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過去萬佛城打禪七就是馬馬虎虎的，也沒有怎麼認真來講規矩；打念佛七，也是沒有那麼認真。為什麼呢？因為這個國家是一個不通王化的國家，這個國家，是一個異教橫行的國家，佛教在這兒就根本沒有紮下根去。沒有紮下根，你要是這樣也不行，那樣也不行，就不容易建立道場，因為這個，所以好的人我也收；不好的人我也收，在這兒三山五嶽的人馬都有，什麼樣的人都有。以後我們認真修行的時候，要是龍要盤起來，是虎要臥起來，都要循規蹈矩，按步就班，做什麼事，絲毫也不能差的。
「差之絲毫；謬之千里」，所以以後我們禪堂也要建立起來，念佛堂也要建立起來它，講教也要建立起來它，講律也要建立起來它，密宗，佛教裏所有的我們都要有。在海外我們要建立一個真正新的道場，要製造出來佛菩薩。
二十多年以前我就說過，我說：「我是一個磚瓦匠，是個泥水匠，是個橋樑，是個道路，要修道的人，人人從我這個橋樑上到佛國去成佛去，人人走我這個道路；要行菩薩道的，人人住我這個磚瓦泥匠造的廟，來在這個廟裡成佛。」我說：「我啊！是造活菩薩、活羅漢的，不是就這麼隨隨便便的。」所以萬佛城，外邊說我們道風好，我們要顧名思義；說萬佛城規矩嚴，那我為什麼還在這兒不守規矩？萬佛城是真正修道的地方
，我為什麼在這兒不修道？為什麼我在這兒要躲懶偷安？我為什麼要在這個地方來混光陰？到了萬佛城都要發萬萬分的修道的心，不可以懶惰，那麼隨便。
現在我預備請各國的高僧大德，到我們萬佛城來弘揚佛法，真正的佛教我們要把它現出來，我們現出來這個時代和佛住世的時候一樣的。我們將來
是要把佛陀的教義讓人人都要明白；學教的，人人最低限度要能講幾部經，念佛的，要一天到晚不停地念佛，參禪的一天到晚不停地參禪；給你機會來用功，給你機會來了生死，你再要不了生死，那就佛也難救度你了，所以各位不要把光陰都空過了。
「一寸時光就一寸命光」，時光過去你沒有法子再找回來。你不要把道場的飯都白吃了，就在這兒混吃等死熬歲月，萬佛城不留這樣的人。你們是這樣的人，趕快給我改過；不改過，你不要希望將來在萬佛城住。萬佛城是真正修道的人的，不是你弄一個假面具在這兒混光陰的。
不論說什麼，都是在打閒岔，我們想要了生死
，還要大家把你的話頭提起來，把你的妄想放下，把你的私欲雜念、嫉妒障礙都捨棄了它，然後才能得到功夫相應；你如果不這樣子，你願意打妄想，不怕浪費你的光陰，我也沒有法子管著你的心。
這個「心」，「三點如星佈，彎勾似月牙；披毛從此起，做佛也由它。」
說「若人欲了知，三世一切佛；應觀法界性，一切唯心造。」你造天堂就上天堂；造地獄就下地獄。這是隨你自己做主宰。
上人：有誰有什麼問題嗎？可以問。
全文完
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Past Chan sessions at the City of Ten
Thousand Buddhas (CTTB) were rather casual. There was no
serious discussion of the rules. Buddha recitation sessions
were not that serious either. Why not? Because this nation
is uncivilized. It's a nation where everyone does as he or
she pleases. Buddhism has not become rooted here. Without
roots, if we say this is not okay and that is not permitted,
it will not be easy to establish a Way-place. That's why I
accept both good people and those who are not good. There
are people from all parts and all walks of life here. In the
future when we get serious about cultivation, the dragons
will have to coil up and the tigers will have to lie down.
Everyone will have to behave and do things in the proper
way. No matter what you do, you will not be allowed to err
in the slightest.
"If you err by a hair at the start,
you'll miss the mark by a thousand miles." In the future we
should establish a Chan Hall, a Buddha Recitation Hall, a
place for lecturing Sutras, a place for lecturing the Vinaya,
and a place for the Secret School. We should have all the
schools of Buddhism. We want to build a genuine, new
Bodhimanda in this country, and create Buddhas and
Bodhisattvas.
Over twenty years ago, I said, "I am a
mason, a construction worker, a bridge, and a road. I want
all cultivators to walk over my bridge and take my road to a
Buddhaland where they become Buddhas. I want those walking
the Bodhisattva Way to live in the monasteries I build as a
mason and construction worker, so that they become Buddhas."
I said, "I am building living Bodhisattvas and living Arhats;
I can't be slapdash about it." Others praise the spirit of
practice at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. We must
contemplate to see if we live up to our reputation: "The
City of Ten Thousand Buddhas is said to have strict rules.
Then why don't I follow the rules? The City of Ten Thousand
Buddhas is a place of true cultivation. Then why don't I
cultivate? Why am I being lazy? Why am I idling my time
away?" When we arrive at CTTB, we must cultivate with
absolute sincerity. Laziness and sloppiness are
impermissible.
I am planning to invite eminent monks and
virtuous Buddhists from every nation to come to CTTB to
propagate the Buddhadharma. We must make genuine Buddhism
clear and manifest. We must show that the present age is the
same as the Buddha's time. We want every single person to
understand what the Buddha taught. Each person who studies
the teachings must be able to lecture at least a few Sutras.
Those who recite the Buddha's name should do so all day long
without a break. Those who meditate should investigate their
meditation topics continuously from morning to night. We are
giving you the opportunity to practice and liberate yourself
from birth and death. If you fail to do so, then even the
Buddha would have a hard time saving you. Don't let the time
go by in vain. "A moment of time is a moment of life." Once
the time goes by, you can never retrieve it. Don't consume
the monastery's food in vain and sit around wasting time and
waiting to die. Such people are not welcome at CTTB. If you
are like that, you had better change right away, or else
don't expect to live at CTTB. CTTB is for true cultivators.
Don't think you can put up a false front and hang out here.
Any kind of talk is an interruption. If
you want to end birth and death, you must all keep your
meditation topic in mind. Let go of your discursive
thoughts, desire, jealousy, and obstructiveness. Then you
will succeed in your practice. If, however, you indulge in
discursive thoughts and carelessly idle your time away, I
have no way to control your mind.
The (Chinese character for) "mind" 心 is
described thus:
Three dots like a cluster of stars,
A curve like the cresent moon.
Furred creatures arise from it;
Buddhas come from it, too.
If people wish to understand
All Buddhas of the Three Periods of Time,
Contemplate the nature of the Dharma Realm:
Everything is made from the mind alone.
If you create a heaven, you can ascend to
heaven. If you create a hell, you'll descend into hell. You
control the situation.
Venerable Master: If there are any
questions, you may ask.
~ The End
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