⊙眾生無量法無量，慈悲喜捨法無量，為眾開法藏，廣施功德寶。
⊙「是妙光法師，奉持佛法藏，八十小劫中，廣宣法華經。」《法華經序品第一》
⊙佛法藏或稱謂如來藏，即法性的道理，因法性含藏無量的性德。
⊙「是諸八王子，妙光所開化，堅固無上道，當見無數佛。」《法華經序品第一》
⊙「供養諸佛已，隨順行大道，相繼得成佛，轉次而授記。」《法華經序品第一》
⊙授記：佛對發心之眾生，授與當來必當成佛之記別也。
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【證嚴上人開示】
眾生無量法無量
慈悲喜捨無量
為眾開法藏
廣施功德寶
也就是要告訴大家，眾生，芸芸眾生無量。普天之下，看，蠢動含靈，所有的生命形體到底有多少？無量無數，不可計算，所以眾生無量。
這眾生都是在六道中，六道輪迴苦不堪！卻是，造成六道輪迴就是在人，人道，人類會起心動念造一切業，所以佛陀就是必定要來人間，向眾生開示，那就要很多種的法，同樣也是要法無量。因為，眾生的根機無量，眾生的煩惱無量，眾生造業無量，所以佛陀必定要對機逗教，要設法來度無量眾生。
度無量眾生的法，不離開「四無量心」。「四無量心」就是慈、悲、喜、捨，要有無量的慈、無量悲、無量捨、無量喜，所以大慈、大悲、大喜、大捨，這個「大」已經是無量數，所以慈、悲、喜、捨法無量。因為有這麼多的無量，這就是在法藏裡，無量無數的法就是在法藏。
所以，佛陀來「開、示」眾生佛的知見，無非就是為眾生開法藏，將如來的藏性打開，讓大家知道，法藏不只是在佛，眾生皆有如來藏性。只是，眾生這個法的性，都是關住的，如來藏關著，所以佛陀來人間「開、示、悟、入」，是為眾生開法藏。
這法藏一開，裡面的法，就是要「廣施功德寶」。裡面，人人能接受佛的教法，就如得到法藏裡的寶一樣，任由人人去取。所以我們學佛、聞法，聽法之後，聞、思、修。聽，要好好去思考，每一句、每一字裡面的含藏，含藏著它的道理，這個「道」，有道就有路，有這個道，能讓我們走的路，我們要好好用心去體會。
是妙光法師
奉持佛法藏
八十小劫中
廣宣法華經
《法華經序品第一》
妙光法師在日月燈明佛過後，德藏菩薩還未成佛以前，這期間，就是妙光法師，他要「奉持佛法藏」，他要堅持，將佛的教法要好好保持，同時也是要繼續弘揚。佛法藏，也能稱做如來藏，就是法性的道理，因為法性含藏無量的性德。
佛法藏
或稱謂如來藏
即法性的道理
因法性含藏
無量的性德
它含藏裡有無量性與德，我們人人本來就有這種功德，但是你不施功，如何能得呢？本來就本具，只要你好好用功，這個本具的德性就會現前。所以，佛陀為所有的眾生授記，也就是見證，任何人都能成佛，只要看人(們)，他修學的精進形態，較精進的，專心精進，有入人群中結好緣，人圓、事圓，道理就圓。
「八十小劫中，廣宣法華經」。妙光菩薩，他奉持佛法藏，在八十小劫中。八十小劫到底多久？很久。過去也和大家常常說過了。「劫」，就是長時間的意思。多長？用比喻讓大家去思考，比喻我們人，人歲，人的歲數，從十歲開始，每過一百年增一歲，一直增，增至人壽八萬四千歲，如此叫做一增劫。再來，從八萬四千歲，又是再過了一百年再減一歲，就這樣類推，一直減下來，減至人壽十歲。如此一增一減，總共到底經過幾年了，這樣叫做「一小劫」。一小劫就這麼多(年)了。
二十小劫就是一個「中劫」，四個中劫，就是要經過成、住、壞、空，這樣四個中劫過後，就是「一大劫」。所以說起來，「八十小劫」，那就是「一大劫」的意思。
看看，經過了八十小劫，時間又是多久呢？這「是妙光菩薩，奉持佛法藏，八十小劫中，廣宣法華經」。這《法華經》，妙光法師用很多時間，很長，從佛的時代，一直到佛滅度，這期間，妙光法師還是不斷地在施教。
尤其是日月燈明佛，我們前面的(經)文，已經說過了，日月燈明佛有二萬位，連續在人間成佛。最後的第二萬位，這位日月燈明佛，他有八個王子。王子棄捨王位，因為看到父親出家修行、成佛，八位王子還是好樂佛法，隨佛出家。這八位王子，日月燈明佛就交代給妙光法師，來為他們教育。所以這八王子，就是妙光菩薩的弟子，是「妙光所開化，堅固無上道。當見無數佛」。
是諸八王子
妙光所開化
堅固無上道
當見無數佛
《法華經序品第一》
這八位王子，經過妙光菩薩所開化。「開化」的意思，就是開蒙化惡。這就是我們眾生人人都是一樣，應該我們每一位眾生，我們有八識，你我都一樣，我們的八識，貪、瞋、癡、慢、疑、無明很多，心門未開以前，我們就是懵懵懂懂。接觸了佛法之後，我們這個懵懂的心應該要開，開啟了迷茫的心。所以，佛法來淨化我們的心，所以「法譬如水，能洗滌垢穢」，在我們的內心，心靈的垢穢，八識所受的污染都把它淨化了，諸惡莫做，眾善奉行，這就是開蒙化惡。
「堅固無上道」，那就是守護一切眾生善根。佛陀說法，教導人人要能從善，要做善事、起善念，凡是一切一切，惡念不能浮上來。我們修行，就是要降伏我們的惡念，時時培養善念。善念已經啟發，我們就要堅固，守護一切善。不只是自己要守護，連一切眾生，我們也要幫忙他們守護。這是發菩薩心的人，先堅固自己的道心，然後也堅固他人的善根。
所以常常告訴大家，我們心要寬、念要純，我們不可斷人的善根。儘管你是非分清楚，儘管你的善根很深厚，但是，守護我們自己的善根以外，我們也不可去斷了別人的善根。別人的不對，我們能循循善誘，慢慢陪伴他，慢慢開化他。不可一下子就放棄他，放棄他，那就是斷善根了。所以，我們要堅固我們自己的道心，同時也要守護一切眾生的善根，令不斷壞，這就是「堅固無上道」。若能如此，就能「當見無數佛」。
我們的八識若能全都開化，真的在前的六根、六塵、六識，若能見善思齊，若能如此，第七識、第八識，思想我們就能很清明。很清明的思想，配合前面六識、六根識，所做的一切善成為種子，藏在八識田中，若如此，我們要見善知識，要能見佛，並不困難。所以，「當見無數佛」，用佛心看人，不就是人人都是佛嗎？
妙光菩薩，那就是文殊師利菩薩。除了八王子之外，還有八百弟子。這八百弟子來弘通《法華經》。其中有一位弟子叫做求名，求名菩薩就是現在的彌勒菩薩。這多麼不可思議啊！菩薩法親永遠都是相隨著，無論是過去、現在，當然還有長久的未來，這些菩薩眷屬互相輪流，為了隨佛——宇宙的大覺者，在人間教化眾生，互相相隨，互相成就。這叫做法親，也是菩薩。
供養諸佛已
隨順行大道
相繼得成佛
轉次而授記
《法華經序品第一》
「供養諸佛已」，人人都很用心供佛，甚至還是「隨順行大道，相繼得成佛，轉次而授記」。這八百弟子很精進，不斷供養，還是同樣上求佛道，同樣是下化眾生，所以「隨順行大道」，隨順佛的意，而且信受奉行在這個大道。因為他們有在行道，精進，所以「相繼得成佛」。
我們若不精進，永遠，儘管我們人人心中都有如來藏，但是我們不覺不知，懵懵懂懂，即使知道佛法，我們的心門也沒開，就算開了，也沒有走出去，也沒有去精進，若如此，如何能成佛？
所以這裡說「隨順行大道，相繼得成佛，轉次而授記」。若如此，有在精進，自然就能得受諸佛授記。無論是在何時，哪怕是八十小劫，這麼長久的時間，只要有在精進，前前後後都有被授記的機會。
授記
佛對發心之眾生
授與當來
必當成佛之記別也
「授記」，是佛對發心之眾生，授於當來必當成佛之記。所以，這是佛與這些修行者所約定：你們有如此修行，你們一定會如此成佛。
各位菩薩，我們要用心。學佛是要行菩薩道，上求下化，我們要廣度眾生，這就是「眾生無量法無量，慈悲喜捨法無量」。我們要為眾生開啟法藏，我們要廣施功德的法寶。佛陀這樣教我們，我們也要隨順同樣這麼走。不是只有佛才如此，所謂學佛、學佛，佛是如此，我們也是如此。所以人人時時要多用心。
Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: Uphold the Dharma-treasury of the Buddha (受持如來法藏)
Date: November. 15. 2013
“For infinite sentient beings, He gave infinite Dharma, infinite loving-kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity. He hoped the Dharma-treasury for all beings to widely give away treasures of merits and virtues.”
This tells us there are infinite sentient beings. In this world, how many living, moving beings are there? The number is incalculable, so there are infinite, countless sentient beings. They all experience unspeakable suffering in cyclic existence of the Six Realms. [The karma of] cyclic existence in the Six Realms is created in the human realm. People’s minds give rise to all kinds of thoughts, which create karma. That is why the Buddha has to come to this world to open and reveal [teachings]. He had to use many kinds of teachings, so the Dharma is also infinite. Since there are an infinite number of capabilities among sentient beings, they have an infinite amount of afflictions and create an infinite amount of karma. Therefore, the Buddha must teach according to capabilities, establish teachings to transform infinite beings. The Dharma used to transform sentient beings is all related to the Four Infinite Minds, which are loving-kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity. So, we must have infinite or great loving-kindness, compassion, equanimity and joy.
“Great” means countless. Infinite teachings about loving-kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity are found in the Dharma-treasury (which is also known as our Buddha-nature). So, the Buddha came to “open and reveal” His views and knowledge to sentient beings. This open their Dharma-treasury and awaken their Buddha-nature. Then everyone will know that the Dharma-treasury is found not only in Buddhas, it is found in all sentient beings. However, this Buddha-nature is hidden. So, the Buddha came to this world to help us “open, reveal, realize and enter,” this Dharma-treasury. Once this Dharma-treasury is opened, we must “widely spread the treasures of merits and virtues” found in there. When people receive the Buddha’s teachings, that is like obtaining any treasure they want from the Dharma-treasury.
Therefore, as we learn the Buddha’s Way and hear the Dharma, we listen, contemplate and practice. After listening to the Dharma, we must think about the principles concealed within each sentence and word. Each is a Path, a road we can walk on.When we have the Path, we can walk it, so we must make an effort to comprehend them.
“Dharma Master Wondrous Light reverently upheld the Buddha’s Dharma-treasury.”
“For 80 small kalpas, he widely spread the Lotus Sutra.”
After Sun-Moon-Lamp Radiant Buddha passed, but before Virtue Treasury attained Buddhahood, Dharma Master Wondrous Light was the one who “reverently upheld the Buddha’s Dharma-treasury.”He had to remain firm and preserve the Buddha’s teachings as he continued to promote them.
The Buddha’s Dharma-treasury is also called.Tathagata-garbha, which is the principles of Dharma-nature.
This means that Dharma-nature contains the potential for infinite virtues.
It contains infinites potential and virtues.We all intrinsically have these virtues, but if we do not practice, how will they manifest?We already have them, so as long as we work hard, our intrinsic virtues will manifest.So, the Buddha bestowed predictions of Buddhahod upon all sentient beings to verify that any person can become a Buddha.
It just depends on the diligence of their practice.They must focus on making progress and creating good affinities as they interact with others.When people and matters are harmonious, principles are harmonious.
“For 80 small kalpas, he widely spread the Lotus Sutra.”Wondrous Light Bodhisattva upheld the Buddha’s Dharma-treasury for 80 small kalpas.How long is 80 kalpas?
A very long time.In the past I have often explained that “kalpa” stands for a very long period of time.To help people understand how long, I make a comparison.Take the average human lifespan for an example.Staring from an average lifespan of 10 years, and adding one year every century, the time it takes for the average lifespan to reach 84,000 years is one increasing kalpa.Next, starting from 84,000, the average lifespan decreases by one year every century the average lifespan is 10 years again.The total number of years added for one of these increases and decreases is “one small kalpa”.
One small kalpa already lasts for so many years, and 20 small kalpas make one “medium kalpa”.Four medium kalpas [can reflect] the phases of formation, existence, decay and disappearance.After four medium kalpas pass, that is “one great kalpa”.
Therefore, 80 small kalpas means one great kalpa.
Look, he did this for 80 small kalpas; how long is that?“Wondrous Light Bodhisattva reverently upheld the Buddha’s Dharma-treasury.”“For 80 small kalpas, he widely spread the Lotus Sutra.”Dharma Master Wondrous Light spent a long time expounding the Lotus Sutra, starting from that Buddha’s era until He entered Parinirvana.During this time, Dharma Master Wondrous Light continuously gave teachings.
In particular, as the previous text indicated, there were 20,000 Sun-Moon-Lamp Radiant Buddhas who attained Buddhahood one after another and. And the last of Them, Sun-Moon-Lamp Radiant Buddha had eight sons. These eight princes ceded the throne because they saw their father engage in spiritual practice and attain Buddhahood. They also yearned for the Buddha-Dharma and became monastics. Sun-Moon-Lamp Radiant Buddha asked Wondrous Light Bodhisattva to teach them.
Therefore, they were Wondrous Light's disciples, were “taught and transformed by Wondrous Light. They were firmly on the unsurpassed path and met with countless Buddhas”.
These eight princes were transformed by Wondrous Light Bodhisattva. Thus, their ignorance was revealed and their evil was transformed. This applies to all sentient beings.Each one of us has Eight Consciousnesses. Within them, there is much greed, anger, delusion, pride, doubt and ignorance. Before our minds are opened, we are confused. After learning the Buddha-Dharma, our confused minds should be awakened.
So, the Dharma can purify our minds, and like water, can cleanse our defilements. The filth in our minds, the contamination from Eight Consciousnesses are all purified. To refrain from all evils and do all good deeds means to reveal ignorance and transform evil. “To firmly be on the unsurpassed path is to protect the roots of goodness of all sentient beings”.
The Buddha gave the Dharma to teach us all to do good deeds and give rise to good thoughts. No matter what happens, evil thoughts must not surface at all. We engage in spiritual practice to subdue our evil thoughts and nurture our good thoughts at all times. Once good thoughts are inspired, we need to firmly guard all goodness. We do not do this only for ourselves, we must help all sentient beings do the same. Thus we are people with Bodhisattva-aspirations. We must first solidify our spiritual aspirations and then help secure others' roots of goodness. So, I often tell you all that our minds must be broad, our thoughts pure. We cannot cut off anyone's root of goodness. Even if we can clearly distinguish right from wrong and have deep roots of goodness ourselves aside from protecting our own good roots, we still cannot cut off other people's roots.
If others do wrong, we must patiently guide them. We must accompany and slowly teach them; we cannot give up on them right away. If we do, we cut off their roots of goodness. So, we need to firmly guard our spiritual aspirations as well as the roots of goodness of all beings, so their roots will not break. This is “to firmly be on the unsurpassed path”. If we do so, “we can meet with countless Buddhas”. If we can transform our Eight Consciousnesses, as our Six Roots [encounter] Six Sense Objects and [give rise to] Six Consciousnesses, we can strive for goodness. If we can do so, then our seventh and eighth consciousness will engage in very clear thinking and act in concert with the other preceding Six consciousness so that all the good we do will become seeds stored in the Eighth Consciousness.
If we can do so, encountering virtuous friends and the Buddha will not be difficult. Thus, “we can meet with countless Buddhas.” When we see others with a Buddha-mind, everyone is a Buddha?
Wondrous Light Bodhisattvas was a previous incarnation of Manjusri Bodhisattva. In addition to the eight princes, he had 800 disciples who spread the Lotus Sutra. One of his disciples was called Seeker of Fame. Seeker of Fame Bodhisattva is now Maitreya Bodhisattva. This is so inconceivable! Bodhisattva are Dharma-relatives who will always keep each other company this was the case in the past and present and will be true far into the future. These Bodhisattva-kin took turns accompanying the Buddha. The Enlightened One of the universe to keep each other company and help each other succeed. These people are our Dharma-relatives and are also Bodhisattvas.
[They also presented Buddhas with offerings]. “Having presented all Buddhas with offerings, they practiced the Great Way accordingly, and in succession, became Buddhas. In turn, they made such predictions of others.”
These 800 disciples were very diligent and continuously made offerings. As they sought the Buddha’s Way, they also transformed sentient beings. So, “they practiced the Great Way accordingly.” They followed the Buddha’s intent and faithfully accepted [His teachings]. Because they practiced the Path and were diligent, they, “in succession, became Buddhas.” If we are not always diligent, even though we have Tathagata-garbha in our minds, we remain unaware and confused. Even if we know the Buddha’s teachings, the door to our minds may not open. Even if the door does open, if we do not walk out or diligently practice, how can we attain Buddhahood?
So, “they practiced the Great Way accordingly, and in succession, became Buddhas.”
“In turn,they made such predicitions of others. ”If we are diligent, naturally we can receive predictions from Buddhas. No matter how long it takes, even as long as 80 small kalpas, as long as we are diligent, we have opportunities to receive these predictions.
Therefore, “bestowing predictions” is for sentient beings who made aspirations.” The Buddha bestowed predictions on them to become future Buddhas.
Therefore, this was the agreement that the Buddha made with these spiritual practitioners: “If you practice in this way, you will certainly attain Buddhahood. Fellow Bodhisattva, we must be mindful. As we learn the Buddha’s Way, we must practice the Bodhisattva-path and widely transform sentient beings widely transform sentient beings. So, “for infinite sentient beings, He gave infinite Dharma.” The teachings loving-kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity are also infinite. We must open the Dharma-treasury for all beings and widely spread the treasures of virtue. This is what the Buddha taught us, so we must follow this Path. The Buddha is not the only one does this; if we learn the Buddha’s Way, we must also do the same. Therefore everyone, please always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV - Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
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