Blessings Arise when Bad Karma are Eliminated
刚才从内室出来之前要礼佛的时候，在佛前看到两朵很美的牡丹花，礼佛完毕之后就坐了下来。然后到刚才要出来时，站起来转过身，忽然间其中一朵的花瓣，整个掉下来。让我吓了一跳！无常啊！这么盛开的牡丹花，刚才看到才很开心，但是才不久的时间，忽然间整个凋谢了。
世间万物皆有成住坏空之变，心念亦有生住异灭的迁流，若能体悟不执着于人事物上，就能生起清净的真如智慧。
花开花落，无常不只是花草的世界，其实天地万物一统都一样，只是有的时间较长，有的时间比较短，都离不开成、住、坏、空，那就是这个世间的景象。人同样离不开生、老、病、死。
最令我们烦恼的就是心灵，心理是生、住、异、灭的，这种生、住、异、灭只是在一念间，很快生出来，住在我们心中没有多久，一下就变异了，一下子就灭掉了。心无法常住，天地万物，人生幸与不幸，很多都是从心起。无论外面的境界如何，心若是有所著，烦恼就会不断覆心。什么叫做幸福？人心若不满足，永远都没有福。这就是心无定相，不只是无定相，最可怕的是无定性，这就是我们的凡夫心。
三宝即是一切众生良友福田，若能归向者，则灭无量罪，长无量福，能令行者离生死苦，得解脱乐。
所以我们前面说过了，心若能归向，我们有个信仰的依靠，我们自然就能灭除很多罪业，罪业灭，福就生。其实人生本来就是无常的环境，不断轮转、不断更替。几十年的寿命，有幼年、少年、青年，慢慢壮年、老年，身体形态随着岁月迁变，都是在我们不知觉当中。
为什么我们会不知不觉？哪一天让它老化了呢？怎么挡不住呢？就是因为不知道，所以我们才挡不住它。我们若能知道，就能将之隔离，我就到少年这里，永远都年少。除非我们的寿命就到那里，这样我们就没有老年了。所以有很多的不知，就是因为不知，所以我们会造成很多的无明烦恼。
人因无知再造无明，因无明再覆烦恼，烦恼不断覆心，必生恶业。
病，大家都怕，怕生病。要如何才能逃过病痛，延续生命？无知的众生就继续造业。你看，人生当中有很多人有病忌医，就去找偏方，有时候去杀其他的生命，想要保住自己命。这就是无知再造无明，无明再覆烦恼。这就是人心不断迁变，这种无知令他畏惧、令他烦恼、令他…不断产生，所以这种制造业的种子，都是在心灵。
有的人了解生与死是自然的法则，他看开了，视死如归，知道－－「我一期的人生，是应该结束的时候。我今天眼睛睁开，还有生命，还有感觉，我就要过一个很欢喜的生活，我应该要和大家保持好的缘。」
我们可还记得，有好几位到了临终的时候，都很洒脱的跟大家说：「师姊！再见，我会再来。我会快去快回！」这么的乐观，这么的开朗，那种心灵那么的明朗，到了人生的尽头，他没有惊惶，这就是「知」，这就是「觉」。
今日所以忏悔者，正为无始以来在凡夫地，莫问贵贱，罪相无量，或因三业而生罪，或从六根而起过。
对生死的苦恼能看得开，能知道这是人生必然的，没什么好惊惶的，我们就能够解脱了。所以我们学佛最重要的，就是要在这个地方，找出一个解脱的方法。我们心灵可以依靠这么好的道理、这么好的道路，我们就要用心走。我们有了依靠之后，就能够将我们的心看顾好。哪一个时候在造业都能够马上就知道，就能够立即忏悔。忏悔是最好的法门。
「莫问贵贱，罪相无量。」不管你是显达的贵人，或是一般的贩夫走卒，人人都有从过去生所带来的罪业，所以很多罪业，过去都不知道，都不知道要忏悔，现在知道了，因为我们现在是佛弟子了，所以知道要忏悔了。
或因三业而生罪，或从六根而起过。
所以罪业到底是怎么来的？三业！什么是三业？大家应该都知道，知道「身、口、意」叫做三业。到底我们的身造了什么的业？就是「杀、盗、淫」，这个身体实在是无恶不作。但是归类起来就是三业。
十恶业
身业：杀生、偷盗、邪淫；
口业：妄语、两舌、恶口、绮语；
心业：贪、瞋、痴
杀，众生杀业为重。看每一个人从出生到现在，只是经由我们的口，就不知已经吞食了多少的生命到肚子里面。世间多少珍禽走兽，为了人的口感、口福，你想，这样就杀了多少生灵？有人说过这样的一句话：「他们若不吃，我就不会杀，你如果有怨恨想要讨债，就向吃肉的人去讨债。」
看，这个杀业如何造成的？大家都觉得我又没有杀，我只是吃而已又没有怎样。大家都想说：「我只是吃，我又没有杀。」其实因为你吃，所以他杀。一天的时间，造就了多少的杀业呢？
禽流感，就是家禽的病毒传染给人类，所以欧洲不断扑杀，所有的家禽已经杀了几千万只，为了供应人食用，所以用种种方式，无论是怎样虐待的方法，或是种种非常不合法的手腕去喂养。现在出了毛病，同样也是不择手段的去扑杀。这种杀业，无论是直接、间接，有多少啊！都是为了这个身体，为了口福而杀的生命，不计其数。
人的心的烦恼若没有控制好，人与人之间制造的杀业，有的为情而杀，有的为利而杀，有的就是为仇、为了种种埋怨囤积而去杀。有的无缘无故，起了一念不欢喜心就去杀。不只是为名、为利、为色，与自己有关的而去杀。就连对自己的父母、师长，也都是一样。总归一句，这个杀业就是因为我们有这个身体。
「盗」，身体会去抢、去偷。现在的人光天化日之下，他也敢抢。不只是抢东西，抢了东西还杀人，甚至绑架，社会问题层出不穷。每天的社会新闻触目惊心，这就是人的这种「盗」，其实也都不是为了生活而去抢。如果我们能够安分守己，生活需要多少呢？好好惜物、疼物、爱物，其实不需要很多物质。
但是人就是欠缺那分安分守己，所以就有这种心灵上的脱轨，自然他就以为要享受，享受不到的，他就去做这种铤而走险的事情。也知道抢或是绑架等等逃不过法网，但是无明、无知就去做了。除了自己害自己，当然也是损他人，这种盗、抢、偷的心态，也是招来许多社会不安，招来自己身败名裂，真的也是在造业。
再来就是「淫」业。有一则国际新闻，在伊朗有发生过在街道上人很多的地方，他们用刑具要执行死刑，搭了一个台子，当众很多人围着，看这些罪犯被吊起来，当街吊死。有五个罪犯，这五个罪犯到底是犯了什么样的罪呢？玷污妇女！在伊朗这个国家，这种罪是很重的。侵犯妇女就是「淫」。在伊朗认为淫就是乱国的根源，所以这个罪业比什么都大。看，这就是「淫」。
人云：「万恶淫为首，百善孝为先。」所以很多恶业，都是来自于这个身体。杀、盗、淫就是我们的身所造的三业。所以身三（杀、盗、淫）、口四（绮语、妄语、两舌、恶口）、意三（贪、瞋、痴），合起来的十恶业，就是从这里开始。
各位，无论是杀、盗、淫，这都是烦恼覆藏，无始以来，种种烦恼就是这样一层一层的累积上去，所以才会养成这种无知、无明的习气，所以才会去造这样的业。
我们现在应该要多忏悔，忏悔就像用水来洗涤污垢一般。「法譬如水」，我不断地对大家这样叮咛，所以学佛者在日常生活当中，要时时忏悔。不只是一日三省吾身，我们应该要时时刻刻都要忏悔身业所造。所以大家时时要多用心啊！
Before I came out here, I saw two peonies in front of the Buddha statue. They were beautiful. After I finished bowing, I sat down. As I stood up and turned around to leave the room, suddenly an entire blossom fell off of one of the peonies. I was taken by surprise. Impermanence! The peony was in full bloom and I was just delighting in its beauty. But not long after, it suddenly wilted completely.
Flowers bloom and wilt. Impermanence goes beyond the plant world; it happens to everything in this world. Some things last longer, some shorter, but nothing escapes the cycle of formation, abiding, decay, annihilation. Such is the appearance of the world. People cycle through birth, aging, sickness, death.
What causes our afflictions is the mind Thoughts arise, abide, change and are extinguished. All this takes place in the space of a thought. It arises quickly and abides in our minds for a very brief time. It quickly changes and then is extinguished.
The mind cannot remain permanently. Everything in the world, all fortunes and misfortunes, all arise from the mind. If the mind has attachments, afflictions will continuously cover it, regardless of external conditions. What does it mean to be blessed? If we are never content, we will never feel blessed. The mind has no fixed form; more frightening is the fact that it has no fixed nature. These are the minds of sentient beings.
If our minds can take refuge in spiritual belief, then naturally we can eliminate a lot of bad karma. When bad karma is eliminated, blessings arise.
As I said earlier, if our minds can take refuge in spiritual belief, then naturally we can eliminate a lot of bad karma. When bad karma is eliminated, blessings arise.
Life's conditions are impermanent. Things constantly cycle and change. The human lifespan lasts a few decades, from infancy to childhood, adolescence, adulthood and then old age. The appearance of the body changes over time without our awareness.
Why are we unaware of the day that we aged? The process is unstoppable. We do not know how it happens, so we cannot stop it. If we knew we would separate ourselves from the cause and remain in our youth forever, we would be forever young. The only way to forgo growing old is to die young.
There are so many unknowns. Because we do not know, we create a lot of ignorance and afflictions.
Humans create more ignorance out of ignorance. Ignorance also creates more afflictions. When afflictions continuously cover the mind, bad karma will definitely arise.
Illness is something everyone fears. How can we escape illness and prolong our lives? Ignorant sentient beings continue to create karma. Many refuse to see a doctor when they are ill, and seek folk remedies. Sometimes they take the lives of other animals to preserve their own lives. This is how ignorance begets more ignorance, which creates more afflictions. Human minds continuously shift and change. Ignorance causes them to panic and be vexed, etc. These feelings keep arising. Hence, the seeds that create bad karma lie within the mind.
Some people understand that life and death are part of the Laws of Nature. They are at peace and view death as a return. They think, “I know that my life will eventually draw to a close. Today I open my eyes. I am still alive. I still have sensations. So I will live a happy life. I should maintain good affinities with everyone.“
We can still recall many volunteers who were at ease when they were on their deathbed. They told everyone “Goodbye. I'll come back. I'll go and return quickly.” They were so positive. Their minds were so lucid. Even at the end of their lives, they were not afraid. This is knowledge and awareness.
We repent today because we ordinary people have remained unenlightened since beginningless Time. Regardless of social status everyone has committed innumerable wrongs. These transgressions arise from the Threefold Karma or the Six Roots.
When we can see through and recognize the suffering about life and death, we can be liberated. As we learn Buddhism, it is important to find a method for liberation. And a spiritual refuge; the Truth and the path are wonderful, so we must practice them mindfully. Once we have a refuge, we can be aware of when we are creating karma. Then we can repent. Repentance is the best way to practice.
“Regardless of social status, we've committed infinite wrongs.” Whether we are successful or average people doing regular work, we all have bad karma from past lives. In the past we were unaware of our bad karma, so we did not know to repent. Now we know because we are the Buddha's disciples. We know we need to repent.
The verses state, "These transgressions arise from the Threefold Karma or the Six Roots."
Where did bad karma come from? What are the Threefold Karma? We should know they are body, speech and mind. What bad karma does the body create? Killing, stealing and sexual misconduct. The body actually commits all sorts of evils but they can be categorized into three.
Karma of the Ten Evils
Body: killing, stealing, sexual misconduct;
Speech: lies, gossip, harsh words, flattery;
Mind: greed, anger, ignorance.
Killing is the most serious offense. Since the moment we were born, how many lives have we consumed? How many precious birds and animals were killed just to satisfy our palates?
Some people say, “If people didn't eat meat, I wouldn't have to kill. If there is a karmic debt to be paid, collect it from those who eat meat.” Most believe they are innocent of killing “All I did was to eat the meat." You cannot just think, “I only ate, I didn't kill.” In truth, others kill because you want to eat. Think of how many animals are killed each day.
Now avian flu is spreading to humans. In response, Europeans are slaughtering chickens, ducks and other birds. Tens of millions have been killed. To raise animals for human consumption, people raise them under very cruel conditions or feed them with inhumane methods. Now that there is a problem, people again respond in an inhumane way. Karma arises from killing, whether we are directly or indirectly involved. How many have been killed? It is all because we have a physical body. We end countless lives to satisfy our cravings.
When people cannot control their afflictions, they kill each other. Some kill out of passion. Some kill for wealth. Some kill for vengeance because a lot of resentment has built up over time. Some kill for no reason, simply because they are displeased. People kill for fame, wealth, lust or for any kind of relationship. Some even kill their parents or teachers. In summary, we kill because we have this body.
As for that, we use our bodies to rob or steal. Robbery is aggressive theft. Nowadays, people rob in broad daylight. Besides robbing, they kill or kidnap others. Social problems nowadays are endless. The news each day is shocking and frightening. Are people committing theft and robberies for their survival? If we are content and fulfill our duties, how much do we need to live? If we cherish and use everything carefully, we really do not need many material goods.
People are not content with what they have, so their minds go astray. They think they should indulge in pleasure. If they cannot do so, they will take desperate risks. They know committing robberies or kidnappings will be punished by law but they commit them because they are ignorant. Aside from hurting themselves, they inevitably harm others. Attitudes of thievery, robbery, and stealing stir up fear and unease in society and ruin people's names and reputations. This truly creates bad karma.
Next is sexual misconduct I recall an international news report. On a busy street in Iran, people erected gallows for an execution. A crowd gathered around as the criminals were strung up to be hung.
There were five criminals. What crime did they commit? They violated women. This is a capital offense in lran. Violating a woman is sexual misconduct Iranians believe that it is a source of chaos. So they treat it as the most severe offense.
It is said, “Sexual misconduct is foremost of all evils. Filial piety is the foremost of all good.” Sexual misconduct is foremost of all wrongdoing. Hence, a lot of bad karma originates with the body. Killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct are the three kinds of karma committed with the body. There are three of the body, four of the mouth, three of the mind. Together they are the Ten Evils. It all starts here.
Everyone, we kill, steal or commit sexual misconduct because we are covered by afflictions. We have been accumulating afflictions since Beginningless Time. Thus we have developed these ignorant habits. This is why we create such karma.
Now we must repent more often. Repentance is like washing away filth with water Dharma is like water. I continue to remind you of this. As Buddhist practitioners, we must constantly repent, not just self-reflect three times a day. At every moment we need to repent bad karma created by the body.
So everyone, please always be mindful.
出处：http://moya.iyard.org/bin/view/Blog/BlogEntry2211
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment