位，学佛最重要的就是在忏悔。所以我常常说：「法譬如水，能够洗涤垢秽。」我们凡夫昏迷没有智慧。其实凡夫也是智慧本具，但是因为无明覆蔽，所以无法开朗出来。我们一定要相信，过去很多的罪带来人生，这一世还是同样，有意无意的在造业造恶，所以我们大家要自己谨慎，有错要即时改过，若能及时忏悔改过，这样过错才能慢慢消除。
各位，消一分的业障，就是多一分的智慧。所以大家要时时多用心啊。
Every day at this same moment, we feel the same tranquility and the blessing of a peaceful life. But can we extend this feeling of tranquility and peace throughout the entire day? That is difficult.
Our minds constantly react to external conditions. Our minds worked very hard yesterday in dealing with people and things. Then throughout last night, we had a few hours of rest. Whether we are laboring with our body or constantly active with our minds, we cannot rest until the end of the day.
However, some people are preoccupied with people and events of yesterday. When they sleep in the night, their minds cannot calm down and are still active. When they wake up in the morning, they cannot forget yesterday's worries and unpleasantness. As soon as they open their eyes, the past rushed into their minds.
This mind is like a lake whose waters are stirred up whenever the eyes open. So the lake water is never still. This is due to afflictions. The minds of ordinary people face a constant stream of afflictions that they cannot stop. External conditions always look hazy because we cannot calm the waters and clearly reflect the moon.
We learn Buddha's Way to calm the lake water of our minds, so it will always be tranquil. Our minds are just like a lake. But it needs to be a lake with calm waters. If the water is tranquil, naturally we will see a bright, clear and pure reflection of our external conditions. Therefore, it is said, “There are a thousand moons in a thousand rivers”. This shows that when the water is still and calm, and is undisturbed, the reflections will be pure and clear.
If the lake water in our minds can remain tranquil and peaceful, it will not be disturbed by afflictions and ignorance. The moon can be reflected in a thousand rivers, and we can see the clear sky.
But it is not easy for ordinary people to keep their minds calm. All sentient beings exist in a state of ignorance. As we learn Buddhism, we learn that greed arises from ignorance, whether we are lusting or craving momentary pleasures. The Water Repentance states that ordinary people do not know to repent even when they act wrongly. They are often drawn to bad friends so they are unrepentant and defilement remains in their minds.
Because of this, everything they do becomes more and more deluded. Their ignorance minds grow more chaotic and confused. They create more and more of these delusions.
Those who drink are deluded and unwise.
Since the beginning of time, sentient beings' minds have been shrouded by accumulated ignorance. Then in this lifetime, they continuously create a life of further delusion and confusion in response to the external conditions they encounter. It is written, "Those who drink are deluded and unwise."
Ordinary minds constantly create greed and infatuation out of ignorance, and they are unrepentant. Like contaminated water, they do not have a pure and clear reflection.
In learning Buddhism, we learn to develop the mindset we need to face problems, so that we can solve these difficulties together.
This requires wisdom. We all inherently possess an innate wisdom. But it is covered by our ignorance, so it is not readily apparent. We must be very mindful of our thoughts and do our best to calm the lake water of our minds. Then we can clearly see our external conditions. Otherwise, our innate wisdom cannot shine through.
When this is the case, we will often find ourselves associating with ignorant and deluded people. If this ignorance does not pass, it is like a dark cloud that blocks the sun or the moon. If the cloud does not dissipate, the sun and the moon will not appear.
Without wisdom, we constantly break precepts and commit transgressions like other sentient beings.
In the same way, due to lack of wisdom, we “constantly commit offenses and break precepts like other sentient beings”. Like others, we often commit offenses and break precepts.
When works strike, that can be also a form of ignorance. Making money is tough, there is not a lot of work, wages may be low, etc., but if everyone can work a little harder and help stabilize society, then there will be order in working conditions. When there is peace, countries will trade with each other and we will not lack for job opportunities.
So if we all use our wisdom, then won't everything turn out well? Otherwise we continually create obstacles for our futures and our hopes. Our minds originally had wisdom as bright as the sun and moon but it has been covered by dark clouds. And thus, we continually commit evils.
We go against what is right, against what is logical, against what is moral. Such are transgressions. If we can abide by principles, naturally, our lives will be smooth. When we commit transgressions, we go against the order of things. In this way, we do not follow the rules and we break precepts, ignore ethics and morals.
Not only should we love ourselves, we should also love others, esteem elders, and respect morals. Let us awaken the love within us to love everything in the world. Moreover we need to love all living beings.
If we have no love or respect, we are against natural. Having this mentality, we will break many precepts. Without respect or love, we will harm or kill other sentient beings just for the momentary pleasure it brings. If we refuse to let go of our attachments, we cannot control ourselves and will be greedy. To satisfy a momentary craving, we will kill many living creatures.
Our minds inherently have wisdom that is as bright as the sun and moon. But due to ignorance and delusion, we go against morals and ethics and do not follow rules and precepts. Thus, in our transgression, we harm sentient beings.
Humans are called the most sentient of all beings. However, we are the butchers of all beings. This is the greatest tragedy of life. We disrespect others and do not cherish life. So human beings are also called sentient beings. We should know that a moment's thought of transgression and breaking precepts can start the vicious cycle of all types of evils.
Today we openly and with utmost sincerity repent all our past transgressions and all our present collective evils.
“Past transgressions and present evils.” Past transgressions refer to the bad karma we brought from our past lives. From our past lives we bring a lot of bad karma and a lot of evil. We continually accumulate bad karma. We do not bring anything with us to this world except the karma we have accumulated. This becomes latent habits which grow worse. They are the seeds of karma we bring to this life. These are called past transgressions. They have already been formed.
Present evils refer to the karma we still continually create. Unaware, we are accumulating karma. Who can commit evil without creating karma? After we commit an evil, the seed of bad karma comes into existence. We bear the consequences of transgressions. The evil of inciting others to do the same is truly frightening. Transgressions are offenses we commit. Evils are offenses we teach others to commit. Such are transgressions and evils.
Do we know if we are knowingly committing these offenses or unknowingly influenced others? If we are doing so knowingly, this type of bad karma will be tremendous and unavoidable. We may evade legal prosecution in this lifetime. Even if we evade it in this lifetime, we cannot evade it in future lifetimes. If we evade retribution in this lifetime, it is because we created some blessings along with evils in past lifetimes. Once our blessings are depleted and this lifetime ends' we will bring the bad karma we created in this lifetime to the next.
Perhaps we'll be born into a place that is nothing like our present conditions. It may be a remote and impoverished area, full of hardship and suffering. Perhaps, in the next life, when we are born, we will face suffering and torment of the body, in our family circumstances or in our relationships. In the next life, we may face tremendous suffering and challenges. This is not impossible.
We brought with us the karma accumulated from previous lifetimes. We came to this life and now continue to create new karma. Thus, the combination of our past transgressions and our present evils continue to create layers of entanglements.
Whether we committed the offenses or incited others to do so, if we now know that we were wrong, as long as we have one more day, or one more month to live, we need to immediately repent while we are alive. With one more year of repentance, we wash away a year of transgressions and evils. With one more month of repentance, we wash away a month of defilement. Even if it is our last day alive, we can still create the seeds of repentance.
As long as we repent, we can be saved. So the sooner in life we repent, the more time we have to accumulate the pure seeds of repentance. Then we can more quickly eliminate some of the ignorance, some of those transgressions and evils that cover our minds.
Now that we know, starting today, let us repent openly and with utmost sincerity. Let us quickly repent our past mistakes and present missteps. To repent is to openly confess our wrongs “I was wrong, I admit that I was wrong.” Whether we made the error yesterday, today, or even if we just misspoke, it is still a mistake. If we can admit our mistakes in time, that is called repentance.
It is said, “Repentance is cleansing”. If we immediately openly repent from the depths of our hearts, with utmost sincerity, we will accumulate the seeds of purity.
Repentance can eliminate ignorance. Therefore, it is very important to repent as we learn Buddhism. I keep saying, Dharma is like water, it can wash away defilements. Ordinary people are deluded and without wisdom. We do not lack wisdom, it is inherent in us, but it is cover by ignorance so it cannot shine forth.
We must believe that we come into life with a lot of bad karma. In this lifetime, intentionally or not, we still continually create bad karma and commit evils. Therefore, be very cautious. If a wrong is committed, quickly correct it. Repent and admit the mistake promptly. Thus we can gradually eliminate our wrongs.
Everyone, every bit of karma we eliminate is a bit of wisdom we gain. So everyone, please always be mindful.
出处：http://moya.iyard.org/bin/view/Blog/BlogEntry2195
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