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Bodhi Stand

學佛因緣
HOW UPASAKA GUO-NAN JENG CAME TO STUDY BUDDHISM

鄭果南 居士 Upasaka Guo-nan Jeng

七年前鄭果南經由朋友介紹,到金峰寺拜佛,因為只會說廣東話,且又不了解佛法,所以每星期日早上到寺裡拜佛,用過午齋就回去,從不與人交談。

原本患有風濕病,行動頗為不便,經過兩年的拜佛,病便慢慢好轉,於是發心皈依上人;漸漸地也學會如何做一個佛弟子,並護持三寶。

有一次,他去溫哥華金佛寺拜佛,回來後夢到師父對他說:「你好好在這裡(金佛寺)拜佛,不要走來走去。」(因為他常到別的道場去禮佛)他回應師父:「我有手腳就可以到處走,為什麼師父叫我不要到處跑?」接著師父從溫哥華到西雅圖弘法,法會結束後,他到機場送行時,師父把他叫到身邊說:「我講的話,你要聽!」他當時跪在那裡,回想到前幾天所做的夢,便回答:「會的,我會聽師父的話。」自此就不在到別的寺廟,而專心護持金峰寺。有一次寺裡舉辦法會,因為椅子不夠,他便幫忙到處借,但因數量不夠,於是他便發心買了兩百張椅子;又金峰寺兩次的搬遷,他也發心幫忙搬大佛像。

一九九五年一月,他夢到上人在大海巍巍如佛般地結跏趺坐著,一直飄往西方。他當時很開心,心想,上人以證果成佛(當時他並不知道師父已生病)。接著四月又夢到上人生病躺在醫院,他心裡便很難過。當上人圓寂時,他以家鄉守重孝之風俗剃光頭髮,為上人戴孝,並到洛杉機接上人的遺體回到長堤聖寺,參加上人荼毗儀式;雖然並不深入了解佛法,但他願終身奉行上人的教誨。

Several years ago a friend introduced Guo Nan to Gold Summit Sagely Monastery. Because his only language is Cantonese and because he didn't have much understanding of Buddhism, he would come every Sunday morning to bow to the Buddhas and then return home after the vegetarian meal without even conversing with anyone. Originally he was afflicted with rheumatism and didn't get around well. But after two years of bowing to the Buddha, his illness gradually got better and he resolved to take refuge with the Venerable Master. Slowly he learned what it meant to be a disciple of the Buddha and to protect and support the Triple Jewel.

One time he went to Gold Buddha Sagely Monastery in Vancouver to bow to the Buddhas. After he returned, he dreamed of the Venerable Master, who said to him, “Just bow here[at Gold Summit Monastery]. Don't go running around here and there [because he often went to other Way-places to worship.]” He replied to the Master, “I have hands and feet and am capable of getting around. Why does the Master advise me not to go other places?” After that, the Venerable Master went from Vancouver to Seattle to propagate the Dharma and when the Dharma assembly was over, Guo Nan went to the airport to see the Master off. The Master called him to his side and said, “You should listen to what I say!” As he was kneeling there, Guo Nan recalled the dream of a few nights ago and answered, “I will! I will listen to the Master's instruction.”“ From then on, he stopped going to other temples and began to single-mindedly protect and support Gold Summit Monastery. Once when a Dharma Assembly was being held at the Monastery, there weren't enough lunch-table stools and so he volunteered to go around borrowing some. Unable to find any suitable ones, he decided to purchase them instead and bought 200 stools. Also, twice when the Monastery changed locations, Guo Nan helped move the large Buddha images.

In January, 1995, he dreamed again of the Venerable Master who appeared magnificent atop the ocean-looking just like a Buddha seated there in full lotus and floating directly westward. Guo Nan was delighted and thought to himself, Shr Fu has already realized the fruition of Buddhahood! [At that  time he had no idea that the Master was ill]. In April Guo Nan had another dream in which he saw the Master ill and in a hospital. Guo Nan was distressed. When the Master passed into stillness, Guo Nan shaved his head to pay his filial respects to the Master. He also went to Los Angeles to accompany the Master's body to Long Beach Sagely Monastery and join the funeral ceremonies. Although Guo Nan may not have profound understanding of the Buddhadharma, nonetheless, he vows to always respectfully uphold the Venerable Master’s teachings.

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