Do Good, Cultivate Virtues, Stay Far From Evil
我们学佛，就是要将过去很多的无明烦恼洗除，无论过去所造的罪，或是现在的恶，我们从今天开始，此时此刻，必定要启发内心这份最至诚的心念，将过去的罪或恶慢慢忏悔。
忏悔就是洗涤，依照佛陀的教法；法如水，这股清水能洗除我们过去、现在、未来的种种罪恶错误，要用心去洗除。过去能洗净，未来的「未做之罪不敢更做」。
以忏悔洗心，涤除过去的错误和罪业，面对未来，也要时时惕励自己，莫以善小而不为，莫以恶小而为之。
过去错误是因为无明覆蔽，不知道所以我们做了。现在学佛了，我们也至诚的忏悔了，忏悔即清净，既然忏悔了，我们从现在开始，要好好保持这片清净的心态。未做的罪，我们要说不敢了，不敢再做了。
我们要知道「莫以恶小而做之」，不要想：「只做了一点点而已，我就算犯了有什么好怕的？」不要这样想，因为小恶积久了也是大恶。也不要以为只是一点点小善，做那么点小善有什么功德？不要想说：「我要做就做大的，才做那么一点点会有什么功德？」要知道有一句话说：「莫以善小而不为。」所以我们要知道，要常常警惕，不要以为只有一点点恶没有关系，也不要轻视一点点小善而已，做了没有功德，不要这样想。
我们如果人人知道，为善是人的本份，远离罪恶是我们人的规矩。我们若能遵守规矩，也能守于本分，这样的人生就不会犯错了，这样的人生就对了。
为善修德，是人的本分，远离罪恶，是人的规矩，尽本分，守规矩，人生就不会走入偏差。
所以我们过去的既然忏悔了，未来就要做好，把心照顾好，不要有一点点污染，行为不要再有偏差，所以「未做之罪不敢更做」，不敢再做了。
至心皈依，十方尽虚空界，一切诸佛。
所以现在人人每天都要保持好我们这念心。我们现在要「至心皈依，十方尽虚空界一切诸佛。」
「宗」是人生的宗旨，「教」是终身的教育，宗教就是人生的方向，只要方向宗旨选择正确，精进而行，就会有成功的人生。
因为我们的心一定要有个依靠，要有个依归，我们的心若有依靠，人生就有方向，方向就是宗教。「宗」就是人生的宗旨，「教」是终生的教育。我们一辈子的教育、生活的教育，这些都在宗教当中。无论你信仰什么宗教，只要我们好好选择，选择正信、选择正教，只要有一个正字，这一条人生的轨道就是对的了。
假使我们尚未皈依什么宗教，最起码我们自己的人生本分，不能脱离我们人生的宗旨。人之初、性本善，人既然在人间，我们一切都要往善的、往好的走，这就是我们的宗旨。我们要奋发图强，要精进，不要懈怠，精进的路如果正确，这样的人就是成功的人。但若懈怠不肯精进的人生，就一定是堕落。
在慈济里面，有很多真的是很励志的人生，都能让我们作为人生模范的人。像李宗吉居士，他小时候家庭贫困，又生于乱世，加上父亲早逝，大哥也早就夭折了，姊姊都嫁人了，母亲一年一年的老去，所以他一定要负起责任。要孝顺他的母亲，也要疼惜他的妹妹，这就是他的立志。
虽然读小学，虽然读书的时候老师很欣赏他，用功、精进、认真，但是要考中学了，需要注册费六块钱，就是没有六块钱。那时他的母亲要把她的手环拿去当，想要借钱，别人也都不肯借。为了不让母亲辛苦，为了不增加母亲的负担，所以他甘愿把书全部烧掉，他觉得养家就是他的责任，所以他甘愿去作童工。
他的本性就是忠实，非常忠厚。老板也觉得这个孩子很忠厚老实、认真打拼，觉得这个孩子可以栽培，好几次把钱乱丢，要试验这个孩子，孩子很老实，在那个墙角捡到钱，无论是一元、五角，一旦捡到了钱都会赶快拿去给老板，拿去管帐的人，说他在哪里捡到五角，或是在哪里捡到一元。老板经常观察他，觉得他很认真、打拼、忠厚、老实，认为这个孩子将来一定会成功，绝对要栽培他。
因为老板有心有意栽培他，所以他就此踏上人生的道路，经过很多辛苦的经历，无论是掌厨，或是行船等等，做很辛劳的工作。经过好几次海上的风浪，很危险，他也逃过来了，为了就是要守好他的本份。十分立志认真努力，后来，来到台湾，他成为一位海上基业的企业家，很有成就，不只是他的事业成就，他的孝道也完全没有改变。等到他成功了，他就把他的母亲接过来台湾，那分孝顺实在是没有人比得上。
等到母亲过世之后，他在阳明山上造了一座很好的墓地。从前一般人尽孝，是守三年的墓，但是他不是，为了要尽孝，所以他日日夜夜都在那边守墓。也为了要守好他母亲的墓，他们夫妻就住在阳明山，尽管孩子有的都到台北去了，也都事业有成，但是他就是住在阳明山，就住在墓地的附近。也可以看到那一块的墓地，每天都有清扫过，一枝杂草都没有，一点尘土也都没有，能够看得出。甚至他的太太也说：「无论是刮风下雨，他每天都会去向妈妈问安，每一天都会去清扫墓地。这一点他实在做得很彻底，从来都不间断，这也是他每天的课程。」墓地清扫好了，回家沐浴更衣、用餐，然后才去上班，这就是他的人生。
诚正信实，行善尽孝，守于本分，勤于奋斗，这段人生一定成功。
这就是要对大家说，这叫做守本分，这叫做奋斗的人生。人生若能奋斗，能守本分，这段人生一定是成功的，所以这是他人生的宗旨。所以我们皈依诸佛，就是我们的心，要有个皈依的方向，有一个依靠，不只是佛，包括「诸大菩萨、辟支、罗汉」这都是洁身自爱。
上求佛道，下化众生，积极利人而自利，即是菩萨。
「菩萨」是自利利人，能够上求佛道、下化众生，他能守住佛陀的教法，能积极接近人群，救济众生，这叫做菩萨。还有「辟支、罗汉」。
生在无佛的时代，观察天地万物，与人身心的变迁，因而独自觉悟成道的，即是辟支佛。
「辟支佛」是出在无佛的时代，但是他能够独觉。看到人生岁月变迁；能看到大地万物，这种凋零茂盛的情景，都是随着四季变迁。所以他能体会三理四相，大地万物的景象。还有生、老、病、死等等的变化；还有人的心理的生、住、异、灭等等心态的无常。所以他能觉悟。
虽然无佛在世，不过其实佛法无处不在，佛性人人都有，只要根基敏睿的人，就算无佛在世，他也能观境觉悟，体会人生万物景象，他就能启发内心这一份的觉性，这叫做辟支佛，也叫做独觉。就是自己能去体会。
独善其身，证悟空性之道，断除了烦恼根源，从生死轮回中解脱的，即是罗汉。
「罗汉」不只在有佛之时有罗汉，无论是有佛在世，或是无佛在世的时候都会有罗汉。他就是洁身自爱，但是他怕因果，所以只想着要消过去的业，但是他不能去造未来的福。因为福要在人群中得，但是他就是远离人群，他只想要独善其身，这就是罗汉。
无论是诸佛，自觉、觉他、觉行圆满，这称为佛。或是菩萨，他不只是上求，还积极的下化，这都是我们的榜样。而懂得洁身自在的人，也是值得我们学习的人。我们学佛者不能够懈怠，「此身不向今生度，更向何生度此身。」
我们难得听闻佛法，只是洁身自爱做个自了汉这样还不够，我们更要上求下化，我们的目标就是能自觉、觉他、觉行圆满，这才是我们要精进的目标。
所以请大家要多用心。
We learn Buddha's Way to wash away much of our past ignorance and affections, whether they are transgressions from the past or evils committed in this lifetime. Starting from today, from this very moment, we must be inspired in the depth of our hearts to repent our transgressions and eliminate evils with utmost sincerity.
Repentance is a form of cleansing. According to the Buddha's teachings, Dharma is like water. This pure water can wash away our transgressions and mistakes from our tats, present, and future, so we should cleanse ourselves mindfully. We can wash away the past and “dare not to commit future transgressions”
Cleanse the mind with repentance by washing away past mistakes and bad karma. Constantly be vigilant and self reflect. Do not forgo good deeds because they are small. Do not commit evils because they are small.
Ignorance led to our past mistakes. Since we did not know better, we committed wrongs. But, now we are learning Buddha's Way and have already repent with utmost sincerity. Repentance purifies us. Now that we have recognized and repented our mistakes, let us carefully preserve this pure mindset. Of future transgressions, we must say, “We dare not commit them again”.
“Do not commit evils because they are small.” Do not think, “It is just a tiny evil, I'm not afraid of the consequences.” Do not think that way. Small evils accumulate and become big evils.
Do not think “That is just a small good deed, would performing it bring me any merit? I want to do something more significant. What meant comes of such a tiny act?” There is a saying, “Do not forgo good deeds because they are small.” So we must know to always be vigilant. Do not think a small evil is not a big deal. Do not think no merit comes from doing a small good deed. Do not think this way.
If we all know that doing good is our fundamental responsibility and staying far away from evil is a rule for life, if we know the rules and uphold our fundamental responsibilities, we will live a life free of mistakes. That is the right way to live.
Doing good and cultivating virtues is a fundamental human ability. Staying away from evil is a rule for living. If we fulfill our responsibilities and follow the rules, we will not go astray in life.
Therefore, since we have repented the past and are starting anew, we need to do well. Take good care of the mind so there is no trace of impurity and no deviation in conduct. Thus, we “dare not commit future transgressions.” We dare not do it again.
Sincerely take refuge in all Buddha's of the Ten Directions and the entire universe.
From now on every day, let us maintain this mindset and “sincerely take refuge in all Buddha's of the Ten Directions and the entire universe”.
Religion provides guiding principle for life as well as lifelong teachings. Religion gives us a direction for life. As long as we chose the right direction and right principles, and pursue them diligently, we will lead successful life.
Our minds need something to depend on and to rely on. When our minds have something to rely on, our life will have a direction. Our direct on comes from religion. A religion provides guiding principles and an education for life, in religion we can find teachings that guide us through our daily living.
Which religion we believe in does not matter, as long as we chose carefully. Choose one with Right Beliefs and Right Teachings. As long as they are Right, we are on the right path.
If we have not chosen to follow any religion, at the very least, our fundamental responsibility needs to adhere to our life's principles. Humans are inherently good. Since we are in this world, everything we do should be kind and good. These are our guiding principles. We must work hard and get stronger, be diligent. Do not slack off. If our diligence is correctly applied, we will definitely succeed. If we are lazy and refuse to be diligent, we will certainly degenerate.
In Tzu Chi there are many inspiring stories of people who serve as our role models in life. Take Mr. Li Zong-Ji, for example. He grew up in a poor family during a time of chaos. To make things worse, his father died young. His older brother also died young. His elder sisters were married and his mother was getting old so he had to shoulder the responsibility of being filial to his mother and looking after his younger sister. He resolved to do this.
When he was in elementary school, his teachers admired him because he was a hardworking and diligent student. But, when it came time to apply for middle school, he did not have six dollars to pay the registration fee. His mother wanted to pawn her bracelet, but no one was wiling to lend them money. To make things easier for his mother and to not add to her burdens, he voluntarily burned all his schoolbooks. He felt that supporting the family was his duty so he willingly went to work as a child laborer.
He was very faithful and honest. His boss saw that he was grounded and hardworking, and felt that he had potential. His boss left money around many times to test his honesty. He was indeed very honest. Whenever he found money on the floor, whether it was a dollar or fifty cents, he gave it to his boss or the accountant right away. He would say, “I found fifty cents there” or found a dollar there”. After observing him for a while, his boss saw that he was very hardworking, diligent, honest, and faithful.
He believed the boy would be very successful so he was determined to train the boy and advance his career. Thus Mr. Li began his career path. He went through many hardships, from being a chef to navigating a boat. He did very labor-intensive work. He rode through many storms at sea, it was very dangerous and he survived. He focused on fulfilling his responsibilities and he was very committed, diligent, and hardworking.
Later, he came to Taiwan and eventually became a successful shipping magnate. Though he became very successful, his filial piety to his mother never wagered. When he established himself, he brought his mother to Taiwan. His filial piety was truly unequalled.
After his mother passed away, he built an elegant gravesite for her on Mount Yang-Ming. In the past to be filial, a person guarded his parent's grave for three years. But Mr. Li went beyond that. He swept his mother's gravesite everyday. To look after his mother's gravesite, he and his wife moved to Mount Yang-Ming. Though his children moved to Taipei and were successful in their careers, he and his wife stayed on Mount Yang-Ming to be close to the gravesite.
One can truly see that someone tidies up her gravesite every day. There is not one weed or a hint of dust. This is very apparent. Even his wife said, “He really fulfills this duty very thoroughly. Neither hurricanes nor rain can stop him from visiting his mother's grave to greet her and tidy up her gravesite. This is part of his daily routine. ” After he tidies up her gravesite, he goes home to shower, eat breakfast, and begins to work. That is how he lives.
Be sincere, upright, faithful and honest. Do good, be filial, fulfill fundamental responsibilities, and be diligent. Thus, we will surely be successful in life.
So, everyone, this is what it means to fulfill fundamental responsibilities and to be diligent in life. If we can be diligent and fulfill our fundamental responsibilities, we will undoubtedly be successful in life. These were the guiding principles in his life.
When we take refuge in all Buddha's, our minds have a direction to rely on, something to depend on. Aside from Buddha, there are “Great Bodhisattvas, Pratyekabuddha and Arhat” who are pure and have self-respect.
Seeking Buddha's Way and transforming sentient beings, diligently benefiting others and thus diligently benefiting others and thus themselves, such people are Bodhisattvas.
Bodhisattvas seek to benefit themselves and others. They seek Buddha's Way and transform sentient beings. They can abide by the Buddha's teachings and are actively engaged with living beings to relieve their suffering. Such people are Bodhisattvas. Now for Pratyekabuddha and Arhat.
Born in an era without Buddha, they observed everything in the world and the changes in human bodies and minds to attain self-enlightenment and Buddhahood. Such people are Pratyekabuddha.
Pratyekabuddha were born before Buddha's time. But even so they attained enlightenment by observing life's changes over time. They observe the flourish and decline of everything in the world with the changing seasons and passing time. So they realized the three Axioms and four Stages of everything in the world as well as the progression of age, illness, and death and the arising, abiding changing and extinction of our mindsets. Thus Pratyekabuddha attained enlightenment.
There was no Buddha during that time, but in truth, Dharma is everywhere and everyone inherently has Buddha-nature. For those with a keen and discerning mind, even in an era without a Buddha, it is possible to realize truths. By observing all the phenomena around them they could awaken the enlightened nature within. Such beings are called Pratyekabuddha, or Self-realizes, since they awakened to truths on their own.
They focus on their own enlightenment to attain and realize the path of Emptiness, to eliminate all sources of attrition, and to transcend the cycle of life and death. Such people are Arhat.
Next are Arhats. There are Arhats in eras both with and without Buddha's. They remain pure and have self-respect. But they are scared of cause and effect, so they only try to eliminate past bad karma, they do not know to create future blessings. Blessings can only be attained among the people, but Arhat stayed away from people to focus on their own enlightenment. Such people are Arhat.
All Buddha's attain enlightenment of self, others and perfect enlightened practice. They are called Buddhas or Bodhisattvas. They seek enlightenment and to transform others. They are our role modes. As for those who remain pure and have self-respect, they are also worthy role models. Therefore everyone as Buddhists we cannot slack off. If we do not transform ourselves in this lifetime, when will we have the opportunity to do so again?
The opportunity to hear Dharma is rare. Just staying pure, having self-respect, and focusing of self-cultivation are not enough. We must also emulate Bodhisattvas, to seek enlightenment and transform living beings. Our goal is to awaken ourselves, others, and attain perfect enlightened practices. This is the goal we diligently pursue.
So, everyone, please always be mindful.
出处：http://moya.iyard.org/bin/view/Blog/BlogEntry2197
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