20140506《靜思妙蓮華》人壽短暫及時修行（第298集）
【證嚴上人開示】
天人壽盡墮馬腹
發菩提心
離畜牲道
《法句譬喻•無常品》
聽到外面雨聲滴滴，我們就會想，大地不能缺少風，那就是空氣的流動，不能缺少雨，那是因為大地需要雨水來滋潤。需要風、雨，也需要太陽。大地承載萬物，種子若能落土，土裡有水分，有陽光的溫氣、溫暖，又有空氣，清新的空氣對流，大地孕育的種子就會發芽。萬物，無論是小小的草種，無論是大大的樹木，無不都是因為四大會合。種子為因，四大為緣，因緣和合，大地萬物就能生長，能這樣順調。
看看我們這個世間，大地的境界多麼美，有這樣的生氣，蓬勃的生機，這是人間的淨土。不過，無論什麼樣的淨土，凡是來到人間，總是有生、老、病、死。大地自然的法則，無論是什麼樣的境界，隨著年，年輪，無論你是生在不同的世界；何謂不同的世界呢？天有天的世界，天有天的年輪、天的年壽，年輪，那就是各個天的年輪都不同。
我們最熟的，常常說的就是四天王天，他的年輪。用人間的年輪，和人間的人壽來比較，四天王天的年輪，它一天，我們就已經是五十年了。佛經裡，佛陀時時舉例的，天人，忉利天，他的一天是我們的一百年，他的人壽是一千歲，若是在四天王天，他的一天，我們的五十年。這都是叫做大自然。無論是在地球上的大自然，或者是它世界的大自然，同樣有它的法則存在。
天人，哪怕他是長壽一千歲，無論多長，也有盡時。天人壽盡，還是要墮落人間，還是一樣。是不是一定墮落人間呢？還是墮落六道？這就是福若享盡就要墮落。
佛經裡不是有這樣的故事嗎？有一位天人，忽然間五衰現前。天人本來的身體，是很莊嚴、很光耀，他們所穿的衣服很亮麗，天人滿面風光，甚至天人的頭冠，就是戴的帽子，反正穿的衣服，或者是四肢、面容、體態等等，都是很風光。但是，五衰，就是這五項，忽然間頭上插著的花，也很快就凋謝了，所戴的冠也很快，好像整個失去光芒，衣服也整個邋遢了，自己的身形感覺，全都已經不同，衰敗了，和我們人間一樣。
人間，我們能看到，過去二十歲那時候拍的相片，三十歲拍的相片；二十歲的相片拿來看，青春美麗，很英俊，很帥氣，三十歲那時候拍的相片拿來看，同一個人，很成熟、穩重。五十歲的相片再拿來看，不同了，怎麼比較發福了，肥胖了，人體不太一樣了，穿衣服再也無法再那麼苗條了。七十歲的相片再拿來看，比照他現在是八十歲的人，同一個人，但是過程、形態都不同了。到了人生的盡頭，就是五衰相現。
老了你們就知道，眼睛會比較模糊了，聽話會比較鈍了，走路真的不自在了等等，這也就是五衰相現。天人，同樣，那形態忽然間都邋遢了，不整齊了，自己看自己的身材，也是一樣不滿意。天人有五衰相現，哪怕是一千歲，還是一樣，年輪雖然那麼長，總也有大自然的輪轉，同樣有盡頭時。
所以，有一次，這位天人五衰相現，他知道在天堂享福的時間將盡，自己很惶恐，要怎麼辦呢？靈機一動，來到佛的面前，向佛陀求，希望佛陀能夠救他，是不是能再增福，享受天堂的福。佛陀微笑，就對他說：「你身為天人，是你過去生中造很多的福業，你的福的累積，那就是壽長、福多，所以，超越了人間，生在天堂。」
這位天人就趕快再問佛：「佛啊，我若是天壽盡，我會往哪裡去，是不是來人間呢？」
佛陀就說：「不一定。看你過去所造的因與緣，你是人間的業較強呢？或者是畜生、餓鬼、地獄道的業強？那就要隨著你再來生，再來時，未來這個業力的輕重，就隨著這個業力的輕重而去，不一定再來做人。」
天人聽了，非常的恐怖！「來做人，我能再重新造福。但是我若到三途去，我哪有機會能再造福呢？」
所以佛陀就說：「你現在就要及時再發心，發願。」
這當中，天人就發心了，在佛的面前發願，說：「天堂既然會壽盡，我若是能夠再來人間，我願意未來要修脫離生死根本，斷生死的道。我皈依佛，皈依三寶，將來出生來人間，我要出家，我要修行，我要為天下眾生來付出。我不想再生天堂。天堂福盡，不知道未來的去向。」
佛陀在那裡開始為他祝福，為他皈依。在這當中，這位天人就趕快禮拜，向佛叩頭、禮拜，在這之中，忽然間，他好像靈魂脫體，好像去到一個馬廄裡。在這馬廄裡，母馬生子，這隻馬子在肚子裡，要出來，不出來，這隻母馬好像很痛苦，這時候就在那裡衝啊衝。那個養馬的主人，是在燒陶瓷，開始要入窯而已，忽然間，這隻母馬，生小馬生不出來，很痛苦，這樣一直衝啊撞，撞倒了這個(陶)胚，一層一層的胚，才將要入窯而已，整個都破碎了。
這位主人，這位拉胚的師傅，是用多少的心神，好不容易才這樣塑成的東西，忽然間，被這隻母馬這樣衝撞，整個都破碎了。很生氣！拿了一支棍子，很重，也很粗的棍子，就這樣從母馬的頭、腹部，這樣一直打，打得馬，這隻母馬痛、掙扎，總是這隻馬子跑出來時，生出來時，母馬、馬子都已經死了。
這期間，經過了這一場很掙扎，忽然間，天人在佛前，這樣頂禮下去，那個意識經過了這場很掙扎，在受生，原來是在馬——馬廄裡，看到這隻母馬，母馬在掙扎，受到主人大槌、大棍這樣鞭打，母馬死了，小馬(生)出來也死了，這樣他清醒了。抬頭起來看到佛陀，佛陀的慈容看著這位天人，佛陀就問：「你現在如何？」
他就向佛陀說：「剎那之間，我的意識好像去過這樣的境界。」
佛陀就說：「恭喜你！原來你的天福享盡，你就是要到畜生道，就是在這馬的馬腹裡，母馬的肚子裡，原來你是要成為這匹馬，將來還是要拖磨。為了你有這一念心，你發大心，立大願，願意出離三界，這種要出家修行，濟度眾生這一念心，所以你已經脫離了，要落入馬腹裡。這一世的時間，你要好好顧守道心，你要記住，再來人間就要為天下眾生而修行。」天人感恩，既是三寶弟子，依教奉行。
這是一段天，天輪、天壽。天輪，天的年輪有那麼長，天壽也有那麼長，但是也有窮盡時，也有盡頭，天福享盡，原來是要墮落馬腹，在馬的肚子裡。
這就是說，我們人生壽命何其短！忉利天的一天，我們已經過了一百年了。以我們現在的壽命，現在在座的任何一個人，若是在天堂，一天還未過完，但是我們在人間，我們已經紛紛，二十多、三十多、四十多、五十多、六十多、七十多，至八十、九十歲的也有；還不到忉利天的一天，但是我們已經這麼多年了。所以，我們的人壽與天壽來比，是何其短啊！
再加上人生無常，這種無常，讓我們常常都很擔心。在這宇宙之間，尤其是大地之上，我們光說娑婆世界，地球之上，看，四大不調，我們會多麼擔心啊！我們現在聽到外面的雨聲，我們要時時用心，提高警覺。
我們人生，人壽何其短，大自然的氣與眾生的業，都有這樣連環在。所以我們眾生在這世間好修行，因為有這種逼迫性的苦難，才能讓我們警覺，所以，見苦我們要知福，把握做人的時間，要趕快發心立願。
天人壽盡，他也發願來人間，皈依三寶，生生世世要修行，生生世世他願意，為天下眾生來付出。看，何況我們現在，我們的世間苦難偏多，無常的事情很多，我們難道不用把握及時？天人天壽長，都要把握了，何況我們人壽短。天壽，都是福，何況我們人間。佛陀在人間告訴我們：「苦」，「集」了種種的業，我們要知道要去，「滅」我們苦的源頭，就是要修行於「道」。所以，人人要時時多用心。
故事源自《法句譬喻•無常品》：天人壽盡墮馬腹，發菩提心離畜牲道。
Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: Life is Short; Engage in Spiritual Practice Now (人壽短暫及時修行)
Date: May. 06. 2014
When I hear the sound of the rain outside, I think about how vital the wind is to the world, because it circulates the air. Rain is also vital because the world needs to be nourished by water. It needs wind, rain and the sun. The land supports all living things. If seeds fall to the earth and there is moisture in the soil, warmth from sunlight and a circulation of fresh air, these seeds will germinate. All things, from the seeds of small grasses to those of great trees, [grow because] of the union of the four elements. The seeds are the causes; the four elements are the conditions. When they converge, all things will grow smoothly.
Let us look at this world. The landscape is so beautiful; there is a strong sense of vitality. Thus, our world is a pure land. However, no matter which pure land we are in, as long as we are in this world, we inevitably go through birth, aging, illness and death. This is a law of nature. No matter where are live, we age as each year passes. This happens in all the different worlds. Where are those other worlds? There are worlds in the heaven realm. In these worlds, the sense of time is different, and the lifespan varies. Time flows differently in each world. The world we are most familiar with is the Four Heavens of the Four Heavenly Kings. Its annual cycle is very different from that of the human realm. One day in the Four Heavens of the Four Heavenly Kings is 50 years in our world.
In the Buddhist sutras, the Buddha often talks about heavenly beings [like those in] Trayastrimsa Heaven. One day there is 100 years here. Their lifespan [averages] 1000 years. In the Four Heavens of the Four Heavenly Kings, one day there is 50 years here. These are all natural processes. Natural processes, on Earth or on other worlds, always abide by certain laws. Heavenly beings, even if they live to 1000, will still one day reach the end of their lives.
So when heavenly beings die, they will still fall back into the human realm. Will it definitely be the human realm they fall to. Or will it be one of the other five realms?
Once they deplete their blessings, they must fall.Isn’t there a story about this in the sutras?There was a heavenly being who suddenly manifested the Five Forms of Decay.
Heavenly beings look very magnificent and radiant.Their clothing is very stunning and their faces seem to glow.Even their crowns, the accessories on their heads, their clothing, limbs but over this process facial expression, physical appearance and so on are very beautiful.
But then the Five Forms of Decay manifest.Suddenly, the flowers in their hair wilt.The crown they wear loses its luster.Their clothes also became unkempt.Their physical appearances and well-being completely change.They begin to decay, similar to the way humans do.
In this world, we can see photos from when we were 20 and from when we were 30 years old.When we look at photos from our 20s, we look young and beautiful or very handsome.When we look at photos from our 30s, we look the same, just more mature and confident.When we look at photos from our 50s, we look different.Somehow we gained weight, are a little fatter.Our bodies changed, so we do not look as slim in our clothes.When we look at photos from our 70s, compared to [whatever our current age is,] we are the same person, but over this whole process our physical appearance has changed.
At the end of our lives, the Five Forms of Decay manifest.When you are older, you will understand.Your sight becomes blurrier; your hearing becomes worse; your steps are less smooth and so on.This is how we manifest the Five Forms of Decay.The same happens to heavenly beings.Suddenly their physical appearance is sloppy.When they look at their bodies, they also feel dissatisfied.Heavenly beings manifest the Five Forms of Decay, even if they live to be 1000.Even though their lifespan is so long, they are still subject [to the law of nature], and their lives will end one day.
So, when a certain heavenly being manifested the Five Forms of Decay, he knew his time of enjoying heavenly blessings was about to end.He became very frightened; what could he do?A thought struck him and he came to see the Buddha.He begged the Buddha to save him; couldn’t the Buddha add to his blessings so he could remain in heaven?The Buddha smiled and told him, “You are a heavenly being now because you created a lot of blessed karma in you past life.Because you accumulated those blessings, you have enjoyed a long life and good fortune.So, you rose above the human realm to be born in heaven.”
The heavenly being then asked Him, “Venerable Buddha! Once my life in heaven ends, where will I go?Will I come to the human realm?”The Buddha said, “Not necessarily.
That depends on the causes and conditions you created.Is your karma to be born human stronger?Or, is your karma to be born in the animal, hungry ghost or hell realm stronger?That depends on the severity of your karma, when you are reborn. You will led by whichever karma is stronger. You may not necessarily be born human.”
When he heard this, he was very frightened. “If I am born human again, I can create more blessings. But if I fall into the Three Evil Realms, how will I have the chance to create blessings?”
So the Buddha said, “Right now, you must form aspirations and vows”. Right then, the heavenly being made a vow. In front of the Buddha, he said, “Since my life in heaven will end, if I can come back to the human realm, I will cultivate a path that transcends birth and death and eliminates samsara. I take refuge with the Buddha and the Three Treasures. If I am born in the human realm, I will become a monastic, engage in spiritual practice and help all sentient beings. I don’t want to be born in heaven again. Once I deplete heavenly blessings, I do not know where I will go”.
So the Buddha began to wish him well and accepted him [as a disciple]. At this moment, the heavenly being quickly prostrated. He gave obeisance and paid his respects. Suddenly, he felt his soul leave his body. He seemed to then be in a horse stable. A mare was giving birth to a foal. The foal was stuck in her womb and could not get out. The mare was in great pain and began to wildly run about.
The owner of the horse was firing pottery. As he was about to put pots into the kiln, suddenly, this mare that could not give birth and was in great pain wildly ran about and knocked over the trays of pottery. The pots that were about to go into the kiln were now completely shattered. Her owner, the pottery master, had spent so much effort sculpting these things. Suddenly, they were knocked over by the mare and completely shattered. He was so angry that he picked up a thick and heavy stick and beat the mare from her head to her stomach. The mare struggled in great pain and finally gave birth to the foal, but both the mare and the foal died, but both the mare and the foal died.
This period of struggle happened suddenly as the heavenly being stood in front of the Buddha. When he prostrated, His consciousness went through this process of being born. He was in the stable. He saw the mare struggling and being beaten with a big stick by her owner. The mare died, and the foal died at the moment of his birth. Then, this being became conscious again; he looked up and saw the Buddha. The Buddha kindly looked at him and asked, “How are you doing?”. He told the Buddha that, for and instant, he seemed to have gone to this other world. The Buddha said, “Congratulations. Once you depleted your heavenly blessings, you were supposed to go the animal realm, to the womb of this mare. You were going to become a horse and live a life of torment. But because you had the will to form great aspirations and vows to transcend the Three Realms by becoming a monastic, engaging in spiritual practice and delivering and helping all sentient beings, you were freed from spending a lifetime as a horse. In this lifetime, you must take good care of your spiritual aspiration. Remember, when you come to this world again, you must engage in spiritual cultivation for the sake of all sentient beings.”
The heavenly being was grateful. As a disciple of the Three Treasures, he faithfully accepted and practiced the teachings.
This is a story about how in the heavens, even though the course of a heavenly year and the length of a heavenly lifespan is very long, it will still end when his heavenly blessings are depleted. He was going to fall into the mare’s womb [and become a horse].
This also shows us how short our lives are One day in Trayastrimsa Heaven is 100 years in our world. Based on our current lifespan, most of us will die before one day in heaven is over. In this world, some of us are in our 20s, 30s, 40s, 50, 60, 70s and even 80s and 90s. This is not even one day in Trayastrimsa Heaven. But, we have already lived for so many years.
Thus a human lifespan, compared to a heavenly lifespan, is incredibly short. One top of that. Our lives are impermanent. This kind of impermanence really troubles us. This kind of impermanence really troubles us In this universe, especially on this land, in this Saha World, on Earth, we see the imbalance of the four elements. This worries us greatly. And now we hear the sound of rainfall.
So, we must always be mindful and vigilant. Our lives, our lifespan, is so short. The atmosphere of the world and the karma of sentient beings are interrelated. Therefore, this world is a good place for spiritual practice. Only the pressure from tremendous suffering and [disasters] can make us vigilant. So, when we see suffering, we must recognize our blessings.
We must take advantage of our time as humans to quickly form aspirations and vows. When the heavenly beings’ life was about to end, he vowed to take refuge in the Three Treasures, and lifetime after lifetime, engage in spiritual practice and willingly help all sentient beings. As for us, right now there is so much suffering in this world and many examples of impermanence. How can we not seize the day?
Even a heavenly being with a long lifespan is seizing the opportunity to practice, so shouldn’t we short-lived humans do the same? A blessed being is doing this, so shouldn’t we humans? The Buddha came to this world to tell us about the truth of suffering and of how it comes from accumulated karma. So, we must know that, for the source of suffering to cease, we must practice the path to cessation.
Therefore, we must always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV – Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
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