20140520《靜思妙蓮華》垢去淨存無染（第308集)
⊙「世本非惡，因濁故惡。濁者如土投水，水失清潔而濁，湧泉流水清澄，垢去淨存無染。」
⊙「舍利弗！十方世界中，尚無二乘，何況有三？」《法華經 方便品第二》
⊙「舍利弗！諸佛出於五濁惡世，所謂：劫濁，煩惱濁，眾生濁，見濁，命濁。」《法華經 方便品第二》
⊙此釋佛出濁世，說此一乘法也。
⊙濁：穢濁及重濁之義。
⊙劫：梵語劫波，即長時間：猶言世相生態之時代。在劫波長時間中，亦自有增、減劫、有善惡輕重之分。
【證嚴上人開示】
「世本非惡，因濁故惡。濁者如土投水，水失清潔而濁，湧泉流水清澄，垢去淨存無染。」
世本非惡
因濁故惡
濁者如土投水
水失清潔而濁
湧泉流水清澄
垢去淨存無染
是啊！世本來非惡，因為濁，所以才會惡。現在常常說五濁惡世，或者是不懂佛法的人說：「唉，世間很」！是嗎？「世間」只是一個時間、空間的代名詞，叫做「世間」。時間，有什麼惡呢？空間，有什麼惡呢？所以說，時間與空間之間，一點都無惡，也無法怎樣叫做善，其實本來就是這樣。只是因為濁，讓它髒污了，所以變成惡。
就如我們人，人人都很善良，但是，人就是防著人，人要選擇人，都會說好或壞。好、壞，就是善與惡的意思。其實，本來人人都是，平等的這念性，就是「因濁故惡」，因為有濁氣，濁氣就是污染，受到很多合成起來的因緣，污染我們，所以我們的心，受到種種的污染，變成了這種習，習氣，會造作很多無明煩惱。無明煩惱是習氣的根本，所以我常常說複製，煩惱不斷複製，不斷合成。
所以「濁者如土投水」。為什麼會濁呢？水是清清的，清清的水，為什麼會髒了呢？那就是因為有一些土，與水混合起來，所以這水濁了。
我們人人每天都要用水，喝的水要很乾淨。古時候的人喝水，知識還沒有那麼透徹瞭解時，只要水清就能喝了。所以，古人的智慧，沒有自來水的地方，就是用溝水，其實溝水的上游源頭，人家在洗很髒的東西，每天早上，那些污垢、骯髒的，都是出來到水溝裡洗，下游比較遠處，人家開始將水舀起來，就是要喝、要吃。
所以說，水是這樣不斷流，源頭污濁的東西這樣洗，但是它愈往下流，下游的人同樣照用水。但是，古時候的人，比較有智慧的時候，他們就利用夜晚去提水，用大缸，就用明礬放進去，放進水裡，說是這樣能讓髒污沉澱，只看到表面的水清的，就這樣喝，這樣吃，煮飯、燒水不都同樣用那些水。這是古時候的人。
卻是，佛陀「佛觀一缽水，八萬四千蟲。」水在流，阿難去舀了一碗水來，佛將這碗水接過來，就向阿難說：「阿難，這碗水八萬四千蟲。」阿難的眼光，水再端近來看，「沒有啊！佛陀，水很清。」佛陀就說：「這碗水裡有無量數的生命，就是在動，活的東西，有生命在裡面，八萬四千。」那就是表示很多很多的意思。
阿難就問佛說：「這樣要怎麼辦？這麼多有生命的東西在水裡，要怎麼辦呢？」佛陀就說：「濾水囊。」所以我們現在說水要過濾，其實，應該是佛陀發明的。我們若去受戒，戒場裡會給我們一個缽、一個袋子、布、一支刷子，這支刷子就是要讓我們洗碗的。我們若要喝水，那就是從溪水舀上來，經過白布這樣過濾過，濾過之後，布還要在水裡蕩一蕩。這是佛的時代。
我們古時候的人說要放礬，佛陀他發明的是水要過濾。我們現在不是常常說，水要過濾喔。髒水要如何過濾。這就是佛陀的智慧，現在說來叫做科學。現在的科學要用很多的儀器，顯微鏡及(高倍)顯微鏡，這樣去看，真的裡面很多細菌，細菌都會動的。即使我們人的身上，不也是細菌很多嗎？有病毒的細菌，有保護我們身體，創造我們身體免疫的，也很多。
所以說來，世間，其實都是不調和合成的，或者是調和，或是不調和所合成起來的，所以叫做種種因緣。
所以，「湧泉流水清澄」。若是湧泉的水，那就是不斷地一直出來，從地底湧現出來的泉水是清的。這窪水如果濁了，只要泉水不斷湧現、湧現出來，濁水就會慢慢淡掉，變成了清水。
就如我們從缸裡舀出來的濁水，用清水不斷地，一直加進去，加進去，清水加多了，濁水就會一直一直被淘汰出去，所以濁水就淡化、淡化，就變成清水。所以叫做「湧泉流水清澄」。只要你用清水一直加進去，濁水自然就一直淡化。所以「垢去淨存無染」。骯髒的，若一直有清的東西，一直、加進來，這樣一直加進來，清的愈多，濁的就愈少；濁的去除之後，就是清的存在，這樣就無染。
大家想要修行，人人都有帶著那一分習氣。習氣是後天成的，不是原來就有這習氣。所以因為習氣，讓我們無法透徹瞭解，在這世間一切的道理，我們就不清楚了。道理和時間、虛空是永存的，永遠都存在。就要視你什麼樣的因緣、氣象，什麼樣的因緣來合成，自然就說是善的。
善的，就是表示有修養的人，有修養的人若願意發心修行，了徹道理，將這道理能夠再宣化，再去弘揚，或者是身體力行去帶動，這樣修行者就如清流一樣。修行者愈多，世俗的人慢慢暸解了真理，迷茫就能去除。所以常常說，破迷，我們要破除迷信，我們要引導正確的方向。
所以，只要有人願意這樣修行，多用心去瞭解天地空間，宇宙萬物的真理，就是一顆種子，就能衍生很多。很多的湧泉出來，自然濁氣就能消除，所以說「垢去淨存無染」，就不會再受這麼多的濁氣在人間。
大家應該最近一直在聽，好像還沒有很清楚，但是，只要你的心，用很單純的心，看氣候，或者是感受大地，這樣可能也有很多色、相與性，顏色和它的形象，以及它的性，我們都瞭解。因為性相不同，無論什麼樣的形、相，就有它不同的性。火有熱的性，水有濕的性。前面已經說過了。
所以，我們看到這是水，你們看這水，溪水在流，你們瞭解它是什麼性嗎？水性就是濕的。我們現在都知道了。有時候在空間，放一臺機器在那裡，做什麼？除濕機。這在室內哪裡都沒有濕啊？但是過一會兒，將機器掀開來看，水已經。在這個空間裡不能沒有水分，但是水分過多就濕氣重。所以這也就是要合成，合成得調和，那就是健康的空間。
其實，濕氣是蒸氣，它有熱，它能夠吸收，就是能吸收濕，濕吸收起來，這叫做蒸氣，空中才下雨，這就是輪轉。所以，佛陀就是一直告訴我們，其實任何事情的原理都是一樣。
所以前面那段（經)文說，「舍利弗！十方世界中，尚無二乘，何況有三？」
舍利弗
十方世界中
尚無二乘
何況有三
《法華經 方便品第二》
其實大家要知道，道理就是一種。其他是因為我們不清楚，不明白，所以佛陀就要不斷、不斷解釋。到這一段，佛陀開始又要說：「舍利弗！諸佛出於五濁惡世，所謂：劫濁，煩惱濁，眾生濁，見濁，命濁。」
舍利弗
諸佛出於
五濁惡世
所謂 劫濁
煩惱濁
眾生濁
見濁 命濁
《法華經 方便品第二》
我們能夠瞭解，佛陀出現就是在這濁世。其實常常說，我們都是有對比，因為有眾生的煩惱，所以才有佛陀出現人間。想想看，釋迦牟尼佛，二千多年前，那個時候就已經濁世了，其實，就是因為濁世，才能夠啟發佛陀那一分的慈悲，見苦，就秉智運慈。因為這分智慧，所以啟發了佛陀的慈悲，所以他不忍心在皇宮享受。
因為他的智慧來看人間，世間是無常，世間是苦，世間很多的矛盾。所以他發心，啟發這念心，享受是短暫，天下之間苦難、無常等等，是很久的時間，所以他不想要，在短暫的人生來享受，他要去找一個永恆的道理，來教育人群。這就是佛陀的偉大。
若要說，以世相來說，是二千多年前；若是用真實理來說，佛陀是在無央數劫以前，與生俱來，人人本具的佛性，佛陀也是一樣。
不過，這段（經)文說，佛是出於五濁惡世之中。所以「五濁」是什麼呢？佛陀為什麼，要出生在這「五濁」，尤其是在「五濁」中，要說一乘法，這個時候正是時候。
此釋佛出濁世
說此一乘法也
昨天對大家說過，佛陀說法四十多年，隨佛的弟子都在他的身邊，也不一定人人，都能體會到佛的知見。因為，在《法華經》前，還未真切向人人說：你們也能成佛。你們修行的目標，我要你們能人人發現你們，人人的真如本性，所以人人皆是佛。
所以二乘、三乘，有的人會怕——到底我現在修行，已經去除了煩惱了，我現在與世無爭，我現在都瞭解了。我還要如何再入人群呢？所以有的人就怕，這個法，就有五千人退席。
所以佛陀在世那時候，弟子還是不知道佛常常在說的，種種因緣；相信，但是，因緣如何變化？昨天說過五比丘，為什麼那麼幸福，能夠接受佛陀開始初覺悟，佛陀就向這五個人講法呢？他們怎麼那麼有福，因緣從何來？他們也會想要追根究柢。
已經隨佛四十多年了，這個因緣是相信，不過也還無法很透徹瞭解。佛陀還是不斷，要向他們用種種譬喻。何況在現代這五濁惡世，其實更需要佛陀的法來教育。
在這五濁惡世中，才開始要將這一乘法說出來。就如湧泉，明明大地這一窪裡面，都是濁水，濁的水就是需要湧泉清水，不斷不斷湧現出來，或者是清水不斷不斷注流，一直加進去，自然濁水就會變清。所以，法要不斷不斷宏揚，只要是善法，我們都一定要不斷地口口相傳，破迷歸正。破除了迷信，愚癡，莫過於迷，所以我們要先將迷信破除，我們才能歸於正法。
佛陀來人間，無不都是為了此事。所以在這濁(世)，愈是惡濁的地方，才是需要佛法去宣揚的地方。過去的(富樓那)彌陀羅尼子，不就是這樣嗎？不怕，不怕那個地方的人，是多麼邪惡，哪怕用罵的，哪怕用打的等等，不斷都要培養這一分感恩心。這在佛陀的時代，無論什麼樣的逆境來時，都要有感恩心。
這種感恩心，面對著不同的，各人都有不同的習氣，人人這種濁，不同的習氣合成起來，污濁的見解充滿了人間世界。修行者，就是一項很重要的，感恩；付出無所求，還要說感恩。這種不屈不撓的精神，絕對對自己，不受惡劣環境屈服，所以還是要用方法，面對這個環境，我們的目標在哪裡？
佛陀出現在五濁惡世，二千多年前就開始五濁惡世。其實，從人壽在減劫中就開始了，濁氣慢慢、慢慢地產生，所以五濁惡世，在劫濁。「濁」的意思就是穢濁，以及重濁的意思。
濁：
穢濁及
重濁之義
很濁，已經很濁了，很濁。「劫」梵語叫做「劫波」，簡稱為「劫」。
劫：梵語劫波
即長時間
猶言世相生態
之時代
在劫波長時間中
亦自有增 減劫
有善惡輕重之分
「劫」以我們現代人的語言，叫做時間，但是「劫」就是長時間，無法計算的時間。所以，佛經中，全都以「過去無量劫」，「無數劫以前」，意思就是時間很長很長。
光是一劫，增減劫就很長了，不知道要怎麼算。這過去都向大家說過了，人壽八萬四千歲開始，一直，一百年減一歲，減到人壽十歲；從十歲時就開始一百年增一歲，一百年增一歲，增到人壽八萬四千，這樣叫做「一增減劫」，這才是一小劫而已。各位去算算看，這樣到底是幾年？很難算。所以常常都說「長時間」，佛經中稱為「無量數劫」。
各位，在時間、空間，如何讓它骯髒了？我們就要問心。所以我們學法，要學法，要修行，我們也要時時多用心。
Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: Eliminate Defilements to Achieve Purity (垢去淨存無污)
Date: May. 20. 2014
“The world was not originally evil, but turbidities caused it to become evil. Turbidity occurs when dirt falls into water. When water loses its purity, it is turbid. Gushing spring water brings purity; defilements are eliminated and purity remains.”
Indeed, the world was not originally evil, but turbidities caused it to become so. We often say this is an “evil world of Five Turbidities.” Those who do not understand the Buddha-Dharma may say, “the world is very evil.” Is that the case? “The world” is only another label for time and space. How can time be evil? How can space be evil? Within time and space, there is not evil at all, so nothing can be considered good either. Things are fundamentally this way. But turbidity defiles the world, so it becomes evil.
Similarly, people are very good and kind. Yet, we tend to be guarded. We describe others as good as bad, which labels them as good or evil. Actually, we all originally have the same nature. But “turbidities caused it to become evil.” Turbidity is a form of pollution. The convergence of many causes and conditions ended up defiling us.
Thus, our minds became defiled, developed habitual tendencies and created ignorance and many afflictions. Ignorance and afflictions are the foundation of habitual tendencies, so I often talk about how afflictions continuously reproduce, causing continuous convergences [of conditions].
“Turbidity occurs when dirt falls into water.” Why is the water turbid? It was clean and clear. So, how did this clean water become dirty? Because some dirt has been mixed with the water, so the water became turbid. We all need to use water every day, and the water we drink has to be very clean. In the past, when people drank water before their [scientific] knowledge was advanced, they thought any clear water was drinkable. The ancients, [limited in] understanding, drank from ditches in places without running water. Actually, at the upstream source of ditch water, people washed very little things. Every morning, the dirty and filthy things were washed at the ditch. Then, faraway downstream, other people began scooping up water for drinking and eating. This is the way water continuously flowed. At the source, people washed filthy things but as it flowed on, people downstream continued to use the water.
So, by applying their wisdom, people in the past retrieved water at night.People in the past retrieved water at night.They put potassium alum in big water tanks in order to cause the filth to sink.When they saw the clear water on the surface, they used it for drinking, eating, and for cooking rice and boiling water.This was how they lived in the past.
However, “the Buddha saw 84,000 bugs in a bowl of water”.Ananda had scooped up some flowing water.When the Buddha took the bowl of water, He said, “Anands, this bowl of water has 84,000 bugs.”Ananda looked at the water closely with his eyes.
“No, Venerable Buddha, the water is very clear.”The Buddha said, “In this bowl of water are infinite living beings.They are moving, living things.There are living beings in there, 84,000 of them” 84,000 signify a very large quantity.
So, Ananda asked the Buddha, “Then what should we do?There are many living beings in the water.What should we do?”The Buddha said, “Use a cloth water filter.”Nowadays we know the water needs to be filtered.This was probably invented by the Buddha.If we became ordained monastics [back then], the monastery would give us a bowl, a pouch, a piece of cloth and a brush.The brush would be used to wash the bowl.If we wanted to drink water, we would scoop water from the stream, and then filter it with the white cloth.After being used as a filter, the cloth needed to be rinsed in the water.This was the case during the Buddha’s era.
People in the past used potassium alum, and the Buddha invented the water filter.
Nowadays, we constantly say that water has to be filtered, and [talk about] how to filter it.This was the wisdom of the Buddha, and now we consider it science.Modern-day science, utilizing instruments such as high-powered microscopes, can examine [the water] and see many bacteria, which are all moving.Can’t we find bacteria in our bodies, too?There are illness-inducing bacteria as well as those that protect our bodies and help us develop immunity.Therefore, everything happens because of imbalances, or as the result of balances and imbalances; these are all causes and conditions.
Then, “Gushing spring water brings clarity.”If water gushes from a spring, then it will continuously flow.Water gushing from underground springs is clear.If there is stagnant water that becomes turbid, the spring water that continuously gushes forth can gradually dilute it until it becomes clear.If we scoop turbid water out of a tank and keep pouring clear water into it, with enough clear water, there will be less and less turbid water.So, the turbid water is diluted until it becomes clear water.So we say, “Gushing spring water brings clarity.”
As long as we keep adding clear water, the turbid water will naturally be diluted.So “defilements are eliminated and purity remains”.If we keep adding clean [water] to dirty water and continuously pour in more, the more clarity there is, the less turbidity there will be.After the turbidity is eliminated, clarity will remain.Thus what remains is pure.
We all want to engage in spiritual practice, but we each have our own habitual tendencies.Habitual tendencies are acquired; we have no always had them.
Habitual tendencies are acquired; we have not always had them. Due to our habitual tendencies, we cannot attain thorough understanding and are not clear on the principles of the world. Principles, time and space are everlasting; they always exist. [But how long tings last in the world] depends on the convergence of causes and conditions. The natural state of things is good. Good people are those who are spiritually refined. These people willingly vow to engage in spiritual practice, to thoroughly understand the principle, and then teach and promote them. They may also put them into practice so they can motivate others.
So, spiritual practitioners are like a pure stream. The more of them there are, the more people will gradually understand the truths and eliminate their delusions. Thus we constantly say that to eliminate delusion, we must eliminate superstation and guide people onto the right path.
So, if people are willing to engage in spiritual practice and put their heart into understanding the truths of all things in the universe. They can be a seed that gives rise to many others, so there will be many springs [bringing forth purity]. Then naturally turbidity will be eliminated.
Thus, “defilements are eliminated and purity remains. There will no longer be so much turbidity in the world. You may not yet clearly understand. The teachings you have recently heard, but as long as your mind remains pure, as you observe the weather or take in the world, you may understand [why there are] all these many colors, appearances and natures. Because natures and appearances vary, things of different shapes and appearances have different natures. Fire is hot by nature; water is wet by nature. I have talked about this before. So, when we see water flowing in the stream, do we understand what its nature is? Water is wet by nature. We all know this.
Sometimes, we put a machine in the room. What is it? It is a dehumidifier. You may think the room is not humid. But after a while, if you open the machine’s lid, you will see water. This atmosphere cannot be lacking in moisture, but excess moisture causes terrible humidity. So, we need to achieve a harmonious balance to have a healthy atmosphere. Actually, moisture is water vapor. When the air is hot, it can absorb moisture. Then it condenses into water vapor until it precipitates as rain. This is the [water] cycle.
The Buddha always tells us the underlying principle of all things is the same.
The earlier sutra passage states, “Sariputra, in the worlds of the ten directions, there are not even two vehicles, much less three”.
Indeed, we should all know there is really only one principle. Others are only given because we lack understanding. So the Buddha has to continuously explain things. In this passage, the Buddha began to say,
“Sariputra, in the worlds of the ten directions, all Buddhas appear in the evil world of the Five Turbidities, that is, the turbidity of kalpa, the turbidity of afflictions, the turbidity of sentient beings, the turbidity of views and the turbidity of life”.
We understand that the Buddha manifests in this turbid world. Indeed, we constantly make this correlation; sentient beings’ afflictions are the reason the Buddha manifests in this world. Think about how, when Sakyamuni Buddha appeared over 2000 years ago, the world was already turbid. Actually, the turbidity of the world is the reason the Buddha awakened His compassion. Because He saw suffering, He exercised compassion with wisdom. Because of this wisdom, His compassion was awakened.
So, He could not bear to simply stay in the palace and enjoy himself. Because He viewed the world with wisdom, He saw its impermanence, suffering and many contradictions. This inspired His [spiritual] aspirations. Enjoyment is temporary, but suffering and impermanence are long-lasting. Thus, He did not want to indulge in pleasures in His brief life. He wanted to seek an everlasting principle that He could teach people. This was the greatness of the Buddha.
In terms of world phenomena, this happened over 2000 years ago. In terms of ultimate reality, He [attained Buddhahood]countless kalpas ago. We all intrinsically have Buddha-nature, and so did the Buddha. Yet, this sutra passage states that the Buddha was born into the evil world of the Five Turbidities. So, what are the five Turbidities?
So, what are the Five Turbidities? And why was the Buddha born among these Five Turbidities? In particular, it was because this was the perfect time to teach the One Vehicle Dharma.
Sakyamuni Buddha entered the turbid world to teach the One Vehicle Dharma.
Yesterday, I told all of you that the Buddha taught for over 40 years. Though His disciples remained by His side, not all of them necessarily realized His knowledge and views, because before giving the Lotus teachings. He had not yet told each of them, “You can also attain Buddhahood.As your goal of spiritual practice,I want you to discover your intrinsic nature of True Suchness.Thus you are all Buddhas.” So, [hearing] the Two or Three Vehicle teachings, some were afraid “Through my spiritual practice,I have already eliminated afflictions.I have no conflicts with this world,I understand everything now.How could I go among people again?” Some people were afraid of this Dharma, so 5000 people left the assembly.
Even during the Buddha’s lifetime, His disciples still did not understand the causes and conditions that He constantly spoke of. They believed, but how could they change their karmic conditions?
Yesterday, I spoke of the five bhiksus. Why were they so blessed that they received the first teachings the Buddha gave upon attaining enlightenment? How could they be so blessed? Where did their causes and conditions come from? People wanted to find out the root cause. They had followed the Buddha for over 40 years and believed in the law of karma, but they still could not thoroughly understand it. So, the Buddha had to continuously teach with various analogies. In our times, in this evil world of the Five Turbidities, we especially need the Buddha’s teachings. In this evil world of the Five Turbidities the One Vehicle Dharma need to be taught. It is like a gushing spring. Clearly, the stagnant water on this land is turbid. Clearly, the stagnant water on this is turbid. To clear up the turbidity, we need a continuous stream of gushing spring water, or we must continuously pour in clear water or we must continuously pour in clear water. Then the turbid water will naturally become clear.
So, we must constantly promote the Dharma. As long as teaching is beneficial, we must continuously pass it along verbally to eliminate delusions and break through superstitions. Ignorance stems from delusion, so we must first eliminate deluded beliefs to return to the Right Dharma. Therefore, the Buddha comes to the world solely for this matter.
Thus, in this turbid world, the more polluted a please is,the greater its need for the Buddha-Dharma. Wasn’t this the work of Purna Maitrayani Putra? Wasn’t this the work of Purna Maitrayani Putra? He was unafraid to go to places where people might be wicked and evil. Even if they cursed and beat him, and so on, he would always feel gratitude toward them. The Buddha taught that no matter what adverse condition arise, we must always be grateful. We must have gratitude for people with different habitual tendencies. People’s turbidities and habitual tendencies combine to fill the world with polluted understandings.
For spiritual practitioners, it is very important to give unconditionally and then feel gratitude. With this unwavering spirit, we will not yield to our harsh environment we will not yield to our harsh environment. This requires us to apply [different] methods which suit our environment.
What is our goal? Over 2000years ago, the Buddha manifested in the evil world of the Five Turbidities. Actually, turbidity gradually increased as average lifespans shortened during the decreasing kalpa. So the evil world of the Five Turbidities is a turbidity of kalpa.
“Turbidity” means filthy and clouded.
This turbidity was already very strong, very sever strong. “Kalpa” is a Sanskrit world. “Kalpa” is a Sanskrit word.
Kalpa is a Sanskrit word that means “a long time”. It is an era of certain phenomena and states of being. There are increasing and decreasing Kalpas, split into good , evil, mild and serious.
“Kalpa,” in modern terms, is time yet it is an incalculably long period of time yet it is an incalculably long period of time. So in the Buddhist sutras [we see] “countless kalpas in the past,” or “countless kalpas ago,” which means a very long time. One kalpa, made up of one increasing and decreasing kalpa, is very long. How can it be calculated? I have told everyone that [a decreasing kalpa] is the time of an average human lifespan, starting at 84,000 years and decreasing by one year every century, reaching an average of ten years. Then the average lifespan of ten years increases by one year every 100 years until it reaches 84,000 years. This is “one increasing and decreasing kalpa,” which is only one small kalpa. Everyone, calculating how many years this takes is very hard. Thus, what we usually call “a long time,” Buddhist sutras call “countless kalpas”.
Everyone, in this time and space, how have we let things become defiled? We must ask ourselves this question. As we learn the Dharma, we should put in into practice, and we must always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV – Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
⊙「世本非惡，因濁故惡。濁者如土投水，水失清潔而濁，湧泉流水清澄，垢去淨存無染。」
⊙「舍利弗！十方世界中，尚無二乘，何況有三？」《法華經 方便品第二》
⊙「舍利弗！諸佛出於五濁惡世，所謂：劫濁，煩惱濁，眾生濁，見濁，命濁。」《法華經 方便品第二》
⊙此釋佛出濁世，說此一乘法也。
⊙濁：穢濁及重濁之義。
⊙劫：梵語劫波，即長時間：猶言世相生態之時代。在劫波長時間中，亦自有增、減劫、有善惡輕重之分。
【證嚴上人開示】
「世本非惡，因濁故惡。濁者如土投水，水失清潔而濁，湧泉流水清澄，垢去淨存無染。」
世本非惡
因濁故惡
濁者如土投水
水失清潔而濁
湧泉流水清澄
垢去淨存無染
是啊！世本來非惡，因為濁，所以才會惡。現在常常說五濁惡世，或者是不懂佛法的人說：「唉，世間很」！是嗎？「世間」只是一個時間、空間的代名詞，叫做「世間」。時間，有什麼惡呢？空間，有什麼惡呢？所以說，時間與空間之間，一點都無惡，也無法怎樣叫做善，其實本來就是這樣。只是因為濁，讓它髒污了，所以變成惡。
就如我們人，人人都很善良，但是，人就是防著人，人要選擇人，都會說好或壞。好、壞，就是善與惡的意思。其實，本來人人都是，平等的這念性，就是「因濁故惡」，因為有濁氣，濁氣就是污染，受到很多合成起來的因緣，污染我們，所以我們的心，受到種種的污染，變成了這種習，習氣，會造作很多無明煩惱。無明煩惱是習氣的根本，所以我常常說複製，煩惱不斷複製，不斷合成。
所以「濁者如土投水」。為什麼會濁呢？水是清清的，清清的水，為什麼會髒了呢？那就是因為有一些土，與水混合起來，所以這水濁了。
我們人人每天都要用水，喝的水要很乾淨。古時候的人喝水，知識還沒有那麼透徹瞭解時，只要水清就能喝了。所以，古人的智慧，沒有自來水的地方，就是用溝水，其實溝水的上游源頭，人家在洗很髒的東西，每天早上，那些污垢、骯髒的，都是出來到水溝裡洗，下游比較遠處，人家開始將水舀起來，就是要喝、要吃。
所以說，水是這樣不斷流，源頭污濁的東西這樣洗，但是它愈往下流，下游的人同樣照用水。但是，古時候的人，比較有智慧的時候，他們就利用夜晚去提水，用大缸，就用明礬放進去，放進水裡，說是這樣能讓髒污沉澱，只看到表面的水清的，就這樣喝，這樣吃，煮飯、燒水不都同樣用那些水。這是古時候的人。
卻是，佛陀「佛觀一缽水，八萬四千蟲。」水在流，阿難去舀了一碗水來，佛將這碗水接過來，就向阿難說：「阿難，這碗水八萬四千蟲。」阿難的眼光，水再端近來看，「沒有啊！佛陀，水很清。」佛陀就說：「這碗水裡有無量數的生命，就是在動，活的東西，有生命在裡面，八萬四千。」那就是表示很多很多的意思。
阿難就問佛說：「這樣要怎麼辦？這麼多有生命的東西在水裡，要怎麼辦呢？」佛陀就說：「濾水囊。」所以我們現在說水要過濾，其實，應該是佛陀發明的。我們若去受戒，戒場裡會給我們一個缽、一個袋子、布、一支刷子，這支刷子就是要讓我們洗碗的。我們若要喝水，那就是從溪水舀上來，經過白布這樣過濾過，濾過之後，布還要在水裡蕩一蕩。這是佛的時代。
我們古時候的人說要放礬，佛陀他發明的是水要過濾。我們現在不是常常說，水要過濾喔。髒水要如何過濾。這就是佛陀的智慧，現在說來叫做科學。現在的科學要用很多的儀器，顯微鏡及(高倍)顯微鏡，這樣去看，真的裡面很多細菌，細菌都會動的。即使我們人的身上，不也是細菌很多嗎？有病毒的細菌，有保護我們身體，創造我們身體免疫的，也很多。
所以說來，世間，其實都是不調和合成的，或者是調和，或是不調和所合成起來的，所以叫做種種因緣。
所以，「湧泉流水清澄」。若是湧泉的水，那就是不斷地一直出來，從地底湧現出來的泉水是清的。這窪水如果濁了，只要泉水不斷湧現、湧現出來，濁水就會慢慢淡掉，變成了清水。
就如我們從缸裡舀出來的濁水，用清水不斷地，一直加進去，加進去，清水加多了，濁水就會一直一直被淘汰出去，所以濁水就淡化、淡化，就變成清水。所以叫做「湧泉流水清澄」。只要你用清水一直加進去，濁水自然就一直淡化。所以「垢去淨存無染」。骯髒的，若一直有清的東西，一直、加進來，這樣一直加進來，清的愈多，濁的就愈少；濁的去除之後，就是清的存在，這樣就無染。
大家想要修行，人人都有帶著那一分習氣。習氣是後天成的，不是原來就有這習氣。所以因為習氣，讓我們無法透徹瞭解，在這世間一切的道理，我們就不清楚了。道理和時間、虛空是永存的，永遠都存在。就要視你什麼樣的因緣、氣象，什麼樣的因緣來合成，自然就說是善的。
善的，就是表示有修養的人，有修養的人若願意發心修行，了徹道理，將這道理能夠再宣化，再去弘揚，或者是身體力行去帶動，這樣修行者就如清流一樣。修行者愈多，世俗的人慢慢暸解了真理，迷茫就能去除。所以常常說，破迷，我們要破除迷信，我們要引導正確的方向。
所以，只要有人願意這樣修行，多用心去瞭解天地空間，宇宙萬物的真理，就是一顆種子，就能衍生很多。很多的湧泉出來，自然濁氣就能消除，所以說「垢去淨存無染」，就不會再受這麼多的濁氣在人間。
大家應該最近一直在聽，好像還沒有很清楚，但是，只要你的心，用很單純的心，看氣候，或者是感受大地，這樣可能也有很多色、相與性，顏色和它的形象，以及它的性，我們都瞭解。因為性相不同，無論什麼樣的形、相，就有它不同的性。火有熱的性，水有濕的性。前面已經說過了。
所以，我們看到這是水，你們看這水，溪水在流，你們瞭解它是什麼性嗎？水性就是濕的。我們現在都知道了。有時候在空間，放一臺機器在那裡，做什麼？除濕機。這在室內哪裡都沒有濕啊？但是過一會兒，將機器掀開來看，水已經。在這個空間裡不能沒有水分，但是水分過多就濕氣重。所以這也就是要合成，合成得調和，那就是健康的空間。
其實，濕氣是蒸氣，它有熱，它能夠吸收，就是能吸收濕，濕吸收起來，這叫做蒸氣，空中才下雨，這就是輪轉。所以，佛陀就是一直告訴我們，其實任何事情的原理都是一樣。
所以前面那段（經)文說，「舍利弗！十方世界中，尚無二乘，何況有三？」
舍利弗
十方世界中
尚無二乘
何況有三
《法華經 方便品第二》
其實大家要知道，道理就是一種。其他是因為我們不清楚，不明白，所以佛陀就要不斷、不斷解釋。到這一段，佛陀開始又要說：「舍利弗！諸佛出於五濁惡世，所謂：劫濁，煩惱濁，眾生濁，見濁，命濁。」
舍利弗
諸佛出於
五濁惡世
所謂 劫濁
煩惱濁
眾生濁
見濁 命濁
《法華經 方便品第二》
我們能夠瞭解，佛陀出現就是在這濁世。其實常常說，我們都是有對比，因為有眾生的煩惱，所以才有佛陀出現人間。想想看，釋迦牟尼佛，二千多年前，那個時候就已經濁世了，其實，就是因為濁世，才能夠啟發佛陀那一分的慈悲，見苦，就秉智運慈。因為這分智慧，所以啟發了佛陀的慈悲，所以他不忍心在皇宮享受。
因為他的智慧來看人間，世間是無常，世間是苦，世間很多的矛盾。所以他發心，啟發這念心，享受是短暫，天下之間苦難、無常等等，是很久的時間，所以他不想要，在短暫的人生來享受，他要去找一個永恆的道理，來教育人群。這就是佛陀的偉大。
若要說，以世相來說，是二千多年前；若是用真實理來說，佛陀是在無央數劫以前，與生俱來，人人本具的佛性，佛陀也是一樣。
不過，這段（經)文說，佛是出於五濁惡世之中。所以「五濁」是什麼呢？佛陀為什麼，要出生在這「五濁」，尤其是在「五濁」中，要說一乘法，這個時候正是時候。
此釋佛出濁世
說此一乘法也
昨天對大家說過，佛陀說法四十多年，隨佛的弟子都在他的身邊，也不一定人人，都能體會到佛的知見。因為，在《法華經》前，還未真切向人人說：你們也能成佛。你們修行的目標，我要你們能人人發現你們，人人的真如本性，所以人人皆是佛。
所以二乘、三乘，有的人會怕——到底我現在修行，已經去除了煩惱了，我現在與世無爭，我現在都瞭解了。我還要如何再入人群呢？所以有的人就怕，這個法，就有五千人退席。
所以佛陀在世那時候，弟子還是不知道佛常常在說的，種種因緣；相信，但是，因緣如何變化？昨天說過五比丘，為什麼那麼幸福，能夠接受佛陀開始初覺悟，佛陀就向這五個人講法呢？他們怎麼那麼有福，因緣從何來？他們也會想要追根究柢。
已經隨佛四十多年了，這個因緣是相信，不過也還無法很透徹瞭解。佛陀還是不斷，要向他們用種種譬喻。何況在現代這五濁惡世，其實更需要佛陀的法來教育。
在這五濁惡世中，才開始要將這一乘法說出來。就如湧泉，明明大地這一窪裡面，都是濁水，濁的水就是需要湧泉清水，不斷不斷湧現出來，或者是清水不斷不斷注流，一直加進去，自然濁水就會變清。所以，法要不斷不斷宏揚，只要是善法，我們都一定要不斷地口口相傳，破迷歸正。破除了迷信，愚癡，莫過於迷，所以我們要先將迷信破除，我們才能歸於正法。
佛陀來人間，無不都是為了此事。所以在這濁(世)，愈是惡濁的地方，才是需要佛法去宣揚的地方。過去的(富樓那)彌陀羅尼子，不就是這樣嗎？不怕，不怕那個地方的人，是多麼邪惡，哪怕用罵的，哪怕用打的等等，不斷都要培養這一分感恩心。這在佛陀的時代，無論什麼樣的逆境來時，都要有感恩心。
這種感恩心，面對著不同的，各人都有不同的習氣，人人這種濁，不同的習氣合成起來，污濁的見解充滿了人間世界。修行者，就是一項很重要的，感恩；付出無所求，還要說感恩。這種不屈不撓的精神，絕對對自己，不受惡劣環境屈服，所以還是要用方法，面對這個環境，我們的目標在哪裡？
佛陀出現在五濁惡世，二千多年前就開始五濁惡世。其實，從人壽在減劫中就開始了，濁氣慢慢、慢慢地產生，所以五濁惡世，在劫濁。「濁」的意思就是穢濁，以及重濁的意思。
濁：
穢濁及
重濁之義
很濁，已經很濁了，很濁。「劫」梵語叫做「劫波」，簡稱為「劫」。
劫：梵語劫波
即長時間
猶言世相生態
之時代
在劫波長時間中
亦自有增 減劫
有善惡輕重之分
「劫」以我們現代人的語言，叫做時間，但是「劫」就是長時間，無法計算的時間。所以，佛經中，全都以「過去無量劫」，「無數劫以前」，意思就是時間很長很長。
光是一劫，增減劫就很長了，不知道要怎麼算。這過去都向大家說過了，人壽八萬四千歲開始，一直，一百年減一歲，減到人壽十歲；從十歲時就開始一百年增一歲，一百年增一歲，增到人壽八萬四千，這樣叫做「一增減劫」，這才是一小劫而已。各位去算算看，這樣到底是幾年？很難算。所以常常都說「長時間」，佛經中稱為「無量數劫」。
各位，在時間、空間，如何讓它骯髒了？我們就要問心。所以我們學法，要學法，要修行，我們也要時時多用心。
Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: Eliminate Defilements to Achieve Purity (垢去淨存無污)
Date: May. 20. 2014
“The world was not originally evil, but turbidities caused it to become evil. Turbidity occurs when dirt falls into water. When water loses its purity, it is turbid. Gushing spring water brings purity; defilements are eliminated and purity remains.”
Indeed, the world was not originally evil, but turbidities caused it to become so. We often say this is an “evil world of Five Turbidities.” Those who do not understand the Buddha-Dharma may say, “the world is very evil.” Is that the case? “The world” is only another label for time and space. How can time be evil? How can space be evil? Within time and space, there is not evil at all, so nothing can be considered good either. Things are fundamentally this way. But turbidity defiles the world, so it becomes evil.
Similarly, people are very good and kind. Yet, we tend to be guarded. We describe others as good as bad, which labels them as good or evil. Actually, we all originally have the same nature. But “turbidities caused it to become evil.” Turbidity is a form of pollution. The convergence of many causes and conditions ended up defiling us.
Thus, our minds became defiled, developed habitual tendencies and created ignorance and many afflictions. Ignorance and afflictions are the foundation of habitual tendencies, so I often talk about how afflictions continuously reproduce, causing continuous convergences [of conditions].
“Turbidity occurs when dirt falls into water.” Why is the water turbid? It was clean and clear. So, how did this clean water become dirty? Because some dirt has been mixed with the water, so the water became turbid. We all need to use water every day, and the water we drink has to be very clean. In the past, when people drank water before their [scientific] knowledge was advanced, they thought any clear water was drinkable. The ancients, [limited in] understanding, drank from ditches in places without running water. Actually, at the upstream source of ditch water, people washed very little things. Every morning, the dirty and filthy things were washed at the ditch. Then, faraway downstream, other people began scooping up water for drinking and eating. This is the way water continuously flowed. At the source, people washed filthy things but as it flowed on, people downstream continued to use the water.
So, by applying their wisdom, people in the past retrieved water at night.People in the past retrieved water at night.They put potassium alum in big water tanks in order to cause the filth to sink.When they saw the clear water on the surface, they used it for drinking, eating, and for cooking rice and boiling water.This was how they lived in the past.
However, “the Buddha saw 84,000 bugs in a bowl of water”.Ananda had scooped up some flowing water.When the Buddha took the bowl of water, He said, “Anands, this bowl of water has 84,000 bugs.”Ananda looked at the water closely with his eyes.
“No, Venerable Buddha, the water is very clear.”The Buddha said, “In this bowl of water are infinite living beings.They are moving, living things.There are living beings in there, 84,000 of them” 84,000 signify a very large quantity.
So, Ananda asked the Buddha, “Then what should we do?There are many living beings in the water.What should we do?”The Buddha said, “Use a cloth water filter.”Nowadays we know the water needs to be filtered.This was probably invented by the Buddha.If we became ordained monastics [back then], the monastery would give us a bowl, a pouch, a piece of cloth and a brush.The brush would be used to wash the bowl.If we wanted to drink water, we would scoop water from the stream, and then filter it with the white cloth.After being used as a filter, the cloth needed to be rinsed in the water.This was the case during the Buddha’s era.
People in the past used potassium alum, and the Buddha invented the water filter.
Nowadays, we constantly say that water has to be filtered, and [talk about] how to filter it.This was the wisdom of the Buddha, and now we consider it science.Modern-day science, utilizing instruments such as high-powered microscopes, can examine [the water] and see many bacteria, which are all moving.Can’t we find bacteria in our bodies, too?There are illness-inducing bacteria as well as those that protect our bodies and help us develop immunity.Therefore, everything happens because of imbalances, or as the result of balances and imbalances; these are all causes and conditions.
Then, “Gushing spring water brings clarity.”If water gushes from a spring, then it will continuously flow.Water gushing from underground springs is clear.If there is stagnant water that becomes turbid, the spring water that continuously gushes forth can gradually dilute it until it becomes clear.If we scoop turbid water out of a tank and keep pouring clear water into it, with enough clear water, there will be less and less turbid water.So, the turbid water is diluted until it becomes clear water.So we say, “Gushing spring water brings clarity.”
As long as we keep adding clear water, the turbid water will naturally be diluted.So “defilements are eliminated and purity remains”.If we keep adding clean [water] to dirty water and continuously pour in more, the more clarity there is, the less turbidity there will be.After the turbidity is eliminated, clarity will remain.Thus what remains is pure.
We all want to engage in spiritual practice, but we each have our own habitual tendencies.Habitual tendencies are acquired; we have no always had them.
Habitual tendencies are acquired; we have not always had them. Due to our habitual tendencies, we cannot attain thorough understanding and are not clear on the principles of the world. Principles, time and space are everlasting; they always exist. [But how long tings last in the world] depends on the convergence of causes and conditions. The natural state of things is good. Good people are those who are spiritually refined. These people willingly vow to engage in spiritual practice, to thoroughly understand the principle, and then teach and promote them. They may also put them into practice so they can motivate others.
So, spiritual practitioners are like a pure stream. The more of them there are, the more people will gradually understand the truths and eliminate their delusions. Thus we constantly say that to eliminate delusion, we must eliminate superstation and guide people onto the right path.
So, if people are willing to engage in spiritual practice and put their heart into understanding the truths of all things in the universe. They can be a seed that gives rise to many others, so there will be many springs [bringing forth purity]. Then naturally turbidity will be eliminated.
Thus, “defilements are eliminated and purity remains. There will no longer be so much turbidity in the world. You may not yet clearly understand. The teachings you have recently heard, but as long as your mind remains pure, as you observe the weather or take in the world, you may understand [why there are] all these many colors, appearances and natures. Because natures and appearances vary, things of different shapes and appearances have different natures. Fire is hot by nature; water is wet by nature. I have talked about this before. So, when we see water flowing in the stream, do we understand what its nature is? Water is wet by nature. We all know this.
Sometimes, we put a machine in the room. What is it? It is a dehumidifier. You may think the room is not humid. But after a while, if you open the machine’s lid, you will see water. This atmosphere cannot be lacking in moisture, but excess moisture causes terrible humidity. So, we need to achieve a harmonious balance to have a healthy atmosphere. Actually, moisture is water vapor. When the air is hot, it can absorb moisture. Then it condenses into water vapor until it precipitates as rain. This is the [water] cycle.
The Buddha always tells us the underlying principle of all things is the same.
The earlier sutra passage states, “Sariputra, in the worlds of the ten directions, there are not even two vehicles, much less three”.
Indeed, we should all know there is really only one principle. Others are only given because we lack understanding. So the Buddha has to continuously explain things. In this passage, the Buddha began to say,
“Sariputra, in the worlds of the ten directions, all Buddhas appear in the evil world of the Five Turbidities, that is, the turbidity of kalpa, the turbidity of afflictions, the turbidity of sentient beings, the turbidity of views and the turbidity of life”.
We understand that the Buddha manifests in this turbid world. Indeed, we constantly make this correlation; sentient beings’ afflictions are the reason the Buddha manifests in this world. Think about how, when Sakyamuni Buddha appeared over 2000 years ago, the world was already turbid. Actually, the turbidity of the world is the reason the Buddha awakened His compassion. Because He saw suffering, He exercised compassion with wisdom. Because of this wisdom, His compassion was awakened.
So, He could not bear to simply stay in the palace and enjoy himself. Because He viewed the world with wisdom, He saw its impermanence, suffering and many contradictions. This inspired His [spiritual] aspirations. Enjoyment is temporary, but suffering and impermanence are long-lasting. Thus, He did not want to indulge in pleasures in His brief life. He wanted to seek an everlasting principle that He could teach people. This was the greatness of the Buddha.
In terms of world phenomena, this happened over 2000 years ago. In terms of ultimate reality, He [attained Buddhahood]countless kalpas ago. We all intrinsically have Buddha-nature, and so did the Buddha. Yet, this sutra passage states that the Buddha was born into the evil world of the Five Turbidities. So, what are the five Turbidities?
So, what are the Five Turbidities? And why was the Buddha born among these Five Turbidities? In particular, it was because this was the perfect time to teach the One Vehicle Dharma.
Sakyamuni Buddha entered the turbid world to teach the One Vehicle Dharma.
Yesterday, I told all of you that the Buddha taught for over 40 years. Though His disciples remained by His side, not all of them necessarily realized His knowledge and views, because before giving the Lotus teachings. He had not yet told each of them, “You can also attain Buddhahood.As your goal of spiritual practice,I want you to discover your intrinsic nature of True Suchness.Thus you are all Buddhas.” So, [hearing] the Two or Three Vehicle teachings, some were afraid “Through my spiritual practice,I have already eliminated afflictions.I have no conflicts with this world,I understand everything now.How could I go among people again?” Some people were afraid of this Dharma, so 5000 people left the assembly.
Even during the Buddha’s lifetime, His disciples still did not understand the causes and conditions that He constantly spoke of. They believed, but how could they change their karmic conditions?
Yesterday, I spoke of the five bhiksus. Why were they so blessed that they received the first teachings the Buddha gave upon attaining enlightenment? How could they be so blessed? Where did their causes and conditions come from? People wanted to find out the root cause. They had followed the Buddha for over 40 years and believed in the law of karma, but they still could not thoroughly understand it. So, the Buddha had to continuously teach with various analogies. In our times, in this evil world of the Five Turbidities, we especially need the Buddha’s teachings. In this evil world of the Five Turbidities the One Vehicle Dharma need to be taught. It is like a gushing spring. Clearly, the stagnant water on this land is turbid. Clearly, the stagnant water on this is turbid. To clear up the turbidity, we need a continuous stream of gushing spring water, or we must continuously pour in clear water or we must continuously pour in clear water. Then the turbid water will naturally become clear.
So, we must constantly promote the Dharma. As long as teaching is beneficial, we must continuously pass it along verbally to eliminate delusions and break through superstitions. Ignorance stems from delusion, so we must first eliminate deluded beliefs to return to the Right Dharma. Therefore, the Buddha comes to the world solely for this matter.
Thus, in this turbid world, the more polluted a please is,the greater its need for the Buddha-Dharma. Wasn’t this the work of Purna Maitrayani Putra? Wasn’t this the work of Purna Maitrayani Putra? He was unafraid to go to places where people might be wicked and evil. Even if they cursed and beat him, and so on, he would always feel gratitude toward them. The Buddha taught that no matter what adverse condition arise, we must always be grateful. We must have gratitude for people with different habitual tendencies. People’s turbidities and habitual tendencies combine to fill the world with polluted understandings.
For spiritual practitioners, it is very important to give unconditionally and then feel gratitude. With this unwavering spirit, we will not yield to our harsh environment we will not yield to our harsh environment. This requires us to apply [different] methods which suit our environment.
What is our goal? Over 2000years ago, the Buddha manifested in the evil world of the Five Turbidities. Actually, turbidity gradually increased as average lifespans shortened during the decreasing kalpa. So the evil world of the Five Turbidities is a turbidity of kalpa.
“Turbidity” means filthy and clouded.
This turbidity was already very strong, very sever strong. “Kalpa” is a Sanskrit world. “Kalpa” is a Sanskrit word.
Kalpa is a Sanskrit word that means “a long time”. It is an era of certain phenomena and states of being. There are increasing and decreasing Kalpas, split into good , evil, mild and serious.
“Kalpa,” in modern terms, is time yet it is an incalculably long period of time yet it is an incalculably long period of time. So in the Buddhist sutras [we see] “countless kalpas in the past,” or “countless kalpas ago,” which means a very long time. One kalpa, made up of one increasing and decreasing kalpa, is very long. How can it be calculated? I have told everyone that [a decreasing kalpa] is the time of an average human lifespan, starting at 84,000 years and decreasing by one year every century, reaching an average of ten years. Then the average lifespan of ten years increases by one year every 100 years until it reaches 84,000 years. This is “one increasing and decreasing kalpa,” which is only one small kalpa. Everyone, calculating how many years this takes is very hard. Thus, what we usually call “a long time,” Buddhist sutras call “countless kalpas”.
Everyone, in this time and space, how have we let things become defiled? We must ask ourselves this question. As we learn the Dharma, we should put in into practice, and we must always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV – Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
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