⊙自覺：悟性真常，除惑虛妄。
⊙覺他：運無緣慈，度有情眾。
⊙覺圓：歷劫修行，因圓果滿，名為佛大覺者。
*************************************************************************
【證嚴上人開示】
一早出來的時候，抬頭看著天空，雖然滴滴雨聲，卻是天空一片寧靜，周圍的境界就是那麼寧靜，不由得從內心就是(生起)一分感恩，無限量的感恩，感恩我們所生的地方，天地之間，四季輪轉，讓我們天地很平衡。
佛陀是宇宙大覺者，佛陀覺悟了天地宇宙之間性的真常，宇宙萬物的真理是常存，我們人的本性也是不生不滅，但是我們有生生不息的輪迴。所以性是永恆，複雜的就是在我們生生不息的輪迴中。
人，這心念起伏不定，所以就有「見思惑」。「見」，眾生見，有多少見？六十二見等等，這在《水懺》裡，也已經解釋了很多。這是我們的眾生見解，就是一念無明生了三細，所以我們無量數的見解。每一個人都有這麼多不同的見解，何況天下這麼多人，想想看，這人間是不是很複雜呢？
所以，「見」就是無明。加上了「思」，就是思考，起心動念，見境生情。看，人與人之間，好壞因緣交錯，這種的「思」──看到了、思考等等。「惑」有多少？塵沙惑。這個「惑」，惑就是不明白的事情；大地上有多少的沙塵，我們的煩惱無明就有那麼多。
所以「見思惑」，造成了我們人生的這個心念，那就開始起心動念、造罪造業。這個業已經造成了，眾生共業，就會變成了，天地間、氣象四大不調，所以有「成、住、壞、空」。這是我們人心共業，所以惹成了這麼多複雜災禍等等。否則，回歸於本性，不就是那麼清淨、那麼真、那麼永恆不滅、不生不變的環境嗎？
總而言之，一念的無明，會使這麼多的業力造成。佛陀他就是保持這一念的性真常，生生世世倒駕慈航人間，無非就是要來「開、示」眾生，回歸原來本性。但是每一次來人間，必定有大事因緣。所以二千多年前，迦毘羅衛國悉達多太子，他就是來人間的一大事因緣──現相成道，要為眾生說法。在那個時代，他的思想突破了四姓階級，而且又能克服榮華富貴、統領天下的權力，他能放棄。這也就是現這個相，要來帶領我們，我們應該要如何，不要執著於一時。
那個一時就放下了，一念心轉(就)出家了、修行了，那就是自覺。經過了五年的參訪、六年的苦行，過程是多麼辛苦，終於覺悟了。這也就是佛陀「現相」──讓大家知道，修行不是那麼容易。雖然你要從一念心開始，但是你也是要經過有為、無為的生活形態，大自然的變遷，生活的刻苦等等，一定要經過這些，這樣才能在靜默中覺悟。
其實，這個覺悟本來就是他的本性，只是用這樣的經過——「八相」，要讓我們知道，如何來帶我們經過了這樣的形態。
所以「自覺」就是「悟性真常，除惑虛妄」。
自覺：
悟性真常
除惑虛妄
雖然這樣的幾句話，真正解釋起來，是佛陀的本性真常。道理很深，悟者一理皆通、萬理皆徹，所以我們是否能自覺嗎？自覺之後必定「見思惑」都要斷除。「見思惑」就是一切都是虛妄，能斷除這些虛妄的思想，那自然(能)回歸本性。
不只是自覺，還要覺他。「覺他」就是「運無緣慈，度有情眾」。
覺他：
運無緣慈
度有情眾
這是佛陀來人間的目的，為了要度眾生，就是運慈啟悲。所以就是有這個慈心，那就是「無緣大慈、同體大悲」，不忍眾生迷茫，不忍眾生在人間不斷造業。
所以佛陀看到芸芸眾生的苦難，他就是要來「運」。我們人人無始以來，我們的本性就是原來就有，但是我們已經迷掉，不知道了，所以佛陀就是運，再將它輪轉回來。佛陀不斷人間來回，所以這來回就是運，他的慈悲，他的大慈、大悲、大喜、大捨，四無量心來到人間，所以這叫做「覺他」，就是要度有情眾生。
有情眾生不只是人而已，所有一切的生靈。這一切的眾生就是人為主宰，你若要讓眾生優游自在於天地人間，隨著各種生靈因緣果報，牠們各生在不同的形態，讓牠們能優遊自在，那就要看人了。人類若能好好培養這分同體大悲這一念心，自然能尊重生命，不會殺牠(們)。
所以佛陀要來度眾生，就要啟動人人的慈悲。所以佛陀也是作眾生的典範，就是運無緣大慈，來人間度眾生，來同體大悲，不忍眾生的苦難。還要能夠「覺圓」。若能自覺、覺他，自然就覺行圓滿。
覺圓：
歷劫修行
因圓果滿
名為佛 大覺者
想要「覺行圓滿」，我們要知道歷劫修行，要經過了歷劫的修行。我們凡夫不是今生修，今生就能覺悟。我們能今生修，是過去生中累積來的緣。現在我們能接受佛的教法，一聞即通，那就是過去我們也聽過佛法、瞭解佛法，已經我們的本性慢慢接近了，接近了體悟、覺悟的境界。
所以佛陀說，他要成佛也須歷經三大阿僧祇劫，所以叫做「歷劫」，要經歷很久的時間修行。這麼久的時間修什麼行？廣結眾生緣。所以歷劫修行，因圓果滿，要到那個時間，因緣都成熟了，所以現相成佛。自覺、覺他，覺行圓滿，所以名為佛。佛陀就是覺者，覺者就是覺悟了宇宙萬物真理，所以修行成正覺。
佛陀來人間，說法四十九年的時間，過去時間循循善誘，過去種種法是按照眾生的根機來付出，將你們慢慢引度。時間無法留住，終於佛陀要入滅的時間也慢慢接近了，所以就「正直捨方便」，暢佛本懷，演真實法。
所以《法華經》是暢佛本懷，開始他要說出他內心想對大家說的話，那就是「開、示」，希望眾生能「悟、入」，無非要人人自覺、要人人覺他、要人人能覺行圓滿。這就是佛陀要來人間的目的，所以在法華會上，他入定、放光。
佛陀說《法華經》之前，「離言法華」，說《無量義經》，入無量義定，所以放光。在那個光----眉間白毫相光，看，照徹了多麼開闊的境界，這不就是宇宙的真理形象，都現前出來了！但是，很多人無法瞭解，所以面面相覷。
佛陀到底這次要說什麼大法？入定那麼久，顯異常形態，發光、現相，到底佛陀為何還不出定，要說的是什麼法呢？大家面面相覷。這時候，彌勒菩薩瞭解，瞭解大眾的心情，開始找文殊菩薩。他知道文殊菩薩是在菩薩群中智慧第一，尤其，文殊菩薩已經是七佛之師，他所領導、教過的弟子已經成佛者，前後有七尊佛，所以文殊菩薩才能夠瞭解，佛陀的現光發瑞，現瑞相，唯有文殊菩薩起來向大家說明，人人才能信受。
這是彌勒菩薩，就是未來娑婆世界成佛的一尊，即將成佛。所說的即將還是很久的時間。但是，與娑婆世界(的)眾生有緣。佛法在娑婆世界，現在的佛在現光、發光現相，這個道理到底是如何？要讓大家都能很清楚，所以就找出了文殊菩薩來對答。
所以文殊菩薩用他的智慧來說明現在，釋迦佛發光現瑞的因緣，就引起了無量劫無量劫以前的日月燈明佛。這個經過還是經過文殊菩薩的解說，這段(經)文也是很長。因為時間長，所以這個經過，要成佛的經過要有很大的因緣，就是用很長的時間，這就是表示時間也是永恆的。
時間，常說時間無常，其實時間是永恆的。到底多少劫？無央數劫以前的日月燈明佛，還有以前無量無數劫，這種的時間，你們想，不就是永恆嗎？所以我常會告訴大家：「把握當下那念心，叫做永恆的時間。」
我們的覺性本來就是永恆，這個永恆真常的道理，時間、人間、空間，無論天下宇宙之間，真理是一、是恆、是真、是常，所以我們要很透徹瞭解。
時間過得很快，所說的永恆，希望人人在自性本覺中，要好好含藏著永恆無量劫的時間在一念中。這是在靈山會上有很深、很開闊的道理，請大家時時要多用心。
Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: Apply Compassion to Attain Perfect Fruition (運慈啟悲因圓果滿)
Date: November. 08 2013
When I walked out early this morning, I looked up into the sky. Though I heard raindrops, the sky was completely clear and my surroundings were so very tranquil. I could not help but feel a sense of gratitude, boundless gratitude. I am grateful for this place I live in and for the cycle of the four seasons that bring this sense of balance to my environment. The Buddha is the Great Enlightened One of the Universe. He realized the true and permanent nature of the universe, the everlasting true principles of all things. Our intrinsic nature is also non-arising and non-ceasing. But we go through cyclic existence without end.
So, [our intrinsic] nature is everlasting, but what makes it complicated is that our minds continue to fluctuate as we continuously go through cyclic existence. Thus, we have “delusions of views and thinking”. How many views do we sentient beings have? [There are] 62 views, and so on. In the Water Repentance, I explained, at great length, that sentient beings’ views arise because one ignorant thought created the Three Subtleties. Therefore, we have countless views. Each of us has so many different views, so think about how complicated the world is with so many people and all their views.
So, “views” refer to ignorance. It is coupled with “thinking,” which refers to the stirring of thoughts and the arising of emotions in response to conditions. Take a look at how good and bad karmic connections bring people together. Our “thinking” comes from seeing and then reflecting on something. How many delusions do we have? There are myriad dust-like delusions. “Delusions” are things that we do not understand. Our afflictions and ignorance number as many as the grains of dust and sand on earth. In our life, “delusions of views and thinking” form in our minds, so thoughts begin to stir, and then we commit transgression and create karma. This karma has already been created. The collective karma created by sentient beings causes imbalance in the weather and in the four elements. This leads to “formation, existence, decay and disappearance”. The collective karma in the minds of human beings has caused so many complications and disasters. But [if we can] return to our intrinsic nature, won’t [our minds] be very pure and true, and in an everlasting, non-ceasing, non-arising and unchanging state?
In summary, one ignorant thought can create so much karma.The Buddha had maintained the true and permanent nature of His mind and steered the ship of compassion back to this world, life after life, solely to “open and reveal” [teachings] to sentient beings [to help them] return to their original, intrinsic nature.But, each time He returns, there must be a great cause.So, over 2000 years ago, as Prince Siddhartha of Kapilavstu,.He came to this world for the one great cause of manifesting the attainment of enlightenment and expounding the Dharma for sentient beings.For people of that era, His teachings broke down the divisions between the four castes.He was also able to give up wealth and luxury, and the power to rule [a kingdom].
Thus, He came to lead us with this physical manifestation so we would know that we should not cling to [anything] at any given time.For Him, He was able to let go and turn His mind around, thus He became a Buddhist monk and engaged in spiritual practice.
This was His self-enlightenment.He went through five years of traveling, as well as six years of ascetic practices.The process was very arduous, and He eventually attained enlightenment.This was also a “manifested appearance,” so we know that spiritual practice is not that easy.
Although we also start with our minds, we must still experience [worldly and transcendent] ways of living, the chaging of naturae and deep sufferings in life and so on.We must go through all this to attain enlightenment in still contemplation.Actually, He is intrinsically enlightened, but He manifested the Eight Aspects [of His life] to help us understand and lead us through these steps.
So, with self-awakening, we have “the awakened nature [that] is true and permanent and can eliminate delusions and illusions”.
Although these words are simple, they are truly explaining that.His intrinsic nature is true and permanent and the principles behind it are very profound.For an awakened one, by understanding one principle, one realizes all principles.So, can we awaken ourselves?After we awaken, we must eliminate “delusions of views and thinking,” all that is unreal and false.When we can eliminate this delusional thinking, we can naturally return to our intrinsic nature.Not only must we awaken ourselves, we must also awaken others.
“To awaken others,” we “exercise unconditional loving-kindness to transform sentient beings.
The Buddha came to this world with the goal of transforming sentient beings, so He exercised loving-kindness and inspired compassion.He had unconditional loving-kindness and great universal compassion.He could not bear to see sentient beings confused and continuously creating karma in this world.So, when the Buddha saw the suffering of multitudes of sentient beings.He came back to “apply.Since Beginningless Time, we have always had this intrinsic nature, but we are deluded so we do not know about it.So, the Buddha applied [this truth] by turning the [Dharma-]wheel.
The Buddha continuously comes back to this world to apply the Four Infinite Minds, great loving-kindness, great compassion, great joy and great equanimity.This is called “awakening others,”which means transforming sentient beings. Sentient beings do not just refer to humans but all living beings. Humans have power over all sentient beings. We can allow them to be carefree and at ease in this world. According to their karmic retributions, these different beings are born into different forms. Whether or not they can be carefree and at ease depends on humans.
If we humans can cultivate a sense of universal compassion, we will naturally respect living beings and will not kill them. So, when He comes to transform sentient beings, the Buddha has to activate everyone’s compassion. He also serves as their role model by applying unconditional loving-kindness to transform sentient beings and manifest universal compassion. He could not bear the suffering of others, so He had to attain perfect awakening. If we can awaken the self and others, naturally we can attain perfect awakened conduct.
Perfect awakening: After kalpas of spiritual practice, one’s causes and effects are perfected and one is called a Buddha, and awakened one.
To attain perfect awakened conduct, we must engage in spiritual practice over. Many kalpas. We ordinary people do not become awakened with just one lifetime of practice. The karmic conditions we accumulated in past lifetimes are the reason we can practice in this one. Now, we many hear and immediately understand the Buddha’s teachings because in the past we have also listened to and understood them. Thus, our intrinsic nature has been slowly approaching a state of realization and awakening.
So, the Buddha said that attaining Buddhahood took Him a long time, three great asankya kalpas. So, this happened “after kalpas” of spiritual cultivation. What practices did He cultivate over that time? He widely created affinities with sentient beings. After kalpas of spiritual practice, their causes and effects were perfected. When karmic conditions have matured, He manifested attainment of Buddhahood, enlightened Himself, others and had perfect enlightened conduct, and was thus called a Buddha, an Enlightened One, who has realized the true principles of all things in the universe. So spiritual practice brings perfect enlightenment. He gave teachings in this world for 49 years. At the beginning, He patiently guided everyone; all the methods He taught were based on people’s capabilities so as to slowly guide them toward transformation. However, time waits for no one, and the time for the Buddha to enter Parinirvana gradually approached. So, He “set aside the skillful for the direct” and freely carried out His original intent and proclaimed true teachings.
Thus, in the Lotus Sutra, He began to tell everyone what He has always wanted to say. He “opened and revealed” teachings, hoping sentient beings could “realize and enter” them. He solely wanted to help people awaken themselves and others so that they could have perfect awakened conduct. This is why the Buddha comes to this world. So at the Lotus Dharma-assembly, He entered Samadhi and radiated light.
Before the Buddha expounded the Lotus Sutra, He taught “the unspoken Lotus Sutra”, gave the Sutra of Infinite Meanings and entered the Samadhi of Infinite Meanings. Thus, He radiated light form the tuft of white hair between His brows. Look at how it illuminated such a vast space. This revealed the true principles of the universe.
However, many were unable to understand this so they looked to each other to ask what teachings the Buddha would give this time. He had been in Samadhi for a long time and revealed unusual appearances such as radiating light and other signs why hadn’t He emerged from Samadhi? What teaching was He going to give? They all looked to each other.
Maitreya understood how everyone felt at that moment, so he started to look for Manjusri He knew that Manjusri Bodhisattva was foremost in wisdom among Bodhisattvas. In particular, he had been the teacher of seven ancient Buddha. Among the disciples he taught and guided, seven of them had attained Buddhahood.
Therefore, he could understand why the Buddha radiated light, manifested auspicious appearances. Only if he gave the explanation would people believe and accept it. This is what Maitreya Bodhisattva [knew] He would soon become one of the Buddhas in the Saha World, but here, the word “soon” means a long time. But, [Maitreya] had karmic affinity with the beings of this world. The Buddha-Dharma exists in this world, so as the Buddha was radiating light and manifesting appearances, how could he (Maitreya) help people understand the principles behind [these signs]? Therefore, he looked to Manjusri to give answers.
So, Manjusri exercised his wisdom to explain why Sakyamuni Buddha manifested [these signs] by mentioning Sun-Moon-Lamp Buddha from countless kalpas in the past and His process Manjusri Bodhisattva gave a very lengthy explanation. Since the course of attaining Buddhahood covers a lengthy period of time, it also requires great causes and conditions, which take a long time [to develop]. This shows that time is everlasting.
We often say that time is impermanent, but actually time can be everlasting Sun-Moon-Lamp-Radiant Buddha existed numerous, countless kalpas in the past. And there were countless kalpas before that. Think about it, isn’t this kind of time everlasting? That is why I often tell everyone that when we hold on to a moment of inspiration, that moment can last forever. Our awakened nature is inherently everlasting. It is a permanent, true and everlasting principle. In time, relationships and space, wherever we are in the universe, the truth is everlasting, real and permanent. So, we need to thoroughly understand that time passes very quickly. When I speak of everlasting, I hope we will all look within ourselves and hold on to our [aspirations], so they will last for countless eons. This very profound and broad principle was taught at the Vulture Peak assembly. Everyone, please always be mindful.
⊙覺他：運無緣慈，度有情眾。
⊙覺圓：歷劫修行，因圓果滿，名為佛大覺者。
*************************************************************************
【證嚴上人開示】
一早出來的時候，抬頭看著天空，雖然滴滴雨聲，卻是天空一片寧靜，周圍的境界就是那麼寧靜，不由得從內心就是(生起)一分感恩，無限量的感恩，感恩我們所生的地方，天地之間，四季輪轉，讓我們天地很平衡。
佛陀是宇宙大覺者，佛陀覺悟了天地宇宙之間性的真常，宇宙萬物的真理是常存，我們人的本性也是不生不滅，但是我們有生生不息的輪迴。所以性是永恆，複雜的就是在我們生生不息的輪迴中。
人，這心念起伏不定，所以就有「見思惑」。「見」，眾生見，有多少見？六十二見等等，這在《水懺》裡，也已經解釋了很多。這是我們的眾生見解，就是一念無明生了三細，所以我們無量數的見解。每一個人都有這麼多不同的見解，何況天下這麼多人，想想看，這人間是不是很複雜呢？
所以，「見」就是無明。加上了「思」，就是思考，起心動念，見境生情。看，人與人之間，好壞因緣交錯，這種的「思」──看到了、思考等等。「惑」有多少？塵沙惑。這個「惑」，惑就是不明白的事情；大地上有多少的沙塵，我們的煩惱無明就有那麼多。
所以「見思惑」，造成了我們人生的這個心念，那就開始起心動念、造罪造業。這個業已經造成了，眾生共業，就會變成了，天地間、氣象四大不調，所以有「成、住、壞、空」。這是我們人心共業，所以惹成了這麼多複雜災禍等等。否則，回歸於本性，不就是那麼清淨、那麼真、那麼永恆不滅、不生不變的環境嗎？
總而言之，一念的無明，會使這麼多的業力造成。佛陀他就是保持這一念的性真常，生生世世倒駕慈航人間，無非就是要來「開、示」眾生，回歸原來本性。但是每一次來人間，必定有大事因緣。所以二千多年前，迦毘羅衛國悉達多太子，他就是來人間的一大事因緣──現相成道，要為眾生說法。在那個時代，他的思想突破了四姓階級，而且又能克服榮華富貴、統領天下的權力，他能放棄。這也就是現這個相，要來帶領我們，我們應該要如何，不要執著於一時。
那個一時就放下了，一念心轉(就)出家了、修行了，那就是自覺。經過了五年的參訪、六年的苦行，過程是多麼辛苦，終於覺悟了。這也就是佛陀「現相」──讓大家知道，修行不是那麼容易。雖然你要從一念心開始，但是你也是要經過有為、無為的生活形態，大自然的變遷，生活的刻苦等等，一定要經過這些，這樣才能在靜默中覺悟。
其實，這個覺悟本來就是他的本性，只是用這樣的經過——「八相」，要讓我們知道，如何來帶我們經過了這樣的形態。
所以「自覺」就是「悟性真常，除惑虛妄」。
自覺：
悟性真常
除惑虛妄
雖然這樣的幾句話，真正解釋起來，是佛陀的本性真常。道理很深，悟者一理皆通、萬理皆徹，所以我們是否能自覺嗎？自覺之後必定「見思惑」都要斷除。「見思惑」就是一切都是虛妄，能斷除這些虛妄的思想，那自然(能)回歸本性。
不只是自覺，還要覺他。「覺他」就是「運無緣慈，度有情眾」。
覺他：
運無緣慈
度有情眾
這是佛陀來人間的目的，為了要度眾生，就是運慈啟悲。所以就是有這個慈心，那就是「無緣大慈、同體大悲」，不忍眾生迷茫，不忍眾生在人間不斷造業。
所以佛陀看到芸芸眾生的苦難，他就是要來「運」。我們人人無始以來，我們的本性就是原來就有，但是我們已經迷掉，不知道了，所以佛陀就是運，再將它輪轉回來。佛陀不斷人間來回，所以這來回就是運，他的慈悲，他的大慈、大悲、大喜、大捨，四無量心來到人間，所以這叫做「覺他」，就是要度有情眾生。
有情眾生不只是人而已，所有一切的生靈。這一切的眾生就是人為主宰，你若要讓眾生優游自在於天地人間，隨著各種生靈因緣果報，牠們各生在不同的形態，讓牠們能優遊自在，那就要看人了。人類若能好好培養這分同體大悲這一念心，自然能尊重生命，不會殺牠(們)。
所以佛陀要來度眾生，就要啟動人人的慈悲。所以佛陀也是作眾生的典範，就是運無緣大慈，來人間度眾生，來同體大悲，不忍眾生的苦難。還要能夠「覺圓」。若能自覺、覺他，自然就覺行圓滿。
覺圓：
歷劫修行
因圓果滿
名為佛 大覺者
想要「覺行圓滿」，我們要知道歷劫修行，要經過了歷劫的修行。我們凡夫不是今生修，今生就能覺悟。我們能今生修，是過去生中累積來的緣。現在我們能接受佛的教法，一聞即通，那就是過去我們也聽過佛法、瞭解佛法，已經我們的本性慢慢接近了，接近了體悟、覺悟的境界。
所以佛陀說，他要成佛也須歷經三大阿僧祇劫，所以叫做「歷劫」，要經歷很久的時間修行。這麼久的時間修什麼行？廣結眾生緣。所以歷劫修行，因圓果滿，要到那個時間，因緣都成熟了，所以現相成佛。自覺、覺他，覺行圓滿，所以名為佛。佛陀就是覺者，覺者就是覺悟了宇宙萬物真理，所以修行成正覺。
佛陀來人間，說法四十九年的時間，過去時間循循善誘，過去種種法是按照眾生的根機來付出，將你們慢慢引度。時間無法留住，終於佛陀要入滅的時間也慢慢接近了，所以就「正直捨方便」，暢佛本懷，演真實法。
所以《法華經》是暢佛本懷，開始他要說出他內心想對大家說的話，那就是「開、示」，希望眾生能「悟、入」，無非要人人自覺、要人人覺他、要人人能覺行圓滿。這就是佛陀要來人間的目的，所以在法華會上，他入定、放光。
佛陀說《法華經》之前，「離言法華」，說《無量義經》，入無量義定，所以放光。在那個光----眉間白毫相光，看，照徹了多麼開闊的境界，這不就是宇宙的真理形象，都現前出來了！但是，很多人無法瞭解，所以面面相覷。
佛陀到底這次要說什麼大法？入定那麼久，顯異常形態，發光、現相，到底佛陀為何還不出定，要說的是什麼法呢？大家面面相覷。這時候，彌勒菩薩瞭解，瞭解大眾的心情，開始找文殊菩薩。他知道文殊菩薩是在菩薩群中智慧第一，尤其，文殊菩薩已經是七佛之師，他所領導、教過的弟子已經成佛者，前後有七尊佛，所以文殊菩薩才能夠瞭解，佛陀的現光發瑞，現瑞相，唯有文殊菩薩起來向大家說明，人人才能信受。
這是彌勒菩薩，就是未來娑婆世界成佛的一尊，即將成佛。所說的即將還是很久的時間。但是，與娑婆世界(的)眾生有緣。佛法在娑婆世界，現在的佛在現光、發光現相，這個道理到底是如何？要讓大家都能很清楚，所以就找出了文殊菩薩來對答。
所以文殊菩薩用他的智慧來說明現在，釋迦佛發光現瑞的因緣，就引起了無量劫無量劫以前的日月燈明佛。這個經過還是經過文殊菩薩的解說，這段(經)文也是很長。因為時間長，所以這個經過，要成佛的經過要有很大的因緣，就是用很長的時間，這就是表示時間也是永恆的。
時間，常說時間無常，其實時間是永恆的。到底多少劫？無央數劫以前的日月燈明佛，還有以前無量無數劫，這種的時間，你們想，不就是永恆嗎？所以我常會告訴大家：「把握當下那念心，叫做永恆的時間。」
我們的覺性本來就是永恆，這個永恆真常的道理，時間、人間、空間，無論天下宇宙之間，真理是一、是恆、是真、是常，所以我們要很透徹瞭解。
時間過得很快，所說的永恆，希望人人在自性本覺中，要好好含藏著永恆無量劫的時間在一念中。這是在靈山會上有很深、很開闊的道理，請大家時時要多用心。
Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: Apply Compassion to Attain Perfect Fruition (運慈啟悲因圓果滿)
Date: November. 08 2013
When I walked out early this morning, I looked up into the sky. Though I heard raindrops, the sky was completely clear and my surroundings were so very tranquil. I could not help but feel a sense of gratitude, boundless gratitude. I am grateful for this place I live in and for the cycle of the four seasons that bring this sense of balance to my environment. The Buddha is the Great Enlightened One of the Universe. He realized the true and permanent nature of the universe, the everlasting true principles of all things. Our intrinsic nature is also non-arising and non-ceasing. But we go through cyclic existence without end.
So, [our intrinsic] nature is everlasting, but what makes it complicated is that our minds continue to fluctuate as we continuously go through cyclic existence. Thus, we have “delusions of views and thinking”. How many views do we sentient beings have? [There are] 62 views, and so on. In the Water Repentance, I explained, at great length, that sentient beings’ views arise because one ignorant thought created the Three Subtleties. Therefore, we have countless views. Each of us has so many different views, so think about how complicated the world is with so many people and all their views.
So, “views” refer to ignorance. It is coupled with “thinking,” which refers to the stirring of thoughts and the arising of emotions in response to conditions. Take a look at how good and bad karmic connections bring people together. Our “thinking” comes from seeing and then reflecting on something. How many delusions do we have? There are myriad dust-like delusions. “Delusions” are things that we do not understand. Our afflictions and ignorance number as many as the grains of dust and sand on earth. In our life, “delusions of views and thinking” form in our minds, so thoughts begin to stir, and then we commit transgression and create karma. This karma has already been created. The collective karma created by sentient beings causes imbalance in the weather and in the four elements. This leads to “formation, existence, decay and disappearance”. The collective karma in the minds of human beings has caused so many complications and disasters. But [if we can] return to our intrinsic nature, won’t [our minds] be very pure and true, and in an everlasting, non-ceasing, non-arising and unchanging state?
In summary, one ignorant thought can create so much karma.The Buddha had maintained the true and permanent nature of His mind and steered the ship of compassion back to this world, life after life, solely to “open and reveal” [teachings] to sentient beings [to help them] return to their original, intrinsic nature.But, each time He returns, there must be a great cause.So, over 2000 years ago, as Prince Siddhartha of Kapilavstu,.He came to this world for the one great cause of manifesting the attainment of enlightenment and expounding the Dharma for sentient beings.For people of that era, His teachings broke down the divisions between the four castes.He was also able to give up wealth and luxury, and the power to rule [a kingdom].
Thus, He came to lead us with this physical manifestation so we would know that we should not cling to [anything] at any given time.For Him, He was able to let go and turn His mind around, thus He became a Buddhist monk and engaged in spiritual practice.
This was His self-enlightenment.He went through five years of traveling, as well as six years of ascetic practices.The process was very arduous, and He eventually attained enlightenment.This was also a “manifested appearance,” so we know that spiritual practice is not that easy.
Although we also start with our minds, we must still experience [worldly and transcendent] ways of living, the chaging of naturae and deep sufferings in life and so on.We must go through all this to attain enlightenment in still contemplation.Actually, He is intrinsically enlightened, but He manifested the Eight Aspects [of His life] to help us understand and lead us through these steps.
So, with self-awakening, we have “the awakened nature [that] is true and permanent and can eliminate delusions and illusions”.
Although these words are simple, they are truly explaining that.His intrinsic nature is true and permanent and the principles behind it are very profound.For an awakened one, by understanding one principle, one realizes all principles.So, can we awaken ourselves?After we awaken, we must eliminate “delusions of views and thinking,” all that is unreal and false.When we can eliminate this delusional thinking, we can naturally return to our intrinsic nature.Not only must we awaken ourselves, we must also awaken others.
“To awaken others,” we “exercise unconditional loving-kindness to transform sentient beings.
The Buddha came to this world with the goal of transforming sentient beings, so He exercised loving-kindness and inspired compassion.He had unconditional loving-kindness and great universal compassion.He could not bear to see sentient beings confused and continuously creating karma in this world.So, when the Buddha saw the suffering of multitudes of sentient beings.He came back to “apply.Since Beginningless Time, we have always had this intrinsic nature, but we are deluded so we do not know about it.So, the Buddha applied [this truth] by turning the [Dharma-]wheel.
The Buddha continuously comes back to this world to apply the Four Infinite Minds, great loving-kindness, great compassion, great joy and great equanimity.This is called “awakening others,”which means transforming sentient beings. Sentient beings do not just refer to humans but all living beings. Humans have power over all sentient beings. We can allow them to be carefree and at ease in this world. According to their karmic retributions, these different beings are born into different forms. Whether or not they can be carefree and at ease depends on humans.
If we humans can cultivate a sense of universal compassion, we will naturally respect living beings and will not kill them. So, when He comes to transform sentient beings, the Buddha has to activate everyone’s compassion. He also serves as their role model by applying unconditional loving-kindness to transform sentient beings and manifest universal compassion. He could not bear the suffering of others, so He had to attain perfect awakening. If we can awaken the self and others, naturally we can attain perfect awakened conduct.
Perfect awakening: After kalpas of spiritual practice, one’s causes and effects are perfected and one is called a Buddha, and awakened one.
To attain perfect awakened conduct, we must engage in spiritual practice over. Many kalpas. We ordinary people do not become awakened with just one lifetime of practice. The karmic conditions we accumulated in past lifetimes are the reason we can practice in this one. Now, we many hear and immediately understand the Buddha’s teachings because in the past we have also listened to and understood them. Thus, our intrinsic nature has been slowly approaching a state of realization and awakening.
So, the Buddha said that attaining Buddhahood took Him a long time, three great asankya kalpas. So, this happened “after kalpas” of spiritual cultivation. What practices did He cultivate over that time? He widely created affinities with sentient beings. After kalpas of spiritual practice, their causes and effects were perfected. When karmic conditions have matured, He manifested attainment of Buddhahood, enlightened Himself, others and had perfect enlightened conduct, and was thus called a Buddha, an Enlightened One, who has realized the true principles of all things in the universe. So spiritual practice brings perfect enlightenment. He gave teachings in this world for 49 years. At the beginning, He patiently guided everyone; all the methods He taught were based on people’s capabilities so as to slowly guide them toward transformation. However, time waits for no one, and the time for the Buddha to enter Parinirvana gradually approached. So, He “set aside the skillful for the direct” and freely carried out His original intent and proclaimed true teachings.
Thus, in the Lotus Sutra, He began to tell everyone what He has always wanted to say. He “opened and revealed” teachings, hoping sentient beings could “realize and enter” them. He solely wanted to help people awaken themselves and others so that they could have perfect awakened conduct. This is why the Buddha comes to this world. So at the Lotus Dharma-assembly, He entered Samadhi and radiated light.
Before the Buddha expounded the Lotus Sutra, He taught “the unspoken Lotus Sutra”, gave the Sutra of Infinite Meanings and entered the Samadhi of Infinite Meanings. Thus, He radiated light form the tuft of white hair between His brows. Look at how it illuminated such a vast space. This revealed the true principles of the universe.
However, many were unable to understand this so they looked to each other to ask what teachings the Buddha would give this time. He had been in Samadhi for a long time and revealed unusual appearances such as radiating light and other signs why hadn’t He emerged from Samadhi? What teaching was He going to give? They all looked to each other.
Maitreya understood how everyone felt at that moment, so he started to look for Manjusri He knew that Manjusri Bodhisattva was foremost in wisdom among Bodhisattvas. In particular, he had been the teacher of seven ancient Buddha. Among the disciples he taught and guided, seven of them had attained Buddhahood.
Therefore, he could understand why the Buddha radiated light, manifested auspicious appearances. Only if he gave the explanation would people believe and accept it. This is what Maitreya Bodhisattva [knew] He would soon become one of the Buddhas in the Saha World, but here, the word “soon” means a long time. But, [Maitreya] had karmic affinity with the beings of this world. The Buddha-Dharma exists in this world, so as the Buddha was radiating light and manifesting appearances, how could he (Maitreya) help people understand the principles behind [these signs]? Therefore, he looked to Manjusri to give answers.
So, Manjusri exercised his wisdom to explain why Sakyamuni Buddha manifested [these signs] by mentioning Sun-Moon-Lamp Buddha from countless kalpas in the past and His process Manjusri Bodhisattva gave a very lengthy explanation. Since the course of attaining Buddhahood covers a lengthy period of time, it also requires great causes and conditions, which take a long time [to develop]. This shows that time is everlasting.
We often say that time is impermanent, but actually time can be everlasting Sun-Moon-Lamp-Radiant Buddha existed numerous, countless kalpas in the past. And there were countless kalpas before that. Think about it, isn’t this kind of time everlasting? That is why I often tell everyone that when we hold on to a moment of inspiration, that moment can last forever. Our awakened nature is inherently everlasting. It is a permanent, true and everlasting principle. In time, relationships and space, wherever we are in the universe, the truth is everlasting, real and permanent. So, we need to thoroughly understand that time passes very quickly. When I speak of everlasting, I hope we will all look within ourselves and hold on to our [aspirations], so they will last for countless eons. This very profound and broad principle was taught at the Vulture Peak assembly. Everyone, please always be mindful.
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