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《菩提田》

 

BODHI FIELD

唯一要走的路
The Only Path I Want to Walk

【恆揚】

hikshuni Heng Yang

十歲的時候,因為偶然看了衛塞節(Wesak Day)的遊行,次日同伴們就邀我到佛教會去學佛。當時我被佛學班吸引住了,所以就每星期去上課,從啟蒙級一直上到高級,一共讀了五年,從此跟佛教結了深緣。

後來,繼續參加聽法、誦經、打佛七等等的活動,發覺自己越來越喜歡學佛。尤其每當我看見僧人,就會異常高興,無限的敬仰由然而生,心想:「有一天,我一定要像他們一樣出家,這是我唯一要走的路。」

學校畢業後,終於蒙師父上人慈悲攝受而如願披剃。出家後,如獲新生命,自己像剛出世的嬰兒,天天在道場裡薰修,一點一滴的來學習,每日定時念經、拜佛、聽經、做工。初初淡而無味,久而久之就能體會個中的妙處,所謂「平常心是道」。

在善知識的教導下,慢慢地我才認識自己醜陋的一面,它是我無量劫背著的包袱,它令我不老實、不真誠,也令我無法安樂。幸好今生遇到正法,才懂得要開始改惡向善,學習佛菩薩慈悲無我的精神。我深信這是一條光明大道,是世間的快樂所不能比的,如果不踏上第一步,那何時才能返本還原呢?

A t the age of ten, I happened to see a Wesak Day (Buddha’s birthday) parade. The following day, some friends invited me to go to a Buddhist association to study Buddhism with them. I was deeply interested in the Buddhist class and attended it every week. I started from their beginners’ class and went all the way through the advanced class. I spent a total of five years there, thus developing a deep affinity with Buddhism.

Later, I continued to participate in Dharma sessions to listen to the Dharma, recite Sutras, recite the Buddha’s name, and so on, and I discovered that the more I studied Buddhism, the more I liked it. I would be especially joyous whenever I saw the members of the Sangha (the monastic order); boundless respect would spontaneously come forth. I thought to myself, “One day, I want to be like them, to leave the home-life. That is the only path I want to walk.”

After I graduated from school, with the Master’s kind and compassionate acceptance my wish to shave my head was fulfilled. After I left the home-life, I felt as if I had begun a new life. Like a newborn baby, I was steeped in the cultivation of the monastery every day, learning little by little. Every day we recite Sutras, bow to the Buddha, listen to Sutra lectures, and do work following a fixed schedule. At the beginning, there was nothing exciting about it. However, I realized the subtle wonder after some time; as it is said, “The ordinary mind is the Way.”

Under the teaching and guidance of a good and wise advisor, I slowly recognized the ugly side of myself. It has been my burden since countless kalpas. It causes me to be dishonest, insincere, and thus unable to attain peace and happiness. Fortunately, I have encountered the proper Dharma in this life, allowing me to learn to change evil to wholesomeness and to practice the kind, compassionate, selfless spirit of the Bodhisattva. I deeply believe this is a path of great brightness, to which worldly pleasures cannot compare. If I do not take the first step, when will I be able to return to the original source?

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