A Still Mind Clearly Reflects Fxternal Conditions
学佛就是要时时保持这念心，心境即境界明，心灵的烦恼都是从外境招致，我们若是不清楚，看不开，自然烦恼不断覆盖。既然知道了，我们一定要好好洗除烦恼，洗涤烦恼之后，未做之罪就不敢复做。所以我们若把心灵洗涤干净之后，人生就可以重新开始。
心灵的烦恼，皆从外境招致，所以要好好照顾自己的心，洗除过去的烦恼，未来更要谨慎小心，不再造新的罪业。
我们要记得心要有一个皈依，就是一个宗教的皈依。宗教只要是正确的宗教，心有个皈依处，依照正确的轨道去实行，这样我们的人生就不会错误。
皈依佛，就是心心念念，都以佛陀的教示，作为生活的准则，起心动念，举手投足，无不依此而行。
佛是自觉、觉他、觉行圆满的觉者，将他觉悟的心境，再向智慧敏睿的人宣说他的教法。若是能够接受佛陀的教育，他就能发大心，行菩萨道，这叫做上求下化。虽然他能够行菩萨道，教化众生，他还要不断向佛求法，因为佛法浩瀚，虚空有进、诸法无穷，所以我们必定时时要有学习的心态，所以要精进。古人有句话说：「活到老，学到老。」甚至学到最后一口气也都还学不完，何况我们发大心，我们要度尽一切众生，所以我们必定要不断地向佛求法。
至心皈依十方尽虚空界一切诸佛，诸大菩萨、辟支、罗汉。
我们要不断向佛求道理，我们就要起虔诚敬仰的心，一心皈向。所以我们是：「至心皈依十方尽虚空界一切诸佛」、甚至「诸大菩萨、辟支、罗汉。」
凡是能开导我们，能更正我们的错误，引我们往正确的道路走，就是我们的善知识，这样的菩萨，我们要时时发愿皈依。
菩萨都是我们的榜样，甚至在我们的周围比比皆是，凡是能开导我们、能够更正我们的错误、能够引领我们往这条康庄大道走的，这都是我们的善知识。这种好的善知识，我们要时时发愿、皈依，跟着他的芳踪去实行。
辟支佛，能够自己觉悟证道，虽然没有发心度人，但他清净无染的智慧，值得我们学习。
再来就是辟支佛，他利根，他能从天地万物的型态当中，发现人生无常苦空的道理，所以他知道把握人生，赶紧自己去自修、去体会、去觉悟，这就是独觉。独觉就是自己自我觉悟，佛到了成佛时，就是要觉他、觉行圆满，三觉具足所以才称为佛。但辟支佛他只是自觉，他还无法发心觉他，所以他这样还不能很圆满，还有一些缺陷，所以称为独觉。尽管他是独觉，独善其身，不过他的智慧清净，也值得我们学习。
罗汉依照佛陀的教法，次第修行成道，虽然独善其身，但他能断除烦恼，努力修行的功夫，值得我们学习。
罗汉也类似，同样也是修自己，才开始以佛陀的教法，依照佛陀的教法，从初位、二果、三果、四果，按部就班，所以成为罗汉。修行的次序依照佛陀的教法，不过他畏因畏果，所以他脱离人群，这也是小乘独善其身。不过他也是值得我们尊重，人有善心不造恶业，都是值得我们尊重。何况他依照佛陀的教法，去修习他自己的行为，所以也值得我们学习。
梵王帝释，天龙八部，一切圣众，愿垂证鉴。
梵王、帝释、天龙八部等一切圣众，这就是除了在我们佛教的圣人以外，还有梵天王，就是天界，他们也能来投归佛教。天界很享受，我们多数都说「富贵学道难」，但是像这梵王、帝释，同样也是天界之王，他竟然也能归投佛法，像这种富贵中能够学道，也都值得我们尊敬。
何况能生于天界，都是要十善具足、福德圆满，才能生于天界，所以我们也应该尊重。梵天王，就是普通人说得三界公。帝释在地藏经中也已经说过了，就是三十三天忉利天的天王，他是大护法。
还有天龙八部，一切圣众，我们都要从内心起尊重敬仰，所以说「愿垂证鉴」，请他们来为我们做证明，来监督我们，我们过去的一切凡夫愚行，我们都要改过了。
以殷重虔诚的心，归仰佛法，请一切圣众，来为我们的忏悔改过，作监督，作证明。
从今天开始，我们要以虔诚的心皈仰佛法，所以我们要请辟支、罗汉、梵天王、帝释、天龙八部，为我们证明，来为我们评鉴，来监督我们。这就是表示我们所发的心，非常坚定恳切，所以请天龙八部，一起来为我们证明，来为我们评鉴、监督。所以我们要以这种虔诚的心，就开始礼佛。
我们若是诵水忏的时候，念诵忏文念到一个段落时，我们就起来礼佛，这就是表示我们的心已经决定了，表达很虔诚，所以我们礼佛。礼佛就是恭敬。
礼诸佛已，次复忏悔。
所以我们在这里再开始说，礼佛之后，从我们的内心再次发露。忏悔不只是一次而已，开头那段只是让我们知道，凡夫愚行，都是烦恼覆心，所以我们开始发心归投佛法，所以我们虔诚恭敬之后还要再度忏悔。我们常念的普贤菩萨行愿文当中：「往昔所造诸恶业，皆由无始贪瞋痴，从身语意之所生，一切我今皆忏悔。」
往昔所造诸恶业，皆由无始贪瞋痴，从身语意之所生，一切我今皆忏悔。——《华严经•普贤行愿品卷四十》
大家都会背，也都会念。「往昔所造诸恶业」这个往昔是无始的，无法计算我们到底在六道中经过了多少次的轮回？几生几世？从一念无明生，开始以境界、人我是非为缘，我们不断被无明层层叠叠的覆盖，在无明层层叠叠的覆盖，我们的业力，就是从迷中再去造业，业中又迷，迷中又再造业，环环复制。
我们现在常听到病毒，病毒只要有一只的病毒，他在复制会很快速，环环复制，所以病毒会散播的很厉害。我们的烦恼、这念无明，就和那只病毒一样，一旦有了病毒侵入内心，心灵污染去感染上这种病毒，要去除就很难。唯有以谦卑忏悔的心才能够去除。
无明烦恼，贪嗔痴慢疑，就是污染心灵的病毒，去除之法，唯有谦卑忏悔。
就像SARS，造成国际间大家的惊惶，大家的惶恐、人人自危，这个时候最重要的就是要人人谦卑，我们要戒慎虔诚，从内心起很虔诚的心，该隔离的就是要隔离、该去付出关怀的，我们要去做这分付出关怀。有的人很热心不顾一切，像是医疗人员、医疗团队，他们不顾一切走在第一线抢救生命，他们愿意舍身投入在浊气、病毒很重的环境中。这就是和佛菩萨来人间一样的心情。
诸佛菩萨一样舍离他清净的国土，走入五浊恶世的地方，无非是要抢救我们众生的慧命。我们众生在五浊中，同样不断地受到感染，很多不同的病毒，在不同的根机、环境中感染到。一种是抢救生命，一种是抢救慧命。在这个时代，需要紧急时有人愿意去，所以我们应该要尊重，要感恩。
奋不顾身，走入恶劣染浊的环境，去尽力救度他人，这样的人，无论身分为何，都值得我们尊敬，感恩。
在社会上大家人心惶惶的时候，我们用爱来呵护、肤慰很多人的心，这叫做守住健康。智慧与爱是我们人所不能缺少的，我们从内心清净的心，发出了忏悔。忏悔就是以佛法来洗涤，洗除我们的自私，洗除我们的无明。人如果自私，就会无明、无知。这种无明不断地覆盖我们的心，只会爱自己，不能爱别人，这也是心灵的病毒。
无论有形或无形的病毒，都要以爱心和智慧来对治，忏除过往的错误人生，以清净无染的法水，洗涤身心内外的垢浊，才有康复的可能。
所以我们要发挥高度的爱心，我们要发挥那份最清净、敏睿的智慧，这样才对。若没有人人是生命共同体的观念；若不能在彼此相处之间，用爱守好自己的规矩，好好发挥我们的爱心。若是不能这样，任何一个地方都有感染的可能。这样说起来，心灵的病毒很可怕，比外面的SARS 病毒更可怕。
所以学佛者，最重要的是要用法水来清洗，来照顾好心灵的环境卫生，要常常好好为我们的内心做清扫。
忏悔即清净，忏悔要以法水来清除内心垢秽，所以请大家要时时多用心啊！
Learning Buddhism is about being constantly mindful of our thoughts. A calm mind clearly reflects external conditions. Afflictions arise due to our reaction to external conditions. If we are unclear and cannot see through things, afflictions will continue to arise.
Since we know this, we must work hard to eliminate afflictions. After they are eliminated, we dare not repeat our transgressions. After we have cleansed our minds, our lives start anew.
Mental afflictions arise due to our reactions to external conditions. So take good care of the mind, wash away past afflictions and be even more cautious in the future, so as to not create new bad karma.
Remember that our minds need to seek refuge in something, in the refuge of religion. As long as it is a proper religion, our minds will have something to rely on If we practice according to the right path, then we will not go wrong in life.
Taking refuge in the Buddha means that we constantly are mindful of His teachings and use them as guidelines for our daily living. Every thought and every action should abide solely by these rules.
Buddha, the Enlightened One, awakens the self and others with perfect enlightened practice. With the enlightened mindset, the Buddha teaches those who are wise and keen if people can accept the Buddha's teachings, they can resolve to follow the Bodhisattva-path “to seek enlightenment and transform all beings”.
They walk the Bodhisattva-path, transform sentient beings, and continuously seek Dharma. Buddha's Dharma is vast and profound. “The universe may have its limit, Dharma is limitless.” Therefore, we must constantly be ready to learn the Dharma. So always be diligent.
There is an ancient saying, “Live till old age, learn till old age”. Even if we learn until our very last breath, we cannot learn everything. We have also made the great vow to transform all sentient beings, so be must continuously seek Dharma from the Buddha.
Take refuge in all the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Pratyekabuddhas and Arhats of the Ten Directions and the entire universe.
To constantly seek the Truth from the Buddha, we should be sincere, respectful and single-mindedly take refuge. We take refuge in all the Buddhas of the Ten Directions and the entire universe. All great Bodhisattvas are also our role models.
Anyone who can guide us, correct our mistakes, and lead us toward the right path is a spiritual friend. Such friends are the Bodhisattvas in whom we should always take refuge.
Especially those surrounding us; they are all Bodhisattvas. Anyone who can guide us, correct our mistakes, and lead us toward this broad path is a spiritual friend. Always resolve to take refuge with these spiritual friends and follow them in their footsteps.
A Pratyekabuddha can enlighten himself and realize the Truth. Though he did not resolve to transform others, his pure and undefiled wisdom is worthy for us to learn from.
Next, the text mentions Pratyekabuddhas. They are very sharp. By seeing how everything constantly changes, they realized the truths of impermanence, suffering, and emptiness. They seize the moment to quickly focus on their own spiritual cultivation, so as to gain experiences and realizations. They are called Pratyekabuddhas.
They focus on their own enlightenment; Buddha attained Buddhahood through accomplishing the three Elements of Enlightenment. They are enlightening self, enlightening others, and perfect enlightened practice. A Pratyekabuddha seeks self-enlightenment only. He cannot resolve to enlighten others, so his enlightenment is not perfect. It has deficiencies. They are called Pratyekabuddhas. They gain self-realization only to benefit themselves. But their pure wisdom is worthy for us to learn from.
Following the Buddha's teachings, Arhats practice according to the sequential order of the path and attain realization. Though they focus on their own enlightenment, their mastery in eliminating affliction is worthy to be emulated.
Arhats are similar. They also focus on self-cultivation. They just follow the Buddha's teachings. They practice the initial, second, third, and fourth stages of Arhathood in sequential order. Thus they achieve Arhathood. They practice Buddha's teachings in order. But they are afraid of cause and effect so they remove themselves from others. They are the Hinayana practitioners.
Although they seek to benefit themselves, they still deserve our respect. Anyone who is kind and does not create bad karma is worthy of our respect. Moreover, they practiced and conducted themselves according to the Buddha's teachings. So, they are worthy to be our teachers.
May Brahma, Sakra, Devas, Nagas, eight Classes of Heavenly beings and all sages witness my prayer.
“Brahma, Sakra, Devas, Nagas, eight Classes of Heavenly Beings and all sages”; aside from sages in the Buddhist tradition, there is also Brahma and the Heavenly Realm. All of them also come and take refuge in Buddhism. The Heaven Realm is full of pleasures. We often say, “Spiritual practice is difficult for the rich”. Brahma and Sovereign Sakra are kings in the Heaven Realm but even they can take refuge in Buddha's Dharma. The wealthy, on the path of practice, deserve our respect.
Moreover, only those who accomplish the practice of the Ten Virtues and realize blessings and virtues can be born in the Heaven Realm. So, we should also respect them.
People refer to Brahma to as the lord of three Realms. According to the Earth Treasury Sutra, Sovereign Sakra is Lord of the Trayastrimsha Heaven and a great protector of Dharma.
Along with Devas, Nagas, and eight Classes of Heavenly beings, let us truly respect and admire them all. So, we humbly pray they will “be our witnesses”. We ask them to bear witness for us and to supervise us. We must correct the foolish ways of the past. We must correct the foolish ways of the past.
Take refuge in Buddhism with utmost sincerity, we ask that Pratyekabuddhas, Arhats, Brahma, Sovereign Sakra, eight Classes of Heavenly Beings bear witness for us and supervise us.
Starting from today, let us take refuge in Buddhism with utmost sincerity. Therefore we ask that Pratyekabuddhas, Arhats, Brahma, Sovereign Sakra, eight Classes of Heavenly Beings to bear witness for us and supervise us.
This signifies that our resolve is very firm and sincere. That is why we ask eight classes of Heavenly Beings to bear witness, judge, and supervise to bear witness, judge, and supervise us with such sincerity that we begin to pay respect to Buddha.
When we recite the Water Repentance, at the end of certain sections we stand and pay respect to Buddha. This shows that our minds are already made up. This shows that our minds are already made up. To express our sincerity, we bow to Buddha; Bowing to the Buddha shows our respect.
After we pay respect to Buddha, we repent again.
As we begin here, our voice should be gentle. We pay our respect, again from the depths of our heart. We recite repentance does not happen just once. The opening section says when ignorance covers the mind, ordinary people act ignorantly. Thus, we resolve to take refuge in the Dharma. After we sincerely pay respect to the Buddha, we repent again.
The Aspiration of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva states, “All the bad karma created in the past, rooted in greed, hatred, ignorance since beginningless time, and born of body, speech and mind, I am now repenting all today.”
“All the bad karma created in the past, rooted in greed, hatred, ignorance since beginningless time, and born of body, speech and mind, I am now repenting all today.”
All of us can recite these verses from memory “All the bad karma created in the past”. This past began in beginningless time, it is impossible to calculate how long, how many lifetimes we have spent transmigrating through the Six Realms. It all began with one ignorant thought, with the conditions of conflicts and our surroundings. We are continuously covered by more and more ignorance. With the accumulation of all that ignorance, we create karma. In the midst of delusion, we create karma. Then karma makes us more deluded. Thus we create more karma. The cycle continues to repeat.
We now often hear of viruses. A single virus can multiply quickly and repeatedly. Therefore, viruses spread very quickly. Our afflictions, our ignorant thoughts, are just like viruses. Once the virus invades our minds and defiles our spirit, eliminating it is very difficult. The only way is to have a humble, repentant mind.
Afflictions of greed, anger, are viruses that defile the mind. The only way to eliminate them is humble repentance.
Take SARS for example. It created a global panic. Everyone was scared and felt threatened. At such a time, the most important thing is for everyone to be humble. We must be cautious and reverent. Reverence must arise from the depths of our minds. Quarantine those who need to be quarantined and offer care to those who need it.
Some people disregard everything in their desire to help, like medical personnel and medical teams. They disregard everything to be on the front line to save lives. They are willing to sacrifice their lives and enter areas of severe infection. Is this not like Buddhas and Bodhisattvas who come into the Human Realm?
All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas leave behind their pure lands to enter this evil world of five turbidities solely to rescue the Wisdom-lives of sentient beings. In this defiled world. We sentient beings are continually infected by many types of viruses, because of our different capabilities and under different conditions. So, some rescue physical lives; others rescue Wisdom-life. In a time of urgent need, we must give our respect to and be grateful for those who are willing to serve.
Without regard for themselves, they enter evil and defiled conditions to do their best to save and transform others. No matter what their social status is, they deserve our respect and gratitude.
When the public is panicking, let us use love to comfort and soothe their hearts. That is called safeguarding health. Humans cannot lack either wisdom or love. With our pure minds, let us express our repentance.
In repenting, we use Dharma to wash away our selfishness and our ignorance. If we are selfish, we will be ignorant and blind. This ignorance will continuously cover our minds. So we only love ourselves and cannot care about others. This is a type of mental virus.
Whether the virus is tangible or not, we need to treat it with love and wisdom. Repent the mistakes of the past. Use pure and undefiled Dharma-water to wash away defilements in body and mind. Then we have the potential to heal.
We must display a high degree of love and the purest, keenest wisdom. That is the way to live. If we do not recognize that we are all interconnected, if we cannot love each other, follow our rules, or express our love, follow our rules, or express our love, then no matter where we are, we can become contaminated. Therefore, mental viruses are very frightening, even more than the SARS virus
So it is important for us Buddhist practitioners to use Dharma-water to cleanse and sanitize our mental conditions. We must constantly clean up our minds.
Repentance is cleansing. To repent is to use Dharma-water to wash away mental defilement. So, everyone, please always be mindful.
出处：http://moya.iyard.org/bin/view/Blog/BlogEntry2199
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