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今天是宣公上人涅槃十六周年紀念日。清晨六點多停車場就停了好多車。大家為了緬懷上人，都趕早前來朝山。在肅穆的“南無大方廣佛華嚴經，華嚴海會佛菩薩”聲中，三步一拜從山門朝向大殿。朝山完畢眾人虔誦華嚴經，普佛，接著舉行傳供儀式。由眾多弟子發心準備的各式各樣精致供品，一個接一個地傳遞，就像是提醒大家師父的法，也要由大家薪火相傳一直傳承下去一樣，場面非常感人。
午齋的時候，聆聽恆慎法師對大家的開示，法師教導大家要放下執著，心存善念，嚴守五戒。下午繼續禮誦華嚴經，結束一天莊嚴的法會。上人雖然離開了我們，但是他的諄諄教誨永遠留在大家心中，不斷地提醒我們要如法修行。
接著我要談談與上人的因緣。我十八年前到美國，因為大伯的接引，接觸師父的道場，有福親見師父，可惜當時因緣尚未成熟，雖進寶山卻不知挖寶。直到師父圓寂後，方皈依僧團。近幾年才常常到金聖寺聽經聞法，做義工。更深深感覺到上人肉身雖然圓寂，但仍無時無刻在指引關懷弟子。
記得有一次我為孩子的事情困擾，不知如何是好，竟打起妄想要找相士指點迷津。當下隨意翻開師父的開示錄，映入眼簾的竟然有這麼一句話：兒孫自有兒孫福。並且談到不應該請術士問卜。真是一點都逃不過師父的法眼啊!這幾年較常在廟上做義工只知應該盡量地付出以報師恩、佛恩，不敢做功德想，但是往往所獲遠遠超出我的付出。
上個月返台正值家母身體病痛，可憐的她，一生動了十一次刀，据醫生說她這次的病痛需再動一次刀。我每天為她誦藥師經、地藏經和一百零八遍藥師咒及消解病咒，並跪求上人。蒙佛菩薩及上人的慈悲庇佑，在特殊的機緣下找到了治療方法，家母在很短的時間?解除了身體的病痛，不用開刀了。連平日不信佛的二姐都說不可思議。
感謝上人建立這樣一個正法道場，幫助我們修行，相信如果我們能依照上人的教誨依法奉行，必定不會空得人身。
Today is the 16th anniversary of Venerable Master Hsuan Hua’s Nirvana. Early in the morning around six, the parking lot was filled with cars. For the sake of praying in tribute to the Venerable Master, many people came for the three steps one bow pilgrim. Bowing started from the gate towards the Buddha Hall, everyone respectfully recited in unison “Homage to the Buddha's Flower Garland Sutra of Great Expansive Teachings, and The Ocean Wide Buddhas and Bodhisattvas”. After arriving at the Buddha Hall, participants sincerely recited one chapter of the Flower Adornment Sutra, followed by Universal Bowing. The highlight of the anniversary was the Food-Passing Offering Ceremony, which involved careful preparation and passing of many exquisite food offerings made by disciples. This ceremony depicted a touching metaphor of disciples who continue to pass down the Venerable Master’s teachings.
During lunch, participants respectfully listened to a lecture by Dharma Master Heng Shen, who taught everyone the importance of letting go of attachments, harboring good thoughts and strictly holding five precepts. The afternoon was a continuation of reciting the Flower Adornment Sutra, ending a day of adorned ceremony. Although the Venerable Master has already left us, his wise words and great teachings forever remain in our hearts, constantly reminding us to cultivate according to Dharma.
Now I would like to share with you my affinity with the Venerable Master. I came to the United States over eighteen years ago. I first came in contact with the Venerable Master’s monastery through my brother-in-law’s influence. I was fortunate enough to meet the Venerable Master in person, but my affinities were not yet mature at the time, so I did not become a disciple till after his passing away. It wasn’t until recent years did I start regularly visiting Gold Sage Monastery to listen to lectures and do volunteer work helping me realize the lingering care that The Venerable Master had for his disciples.
One time, I was bothered over matters related to my child, not knowing what to do. I even thought of resorting to advices from a fortune teller. On a whim, I flipped open a book on the Venerable Master’s lecture, where I found a sentence: “Each child has his own destiny.” He also mentioned that it is inappropriate to rely on fortune tellers. I really couldn’t escape from Shr Fu’s Dharma eye! The Buddhas and the Venerable Master are always showering me with compassion. These few years, I’ve been consistently volunteering at the monastery to show my appreciation, not desiring any reward in return. Even so, I feel that my dedication does not measure up to all the help that I’ve received.
Last month I went back to Taiwan to take care of my sick mother. Throughout her life she has gone through eleven surgeries. According to the doctor, she would need another surgery for relieving pain. Every day I recited Medicine Master Sutra, Earth Store Bodhisattva Sutra, and 108 times Medicine Master Mantra and Eradicate Sickness Mantra, also praying to the Venerable Master. Under the Buddhas’, Bodhisattvas’ and the Venerable Master’s compassionate protection, a remarkable way to heal my mothers’ sickness was discovered. Not only was my mother’s pain alleviated, but she didn’t even need to perform surgery. Even my non-Buddhist sister found this is inconceivable.
I thank the Venerable Master for establishing this virtuous Dharma monastery for us to become better cultivators. I believe that following the Venerable Master’s teachings will help us attain ultimate fulfillment in our lives.
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