20140401《靜思妙蓮華》莫偏執己見(第273集)
【證嚴上人開示】
盲人摸象的故事。
出自《六度集經卷第八˙（八九）鏡面王經>
聽到外面的雨聲很大。這是一個颱風天，我們人在大自然界中，要時時抱著戒慎虔誠的心，希望人人平安。雨聲這麼大，就與大家分享一段佛典故事。
佛陀在世的時代，宗教很複雜，有九十多種的教派，也有人走上旁門邪道。佛陀就是體會到，這些宗教的道理無法引導人人，心的方向正確。他期待能開出一條正確的方向，所以才專心修行去了。覺悟之後，就有一件心事。因為發現了人人與佛同等的本性，佛陀要將他的心得、覺悟的境界與大家分享，卻是無法得到人人利根，即刻能接受。所以，佛陀不得不施種種的教法，來應眾生的根機。這是佛陀在世，將要施教的形態。
佛陀僧團的比丘，每一天的生活都是要出去托缽。那一天，比丘們比較早出門，要托缽也要等家家戶戶飯煮熟了，他們才去托缽。時間還早，所以這群的比丘就去借外道教一個集會講堂，他們就在那個地方借個角落來休息，等待時間托缽。
但是那個時候，正好有這些外道教，大家在辯論教法，論得很激烈。聽到他們大家所說的，就說：我的道理才是真。有的人也說：我的道理才是實。有的人就說：我的見解才是正確。總之，大家就是用唇槍舌戰，互相攻擊，互相爭端不息。
這些比丘在那裡聽著，感覺自己非常幸福，能夠跟隨著佛陀，佛陀他用正法開示，條條的道理都是能適合天地萬物的道理、人性的倫理，全都是這麼順理成章，這麼好的道理。聽聽他們外道教互相在爭論，那麼激烈，愈是感覺到自己有福。抱著歡喜心，時間到了，他們就一一向有緣的家庭去托缽。
托缽之後，大家集合回到精舍時，吃過飯，洗好手腳，就準備要來聽佛說法了。佛陀也正好來坐在人群的前面，坐下來，靜下來之後，這群比丘就起來向佛陀報告，今天出去托缽，在外道教的講堂周圍停留，聽到外道教互相爭論，爭得人人口出惡口，互相攻擊，人人都說自己的道理才是對的。將這經過說給佛陀聽。
佛陀聽了之後，他就露出微笑，向大家這樣說：比丘，大家要知道，對道理要能透徹瞭解，不是那麼容易。佛陀就開始說——
在過去久遠劫前，有一位鏡面王，他對佛法非常虔誠，研究了佛法，唯有一個心願，希望將佛的正法宣布給全國的人來瞭解，人人能依教奉行。但是那個時候，也是很無奈，儘管他身為國王，能夠領治國政，卻是無法將人民信仰思想引導到同一個方向。所以，他看到國家的人民，所信仰的都是旁道邪教，他很擔心，難得人身，若沒有聽到佛法正教，實在是很可惜。
這位鏡面王，他就這樣思考著，有了！他發一道命令，就向他的大臣說：「來，你們去找出這個國家，所有天生眼盲的人，都把他們都帶來，同時也將王宮所飼養的大象牽過來。」盲人和大象都到了，國王就說：「來，請這些盲眼人在大象的身邊站好，讓他們伸手來摸大象。」
大家伸手摸，有的人摸到的大象的鼻子，有的人摸到大象的腳，也有人摸到大象的肚子，有的摸到大象的耳朵。大家都摸過之後，國王就問這些說：「來，你們到底有看到大象嗎？」這些盲眼人就說：「有，我已經看到象了。」「你看到的象，是長什麼樣子呢？」
摸到耳朵的人就說：「象好像一把扇子。」摸到肚子的人就說：「不對，不對，大象就好像一面鼓。」摸到鼻子和腳的人說：「不對，我所看的大象，就像一支很大粗大的柱子。」大家就把所摸到的感覺，在他的心目中所想的形貌，他就開始說大象是長這樣才對。像這樣，大家又爭論起來了，彼此之間都不承認對方，大家都堅持自己所感覺的才是對。
鏡面王就對大臣說：「來，你們解釋給這群人聽。」有大臣就出來，開始將他明眼見到大象的形態，來向這些盲眼人說，說：「你們大家所摸到的，都只是一隻象的肢體其中之一。大家說的都對，大家所執的都不對。那片耳朵，沒錯，就像一把扇子，那只是大象的身體器官之一。另外幾個人說像是柱子，也沒錯，因為摸到大象的腳和鼻子，所以感覺像柱子。還有你們，說大象就像一面鼓，其實你們摸到圓圓的肚皮，就像是一面鼓，沒錯。不過它只是大象的身體而已。」
但是這些盲眼人一直抱著懷疑——你所說的我都沒有感覺到，我所感覺到的就是這樣。不管是摸耳朵的，執耳朵像一把扇；摸腳、鼻子的，就是執著像一支柱子；摸到肚子的，就是執著於像鼓。所以，鏡面王就很慨歎，開始就說：「看，現在在這個境界，這麼多的盲眼人，象都是一樣的，盲眼人所執著的都不同，儘管有人這樣向他解釋，他還是無法了解整隻大象的全貌。人如同這樣，人人各執己見，大家都是執自己的感覺，自以為所得到的是最真的事情。世間人就是如此，因為有這執著，所以永遠都無法去接近到佛的正法。」
這就是那個時候的鏡面王，用他的智慧要來引導國家的人人能夠將佛法，那個一乘大法，希望人人能夠全部透徹瞭解。他就比喻我們一般人，凡夫聽法，只不過執著於其中一項，甚至有的人不只是聽到佛法會執著，更遺憾的是連佛的正法，小乘的道理都沒有聽到，就去信旁門邪道，就將邪道邪法執為他所要修行的方向。
這就是在佛陀的時代，佛陀用智慧，時時用種種的譬喻，引述過去古遠古遠的時代，有正法，也有偏邪的道理，眾生多數都是執著於偏邪的邪法，所以就邪知邪見。眾生就是苦，苦在心，心中充滿了邪知邪見，沒有機會接觸到正知、正見、正法，所以心的無明不斷複製，不斷所受的都是無法解脫內心的苦，這種複製煩惱，多作惡業，無法瞭解真實因緣果報的真理。
這是佛陀說法，對機逗教。那群比丘在外面所見到外道教的爭執，也感到很好笑，為何這麼正確的道理不相信，而在那裡為這種迷茫、不正確的邪知邪見論戰不休。聽到別人的道理那麼荒謬，想到自己能夠隨在佛的身邊，接受佛陀的教法，他們也感覺到很慶幸。所以回到精舍，將他們所見聞的拿出來請教佛陀。佛陀就能以這樣的法來譬喻，盲人摸象，所摸到的就各執己見。
我們講《法華經》，這段時間以來，也就是要表達出，佛陀想要向大家說出真實微妙的實相道理，就是一直還無法說。因為，好像盲眼人，摸到象的部分，還是執著著，同時還起了增上慢的心態，所以佛陀還在等待。這是一段長時間，但願人人以最虔誠的心，戒慎虔誠。我們抱著敬天愛地這念心，用感恩好好來祈求天地平安、人人平安。時間不斷地過，我們要時時多用心。
Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: Do Not Be Attached to Your Own Views (莫偏執己見)
Date: April. 01. 2014
We can hear the rain outside; a typhoon is passing through today. We humans, living in nature, must always remain vigilant and reverent and pray for everyone’s safety. The sound of the rain is so loud. Let me share with you a story about a group of people who lived in the Buddha’s time but could not comprehend His principles. Thus, some of them ended up on a deviant path. Moreover, during the Buddha’s time, many people engaged in [strange practices]. There were over 90 forms of spiritual practice. Therefore, religion was very complicated, and it was impossible for Him to guide everyone onto the correct path. The Buddha hoped to forge a proper path [for them to follow], so He focused on His spiritual cultivation. After He attained enlightenment, He just had one thing on His mind. Because He realized that every person has the same intrinsic nature as Buddhas, He wanted to share His realizations with them all. However, people did not have the sharp capabilities to instantly accept this, so He had to give all kinds of teachings to suit their capabilities. This was the way the Buddha gave teachings when He was in the world.
During that time, bhiksus, as part of their daily living, had to go out and ask for alms. One day, the bhiksus left earlier than usual. To ask for alms, they had to wait until people finished cooking before they could go door to door. It was still early, so this group of bhiksus waited in the lecture hall of a non-Buddhist group. They stayed in that place to rest until it was time to ask for alms. At that moment, these non-Buddhists were discussing teachings.Their discussion was very animated. [These bhiksus] heard them say, “My principles are the true ones.” Other also said, “No, my principles are the real ones.” Yet another said, “No, my understanding is the correct one.” Basically, they were fighting with words. They seemed to be attacking each other, arguing nonstop. As these bhiksus listened to them, they felt very fortunate that they could follow the Buddha. The Buddha taught Right Dharma, and every single principle He taught applied to all things in the world as well as basic human morality. These great principles all made perfect sense.The more they listened to these non-Buddhists argue so vehemently, the more blessed they felt.
With this sense of happiness, when the time came, they went to ask for alms, house by house.Afterwards, they reconvened at the abode.They ate, washed their hands and feet, then prepared to listen to the Buddha’s teachings.The Buddha came and sat before them.After they all sat and settled down, this group of bhiksus gave Him their report.They talked about how they rested at the lecture hall of this non-Buddhist group before going out to ask for alms, that they heard these practitioners arguing [so fiercely] with each other that they all started using harsh words.They attacked each other with harsh language, basically insisting their own views were correct.
The bhiksus reported this incident to the Buddha.After the Buddha heard this, He smiled and told them, “My bhiksus, you must know that thoroughly understanding principles is not that easy.”Then the Buddha told the following story.Many kalpas ago, which was a very long time ago, there was a king named Mirror-Face.He had great reverence for the Buddha-Dharma and studied the teachings.He had only one wish, to transmit the Buddha’s Right Dharma to everyone in the country, so they could understand, accept and then practice it.
But at that time, he felt powerless to do so.Though he was the king and governed the country, he could not guide people’s beliefs and thinking in the same direction.He observed that his country’s citizens all believed in deviant and erroneous teachings.Thus, he was very worried for them.It is very hard to attain human form, and once people did, it would be a pity if they did not hear the correct teachings of the Buddha.So, King Mirrior-Face thought about what to do.He came up with an idea and issued a command to his ministers.
“Travel the country, find those who were born blind and bring them here.”At the same time, he ordered for all the elephants in the palace to be gathered in the same place.Then the king said, “Please ask these blind people to stand next to the elephants and reach out to touch them.”
Some reached out and touched an elephant’s trunk.Some touched an elephant’s leg.Others touched an elephant’s stomach.Yet others touched an elephant’s ears.After everyone reached out and touched something, the king gathered them and asked, “Now do you know what an elephant looks like?”The blind people said, “Yes, we do.”The blind people said, “Yes, we do.” “So, what does and elephant look like?” “What is it shaped like?” The people who touched the ear said, “An elephant is like a giant fan”. The people who touched the stomach said, “No, an elephant is like a drum”. Those who touched the trunk or leg said, “That is not right. Based on what I felt, I think an elephant looks like a giant column”.
Based on what they felt, that sensation determined the image, they had of an elephant. So, they said an elephant was like such-and-such a thing. Because of this, they began arguing. None of them wanted to concede. They each felt something different, so they all argued for what they thought was true.
Then King Mirror-Face told his ministers, “Explain [the truth] to this group of people. So, the ministers began to describe the appearance of an elephant to these blind people. “What you have touched is only part of an elephant. All of you are right. But all of you are wrong to cling to your views. Indeed, the ear is like a fan. It is only one of an elephant’s body parts. Some of you touched a leg. An elephant has four ledges and a trunks. As you have said, they feel like columns. Indeed, an elephant is very large, so parts of it do seem like columns. That is also correct. As for those of you who felt that an elephant is like a drum. Indeed, an elephant is very big, and the round part you felt is very much like a drum. But, that is only part of its body, only one of its many aspects.”
However, the blind people were still doubtful. “I did not feel the things you mentioned. What I felt was such-and-such”. Those who felt the ears stubbornly still said it was like a fan. Those who felt the legs and trunk still stubbornly said it was like a column. Those who felt the stomach still stubbornly said it was like a drum.
This led King Mirror-Face to sigh. He said, “There seems to be as many kinds of elephants as there are blind people here. But all elephants are basically the same. It is just that each person is attached to a different [aspect of the elephant]. Even after someone explained it to them, they still cannot comprehend the true appearance of an elephant. We are all like them, we each cling to our own views. We each cling to our own perceptions. Because of our attachments, each of us think we have attained the true principles. People of this world are like this. Because of our attachments, we can never draw near the Buddha’s Right Dharma. This was how King Mirror-Face exercised his wisdom to
guide the people in his kingdom, to help all of them thoroughly comprehend the Buddha’s teachings, the One Vehicle Dharma.
He used an analogy to explain how, when we listen to teachings, we become attached to one of them. And worse than those who become attached to the Buddha’s teachings are those who do not even hear His Dharma, not even the Small Vehicle teachings, so they follow deviant paths. They practice according to deviant paths and teachings. This was how, during His lifetime, the Buddha exercised wisdom, He frequently used analogies that referred to things that happened long ago. When it comes to teachings, there is Right Dharma as well as deviant principles.
Sentient beings, for the most part, cling to deviant teachings. So, they have deviant knowledge and views, thus, sentient beings suffer. Their suffering comes from their minds. With minds filled by deviant knowledge and views, they do not have the chance to connect to connect with Right Knowledge, Right Views or Right Dharma.
Therefore, they continuously grow in ignorance and suffer the consequence of not being able to liberate their minds. They reproduce their afflictions and often create bad karma, because they cannot understand the true principle of the law of karma.This is why the Buddha gave teachings according to capabilities. When this group of bhiksus heard the arguments between those non-Buddhist, they found them very amusing. They wondered why they did not believe in the right principles and were continuously arguing over these incorrect and deviant ideas. Hearing the ridiculousness of these other principles, they thought about how they were lucky to be by the Buddha’s side and listen to Him give teachings. So when they returned to their abode, they shared their experience with the Buddha and asked for His guidance. Then, the Buddha used the teaching about the blind men touching elephants to explain people’s attachments to their own views.
In discussing the Lotus Sutra, we hear that, for a very long time, the Buddha wanted to give true teachings, the subtle wondrous principles of ultimate reality. But He could not teach these because people were like the blind men touching the elephant. They still had attachments, and in addition, gave rise to overbearing arrogance.
Therefore, the Buddha was still waiting. He had to wait for quite a long time. May we all, with utmost reverence and diligence, respect heaven and earth and, with gratitude, pray for the safety of the world and the safety of all people. As time continuously passes, we must always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV – Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
【證嚴上人開示】
盲人摸象的故事。
出自《六度集經卷第八˙（八九）鏡面王經>
聽到外面的雨聲很大。這是一個颱風天，我們人在大自然界中，要時時抱著戒慎虔誠的心，希望人人平安。雨聲這麼大，就與大家分享一段佛典故事。
佛陀在世的時代，宗教很複雜，有九十多種的教派，也有人走上旁門邪道。佛陀就是體會到，這些宗教的道理無法引導人人，心的方向正確。他期待能開出一條正確的方向，所以才專心修行去了。覺悟之後，就有一件心事。因為發現了人人與佛同等的本性，佛陀要將他的心得、覺悟的境界與大家分享，卻是無法得到人人利根，即刻能接受。所以，佛陀不得不施種種的教法，來應眾生的根機。這是佛陀在世，將要施教的形態。
佛陀僧團的比丘，每一天的生活都是要出去托缽。那一天，比丘們比較早出門，要托缽也要等家家戶戶飯煮熟了，他們才去托缽。時間還早，所以這群的比丘就去借外道教一個集會講堂，他們就在那個地方借個角落來休息，等待時間托缽。
但是那個時候，正好有這些外道教，大家在辯論教法，論得很激烈。聽到他們大家所說的，就說：我的道理才是真。有的人也說：我的道理才是實。有的人就說：我的見解才是正確。總之，大家就是用唇槍舌戰，互相攻擊，互相爭端不息。
這些比丘在那裡聽著，感覺自己非常幸福，能夠跟隨著佛陀，佛陀他用正法開示，條條的道理都是能適合天地萬物的道理、人性的倫理，全都是這麼順理成章，這麼好的道理。聽聽他們外道教互相在爭論，那麼激烈，愈是感覺到自己有福。抱著歡喜心，時間到了，他們就一一向有緣的家庭去托缽。
托缽之後，大家集合回到精舍時，吃過飯，洗好手腳，就準備要來聽佛說法了。佛陀也正好來坐在人群的前面，坐下來，靜下來之後，這群比丘就起來向佛陀報告，今天出去托缽，在外道教的講堂周圍停留，聽到外道教互相爭論，爭得人人口出惡口，互相攻擊，人人都說自己的道理才是對的。將這經過說給佛陀聽。
佛陀聽了之後，他就露出微笑，向大家這樣說：比丘，大家要知道，對道理要能透徹瞭解，不是那麼容易。佛陀就開始說——
在過去久遠劫前，有一位鏡面王，他對佛法非常虔誠，研究了佛法，唯有一個心願，希望將佛的正法宣布給全國的人來瞭解，人人能依教奉行。但是那個時候，也是很無奈，儘管他身為國王，能夠領治國政，卻是無法將人民信仰思想引導到同一個方向。所以，他看到國家的人民，所信仰的都是旁道邪教，他很擔心，難得人身，若沒有聽到佛法正教，實在是很可惜。
這位鏡面王，他就這樣思考著，有了！他發一道命令，就向他的大臣說：「來，你們去找出這個國家，所有天生眼盲的人，都把他們都帶來，同時也將王宮所飼養的大象牽過來。」盲人和大象都到了，國王就說：「來，請這些盲眼人在大象的身邊站好，讓他們伸手來摸大象。」
大家伸手摸，有的人摸到的大象的鼻子，有的人摸到大象的腳，也有人摸到大象的肚子，有的摸到大象的耳朵。大家都摸過之後，國王就問這些說：「來，你們到底有看到大象嗎？」這些盲眼人就說：「有，我已經看到象了。」「你看到的象，是長什麼樣子呢？」
摸到耳朵的人就說：「象好像一把扇子。」摸到肚子的人就說：「不對，不對，大象就好像一面鼓。」摸到鼻子和腳的人說：「不對，我所看的大象，就像一支很大粗大的柱子。」大家就把所摸到的感覺，在他的心目中所想的形貌，他就開始說大象是長這樣才對。像這樣，大家又爭論起來了，彼此之間都不承認對方，大家都堅持自己所感覺的才是對。
鏡面王就對大臣說：「來，你們解釋給這群人聽。」有大臣就出來，開始將他明眼見到大象的形態，來向這些盲眼人說，說：「你們大家所摸到的，都只是一隻象的肢體其中之一。大家說的都對，大家所執的都不對。那片耳朵，沒錯，就像一把扇子，那只是大象的身體器官之一。另外幾個人說像是柱子，也沒錯，因為摸到大象的腳和鼻子，所以感覺像柱子。還有你們，說大象就像一面鼓，其實你們摸到圓圓的肚皮，就像是一面鼓，沒錯。不過它只是大象的身體而已。」
但是這些盲眼人一直抱著懷疑——你所說的我都沒有感覺到，我所感覺到的就是這樣。不管是摸耳朵的，執耳朵像一把扇；摸腳、鼻子的，就是執著像一支柱子；摸到肚子的，就是執著於像鼓。所以，鏡面王就很慨歎，開始就說：「看，現在在這個境界，這麼多的盲眼人，象都是一樣的，盲眼人所執著的都不同，儘管有人這樣向他解釋，他還是無法了解整隻大象的全貌。人如同這樣，人人各執己見，大家都是執自己的感覺，自以為所得到的是最真的事情。世間人就是如此，因為有這執著，所以永遠都無法去接近到佛的正法。」
這就是那個時候的鏡面王，用他的智慧要來引導國家的人人能夠將佛法，那個一乘大法，希望人人能夠全部透徹瞭解。他就比喻我們一般人，凡夫聽法，只不過執著於其中一項，甚至有的人不只是聽到佛法會執著，更遺憾的是連佛的正法，小乘的道理都沒有聽到，就去信旁門邪道，就將邪道邪法執為他所要修行的方向。
這就是在佛陀的時代，佛陀用智慧，時時用種種的譬喻，引述過去古遠古遠的時代，有正法，也有偏邪的道理，眾生多數都是執著於偏邪的邪法，所以就邪知邪見。眾生就是苦，苦在心，心中充滿了邪知邪見，沒有機會接觸到正知、正見、正法，所以心的無明不斷複製，不斷所受的都是無法解脫內心的苦，這種複製煩惱，多作惡業，無法瞭解真實因緣果報的真理。
這是佛陀說法，對機逗教。那群比丘在外面所見到外道教的爭執，也感到很好笑，為何這麼正確的道理不相信，而在那裡為這種迷茫、不正確的邪知邪見論戰不休。聽到別人的道理那麼荒謬，想到自己能夠隨在佛的身邊，接受佛陀的教法，他們也感覺到很慶幸。所以回到精舍，將他們所見聞的拿出來請教佛陀。佛陀就能以這樣的法來譬喻，盲人摸象，所摸到的就各執己見。
我們講《法華經》，這段時間以來，也就是要表達出，佛陀想要向大家說出真實微妙的實相道理，就是一直還無法說。因為，好像盲眼人，摸到象的部分，還是執著著，同時還起了增上慢的心態，所以佛陀還在等待。這是一段長時間，但願人人以最虔誠的心，戒慎虔誠。我們抱著敬天愛地這念心，用感恩好好來祈求天地平安、人人平安。時間不斷地過，我們要時時多用心。
Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: Do Not Be Attached to Your Own Views (莫偏執己見)
Date: April. 01. 2014
We can hear the rain outside; a typhoon is passing through today. We humans, living in nature, must always remain vigilant and reverent and pray for everyone’s safety. The sound of the rain is so loud. Let me share with you a story about a group of people who lived in the Buddha’s time but could not comprehend His principles. Thus, some of them ended up on a deviant path. Moreover, during the Buddha’s time, many people engaged in [strange practices]. There were over 90 forms of spiritual practice. Therefore, religion was very complicated, and it was impossible for Him to guide everyone onto the correct path. The Buddha hoped to forge a proper path [for them to follow], so He focused on His spiritual cultivation. After He attained enlightenment, He just had one thing on His mind. Because He realized that every person has the same intrinsic nature as Buddhas, He wanted to share His realizations with them all. However, people did not have the sharp capabilities to instantly accept this, so He had to give all kinds of teachings to suit their capabilities. This was the way the Buddha gave teachings when He was in the world.
During that time, bhiksus, as part of their daily living, had to go out and ask for alms. One day, the bhiksus left earlier than usual. To ask for alms, they had to wait until people finished cooking before they could go door to door. It was still early, so this group of bhiksus waited in the lecture hall of a non-Buddhist group. They stayed in that place to rest until it was time to ask for alms. At that moment, these non-Buddhists were discussing teachings.Their discussion was very animated. [These bhiksus] heard them say, “My principles are the true ones.” Other also said, “No, my principles are the real ones.” Yet another said, “No, my understanding is the correct one.” Basically, they were fighting with words. They seemed to be attacking each other, arguing nonstop. As these bhiksus listened to them, they felt very fortunate that they could follow the Buddha. The Buddha taught Right Dharma, and every single principle He taught applied to all things in the world as well as basic human morality. These great principles all made perfect sense.The more they listened to these non-Buddhists argue so vehemently, the more blessed they felt.
With this sense of happiness, when the time came, they went to ask for alms, house by house.Afterwards, they reconvened at the abode.They ate, washed their hands and feet, then prepared to listen to the Buddha’s teachings.The Buddha came and sat before them.After they all sat and settled down, this group of bhiksus gave Him their report.They talked about how they rested at the lecture hall of this non-Buddhist group before going out to ask for alms, that they heard these practitioners arguing [so fiercely] with each other that they all started using harsh words.They attacked each other with harsh language, basically insisting their own views were correct.
The bhiksus reported this incident to the Buddha.After the Buddha heard this, He smiled and told them, “My bhiksus, you must know that thoroughly understanding principles is not that easy.”Then the Buddha told the following story.Many kalpas ago, which was a very long time ago, there was a king named Mirror-Face.He had great reverence for the Buddha-Dharma and studied the teachings.He had only one wish, to transmit the Buddha’s Right Dharma to everyone in the country, so they could understand, accept and then practice it.
But at that time, he felt powerless to do so.Though he was the king and governed the country, he could not guide people’s beliefs and thinking in the same direction.He observed that his country’s citizens all believed in deviant and erroneous teachings.Thus, he was very worried for them.It is very hard to attain human form, and once people did, it would be a pity if they did not hear the correct teachings of the Buddha.So, King Mirrior-Face thought about what to do.He came up with an idea and issued a command to his ministers.
“Travel the country, find those who were born blind and bring them here.”At the same time, he ordered for all the elephants in the palace to be gathered in the same place.Then the king said, “Please ask these blind people to stand next to the elephants and reach out to touch them.”
Some reached out and touched an elephant’s trunk.Some touched an elephant’s leg.Others touched an elephant’s stomach.Yet others touched an elephant’s ears.After everyone reached out and touched something, the king gathered them and asked, “Now do you know what an elephant looks like?”The blind people said, “Yes, we do.”The blind people said, “Yes, we do.” “So, what does and elephant look like?” “What is it shaped like?” The people who touched the ear said, “An elephant is like a giant fan”. The people who touched the stomach said, “No, an elephant is like a drum”. Those who touched the trunk or leg said, “That is not right. Based on what I felt, I think an elephant looks like a giant column”.
Based on what they felt, that sensation determined the image, they had of an elephant. So, they said an elephant was like such-and-such a thing. Because of this, they began arguing. None of them wanted to concede. They each felt something different, so they all argued for what they thought was true.
Then King Mirror-Face told his ministers, “Explain [the truth] to this group of people. So, the ministers began to describe the appearance of an elephant to these blind people. “What you have touched is only part of an elephant. All of you are right. But all of you are wrong to cling to your views. Indeed, the ear is like a fan. It is only one of an elephant’s body parts. Some of you touched a leg. An elephant has four ledges and a trunks. As you have said, they feel like columns. Indeed, an elephant is very large, so parts of it do seem like columns. That is also correct. As for those of you who felt that an elephant is like a drum. Indeed, an elephant is very big, and the round part you felt is very much like a drum. But, that is only part of its body, only one of its many aspects.”
However, the blind people were still doubtful. “I did not feel the things you mentioned. What I felt was such-and-such”. Those who felt the ears stubbornly still said it was like a fan. Those who felt the legs and trunk still stubbornly said it was like a column. Those who felt the stomach still stubbornly said it was like a drum.
This led King Mirror-Face to sigh. He said, “There seems to be as many kinds of elephants as there are blind people here. But all elephants are basically the same. It is just that each person is attached to a different [aspect of the elephant]. Even after someone explained it to them, they still cannot comprehend the true appearance of an elephant. We are all like them, we each cling to our own views. We each cling to our own perceptions. Because of our attachments, each of us think we have attained the true principles. People of this world are like this. Because of our attachments, we can never draw near the Buddha’s Right Dharma. This was how King Mirror-Face exercised his wisdom to
guide the people in his kingdom, to help all of them thoroughly comprehend the Buddha’s teachings, the One Vehicle Dharma.
He used an analogy to explain how, when we listen to teachings, we become attached to one of them. And worse than those who become attached to the Buddha’s teachings are those who do not even hear His Dharma, not even the Small Vehicle teachings, so they follow deviant paths. They practice according to deviant paths and teachings. This was how, during His lifetime, the Buddha exercised wisdom, He frequently used analogies that referred to things that happened long ago. When it comes to teachings, there is Right Dharma as well as deviant principles.
Sentient beings, for the most part, cling to deviant teachings. So, they have deviant knowledge and views, thus, sentient beings suffer. Their suffering comes from their minds. With minds filled by deviant knowledge and views, they do not have the chance to connect to connect with Right Knowledge, Right Views or Right Dharma.
Therefore, they continuously grow in ignorance and suffer the consequence of not being able to liberate their minds. They reproduce their afflictions and often create bad karma, because they cannot understand the true principle of the law of karma.This is why the Buddha gave teachings according to capabilities. When this group of bhiksus heard the arguments between those non-Buddhist, they found them very amusing. They wondered why they did not believe in the right principles and were continuously arguing over these incorrect and deviant ideas. Hearing the ridiculousness of these other principles, they thought about how they were lucky to be by the Buddha’s side and listen to Him give teachings. So when they returned to their abode, they shared their experience with the Buddha and asked for His guidance. Then, the Buddha used the teaching about the blind men touching elephants to explain people’s attachments to their own views.
In discussing the Lotus Sutra, we hear that, for a very long time, the Buddha wanted to give true teachings, the subtle wondrous principles of ultimate reality. But He could not teach these because people were like the blind men touching the elephant. They still had attachments, and in addition, gave rise to overbearing arrogance.
Therefore, the Buddha was still waiting. He had to wait for quite a long time. May we all, with utmost reverence and diligence, respect heaven and earth and, with gratitude, pray for the safety of the world and the safety of all people. As time continuously passes, we must always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV – Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
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