All Teachings Focus on Awakening Compassion
六波罗蜜为：布施、持戒、忍辱、精进、禅定、智慧，又名六度。
我们前面已经说过，菩提心不离开六度。六度前面已经说过布施，布施就是我们学佛的第一步，千经万论，佛陀都是在跟我们说要启发慈悲心。所以生在人间，人人都是要求福；我们如果让人人都能幸福，我们也能够快乐，这叫做「与乐」。
难免在人间有很多苦难，我们能发心，以同体大悲——「别人的苦难就是我们的苦难」，我们能够即刻发心去帮助他们。像这样，这就是大悲心。人生如果可以互相帮助，这个世间就是幸福的。
所以，布施就是造福人群的第一步，说是造福人群，其实也是为自己积功德。前面不是说过了，要以很长很长的时间，才能累积一切的功德，才能消除无量无数的烦恼，这就是我们在凡夫地，如何能接近圣人的境界，就是要多造福。
本来好比一个天秤一样，那一边比较重，那一边就要赶快减轻。福如果比较多，恶就会少一些，总而言之，祸福都是要我们认清，如何做才能去除灾祸，如何做才能增加福业。所以佛陀的教法，我们听过了就要好好受持，这就叫做持戒。
忍辱是讲忍耐，忍人之不能忍，心才会清净，才有恒心毅力，行修行之路。
我们生在这个境界实在是要很感恩啊！不然我们很容易被诱惑，所以我们现在要有忍的力量。持戒如果没有这分耐力、忍力，其实持戒也难。所以佛陀教我们要守住规戒，能忍得外面种种的欲念诱引，如果这个忍力不够，在人间真的是有时就是自己丧心败德，就是缺乏忍的功夫。或是对于我们的修行而言，若是缺乏忍的功夫，也会损害慧命。
所以一个忍字，能够成就我们的慧命。在人间若有这个忍字，就是退一步海阔天空，这个「忍」字无论在家或是修行都是非常重要。所以在六度，六种修行的方法，「忍」字是很重要的。
看看佛陀修行的过程，三大阿僧祇劫，应该也能说是无量数劫。这样修行的过程当中，哪一个时后不需要忍呢？
佛陀曾经到过地狱，佛陀就算是去地狱也是在修行。在尚未成佛之前，他就发心到地狱去。看到一位老人拖着一辆烧红的车，他不忍心，赶紧上前去，要代替这位老人拖火车。狱卒看到了就去拉开他，就说：「这个老人是受罪，在人间很残酷奸凶、无恶不做，所以堕入地狱来，最有应得。所以他现在才会需要来拖这一辆火车——被火烧红的车。这是他的业，他不拖，业不尽。」这位修行者说：「虽然是他有业要受报，但是我不忍心，我心疼、舍不得，我愿意代替他来受罪。」
旁边有一些同时在受罪，也有同时在监罪的狱卒。当时周围拖车的，无论是年轻或是年老，都听到他说：「我甘愿替他拖，甘愿替他受罪。虽然他是罪有应得，但是我甘愿。」当时那些车子的火都熄灭了。那些鬼神、恶鬼，在监督行刑的，也在无形中起了不忍之心。所以一时之间，火车地狱所有受苦的罪报，就这样暂停了下来，火熄灭了，那个地方的刑罚也停了下来。这是佛陀发心修行的过程当中，其中的一段。
所以释迦牟尼佛，他就是发心要在这个六道中来来回回，娑婆世界就是佛陀的化土，他所教育的地方。这也是要用忍，用「忍」的力量来教化。的确这个忍不是那么容易修，人人都会避苦就福，大家所要追求的都是幸福，谁愿意去最苦难的地方？唯有菩萨，唯有诸佛！所以诸佛菩萨，就是在苦难的人间来来回回，所用的就是这个「忍」字，所以「忍力」为最强。
我们可知道在人世间，其实也有很多的人间菩萨。我们大家都认识在草屯有一位名叫洪玉哖的老菩萨，她一辈子的人生，也都是这样以忍的毅力度过的。她说，年轻时家庭贫困，先生做木工。每天没有米可煮的时候，她就要煮稀饭。煮早餐还要节省午餐。先生如果起床要出门之前，要吃饭的时候，看到饭锅里是稀饭，先生就会骂人：「你难道不知道我要做很多的工作，为什么又煮稀饭呢？」她不忍心让先生知道，早上如果不煮稀饭，下午就没有饭吃了。因为不忍心，所以她就忍着让先生骂。
这样的日子就是这样过，每个孩子都是营养不良，很难养育。但是她发愿：「无论有多么的辛苦，我都要让孩子人人都有书读；我要栽培我的孩子，人人将来都可以接受最好的教育，能在社会上和别人平起平坐。」她认为：「假如没有读书，真的是没有希望，要像他们的父亲这样只能够做粗工，让一个家庭这么辛苦。」所以他立了这个愿。
后来，他先生很早就往生了。突然间，家里少了一个人赚钱，她一个人要养育那些孩子，所以她自己「母兼父职」，辛苦地操劳做工抚养孩子，栽培孩子念书。我们可以想像，在那时候的社会生活，在先生还在世的时候，就已经常常没有米可以下锅了，何况先生不在了！她这些孩子是如何养育的？生活又是如何能够活下来的？我们应该能够想像当时她的苦。果然让孩子念书了，咬紧牙根就是栽培孩子。
孩子也很争志，到了开始读大学，也会半工半读，最后终于都有成就了。每一个孩子都有成就，其中一位成为医生，也很孝顺，现生她应该能当「医师娘」 ——医师的妈妈。他应该能够享福了，尤其是孩子也当过院长。
但是她从来都不想要享福，等到孩子有成就了以后，她知道有慈济了，她就开始加入慈济成为委员、收会款，也很辛苦。尤其是当我开始在呼吁环保的时候，她觉得：「对啊！年轻的时候只是为了一个家庭在操劳，盼望孩子将来能够成功，盼望子子孙孙以后能幸福，都没有想到这个地球的资源有限。如果我们把这些资源用完了，我们的子孙以后要生活就困难了。所以不要只是顾自己的子孙而已，还要顾未来所有的子子孙孙。」所以就开始做环保了，用她的双手到处去垃圾回收。
尤其是九二一地震的时候，学校倒了很多。她就想：「师父说孩子的教育就是社会的希望。」她自己当初是很贫穷的时候，她就知道教育很重要。 「我的孩子，就是因为我很辛苦的让他们都能够接受教育，所以现在我的孩子才能够每个都这么有成就，这么有希望。所以，真的，所有的孩子，每个人都要赶快来让他们接受教育。今天师父想要盖这些学校，看师父是这么的辛苦！」所以在环保之外，她又多了一样工作，去种菜。
不认识她的人，有的人就会说：「阿嬷！你孩子是在做什么？怎么会让你出来天未亮就在卖菜，天亮了又在捡垃圾？」她就跟他说：「我这是在捡福啊！」
年轻人听不懂，她就开始花时间跟他说明：「我儿子和媳妇都很孝顺，我现在做这些都是为了社会而做的。第一、我是为了要保护地球，所以我要做资源回收。我们每个人的子子孙孙也都要疼惜，要疼子孙，你就要把这个大地上的资源都保护好，这样以后孩子才有福可享，才有物资可以生活。第二、我卖菜是为了九二一，你看九二一地震的时候，倒了那么多的学校，教育就是希望。师父想要盖学校，这都需要靠大家的力量。所以我才那么早出来卖菜；所以我才每天做环保。」
年轻人听她这么说，自己也觉得惭愧了，甚至也会发心：「阿嬷！我会帮忙妳做，我替妳到附近的店家去收，我收成一堆再给你。」你看，这就是需要有耐力，有这种耐力就是从「忍」所生。忍寒、忍热，还有忍风、忍雨，还要忍——节省睡眠的时间，节省休息的时间。这样来付出，这要耐劳耐苦，这叫做忍耐。
所以年纪这么大了，还是忍力负重，要有忍的耐力去负担这个重任。这是人人觉得对于世间我们都有责任，所以我们需要付出。
当然她的儿子也曾经对我抱怨，他说：「刚开始的时后我很受不了，大家都误会我不孝顺母亲。我如果这样对我妈妈说，我妈妈就会说：『儿子啊！你如果孝顺，就是要顺，顺才是真正的孝顺。这是妈妈我的心愿，你要让我做，你让我欢喜，那你就是孝了。』」
他又说：「我也不敢忤逆她，不过妈妈这么多年来，十几年了，我们街上的人都已经知道了，如果看到我，都会跟我说：『谢医师啊，你真有福喔！你的妈妈身体那么好，还能够为了慈济做这么多。实在是大家都尊称她为老菩萨，那你就是菩萨子。』」
他说：「我现在不只是对妈妈这样做没有烦恼心，我还会觉得很光荣。我还可以到处去炫耀我妈妈是慈济的委员，我妈妈现在天还没有亮就去摘菜到市场去卖，我妈妈都去做资源回收。我现在连停车的地方，都赶快拨出来，让妈妈做为资源回收的点。我如果有时间也会跟着妈妈去做。」
你看，这种母子之间的互相体谅、互相了解，实在是很了不起。所以说起来，我们学佛若想要利益人群，就要有这分的耐力、忍力。各位，这就是忍辱波罗蜜。有好的生活环境，要去做这种资源回收实在是很不简单。所以每一天，环保志工的故事，在在都能够深刻的启发我们的内心。每一回碰到什么困难的时候，看看草根菩提，真的一切的烦恼都能够解除。
所以我们大家要时时顾好我们的这一念心，练好这股耐力、毅力，才能在这条康庄的大道上，继续走下去。所以请大家要多用心。
The Six Paramitas: Giving, Precepts, Patience, Diligence, Samadhi, Wisdom. They are also called the Six Perfections.
As I said earlier, Bodhicitta is inseparable from the Six Perfections. We have already spoken about giving. Giving is the first step in learning Buddhism. In all the sutras and treatises, was the not Buddha telling us to develop compassion in our hearts? Those born in the world are all seeking blessings. If we can bring others happiness, we will be happy. This is what is meant by "giving joy".
In this world, suffering is inevitable. We can resolve to have Universal Great Compassion, and feel others' suffering as our own. Then we can make the instant decision to help them. This is Great Compassion. If we all help one another, the world will be blessed.
Therefore, charitable giving is the first step in benefiting others. We say we are benefiting others, but we are actually accumulating merits for ourselves. Did I not say that it takes a very long time to accumulate all the merits and virtues we need to eliminate countless and innumerable afflictions? So to move from stage of ordinary people to the level of the sages, we need to create more blessings.
This is like a balance. If one side is a little bit heavier, the other side will be lighter. If we accrue more blessings, there will be less evil. All in all, we need to clearly recognize disasters and blessings figure out how to eliminate disasters and increase our blessed karma. Thus, after we hear the Buddha's teachings, we must accept and uphold them. This is called upholding precepts.
Patience is exercising tolerance. We need to withstand things others cannot, so our minds can be pure. Then we will have perseverance and endurance to practice this path.
We should be very grateful that we are born into such an environment; otherwise we will be easily tempted. So we need to have the strength of patience. Without perseverance and patience, upholding percepts will be difficult. The Buddha taught us to abide by precepts, so we can withstand all kinds of desires and temptations. If we do not have enough patience, we may lose our judgment and ruin our character. This is what happens when we lack willpower. If we lack patience in our spiritual practice, we will damage our Wisdom-life.
So we can attain Wisdom-life with patience. If patience is in our vocabulary, we can take a step back and the world opens up. So patience is important, whether we are lay practitioners or monastic practitioners. So in the Six Perfections, the six methods of practice, patience is very important.
Look at the Buddha's process of spiritual practice. It took Him three Asankhva Kalpas, which is akin to countless eons. During the course of His spiritual practice, every moment required patience.
The Buddha went to Hell in one of His past lives. He continued His spiritual practice there even before He attained Buddhahood. He already resolved to go to Hell. He saw an elderly person pulling a metal cart turned red-hot by the flames. The Buddha found it unbearable, so he quickly went up to the old man to take his place. When the guard saw, he pulled Him away and said, "This man is being punished. When he was alive, he was very cruel and nasty. There was no evil he wouldn't do. That is why he fell into Hell. He deserves this punishment. So now he has to pull this burning cart. His karma led him here. Only by doing this can he exhaust his karma." The Buddha, as a practitioner replied, "This is his karma, but I cannot bear to see it. I'm willing to suffer in his place."
Others being punished nearby, as well as those administering the punishments heard Him say, "I am willing to pull it for him. I am willing to suffer in his place. Even though he deserves this punishment, I am willing to do this." At that moment, others who were pulling carts, whether young or old, all saw the fire on their carts extinguished. In that moment, a sense of mercy arose in the spirits meting out the punishment. So in that moment, the entire Hell of Fiery Carts ceased. The fires were extinguished. The punishments also halted. This is just one story in the process of the Buddha's spiritual practice.
So Sakyamuni Buddha vowed and resolved to travel between the Six Realms. The Saha World was His land of transformation, the place where He taught. It required patience. Patience is needed to teach and transform.
Truly practicing patience is not easy. We all try to avoid suffer and seek blessings. We all pursue happiness. Who is willing to go to a place of deep suffering? Only the Bodhisattvas and the Buddhas. All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas keep returning to this world of suffering. This is only possible with patience. So patience is most powerful.
We should know that in this world, there are many living Bodhisattvas around us. Many of us know Yu-nian, an elderly Bodhisattvas from Caotun. She lived her life with much patience and perseverance.
As a young woman, her family was poor. Her husband was a carpenter. When there was little rice left, she cooked rice porridge because if she steamed rice, she would have no lunch. Before her husband left for work, if he saw that there was porridge in the pot, he would yell at her, "Don't you know that I need to expend a lot of strength? Why did you cook porridge again?" She did not have the heart to tell him, "If I do not cook rice porridge in the morning, I'd have nothing left for lunch." She could not bear to, so she let him yell at her.
This was how she lived through those days. Her children were all malnourished. It was difficult to raise them. But she vowed, "No matter how hard it is, I will ensure that they get an education. I will nurture my children and give them the best education possible so they can be equal to others in society. Without education, there'll be no hope for them. They will be manual laborers like their father and lead hard lives." That is why she made such a vow.
Then her husband died at a young age, so she raised the children by herself. Suddenly there was one less source of income, so she took on both parental roles and worked hard to support her family, raise the children and provide for their education.
We can only imagine what their life was like. Even when her husband was sill alive, there was little rice. After her husband died, how did she manage to raise these children? How did she make a living? We can only imagine the hardship she endured. She managed to put her kids through school. She gritted her teeth and raised them.
Her children also worked hard. After they enrolled in college, they worked part-time to help pay tuition. In the end, every child became successful. One of them became a physician. He was very filial. As the mother of a doctor, she should be able to live comfortably, especially since her son was once a hospital superintendent.
But she never thought about living comfortably. After her children attained success, she learned about Tzu Chi. She joined Tzu Chi, became a Commissioner and collected donations. It was hard work. When I was promoting environment protection, she felt, "Yes, when I was young, I just worried about my family, and hoped for my children's success and happiness. I never considered that if we deplete the Earth's resources, life will be difficult for future generations. We cannot just look after our own offspring. We need to look after all generations to come." So she joined our recycling efforts and went everywhere to collect garbage herself.
After the 9/21 earthquake in 1999, she felt, "So many schools collapsed. Master Cheng Yen said the hope for society lies in children's education." When she was poor, she realized that her children's only hope was education. "My children have achieved success because I worked hard for them to be educated. Indeed, we must work fast so all children can quickly resume their education. I see the Master working so hard to rebuild these schools. Thus she also started to plant vegetables.
People who did not know her asked, "Grandma, what does your son do? How could he let you come out before dawn to sell vegetables and then collect garbage?" She told them, "I am collecting blessings."
If the young people could not understand, she spent time explaining it to them. "My son and daughter-in-law are very filial. I am doing this for society. First, I'm collecting recyclables to protect the planet. We need to care for our future generations so they will be blessed. We should really protect our resources so future generations can enjoy blessings and have materials goods. Second, I sell vegetables to fundraise for the 9/21 Project. Many schools were destroyed, and education is the hope of the future. Master Cheng Yen wants to build schools. She needs all our help, so that is why I sell vegetables every morning and join the recycling efforts every day."
The young people who listened to her speech felt ashamed, and even made a resolution. "Grandma, I will help you. Let me go to the nearby stores to collect recyclables and then give them to you."
You see, this takes perseverance. This type of perseverance comes from patience. She had to endure the cold, heat, wind, rain, and lack of sleep. She rested less so she could give more. She endures suffering and hard work. This is called exercising patience.
Though she was very old, she had the endurance to take on a tremendous burden. When we all feel a sense of responsibility, we will contribute our efforts. One time, her son told me, "In the beginning, I could not stand it. People mistakenly thought I was not filial to my mother, and when I told my mother that. She said, "Son, if you want to be filial, then comply with my wishes. Compliance is true filial piety. This is my heart's wish. This is what I want to do. If you let me be happy, then you are being filial."
He said, "I did not dare to go against her. But now that she has been doing this for over 10 years, everyone in the neighborhood knows the story. When they see me, they tell me, "Dr. Xie, you are so blessed. Your mother is in such good health and she can still so do much for Tzu Chi. You know, everyone calls her a Bodhisattva, so you are the son of a Bodhisattava."
He said, "Now, not only am I not bothered by her doing this, I actually feel very honored. I shared with everyone that my mother is a Tzu Chi Commissioner and she gets up before dawn to pick vegetables and then collects garbage for recycling." He said, "I even vacated my parking spot so she can use the space to collect and sort recycling. When I have time, I join my mother."
Look at how this mother and son can be forgiving and understanding. That is indeed very amazing. We learn Buddhism to benefit the people. This requires perseverance and patience. Patience is one of the Paramitas. Living in such a comfortable environment and still going out to collect garbage for recycling is truly remarkable.
Every day, hearing the stories of these, recycling volunteers is truly inspiring. Whenever I encounter difficulties, I watch the program on our recycling volunteers and all my afflictions are eliminated. Therefore, we all need to constantly take good are of our minds. We need to foster perseverance and patience. Only then can we continue walking on this broad straight path.
So everyone, please always be mindful.
出处：http://moya.iyard.org/bin/view/Blog/BlogEntry2269
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