萬佛城金剛菩提海 Vajra Bodhi Sea

金剛菩提海:首頁主目錄本期目錄

Vajra Bodhi Sea: HomeMain IndexIssue Index

法界音

 

News from the Dharma Realm

改惡向善‧睜眼投胎
花運監獄弘法記
Repentance and Reform —Eyes Wide Open for Rebirth:
A Dharma-Sharing Visit to the Hualien Penitentiary

學賢 文 By Xue-Xian
喜雅 英譯 English translation by Grace D'Light

上人說:「人生第一件大事就是皈依三寶。」大部份的人都是在很莊嚴隆重的場合受三皈依;但是如果你是在冰冷的鐵窗內皈依三寶,會有什麼感觸呢?

其實塞翁失馬,焉知非福?上人曾說:「皈依三寶就是睜眼投胎。」人迷迷糊糊地來到世界上,又渾渾噩噩地趕著去投胎,不知生從何來,死從何去。生死輪迴永無止期,皈依三寶就有個歇腳處,慢慢就會知道怎麼去把生死給了了。所以孔夫子曾感嘆地說:「朝聞道,夕死可矣!」

去年在臺灣的花蓮監獄,有八十六名受刑人皈依在上人座下的僧團,開始研習佛法,這是非常殊勝的因緣。今年四月七日,法界佛教總會分支道場花蓮彌陀聖寺的四位比丘尼——恆雲、恆瑞、恆丙、恆涼,特地前往監獄內和這些親字輩的皈依弟子共修,帶領他們念佛、靜坐,並開示,告誡弟子們嚴守五戒:戒殺、戒偷盜、戒邪淫、戒妄語、戒飲酒,以及答覆他們在修行上所遇到的問題。

恆雲師在開示時指出,今日有機會念佛都是宿世與佛陀有深厚的因緣。獄內的人都是一時犯錯,心情難免沉悶,但是念佛可以定心;並舉臺灣苗栗造橋火車對撞意外發生時,一位女乘客從南下列車被撞到北上列車,卻毫髮未傷。這位乘客說意外發生時正在念佛。念佛功德實在是不可思議,可以解除困厄,是苦難中的光明。

兩位越南籍的法師——恆涼師、恆丙師兩姊妹,以自己在越南的經歷,提醒弟子們要知福、惜福,因為身在臺灣這塊福地是很有福報的。

有弟子請教如何戒毒?她們表示,雖然知道毒品不好,但還是會陷入毒害中。如何戒除呢?法師們答以身體是地、水、火、風四大假合,人身猶如化學工廠,如果放進好材料就有好產品,放入不良材料就有不良產品。多多觀照自己的心,不要做感官的奴隸,才能走出光明人生。

有弟子對禪坐有興趣,卻不知如何入門?法師們說靜坐時,要眼觀鼻,鼻觀口,口觀心,將意念放在腹部,並教他們結踟趺坐,同時鼓勵大家要多利用時間打坐,可以迴光返照,培養定力。所有的動物中,唯有人類可以盤腿而坐。

花蓮看守所前任所長趙國樑和現任所長李孟冬,都非常肯定佛教對受刑人的教化功能,因此在看守所內規劃出佛堂,讓受刑人能用功修行;並對前來獄內弘法的法師表示謝意,因為透過誦經、念佛、靜坐,不但可以淨化受刑人的心靈,開啟智慧,也可以消弭獄內的暴戾之氣。

最近有兩位死刑犯,行刑前心境非常平和,念著佛號步上刑場,一心求哀懺悔,並勸告世人不要貪,不要投機,和往常的死刑犯大不相同。一般死刑犯在行刑前有的無法起身,有的激動得撞牆,甚至於要抱著上車。兩位學佛的死刑犯,他們羈押在獄內四年,天天誦《地藏經》,已能背誦厚厚的三卷經文,這也是他們在獄內堅定信仰與懺悔過錯的驗證。所謂「瀰天大罪,一懺便消。」孔子的學生顏回一生不二過;子路聞過則喜。

這說明了人難免有犯錯的時候,如果勇於改過真心懺悔,也是位坦蕩的正人君子,值得人尊敬。孔子的另一個學生公冶長曾下過獄,孔子不但沒看不起他,還說那不是公冶長應得的罪,而把女兒嫁給了他。

上人曾說:「你皈依前所造的業算我的,我幫你承當;但皈依後就要守戒律,不能再犯。」我們看看《地藏經》怎麼說?「莫輕小惡,以為無罪,死後有報,纖毫受之。父子至親,歧路相逢,無肯代受。」連骨肉至親都不肯代受的罪過,上人一肩挑下來。上人說只要有一根頭髮那麼細的善根,都要度化他,等他成佛了上人才成佛。我們有這樣悲心切切的師父,做弟子的該如河報答他老人家呢?


The Venerable Master said, "The most important thing in life is to take refuge with the Triple Jewel." For most people, the refuge ceremony is serious and solemn. However, how would you feel if you were to take refuge with the Triple Jewel behind bars?

Actually, there is a silver lining in every cloud. The Venerable Master had also said, "To take refuge with the Triple Jewel is to head to rebirth with your eyes wide open." People come to this world confused and rush to another reincarnation in confusion. They don't know where they came from before birth and where they will go after death. The cycle of birth and death never ends for them. To take refuge with the Triple Jewel is to find a rest stop that allows for pause and gradual discernment of the way out of birth and death. Therefore Confucius sighed, "One dies without regrets in the eve' if one has understood the Way in the morn'."

Last year in the prisons of Hualien, Taiwan, 86 inmates took refuge with the Sangha founded by the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua and began to inves­tigate the Buddhadharma. The coalescing of the causes and conditions for this occasion is most extraordinary. On April 7th of this year, Bhikshunis Heng Yun, Heng Ruey, Heng Bing, and Heng Liang from the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association's branch monastery in Hualien, Amitabha SagelyMonastery, paid a special visit to these incarcerated disciples who took refuge. These disciples of the generation whose Dharma names begin with "Chin" (to draw near) learned to recite the Buddha's name and meditate, and heard Dharma. They also received instructions to abide by the five precepts: to avoid killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and taking intoxicants.

During Heng Yun Shi's talk, she pointed out that these disciples have an opportunity to recite the Buddha's name because they have had considerable affinities with the Buddha in past lives. Most people in jail are depressed frequently because of their once-in-a-lifetime mistake. However, reciting the Buddha's name focuses one's mind. The Dharma Master also related the story of a female passenger who escaped a train crash unscathed because she had been reciting the Buddha's name during a mishap between two oncoming trains at Miaoli, Taiwan. Accordingly, the merit and virtue of reciting the Buddha's name is incredible. It is the light at the end of the tunnel of misery that absolves all difficulties.

Two Vietnamese Dharma Masters who are also sisters, Heng Bing Shi and Heng Liang Shi, shared their personal experiences in Vietnam and reminded the disciples to appreciate and cherish their blessings. They regard being born in Taiwan as a blessing in and of itself.

Some disciples asked about how to quit drugs. They said that although they know that drugs are toxic for them, they still cannot quit their addiction. How do they free themselves from these addictions? The Dharma Masters responded that the body is composed of the four elements of earth, water, fire, and wind. The human body is similar to a chemical factory. If you use quality material, quality products are manufactured. If you use inferior material, inferior products are manufactured. One should contemplate and be more aware of one's mind. To not be enslaved by the senses is the way to a bright future.

Some disciples were interested in meditation but did not know how to begin. The Dharma Masters taught them to collect and focus the energy of their eyes, nose, and mind within, concentrating on their lower abdomen specifically. The Dharma Masters also taught them to sit in full lotus position and encouraged everyone to meditate often, to constantly reflect inwardly, and to develop concentration. After all, among animals, only human beings are capable of sitting cross-legged.

The former director Zhao Guoliang and current director Lee Mengdong of the Hualien Detention Center both verified the positive effect of Buddhism on prisoners. The center has set up a Buddha hall where prisoners can culti­vate and practice. The directors thanked the visiting Dharma masters, not only for the recitation of sutras and Buddha's name, and the meditation that purified the psyche and uncovered the detainees' wisdom, but for lessening the feel of violence in the penal complex.

A typical of those undergoing death sentence, two recent prisoners on death row were very peaceful before execution, reciting the Buddha's name, repenting, and admonishing others to not be greedy and cunning. Most crimi­nals facing execution are too weak to stand, sometimes even requiring help to carry them into the car; while some are so emotional that they bang against the wall. These two who received death sentences had been imprisoned for about four years. They recited the Earth Store Sutra every day and could recite the three thick rolls from memory. This also serves as proof of their unshakable faith and sincere repentance.

"Repentance eliminates crime that floods the heavens." Confucius's student, Yanhui, never repeated a mistake in his life. Another student, Zilu, was happy to hear about his faults. These historical figures illustrate how people inevitably err; however, if people are willing to reform and repent sincerely, they are nonetheless just and righteous gentlemen. They deserve the respect of others. Confucius's other student, Gongye Chang, had been incarcerated before. Instead of being contemptuous toward him, Confucius had his daughter wed Gongye Chang. Confucius thought that Gongye Chang did not deserve his sentence.

The Venerable Master had told us, "I will shoulder your of­fenses prior to your taking refuge. However, once you take refuge, you will have to follow the precepts and never violate them." The Earth Store Sutra says, "Living beings should not look lightly upon slight, small evils, considering them not to be offenses; for after death retribution is undergone in the most exact detail. Fathers and sons have the closest relationship, but their roads diverge and each goes his own way. Even if they should meet, neither would consent to undergo suffering in the other's place." Offenses that even our blood relatives are unwilling to shoulder are picked up by the Venerable Master. The Venerable Master said that he was going to save anyone who has the root of goodness, even one as small as a lock of curls. He will wait until everyone becomes a Buddha before he becomes a Buddha. How can we disciples repay this compassionate teacher of ours?

▲Top

法界佛教總會Dharma Realm Buddhist Association │ © Vajra Bodhi Sea