⊙一性圓明自然，法性天地人間，古今諸佛道同，暢演本懷大事。
⊙「聖主法之王，安慰無量眾，我若滅度時，汝等勿憂怖。」經文《法華經序品第一》
⊙「是德藏菩薩，於無漏實相，心已得通達，其次當作佛，號曰為淨身，亦度無量眾。」《法華經序品第一》
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修行啊！主要我們要透徹「一性圓明自然，法性天地人間，古今諸佛道同，暢演本懷大事。」。
一性圓明自然
法性天地人間
古今諸佛道同
暢演本懷大事
我們都要瞭解，還有什麼行好修？最重要的，我們要回歸本性。一性是圓明自然，長久以來、無始以來，一直都是這個自性圓明，與天地自然合為一體，所以法性天地還是在人間。古今諸佛，佛佛道同，無論是過去諸佛、現在釋迦牟尼佛，還有未來無量無數諸佛，性，法性自然。
哪怕是每天，一直告訴大家，佛性、眾生性都是平等。所以，諸佛出現人間，就是(為)同一件事，佛佛道同，為了說法，為了能讓眾生體會、瞭解真理，所以來人間。來人間的一大事，就是要暢演他的本懷。
我們也說過，釋迦牟尼佛四十多年的說法，循循善誘、種種方便，也就是要能讓人人能體會，可是眾生根機鈍劣，所以佛陀要用很長的時間，應眾生的根機說法。那麼，四十二年過去了，佛陀不得不依照大自然的法則，所以也即將是要滅度之時，不得不捨方便，顯真實法，那就是暢演本懷。
有向大家提起，佛陀在法華會上放光顯瑞，彌勒與文殊(菩薩)互相對答，引起(回顧)過去日月燈明佛。如此，已經過去的日月燈明佛，有二萬位同名，叫做日月燈明佛。同樣也是說法，最後也是說大法，名叫做《無量義》，同時是演說《法華經》，過去的二萬佛也是同樣，這就是佛佛道同。
最後的日月燈明佛，有八子，八個兒子都能夠統領天下。但是，看到他(們)的父王出家了、成正覺了，這個境界，他的八個王子感覺，人生，再大的權力、如何的享福，還不如能透徹人生的道理，瞭解天地宇宙，真諦的道理，所以也棄捨王位同時出家。
那就是在日月燈明佛的當時，有一位叫做妙光菩薩，日月燈明佛的八子皆師妙光，就是拜妙光菩薩為師父，妙光菩薩就引導這八位王子，深入大乘教理。這是前面一段時間，已經解釋過了。
當日月燈明佛他在定中出來時，他就要向大家宣布：「大家要用心！佛法難逢，真理難會，可是人人要很瞭解，法與理本來就是永住人心，人人若能一理通徹，那本性自然。要知道，佛最近也即將要入涅槃了，諸佛真正難得、佛法難聞，大家要用心把握。」所以向大家宣布，佛即將入滅了。
大家聽到佛將要入滅了，心就很擔憂。所以，「聖主法之王，安慰無量眾，我若滅度時，汝等勿憂怖」。
聖主法之王
安慰無量眾
我若滅度時
汝等勿憂怖
經文《法華經序品第一》
「聖主法之王」，什麼叫做聖主？佛就是諸聖中之上，他是諸聖的上首。所說的「聖」，就是有小乘、中乘、大乘的聖人。小乘的聖人就是聲聞，已經覺悟但是還未很透徹；或者是中乘，緣覺；大乘就是發心修菩薩行。如此也是叫做聖人，不過還是還未圓滿，所以佛稱為諸聖中之上首，所以叫做聖主。
我們人人若能發心修行，那就是要往賢與聖的方向。賢人就是賢與能，就是善心的人；聖就是要超凡，脫離凡的境界，入聖的佳境，這就是修行者的目標。所以，學佛從小乘獨覺開始，一直到發心要兼利他人，入人群中的菩薩道，一直到佛，這樣非常圓滿的境界，這叫做聖主。
所以「聖主」就是諸聖的上首，他已經覺悟，自覺、覺他、覺行圓滿，就是自在，輕安、自在，沒有畏懼，這叫做聖。
佛即將入涅槃，對佛而言他很自在，這是大自然法則，所以很自在。但是他看到大家這麼擔憂，所以他就會來安慰「大家不必擔心，我若滅度時，汝等免憂怖」，全都不用擔憂，因為，後面還有一尊菩薩，即將成佛。「是德藏菩薩，於無漏實相，心已得通達，其次當作佛」，他的名稱叫做「淨身」，「亦度無量眾」。
是德藏菩薩
於無漏實相
心已得通達
其次當作佛
號曰為淨身
亦度無量眾
《法華經序品第一》
佛若是將要入滅時，一定授記好了未來將要成佛者，還有人能來繼承(佛法)，在人間還是不斷，佛法能延續下去。所以這尊菩薩叫做德藏。
這尊德藏菩薩，他於無漏實相，「無漏」之意就是諸法實相的道理，這個理體──道理的本體，就是無垢清淨。就如佛陀告訴我們：「我們人人內心本具佛性。」佛性本來清淨，天地宇宙萬物的真理，皆同樣清淨，所有的法，天地萬物皆有其法，這叫做自然法則。
如同我們的心，心地是清淨，所以外面一切萬法都是清淨。但是我們眾生凡夫迷失了，我們就是在外面，受了很多的污染，種種的法，我們都讓它漏掉，清淨的法都漏掉了，才又再來重新學。
佛性人人本具，人人都與佛同等的智慧，為何佛陀講話講那麼久？因為佛陀要來將就我們的根機，看我們的知識多高，說我們能懂的法。其實，我們與佛的智慧皆平等，為何我們現在那個「智慧」消失了？「知識」要再培養，知識還有高、有低，這就是我們人。
所以說來，「無漏」就是清淨無煩惱之法，就是我們人人的本性。外面的煩惱，貪、瞋、癡、我慢、懷疑，這些東西都沒有染著到我們的心，這叫做「無漏」。我們還是很充足的慧命存在，一點都沒有漏掉，具足本性是清淨，這叫做清淨無染、無煩惱的法，就是三乘聖人。
自覺、覺他、覺行圓滿之後，運悲入群眾中度眾生，這就是完全都沒有污染著心，如此就是覺行圓滿，這叫做大乘聖人。
三乘聖人他(們)，一定要從戒、定、慧開始。我們要守戒，戒能「防非止惡」。「防非」，就是不對的事，我們要很清楚這是不對的，我們不要去犯。不該做的，我們若去犯，這叫做犯戒。若是犯戒就是造業。我們修行就是不想再造業，所以我們要第一步要「戒」。惡的事情到我們面前，我們要及時防止，如此叫做「防非止惡」，叫做「戒」。
我們瞭解了、道理清楚了，「大時代(需)明大是非」，我們修行是一大事，所以我們要是非分清楚。
「戒」之後，我們心要「定」。知道人生的方向，我們要將這個方向，心若認定，方向正確，我們的心就定下來，不會受周圍環境影響。
有的人就想要修行，倘若外面的境界來誘惑我們，或是是有苦難事現前時，心就又搖動了，這叫做沒有定心。修行必定心要定，這個業過去既造，周圍的環境難免時時現前，我們必定要穩定自己的心，無論何種欲境現前，我們也不會受誘引，或者是我們有何坎坷的環境現前，我們也應該要把握。
現在我的環境，是過去所造(而得)，過去有這個因，我現在有這個果，但是我現在所造作的，是為未來種因；這就是心能定，道理都很清楚，這叫做智「慧」。有智慧的人，他能分別是非，瞭解道理。心能定，道理就會現前，這叫做「戒、定、慧」。
「戒、定、慧」就是在佛的道理中。聽，聞、思、修——要用心聽，聽了之後要好好思考，思考正確的方向，我們要精進。若能如此，戒定慧具足於我們的心，就叫做「無漏」，沒有漏失。智慧充足沒有漏失，這就是「出世無漏法」。我們要知道，學佛就是要學得出世無漏。
我們前面曾說過，佛陀安慰大家：我若滅度後，還有現在的德藏菩薩，將來也將成佛，他能在無漏智慧中來成就。所以，世間的實相，他很具足、瞭解，心都一切通達，通達一切道理，所以「其次當作佛」，他即將成佛了。他距成佛的時間還有一段，所以未來成佛，他的名稱叫做「淨身」，「亦度無量眾」。
這就是佛陀要告訴大家，自然法則是如此，哪怕是成佛，還是有入滅的時刻。不過，佛陀入滅、入涅槃之後，後面還會有佛出現人間，因為人間的道理不能消滅。所以這尊佛若是滅度，又再授記，還會有佛來教育人間。所以，這是日月燈明佛，向大眾宣告他將要入涅槃，同時向大家宣告，他入涅槃後，德藏菩薩即將成佛，同樣以世間實相、無漏無染清淨的道理來教化人間。
所以這段(經)文，完全就是在敘述日月燈明佛，在法會上向大家宣告。也是在暗示大家，佛陀，釋迦牟尼佛講《法華經》，也就是將要準備入涅槃的時刻了。這也是在暗示、警告，人人要虔誠精進用功。各位菩薩，大自然法則就是如此。所以我們要時時多用心。
Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: Transcend the Ordinary (聞法精進離凡入聖)
Date: November. 11. 2013
In our spiritual practice, we must thoroughly understand that “Our intrinsic is pure and radiant. Dharma-nature is everywhere. All past, present Buddhas share the same path and freely carry out their original intent.” We need to understand what practices to follow. Most important is that we want to return to our intrinsic nature. Our intrinsic nature is pure and radiant.
For a very long time, since Beginningless Time, we have always had this pure and radiant nature and were naturally one with the world. Thus, Dharma-nature is everywhere in this world. All Buddhas, past and present, share one path. [This applies to] Buddhas in the past, the present Buddha, Sakyamuni and the countless, infinite Buddhas yet to come. Their intrinsic Dharma-nature is [pure]. It seems that every day, I tell all of you, “The natures of Buddhas and sentient beings are equal.” Thus, as Buddhas appear in the world, They all do so for the same reason. All Buddhas share the same path. They appear in the world to expound the Dharma and to help beings realize and understand true principles. Their one great cause for coming to the world is to freely carry out their original intent.
I have also discussed how Sakyamuni Buddha taught for over 40 years, carefully guiding beings by using many skillful means to help them attain realizations. Yet sentient beings have dull capabilities, so the Buddha had to spend a very long time teaching according to their capacities. Thus, 42 years passed. The Buddha had to follow the laws of nature, so, as He would soon enter Parinirvana, He had to set aside skillful means and reveal true teachings. Thus, He freely carried out His original intent. I also mentioned to everyone that the Buddha radiated light and manifested auspicious signs at the Lotus Dharma-assembly. Maitreya and Manjusri had a discussion and brought up Sun-Moon-Lamp Radiant Buddha. There were 20,000 Buddhas in the past who had the same name, “Sun-Moon-Lamp Radiant Buddha”. They each expounded the Dharma, and in the end, gave a great teaching called Infinite Meanings as They expounded the Lotus Sutra. The 20,000 Buddhas of the past also did this, so all Buddhas share the same path.
The last Sun-Moon-Lamp Radiant Buddha had eight sons. Together the eight sons could have ruled the world. But having seen their father, the king, leave home and attain perfect enlightenment, the eight princes felt that no matter how much power they had in this world and how much pleasure they could enjoy, that would still be inferior to penetrating the principles of life and understanding the Absolute Truth of the universe. So, they also ceded the throne and became monastics.In the time of Sun-Moon-Lamp Radiant Buddha, there was a Bodhisattva named Wondrous Light.Sun-Moon-Lamp Radiant Buddha’s eight sons took Wondrous Light Bodhisattva as their teacher, and he guided them to deeply understand the Great Vehicle teachings.
I have spent some time explaining this already.When Sun-Moon-Lamp Radiant Buddha emerged from Samadhi, He declared to everyone,.“You must all make an effort.”
“It is rare to encounter the Buddha-Dharma and to realize true principles.”“Yet, you must all really understand that the Dharma and the truth have always been in your minds.”“If you are able to grasp this one truth and understand all principles, your intrinsic nature is pure and radiant.You should know that the Buddha is about to enter Parinirvana.Since the opportunity to encounter a Buddha and listen to His teachings is rare, you must make an effort to seize it.”After saying this to everyone, He prepared to enter Parinirvana.When everyone heard that He would enter Parinirvana, they were all worried.
Therefore, “the saintly Lord, the King of Dharma, then comforted countless beings.After My passage into extinction, none of you should worry or fear.The saintly Lord, the King of Dharma.”
What does “Saintly Lord” mean?Among the saints, the Buddha was supreme.He was the leader of all saints.Among the saints, [there were saints of] the Small, Middle and Great Vehicles.Saints of the Small Vehicle are Hearers.They had attained some realizations, but these were not yet complete.Those of the Middle Vehicle are Solitary Realizes.Those of the Great Vehicle aspire to practice the Bodhisattva-path.They were all called saints, but their realizations were still not complete.So, the Buddha was highest among the saints, thus, He was the saintly Lord.If each of us aspires to spiritual practice, we are heading in the direction of becoming sages and saints.
Sages are virtuous and capable, and are good-hearted.Saints have transcended the state of unenlightened beings to enter the auspicious state of saints.This is the goal of spiritual practitioners.Thus, followers of the Buddha began as Solitary Realizes of the Small Vehicle and then aspired to also benefit others and go among people to walk the Bodhisattva-path that leads to Buddhahood, the truly prefect state.So, He is called the saintly Lord.
The saintly Lord refers to the highest among the saints.He had already attained enlightenment.He enlightened Himself, others and had perfect enlightened conduct.
Thus, He was free and at ease, and had no fear.Thus He was called a saint.When this Buddha was about to enter Parinirvana.He felt very free and at ease.This was the law of nature, so He felt a sense of ease.
But when He saw how worried everyone was, He comforted them by saying, “Everyone, there is no need to worry.”“When I enter Parinirvana, you must not fear.”There is no need for worry because afterwards, a Bodhisattva will soon achieve Buddhhood.
“For Virtue Treasury Bodhisattva, completely understood the ultimate truth that is without Leaks, and will be the next Buddha. His name will be Pure Body and He will transform countless beings.”
When a Buddha is about to enter Parinirvana, He has to bestow predictions on future Buddhas, who will be there to pass on [the teachings]. Thus, the Buddha-Dharma will always exist in this world. This Bodhisattva was Virtue Treasury and had fully understood the ultimate truth, which is without Leaks.“Without Leaks” means that principles of the ultimate truth of all things, the basic underlying principles, are undefiled and pure. As the Buddha has told us, “Everyone intrinsically has Buddha-nature”. Buddha-nature is intrinsically pure. The true principles of all things in the universe are likewise pure. All things in the world contain [principles]. These are known as the laws of nature. Just as our minds are pure, all things in our external conditions are pure. But we unenlightened beings are lost. We have been contaminated by many external defilements. We have let various Dharma leak out. We have lost the pure Dharma, so we must return and learn it anew.
We all intrinsically have Buddha-Dharma and wisdom equal to the Buddha’s. Why did the Buddha preach for so long? He wanted to match our capabilities and give us teachings we can understand based on His observation of our knowledge. Indeed, our wisdom is equal to the Buddha’s. But our “wisdom” has disappeared or has become “knowledge,” so we need to develop wisdom again. When it comes to humans, there are different levels of knowledge.
So, when talking about “without Leaks,” we are referring to the teachings that are pure and free of afflictions. This means our our intrinsic nature is not defiled by external afflictions such as greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance or doubt. This is called “without Leaks”. [In this state,] we still have ample wisdom-life; none of it has leaked out. This comes from the Dharma that is pure, undefiled and free of afflictions. This is how saints of the Three Vehicles awaken themselves, others and attain perfect awakened conduct, apply compassion and go among sentient beings to transform them. These are minds completely free of defilements. This leads to perfect awakened conduct. These are the saints of the Great Vehicle.
The Saints of Three Vehicles must being their practice by cultivating precepts, Samadhi and wisdom. We must uphold precepts to guard against wrongs and stop evil. “Guard against wrongs” means we must clearly recognize wrongdoings and avoid committing them. If we do something we should not do, we are breaking a precept. When we break precepts we create karma. We practice because we do not want to create karma so our first step must be to uphold “precepts.” If evil things happen around us, we must stop them right away. So, guarding against wrongs and stopping evil is [upholding] “precepts”.
We clearly understand the principles. In this great era, we must clearly discern right from wrong.” Spiritual practice is a great matter, and we must clearly discern right from wrong. After we practice precepts, we must be in Samadhi. Knowing the direction of life, we must follow this course and make sure it is correct. If we firmly believe the direction is correct, our minds will settle down and will not be influenced by our surroundings.
Some people want to engage in spiritual practice, yet when external phenomena tempt them or distressing things happen, their minds waver. That is a mind without Samadhi.
Spiritual practice requires Samadhi. The karma we created in the past will inevitably ad constantly appear [as difficulties] our present surroundings. We must stabilize and settle our minds, so no matter what temptations manifest, we will not be lured away. Or, if we encounter challenging conditions, we must seize them [as opportunities to practice].our surroundings in the present are created by our actions in the past. Because of certain causes in the past, these are the effects on the present. What I am doing now will be the causes for the future. If our minds are in Samadhi, the principles will be very clear. This is known as wisdom.
People with wisdom can clearly discern right from wrong and understand principles. With a mind in Samadhi, the principles will appear. This is known as “precepts, Samadhi and wisdom.”They come from listening to, thinking about, and practicing the Buddha’s principles. We must listen mindfully, and then contemplate what is the correct course. Then we must diligently [pursue it]. If we can do so, we hold precepts, Samadhi, wisdom in our minds. Then we are without Leaks and are flawless. Having abundant wisdom that does not leak away comes from practicing “world-transcending Flawless Dharma.”
We should know that learning the Dharma means learning to “transcend the world and have no leaks.” As I said before, the Buddha comforted everyone, “After I enter Parinirvana, Virtue Treasury Bodhisattva will still be here. In the future, he will become a Buddha; he will accomplish that with flawless wisdom.” Thus, the ultimate truth in this world is something he was replete with and understood. His mind comprehended everything and all principles completely. Thus, “he will be the next Buddha.”He will soon attain Buddhahood. However, that will not happen for some time, so he will attain Buddhahood in the future. His name will be Pure Body and He “will also transform countless beings.” Here, the Buddha wanted to tell everyone about the law of nature. Even one who has attained Buddhahood must still enter Parinirvana. But after that Buddha entered Parinirvana, other Buddhas will manifest in the world. This happens so that the principles will not fade away in this world.
So when a Buddha enters Parinirvana, He will bestow predictions that another Buddha will come to teach humans. Thus, when Sun-Moon-Lamp Radiant Buddha told everyone enter Parinirva, He also told everyone that afterwards. Virtue Treasury Bodhisattva would be a Buddha and also teach the ultimate truth of the world and the flawless, undefiled and pure principles.
This section of the sutra describes how Sun-Moon-Lamp Radiant Buddha spoke to everyone in His Dharma-assembly and foreshadowed the fact that after Sakyamuni Buddha expounds the Lotus Sutra, He would prepare to enter Parinirvana as well. This is a hint, a warning, that we must all be reverent, diligent and hardworking. Fellow Bodhisattvas, this is the law of nature. So, we must always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV - Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
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