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《專題/佛教與心理學》

 

SPECIAL SECTION/BUDDHISM AND PSYCHOLOGY

啟發自性的智慧
Inspiring the Wisdom in our own Nature

恆奘師
Master Heng Jhuang

所有的科學,所有當今社會所有的發展、科技,種種都是為了人的需求。佛教在這個世間上出現,也是因為有眾生的關係。

心理學是為了要醫療我們人的心病、身病。 佛陀的教理也是這樣子的,要醫我們的心病和身病;佛陀留下來的教理,在兩千五百年以後的今天,我們仍然在學習,沒有因為時間和空間而造成改變。現在的科學,每一年都有新的發現,新的改變;佛法卻沒有,依然屹立在這世上,沒有搖動,只是等待著我們去發掘,去開發,真正啟發我們自性的智慧。

佛法還有一個很重要的觀念,就是要相信「因果」。人從何處來?每一人因為某種習氣,而造成他現在這種個性;因為有這種個性,所以他會做出什麼樣的事情,這都有一個因。因為有這個因,所以就結這個果。這個「果」,都有一個軌跡,你可以去跟著,你就可以知道為什麼他有這樣的態度、有這樣的行為、有這樣的個性。我們不一定每一世都是人,我們因為還在六道輪迴的輪轉中,可能今世是人,前一世是豬、狗、羊,或者是餓鬼、畜生都不一定的,因為從不同的地方來到這個世界成為人,所以都還帶著我們過去的習氣和毛病。因此我們現在就有種種不同的行為,你瞭解以後,就會知道如何去跟人相處,如何去治療這些需要幫助的人。

佛在證道之前曾受到種種的困苦和鍛鍊,所以他能夠啟發大慈悲心,能夠普遍的去救度需要幫助的眾生。學習心理學也必須具備同樣的心,才能夠在我們幫助人的時候,作最正確的判斷,而不會造成錯誤的決斷和傷害。

All of science, all the developments and new technologies of today's society, have been made to satisfy people's needs. The reason Buddhism has appeared in this world is also because of living beings.

Psychology was developed for the purpose of curing people's mental and physical sicknesses. By the same token, the Buddha's teachings are meant to cure the sicknesses of the mind and body. After two thousand and five hundred years, today we are still studying the teachings left by the Buddha. It has not changed through time and space. Modern day science has new discoveries and changes each year. But not Buddhism; it still stands straight and tall in this world, not moving, only waiting for us to discover it, to develop it, and to use it to truly inspire the wisdom in our own nature.

In addition, there is a very important concept in the Buddhadharma, which is the belief in "cause and effect." Where do people come from? Each person has certain habits which form his character. Having such a character, he will do certain things. These things all have causes. Because of the cause, an effect or result is produced. The result leaves a certain track, and you can follow it to understand why a person has such an attitude, such behavior, and such a character. We may not necessarily have been humans in every one of our previous lives, because we are still transmigrating in the six paths. We are human in this life, but perhaps in the preceding life we were pigs, dogs, sheep, or hungry ghosts. It's not for sure. Since we became human and came to this world from different places, we still carry our former habits and faults with us. Therefore, we have all different kinds of behavior. Once you understand this, you will know how to get along with people, and how to aid those who are in need of help.

Before the Buddha accomplished the Way, he underwent various ordeals and difficult practices, and as a result, was able to bring forth great kindness and compassion, and rescue all living beings who need help. In learning psychology, we must also have this spirit so that we will be able to make the correct decisions when helping people, and not end up making mistakes and causing harm.

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【快樂的人生】

A Happy Life

恆薰師
Master Heng Syun

在這個世界上,我們沒有一個人能夠逃過因果,因為因果是宇宙之間的定律。我們今天起一個助人的心、隨喜功德的心,到後來結的都是甜的果報;如果我們今天起一個嫉妒障礙的心、煩惱的心,或者不願意人家有好功德的心,我們以後得到的果報就是又酸又苦的果。

佛教裡說:「一切事的成與敗,除了自己的努力之外,還要靠因緣和合而成。」若是瞭解這一點的話,無論任何事情,順的,我們就要再往上行;如果是逆境,我們就應該提起一顆更精進的心,瞭解這個因緣,然後再向前更進一步。若是因為我們下了功夫而失敗,就生起退失的心,這樣學佛就不是很正確的心理。

我們在日常生活中,其實每一個人每一天都可以不需要花一分錢,就可以買到快樂的人生。我們要把我們自己的心胸打開,儘量地讓自己更上一層。雖然這些事情我們不能夠一天、兩天,或者是一年、兩年就形成,可是我們明知道這個道理是好的話,能令我們離苦得樂,了生脫死,那我們為什麼不去做呢?我們要去做,要下功夫,要有這顆忍耐心,才能夠讓事情有所成就。所以我們要善用這顆心,所謂「一切唯心造」,把心用在好的一方面,慢慢地躬行實踐。

佛法教我們了生脫死的道路,就是要老老實實,不是標異現奇,不是想要求名求利。所以唯有善用這顆心,老實地實行佛法,這樣我們今天來學佛才沒有白學。

In this world, no one can escape the operation of cause and effect, because it is a law of the universe. If we have thoughts of helping others, of rejoicing in and complying with others' meritorious and virtuous deeds, it will bring a sweet reward. However, if we give rise to thoughts of jealousy, obstructiveness, and affliction, or simply are unwilling to see others earn merit and virtue, then in the future the retribution we receive will be bitter.

Buddhism says, "The success and failure of all endeavors depends not only on our hard work but also on the coming together of causes and conditions." If we could understand this principle, then when we encounter favorable situations, we continue to strive forward, and when we meet adversity, we become even more vigorous, understand the causes and conditions, and advance. If we fail despite the effort we put in, and as a result, gave rise to thoughts of retreating, that would not be the right attitude for learning Buddhism.

In our daily life, every one of us can actually buy a happy life every day without having to spend a single penny. We should open up our minds, and try our best to ascend a level higher. In so practicing, we may not see any concrete achievement in one day, two days, or even a year or two. However, if we know that this is a good principle which can enable us to leave suffering and attain bliss, and end birth and death, then why don't we go ahead and act upon it? We should do it. We should work hard, and have a patient attitude so that we will have some accomplishment. Therefore, we must use this mind well. It is said, "Everything is made from the mind." We should apply our minds to the good aspects of things, and gradually put the principles into practice.

The Buddhadharma tells us that the path of ending birth and death is to be true and honest, and not to try to be different and fanciful, and not to have thoughts of pursuing fame and benefit. If we use our minds well and earnestly put the Buddhadharma in practice, then we will not have wasted our effort in coming to learn Buddhism today.

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