20140811《靜思妙蓮華》四生六道輪迴無窮（第367集）
⊙「天長地久業力並存，四生六道輪迴無窮，一念心淨勤行六度，聞持正法饒益有情。」
⊙「以諸欲因緣，墜墮三惡道，輪迴六趣中，備受諸苦毒，受胎之微形，世世常增長。」《法華經方便品第二》
⊙受胎之微形：唯是一念偏向，隨業受胎之微形：如人吸毒，身受毒侵，心不能自拔，於四生之微形。
⊙世世常增長：生世因緣常相續增長；橫闊為增，豎進為長。於其四生受胎，生死輪迴之報。
⊙「薄德少福人，眾苦所逼迫。」《法華經方便品第二》
⊙薄德少福之人，於其生命中鮮少造福。
⊙眾苦所逼迫：在地獄時，眾苦迫逼，身受無邊苦，心念無邊惡。
⊙在畜生時，身相吞噉，心相逼惱。在鬼時，身若燒山，心如沸鑊。
⊙在人時，身作不饒，心常惱亂。在天時，縱逸嬉戲，不聞正法，是生死長。
⊙五道中眾生沉迷不悟，眾苦所逼迫，不能自己，其苦難堪。
【證嚴上人開始】
天長地久
業力並存
四生六道
輪迴無窮
一念心淨
勤行六度
聞持正法
饒益有情
學佛，心要專，意要誠。無論是天長地久，是業力並存，我們在四生六道，是輪迴無窮。就是一念，一念心淨，我們就要勤行六度，聞，聽法、受持正法，我們要有饒益有情。
那就是要說，常常說過去無量劫，就是要告訴我們時間很長，無盡頭，到底是多久、多久以前的時間起頭呢？不知道。到底我們從何時開始造業呢？無始劫以前，無量劫，無法去算數的時間。相信我們人人，所有開始的那一念動，不知道何時開始？總而言之，天長地久，業力就是並存，只是你是在造惡業，或者是造福業而已。
這善、惡業中，到底是走向哪裡呢？四生六道。四生六道，我們由不得自己，因為我們還是凡夫，所以在四生六道中輪迴無窮盡。何時才能停止四生六道，讓我們自己選擇，來去自如？就像諸佛菩薩，為了眾生的迷、無明等等，所以諸佛菩薩來人間，或者選擇在四生六道中，無非就是要去救濟眾生，這是來去自如。
我們現在把握在這一念間。每一個時間，每一秒鐘，我們的一念產生，生，生出了一念好念，這念好念，我們要趕快把握住，所以叫做把握當下。這念好念，你把握住，發心立願，那就是恆持。哪怕你剎那間產生這念，你好好把握，堅持到底，這念心就是淨，清淨的心。既發心，既把握住了，愛、欲、情等等，就不會再來擾亂我們的心了，所以，就勤行六度。
六度行就是菩薩行，我們要好好把握。聽，就是聞，聞持正法；聽了之後，我們要好好堅持，把握、堅持在正法中，分分秒秒，每一念念正念，我們都要把握住。
看到慈濟現在在人間，菩薩在招生，看到每一個地方，每一個國家，現在正是菩薩培訓的道場。因為年底將要受證了，在很多國家，要受證的新發意菩薩，都會回來臺灣受證。看到每一個國家要受證之前的培訓，很慇勤。
現在，南非也是，在賴索托，他們在培訓，還是跟臺灣一樣，很嚴格。雖然他們離我們那麼遠，為了要正法住世，為了要將慈濟的理念，在人間菩薩法要正確，所以和臺灣的步數(步伐)、步驟，就是這樣，一個一個腳印，印得很清楚。
看到他們，很感動。他們沒有像我們這樣的建築物，他們儘管是用帆布搭起來的，也是很像莊嚴的道場。所以，他們開始也是唱(慈濟)功德會歌，非洲人唱(慈濟)功德會歌，在錄影帶中聽到，還是很整齊，看到人的場面，也是很整齊。甚至他們也一樣讀，宣讀慈濟十戒，他們用他們的英文讀。
當地他們已受證的菩薩，穿著旗袍，很端莊，同樣來示範給他們看，這件衣服穿在身上，走路要怎麼走，手要放在哪裡，都這樣教得很好。而且椅子要怎麼坐，要坐得兩隻腳擺得平平，不能這樣斜、不能這樣倚，這是很嚴格的訓練。我們能想像出，皮膚(膚色)不同、體態不同，穿起旗袍來，樣樣規矩都要照慈濟的規矩，我們能想像出這一大群的菩薩，是多麼可愛啊！
不只是坐的規矩，要如何躺著的規矩，休息時，要行、住、坐、臥，全部四威儀都是很用心地教。他們用人教，透過錄影帶教，這實在是很大開眼界，感動，不可思議！
有一位阿嬤，她是受慈濟幫助過的家庭。是在二００七年，她的家庭困難，慈濟人幫助。她看到慈濟人那麼誠懇，那麼體貼，那一分愛，真正入了她的心。開始，她很努力，她發願將來也要當一個，能夠幫助人的人，所以她開始見習了，也是要培訓了。
帶著兩個孫子來，慈濟人就讓她專心上課，就幫她帶小孫子，抱著搖啊搖。臺灣人抱著黑人的孩子，抱在那裡，就像臺灣的阿嬤、黑人的孫子，很親切，天下一家親，無不都是，要完成這位菩薩的心願。這就是覺有情，對眾生要如何成就他，讓他也能行菩薩道。
雖然這位她是貧困，是我們所幫助，但是她發心，她也要幫助人，她能用她的身體、她的體力。就像很多愛滋病(患)，她能去為他清洗、去陪伴他等等。甚至她也能一毛錢、五毛錢，這樣向她的朋友、親戚勸募，滴滴水能入大海中。所以有心要做，沒有做不到的事情。這是在賴索托。
所以說起來，他們這一次，南非的培訓，圓緣的這一天，他們八個地方共聚一堂，有七十四位，今年培訓已經圓緣了。
看到那裡的菩薩在精進，就想到我們在天下，普天下，哪裡做不到呢？那麼困難、那麼貧困都有辦法，他們「一念心淨勤行六度」，而且「聞持正法饒益有情」，這用在南非的慈濟人，是名副其實。那個地方是那麼貧窮，那麼困難，離我們那麼遠，他們相信，相信佛法，堅持慈濟人間的菩薩法，所以他們願意這樣來接受，修佛(法)，所以這是不容易。
我們要知道，天長地久，業力是並存，四生六道，輪迴是無窮，最重要要這念心，真的要堅持，要顧好，行六波羅密，饒益有情，這很重要。
所以我們前面說，眾生種種的因緣，所以墮落三惡道中，輪迴在六趣裡，受很多苦。受什麼苦呢？除了世間人，大家有感觸到，還有「受胎之微形，世世常增長」。
以諸欲因緣
墜墮三惡道
輪迴六趣中
備受諸苦毒
受胎之微形
世世常增長
《法華經方便品第二》
「受胎之微形」。四生，有胎生、濕生、化生、卵生，叫做四生。為何我們受胎？其實，我們人都有那念欲，有了欲念，就是輪迴不息，不斷在輪迴中。
受胎之微形：
唯是一念偏向
隨業受胎之微形
如人吸毒
身受毒侵
心不能自拔
於四生之微形
在六道中，天人之身很高、很大。若要說天人的身相，是用由旬來算，可見身型之大。就如我們人看螞蟻，螞蟻比人，你想，螞蟻和人相比，是不是很微細呢？我們人與天人比，就像螞蟻和人比一樣，人實在是很微小，受胎之微形。
何況除了人以外，還有其他的生物。狗看人要抬頭看，人看狗是低頭看；比狗的身形更小、更小的，也很多，這全是受胎之形。為何這樣受胎，有這麼多種眾生不同的形呢？「唯(是)一念偏向，隨業受胎(之微形)」，我們的一念偏差。
我們若是有守五戒的人，來生還是人身；假如不守五戒，又再造其他的業混合起來，說不定是在牛、馬、狗、豬、羊、雞、鴨，叫得出名稱的這些動物，還有很多叫不出的動物，真的，看你造什麼業，所以「隨業受胎之微形」。
「如人吸毒，身受毒侵」。我們人就是這樣，一念偏向，不能自拔，好像吸毒者，不由自己，明明知道中毒了，應該要戒，但是怎麼戒都很痛苦，戒不掉。甚至很努力，好不容易已經戒了，但是意志薄弱，受到外面的境界稍微一隻手指揮動一下，他就由不得自己，又再去，又是吸毒。如這樣，真的是「身受毒侵」，真的苦不堪，由不得自己。所以，心不能自拔。明知不對、不要，因為痛苦，但是無法自己自拔。
我們人人一念心就像這樣。不要想這是不是全都在說吸毒者？不是。說我們人人的心；除了這樣是很有形的苦，一種無形的苦是我們的心，這念欲念的心，真的是不能自拔。所以我們才會一直，一直在四生之微形，在這四生中，苦不堪。多久了？「世世常增長」，一生一世，又比一生一世再增加起來。
所以會常常說無明，就是世世都不斷在複製，複製，就是愈來愈造的業愈多。所以，生世，生生世世的因緣，「常」，常常就是相續增長，不斷不斷在增長。
世世常增長：
生世因緣
常相續增長
橫闊為增
豎進為長
於其四生受胎
生死輪迴之報
「增長」這二個字，從橫的、闊的叫做「增」，增加土地面積，這是橫的；「豎進為長」，就是直的。如我們蓋房屋，一層疊過一層，一直蓋上去，這叫做「長」。又更長、更高了，所以高叫做「長」。所以，「增」是闊，高度是長，長的叫做「長」。所以，無論是寬或是長，我們都是在生生世世，不斷不斷就是在擴大、在增長中在造業，所以，生生世世因緣，常常就是相續在增長，我們在增業。
我們是增福業，那就是恭喜，生生世世增長福業，那就是成就慧命；我們若是生生世世增長惡業，那就是苦不堪。偏偏眾生，「薄德少福人，眾苦所逼迫」。
薄德少福人
眾苦所逼迫
《法華經方便品第二》
薄德少福的人。我們人人差不多很少去造福，多數都是造業、造惡。何謂薄德少福呢？薄德少福的人，就是說他的生命中鮮少造福，
薄德少福之人
於其生命中
鮮少造福
就是很慳貪、慳吝，他就是慳貪不捨。明明你有能力幫助人，你卻是不肯去幫助，一切的好事都不做，這叫做薄德少福的人。
「眾苦所逼迫」，眾苦，那就很苦了。地獄，有地獄之苦；畜生，(有)畜生之苦；鬼，餓鬼，(有)餓鬼的苦；人間，(有)人間的苦；天，也有天的苦。
眾苦所逼迫：
在地獄時
眾苦迫逼
身受無邊苦
心念無邊惡
各位，地獄有什麼苦呢？「眾苦逼迫」，地獄的苦無法用言語來分析，「身受無邊之苦」，心念就是因為懷有無邊之惡，因此就受地獄之苦。
若是在畜生道，身相吞噉。你看，大魚吃小魚，同樣的種類，同樣的身形，也是互相吞噉。
在畜生時
身相吞噉
心相逼惱
在鬼道時，身很痛苦。在鬼道，餓鬼道，知道目犍連(救母)用飯，缽裝著飯，要給母親吃，母親(口中) 火吐出來，就是火，整碗飯燒似炭。好像全身都是火，這是心狂火燃，這是在鬼道裡。
若是在人道，「身作不饒」，身體所造作的，不想要饒益眾生。心常常受到世間的愛欲，這樣誘引，所以心常惱。
在鬼時
身若燒山
心如沸鑊
在人時
身作不饒
心常惱亂
在天時
縱逸嬉戲
不聞正法
是生死長
還有，在天道時就是「縱逸嬉戲，不聞正法」。天人，無佛法可聽，天人要聽佛法要來人間，所以長久無法聽到佛法。
所以，他們天壽又長，但是愈長的時間沒有聽聞佛法，他們過著那種縱逸嬉戲，顛倒的生活，只是會想要享受，享受若盡，同樣要墮落四生六道。
這就是由不得自己的人生，在這五道中，五趣，或者是六趣，增加阿修羅。在此就是受胎，真的是苦不堪。
五道中眾生
沉迷不悟
眾苦所逼迫
不能自己
其苦難堪
所以各位，學佛、做人很好，能夠聽到佛法。假如不聞正法，做人造業的機會也是很多，所以大家要很自我警惕，時時要多用心。
Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: The Endless Cycle of Existence in the Six Realms (四生六道輪迴無窮)
Date: August. 11. 2014
As long as heaven and earth exist, karmic forces will be present. The Four Forms of Birth and the Six Realms are an endless cycle of existence. With a pure mind, we must earnestly practice the Six Perfections. By listening to and practicing Right Dharma, we will benefit all sentient beings.
To learn the Buddha’s Way, we must be focused and sincere. As long as heaven and earth exist, karmic forces will be present. The Four Forms of Birth and the Six Realms are an endless cycle of existence. We must wholeheartedly and with a pure mind, earnestly practice the Six Perfections. By listening to and practicing Right Dharma, we will benefit all sentient beings.
In addition to that, we often discuss countless kalpas to remind ourselves that time is endless. Exactly how long ago did time begin? We do not know. When exactly did we start to create karma? We started before Beginningless Time, countless kalpas ago, which is an incalculable amount of time. I believe that our minds gave rise to that first thought quite some time ago. All in all, as long as the earth and heaven exist, karmic forces will also be present. The question is simply whether we are creating bad karma or blessed karma. With the influence of this karma, where will we be heading? The Four Forms of Birth and the Six Realms. We have no control over where we go. Because we are still ordinary people, we continue to cycle endlessly through the Four Forms of Birth and the Six Realms. When can we stop this endless cycle so that we can make the choice and come and go freely?
This is like all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, [who come] because sentient beings have delusions and ignorance. All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas come to this world or choose to go through the Four forms of Birth and the Six Realms solely because they want to help sentient beings. This is how they come and go freely.
So now, we must seize this present thought in each moment and every second. When a good thought arises, we must immediately hold on to it. This is how we seize the present moment. If we can keep holding on to this good thought, we can forever sustain the aspirations and vows we formed. If, when we suddenly give rise to this thought, we hold on to it and persevere; then our minds will be pure. Once we form this aspiration and hold on to it, cravings, desires and affections and so on, will not confuse our minds. Then we can earnestly practice the Six Perfections.
Doing so is the way of Bodhisattvas. We must really seize the opportunity to listen to and learn Right Dharma. After we listen to it, we must work hard to uphold it. We must seize every good thought that arises in every second.
At Tzu Chi, we are recruiting Living Bodhisattvas. Every [Tzu Chi] location in every country is currently a Bodhisattva training ground. Since they will be certified at the end of the year, many different countries will send the newly-inspired Bodhisattva [-volunteers] to Taiwan to be certified [as Commissioners]. We can see that in every country, the pre-certification trainings are very intense. Right now, South Africa is doing this. In Lesotho, their training is just as strict as Taiwan’s.
Even though they are far away from us, in order to keep Right Dharma in this world and to spread Tzu Chi’s ideals, they must [learn] the Bodhisattva-path properly.So, the stages of their training match the ones in Taiwan.Every step leaves a clear impression.
When I see them, I feel very moved.They do not have the kind of buildings we have.Though they were using canvas tents, their practice center still looked very dignified.They also began by singing the Tzu Chi Foundation Anthem.When the Africans sang the anthem [in Chinese], we could hear from the vide that they were very much in unison.When we saw them on video, they looked orderly.
They even read Tzu Chi’s Ten Precepts, but they read them in English.
The certified African Commissioners looked very refined in their cheongsam.
They also gave a demonstration of wearing the uniform, how to walk and where to put one’s hands.They showed this very clearly.They also showed how to sit in a chair with both of their feet flat on the ground, not leaning sideways or rocking back.This training was very strict.
We can imagine what it will look like for people of a different skin color and body shape to wear a cheongsam and properly follow all of Tzu Chi’s etiquette.We can already picture how wonderful this large group of Bodhisattvas will look.There are not only rules for sitting or for lying down and resting; they meticulously taught the Four Demeanors, how to walk, stand, sit and sleep.
They used both live demonstrations and videos.This was really eye-opening, very touching and incredible.There was an elderly woman shown whose family has received help from Tzu Chi.In 2007, her family suffered hardship and Tzu Chi helped them.When experienced the sincerity and
thoughtfulness of the Tzu Chi volunteers.Their love really touched her heart.
She began to work hard and vowed to be someone who could help others.
So, she became an apprentice and started training to be a Commissioner.
She brought her two grandchildren with her.To help her focus on the trainings, Tzu Chi volunteers babysat for her.
The volunteers afro Taiwan held these young African children.[This image of] Taiwanese grandmothers with African grandchildren showed that everyone in the world is one family.They did this to fulfill this Bodhisattva’s wish.This was the act of awakened sentient beings and walk the Bodhisattva-path.
Although this woman was poor and received assistance from us, she aspired to help others as well.
When used her body, her physical strength, to help many AIDS patients by cleaning their homes and keeping them company.She even raised ten, fifty cents at a time from her friends and family.Every little bit really adds up to something big.As long as people have the will, there is nothing they cannot achieve.This was in Lesotho.Today is the last day of this training in South Africa.Volunteers from eight locations gathered there 74 people completed the training this year.When we see the diligence of these Bodhisattvas, we should remind ourselves that there is nothing in the world we cannot do .
Even people living in poverty and hardship can find a way.
“With a pure mind, earnestly practice the Six Perfections.By listening to and practicing Right Dharma, benefit all sentient beings.”The Tzu Chi volunteers in South Africa are doing exactly this.The country is so impoverished, has so many hardships and is so far away from us, but people there believe in the Buddha-Dharma and firmly practice.Tzu Chi’s Bodhisattva-path in the world.
Their willingness to accept and practice the Buddha-Dharma is very [precious].
We must know, as long as heaven and earth exist, karmic forces will also be present.Cyclic existence in the Four Forms of Birth and the Six Realms is endless.The most important thing is our mind.We must persevere and take good care of it.We must also practice the Six Pramitas and benefit all sentient beings.This is very important.
So, previously we mentioned how sentient beings create various causes and conditions so they fall into the Three Evil Realms and cycle through the Six Destinies, suffering greatly.What kind of suffering is that?Aside from their experiences in this world, they “take a tiny form in the womb, life after life, [their karma] continues to grow. They take a tiny form in the womb”.
The Four Forms of Birth are “womb-, egg-, moisture- and transformation-born. Why do we take a tiny form in the womb? Because we all have desires. Once we have desires, we endlessly experience cyclic existence.
“They take a tiny form in the womb: From just one thought deviating, karma leads us to take a tiny form in the womb. Like a person who takes drugs, we become physically addicted, and cannot mentally free ourselves from it. Thus we take on a tiny form in one of the Four Forms of Birth.”
In the Six Destinies, heavenly beings are very tall and big. To describe the size of heavenly beings, we must measure them in yojanas (~9 miles). So, we can imagine how big they are. Compared to them, we are like ants. When we compare ants to humans, aren’t they very tiny? Compared to heavenly beings, we are like ants. We are really very insignificant; we start as a tiny form in the womb. Besides humans, other living beings [also begin like this]. When dogs look at people, they lift their heads. When people look at dogs, they lower their heads. There are many creatures even smaller than dogs that have also taken form in the womb.
Why do [womb-born] sentient beings end up with such different appearances? “From just one thought deviating, karma leads us to take a tiny form in the womb”. When a thought goes astray, if we have upheld the Fie Precepts, we may still be reborn in human form. If we did not uphold the Five Precepts, combined with the other karma we have created, we may be reborn in the form of oxen, horse, dog, pig, goat, chicken or duck. These are just animal we can name; there are many more that we cannot. Indeed, depending on the karma we create, it “lead us to take a tiny form in the womb”. “Like a person who takes drugs, we become physically addicted”. This is how we humans are. Once a thought goes astray, we cannot save ourselves. We are like drug addicts who have no control. They know they are addicted and should quit, but they cannot because quitting is so painful.Even if they work hard and finally succeed in quitting, their will may still be weak. If someone beckons them with the crook of a finger, they cannot help but go over and start using again. This is truly “becoming physically addicted”; we cannot help but face unbearable suffering.
We cannot free our minds. Though we clearly know doing this is wrong, thought it is painful, we cannot free ourselves. Our minds are just like this. This is not just talking about the mind of a drug addict, no. This describes all of our minds. Besides tangible suffering, there is the intangible suffering of our minds. We cannot escape the desire in our minds, so we continue to be reborn in the Four Forms of Birth. Thus we face unbearable suffering and in “life after life, [our karma] continues to grow”. Over each lifetime, [our karma] continues to accumulate. This is why we often talk about ignorance. It is the reason that, lifetime after lifetime, we continue to multiply our karma. So, with lifetimes of causes and conditions, it “continues”, which refers to continuous growth.
“life after life, [their karma] continues to grow: the causes and conditions of rebirth grow and extend continuously. “Growing” is horizontal expansion. “Extending” is vertical extension. This leads to retributions of cyclic existence and being born as one of the Four Kinds of Beings”.
Of the two words, “grow and extend”, growing means “horizontal expansion”. Increasing land area is an example of horizontal expansion. Extending means “vertical extension”. When we construct buildings, we add one floor after another. This is “extending”. When something increase in height, it gets taller; this is “extending”.
When something grows, “it is widening. Becoming taller is extending. Growing taller is to “extend”. Whether we are growing or extending in life after life, through this constant process of expansion and growth, we continue to create karma. So, life after life, causes and conditions continue to grow and extend continuously and our karma increases.
If our blessed karma grows, that is wonderful. Life after life, increasing our blessed Karma will help us develop our wisdom-mind. If life after life, we are increasing our bad karma, our suffering will be unbearable.
Unfortunately, we sentient beings have “little virtue and few blessings and are pressured by all kinds of suffering.”
People have little virtue and few blessings. Most people rarely benefit others and mostly commit bad deeds and create negative karma.
Who has little virtue and few blessings? People with little virtue and few blessings are those who do not often benefit others.
These people are stingy and greedy and are reluctant to give. Clearly they have the ability to help others, but they are not willing to do so and do not do any good deeds. These are people with little virtue and few blessings.
We are pressured by all kinds of suffering. Having all kinds of suffering is very painful. In hell, there is the suffering of hell. In the animal realm, there is animal suffering. In the hungry ghost realm, there is the suffering of hungry ghosts. In the human realm, there is human suffering. There is even suffering in the heaven realm.
Everyone, what kind of suffering is in hell? “Being pressured by all kinds of suffering.” Suffering in hell is indescribable; “their body endures endless suffering.” Because there was boundless evil in their minds, they face suffering in hell.
In the animal realm, they physically consume other beings. We see big fish eat small fish. Beings of the same species and appearance will also consume one another.
In the ghost realm, their bodies are in much pain. For the hungry ghost realm, we know the story about Maudgalyayana trying to give his mother a bowl of rice. Flame erupted from her mouth and burned the bowl of rice to ashes. It was as if her whole body was engulfed in fire and a fire was raging in her mind. This is what is like in the ghost realm.
In the human realm, our actions may not benefit others. If our body commits actions that do not benefit sentient beings and our mind is often tempted by cravings and desires, we will always be troubled.
For beings in the [hungry] ghost realm, their bodies are like burning mountains while their minds are like boiling works their actions do not benefit others, and their minds are often troubled. In the heaven realm, they indulge in pleasure and idleness and cannot encounter Right Dharma. Their lives are long.
And in the heaven realm, they indulge in pleasure and idleness and they cannot encounter Right Dharma. Heavenly beings cannot hear the Buddha-Dharma they must come to the human realm to hear it. So, they have not heard Dharma for a long time.
Since their heavenly lifespan is very long and they have not heard the Dharma for a long time they indulge in pleasure and idleness and lived a mixed-up life. All they want is to enjoy pleasures, and once they deplete [their blessings] they will still fall into the Four Forms of Birth and the Six Realms.
They have no control over this. In the Five Realms, the Five Destinies, or the Six Destinies if we add the asura destiny, they will take form in the womb. This is truly unbearable suffering.
The sentient beings in the Five Realms are lost and have not awakened. They are pressured by all kinds of suffering. They cannot control their lives and face unbearable suffering.
So everyone, learn the Buddha’s Way, it is good to be human since we can listen to the Dharma. If we do not listen to Right Dharma as humans we have many chances to create bad karma. Therefore, we must be vigilant and always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV – Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
⊙「天長地久業力並存，四生六道輪迴無窮，一念心淨勤行六度，聞持正法饒益有情。」
⊙「以諸欲因緣，墜墮三惡道，輪迴六趣中，備受諸苦毒，受胎之微形，世世常增長。」《法華經方便品第二》
⊙受胎之微形：唯是一念偏向，隨業受胎之微形：如人吸毒，身受毒侵，心不能自拔，於四生之微形。
⊙世世常增長：生世因緣常相續增長；橫闊為增，豎進為長。於其四生受胎，生死輪迴之報。
⊙「薄德少福人，眾苦所逼迫。」《法華經方便品第二》
⊙薄德少福之人，於其生命中鮮少造福。
⊙眾苦所逼迫：在地獄時，眾苦迫逼，身受無邊苦，心念無邊惡。
⊙在畜生時，身相吞噉，心相逼惱。在鬼時，身若燒山，心如沸鑊。
⊙在人時，身作不饒，心常惱亂。在天時，縱逸嬉戲，不聞正法，是生死長。
⊙五道中眾生沉迷不悟，眾苦所逼迫，不能自己，其苦難堪。
【證嚴上人開始】
天長地久
業力並存
四生六道
輪迴無窮
一念心淨
勤行六度
聞持正法
饒益有情
學佛，心要專，意要誠。無論是天長地久，是業力並存，我們在四生六道，是輪迴無窮。就是一念，一念心淨，我們就要勤行六度，聞，聽法、受持正法，我們要有饒益有情。
那就是要說，常常說過去無量劫，就是要告訴我們時間很長，無盡頭，到底是多久、多久以前的時間起頭呢？不知道。到底我們從何時開始造業呢？無始劫以前，無量劫，無法去算數的時間。相信我們人人，所有開始的那一念動，不知道何時開始？總而言之，天長地久，業力就是並存，只是你是在造惡業，或者是造福業而已。
這善、惡業中，到底是走向哪裡呢？四生六道。四生六道，我們由不得自己，因為我們還是凡夫，所以在四生六道中輪迴無窮盡。何時才能停止四生六道，讓我們自己選擇，來去自如？就像諸佛菩薩，為了眾生的迷、無明等等，所以諸佛菩薩來人間，或者選擇在四生六道中，無非就是要去救濟眾生，這是來去自如。
我們現在把握在這一念間。每一個時間，每一秒鐘，我們的一念產生，生，生出了一念好念，這念好念，我們要趕快把握住，所以叫做把握當下。這念好念，你把握住，發心立願，那就是恆持。哪怕你剎那間產生這念，你好好把握，堅持到底，這念心就是淨，清淨的心。既發心，既把握住了，愛、欲、情等等，就不會再來擾亂我們的心了，所以，就勤行六度。
六度行就是菩薩行，我們要好好把握。聽，就是聞，聞持正法；聽了之後，我們要好好堅持，把握、堅持在正法中，分分秒秒，每一念念正念，我們都要把握住。
看到慈濟現在在人間，菩薩在招生，看到每一個地方，每一個國家，現在正是菩薩培訓的道場。因為年底將要受證了，在很多國家，要受證的新發意菩薩，都會回來臺灣受證。看到每一個國家要受證之前的培訓，很慇勤。
現在，南非也是，在賴索托，他們在培訓，還是跟臺灣一樣，很嚴格。雖然他們離我們那麼遠，為了要正法住世，為了要將慈濟的理念，在人間菩薩法要正確，所以和臺灣的步數(步伐)、步驟，就是這樣，一個一個腳印，印得很清楚。
看到他們，很感動。他們沒有像我們這樣的建築物，他們儘管是用帆布搭起來的，也是很像莊嚴的道場。所以，他們開始也是唱(慈濟)功德會歌，非洲人唱(慈濟)功德會歌，在錄影帶中聽到，還是很整齊，看到人的場面，也是很整齊。甚至他們也一樣讀，宣讀慈濟十戒，他們用他們的英文讀。
當地他們已受證的菩薩，穿著旗袍，很端莊，同樣來示範給他們看，這件衣服穿在身上，走路要怎麼走，手要放在哪裡，都這樣教得很好。而且椅子要怎麼坐，要坐得兩隻腳擺得平平，不能這樣斜、不能這樣倚，這是很嚴格的訓練。我們能想像出，皮膚(膚色)不同、體態不同，穿起旗袍來，樣樣規矩都要照慈濟的規矩，我們能想像出這一大群的菩薩，是多麼可愛啊！
不只是坐的規矩，要如何躺著的規矩，休息時，要行、住、坐、臥，全部四威儀都是很用心地教。他們用人教，透過錄影帶教，這實在是很大開眼界，感動，不可思議！
有一位阿嬤，她是受慈濟幫助過的家庭。是在二００七年，她的家庭困難，慈濟人幫助。她看到慈濟人那麼誠懇，那麼體貼，那一分愛，真正入了她的心。開始，她很努力，她發願將來也要當一個，能夠幫助人的人，所以她開始見習了，也是要培訓了。
帶著兩個孫子來，慈濟人就讓她專心上課，就幫她帶小孫子，抱著搖啊搖。臺灣人抱著黑人的孩子，抱在那裡，就像臺灣的阿嬤、黑人的孫子，很親切，天下一家親，無不都是，要完成這位菩薩的心願。這就是覺有情，對眾生要如何成就他，讓他也能行菩薩道。
雖然這位她是貧困，是我們所幫助，但是她發心，她也要幫助人，她能用她的身體、她的體力。就像很多愛滋病(患)，她能去為他清洗、去陪伴他等等。甚至她也能一毛錢、五毛錢，這樣向她的朋友、親戚勸募，滴滴水能入大海中。所以有心要做，沒有做不到的事情。這是在賴索托。
所以說起來，他們這一次，南非的培訓，圓緣的這一天，他們八個地方共聚一堂，有七十四位，今年培訓已經圓緣了。
看到那裡的菩薩在精進，就想到我們在天下，普天下，哪裡做不到呢？那麼困難、那麼貧困都有辦法，他們「一念心淨勤行六度」，而且「聞持正法饒益有情」，這用在南非的慈濟人，是名副其實。那個地方是那麼貧窮，那麼困難，離我們那麼遠，他們相信，相信佛法，堅持慈濟人間的菩薩法，所以他們願意這樣來接受，修佛(法)，所以這是不容易。
我們要知道，天長地久，業力是並存，四生六道，輪迴是無窮，最重要要這念心，真的要堅持，要顧好，行六波羅密，饒益有情，這很重要。
所以我們前面說，眾生種種的因緣，所以墮落三惡道中，輪迴在六趣裡，受很多苦。受什麼苦呢？除了世間人，大家有感觸到，還有「受胎之微形，世世常增長」。
以諸欲因緣
墜墮三惡道
輪迴六趣中
備受諸苦毒
受胎之微形
世世常增長
《法華經方便品第二》
「受胎之微形」。四生，有胎生、濕生、化生、卵生，叫做四生。為何我們受胎？其實，我們人都有那念欲，有了欲念，就是輪迴不息，不斷在輪迴中。
受胎之微形：
唯是一念偏向
隨業受胎之微形
如人吸毒
身受毒侵
心不能自拔
於四生之微形
在六道中，天人之身很高、很大。若要說天人的身相，是用由旬來算，可見身型之大。就如我們人看螞蟻，螞蟻比人，你想，螞蟻和人相比，是不是很微細呢？我們人與天人比，就像螞蟻和人比一樣，人實在是很微小，受胎之微形。
何況除了人以外，還有其他的生物。狗看人要抬頭看，人看狗是低頭看；比狗的身形更小、更小的，也很多，這全是受胎之形。為何這樣受胎，有這麼多種眾生不同的形呢？「唯(是)一念偏向，隨業受胎(之微形)」，我們的一念偏差。
我們若是有守五戒的人，來生還是人身；假如不守五戒，又再造其他的業混合起來，說不定是在牛、馬、狗、豬、羊、雞、鴨，叫得出名稱的這些動物，還有很多叫不出的動物，真的，看你造什麼業，所以「隨業受胎之微形」。
「如人吸毒，身受毒侵」。我們人就是這樣，一念偏向，不能自拔，好像吸毒者，不由自己，明明知道中毒了，應該要戒，但是怎麼戒都很痛苦，戒不掉。甚至很努力，好不容易已經戒了，但是意志薄弱，受到外面的境界稍微一隻手指揮動一下，他就由不得自己，又再去，又是吸毒。如這樣，真的是「身受毒侵」，真的苦不堪，由不得自己。所以，心不能自拔。明知不對、不要，因為痛苦，但是無法自己自拔。
我們人人一念心就像這樣。不要想這是不是全都在說吸毒者？不是。說我們人人的心；除了這樣是很有形的苦，一種無形的苦是我們的心，這念欲念的心，真的是不能自拔。所以我們才會一直，一直在四生之微形，在這四生中，苦不堪。多久了？「世世常增長」，一生一世，又比一生一世再增加起來。
所以會常常說無明，就是世世都不斷在複製，複製，就是愈來愈造的業愈多。所以，生世，生生世世的因緣，「常」，常常就是相續增長，不斷不斷在增長。
世世常增長：
生世因緣
常相續增長
橫闊為增
豎進為長
於其四生受胎
生死輪迴之報
「增長」這二個字，從橫的、闊的叫做「增」，增加土地面積，這是橫的；「豎進為長」，就是直的。如我們蓋房屋，一層疊過一層，一直蓋上去，這叫做「長」。又更長、更高了，所以高叫做「長」。所以，「增」是闊，高度是長，長的叫做「長」。所以，無論是寬或是長，我們都是在生生世世，不斷不斷就是在擴大、在增長中在造業，所以，生生世世因緣，常常就是相續在增長，我們在增業。
我們是增福業，那就是恭喜，生生世世增長福業，那就是成就慧命；我們若是生生世世增長惡業，那就是苦不堪。偏偏眾生，「薄德少福人，眾苦所逼迫」。
薄德少福人
眾苦所逼迫
《法華經方便品第二》
薄德少福的人。我們人人差不多很少去造福，多數都是造業、造惡。何謂薄德少福呢？薄德少福的人，就是說他的生命中鮮少造福，
薄德少福之人
於其生命中
鮮少造福
就是很慳貪、慳吝，他就是慳貪不捨。明明你有能力幫助人，你卻是不肯去幫助，一切的好事都不做，這叫做薄德少福的人。
「眾苦所逼迫」，眾苦，那就很苦了。地獄，有地獄之苦；畜生，(有)畜生之苦；鬼，餓鬼，(有)餓鬼的苦；人間，(有)人間的苦；天，也有天的苦。
眾苦所逼迫：
在地獄時
眾苦迫逼
身受無邊苦
心念無邊惡
各位，地獄有什麼苦呢？「眾苦逼迫」，地獄的苦無法用言語來分析，「身受無邊之苦」，心念就是因為懷有無邊之惡，因此就受地獄之苦。
若是在畜生道，身相吞噉。你看，大魚吃小魚，同樣的種類，同樣的身形，也是互相吞噉。
在畜生時
身相吞噉
心相逼惱
在鬼道時，身很痛苦。在鬼道，餓鬼道，知道目犍連(救母)用飯，缽裝著飯，要給母親吃，母親(口中) 火吐出來，就是火，整碗飯燒似炭。好像全身都是火，這是心狂火燃，這是在鬼道裡。
若是在人道，「身作不饒」，身體所造作的，不想要饒益眾生。心常常受到世間的愛欲，這樣誘引，所以心常惱。
在鬼時
身若燒山
心如沸鑊
在人時
身作不饒
心常惱亂
在天時
縱逸嬉戲
不聞正法
是生死長
還有，在天道時就是「縱逸嬉戲，不聞正法」。天人，無佛法可聽，天人要聽佛法要來人間，所以長久無法聽到佛法。
所以，他們天壽又長，但是愈長的時間沒有聽聞佛法，他們過著那種縱逸嬉戲，顛倒的生活，只是會想要享受，享受若盡，同樣要墮落四生六道。
這就是由不得自己的人生，在這五道中，五趣，或者是六趣，增加阿修羅。在此就是受胎，真的是苦不堪。
五道中眾生
沉迷不悟
眾苦所逼迫
不能自己
其苦難堪
所以各位，學佛、做人很好，能夠聽到佛法。假如不聞正法，做人造業的機會也是很多，所以大家要很自我警惕，時時要多用心。
Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: The Endless Cycle of Existence in the Six Realms (四生六道輪迴無窮)
Date: August. 11. 2014
As long as heaven and earth exist, karmic forces will be present. The Four Forms of Birth and the Six Realms are an endless cycle of existence. With a pure mind, we must earnestly practice the Six Perfections. By listening to and practicing Right Dharma, we will benefit all sentient beings.
To learn the Buddha’s Way, we must be focused and sincere. As long as heaven and earth exist, karmic forces will be present. The Four Forms of Birth and the Six Realms are an endless cycle of existence. We must wholeheartedly and with a pure mind, earnestly practice the Six Perfections. By listening to and practicing Right Dharma, we will benefit all sentient beings.
In addition to that, we often discuss countless kalpas to remind ourselves that time is endless. Exactly how long ago did time begin? We do not know. When exactly did we start to create karma? We started before Beginningless Time, countless kalpas ago, which is an incalculable amount of time. I believe that our minds gave rise to that first thought quite some time ago. All in all, as long as the earth and heaven exist, karmic forces will also be present. The question is simply whether we are creating bad karma or blessed karma. With the influence of this karma, where will we be heading? The Four Forms of Birth and the Six Realms. We have no control over where we go. Because we are still ordinary people, we continue to cycle endlessly through the Four Forms of Birth and the Six Realms. When can we stop this endless cycle so that we can make the choice and come and go freely?
This is like all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, [who come] because sentient beings have delusions and ignorance. All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas come to this world or choose to go through the Four forms of Birth and the Six Realms solely because they want to help sentient beings. This is how they come and go freely.
So now, we must seize this present thought in each moment and every second. When a good thought arises, we must immediately hold on to it. This is how we seize the present moment. If we can keep holding on to this good thought, we can forever sustain the aspirations and vows we formed. If, when we suddenly give rise to this thought, we hold on to it and persevere; then our minds will be pure. Once we form this aspiration and hold on to it, cravings, desires and affections and so on, will not confuse our minds. Then we can earnestly practice the Six Perfections.
Doing so is the way of Bodhisattvas. We must really seize the opportunity to listen to and learn Right Dharma. After we listen to it, we must work hard to uphold it. We must seize every good thought that arises in every second.
At Tzu Chi, we are recruiting Living Bodhisattvas. Every [Tzu Chi] location in every country is currently a Bodhisattva training ground. Since they will be certified at the end of the year, many different countries will send the newly-inspired Bodhisattva [-volunteers] to Taiwan to be certified [as Commissioners]. We can see that in every country, the pre-certification trainings are very intense. Right now, South Africa is doing this. In Lesotho, their training is just as strict as Taiwan’s.
Even though they are far away from us, in order to keep Right Dharma in this world and to spread Tzu Chi’s ideals, they must [learn] the Bodhisattva-path properly.So, the stages of their training match the ones in Taiwan.Every step leaves a clear impression.
When I see them, I feel very moved.They do not have the kind of buildings we have.Though they were using canvas tents, their practice center still looked very dignified.They also began by singing the Tzu Chi Foundation Anthem.When the Africans sang the anthem [in Chinese], we could hear from the vide that they were very much in unison.When we saw them on video, they looked orderly.
They even read Tzu Chi’s Ten Precepts, but they read them in English.
The certified African Commissioners looked very refined in their cheongsam.
They also gave a demonstration of wearing the uniform, how to walk and where to put one’s hands.They showed this very clearly.They also showed how to sit in a chair with both of their feet flat on the ground, not leaning sideways or rocking back.This training was very strict.
We can imagine what it will look like for people of a different skin color and body shape to wear a cheongsam and properly follow all of Tzu Chi’s etiquette.We can already picture how wonderful this large group of Bodhisattvas will look.There are not only rules for sitting or for lying down and resting; they meticulously taught the Four Demeanors, how to walk, stand, sit and sleep.
They used both live demonstrations and videos.This was really eye-opening, very touching and incredible.There was an elderly woman shown whose family has received help from Tzu Chi.In 2007, her family suffered hardship and Tzu Chi helped them.When experienced the sincerity and
thoughtfulness of the Tzu Chi volunteers.Their love really touched her heart.
She began to work hard and vowed to be someone who could help others.
So, she became an apprentice and started training to be a Commissioner.
She brought her two grandchildren with her.To help her focus on the trainings, Tzu Chi volunteers babysat for her.
The volunteers afro Taiwan held these young African children.[This image of] Taiwanese grandmothers with African grandchildren showed that everyone in the world is one family.They did this to fulfill this Bodhisattva’s wish.This was the act of awakened sentient beings and walk the Bodhisattva-path.
Although this woman was poor and received assistance from us, she aspired to help others as well.
When used her body, her physical strength, to help many AIDS patients by cleaning their homes and keeping them company.She even raised ten, fifty cents at a time from her friends and family.Every little bit really adds up to something big.As long as people have the will, there is nothing they cannot achieve.This was in Lesotho.Today is the last day of this training in South Africa.Volunteers from eight locations gathered there 74 people completed the training this year.When we see the diligence of these Bodhisattvas, we should remind ourselves that there is nothing in the world we cannot do .
Even people living in poverty and hardship can find a way.
“With a pure mind, earnestly practice the Six Perfections.By listening to and practicing Right Dharma, benefit all sentient beings.”The Tzu Chi volunteers in South Africa are doing exactly this.The country is so impoverished, has so many hardships and is so far away from us, but people there believe in the Buddha-Dharma and firmly practice.Tzu Chi’s Bodhisattva-path in the world.
Their willingness to accept and practice the Buddha-Dharma is very [precious].
We must know, as long as heaven and earth exist, karmic forces will also be present.Cyclic existence in the Four Forms of Birth and the Six Realms is endless.The most important thing is our mind.We must persevere and take good care of it.We must also practice the Six Pramitas and benefit all sentient beings.This is very important.
So, previously we mentioned how sentient beings create various causes and conditions so they fall into the Three Evil Realms and cycle through the Six Destinies, suffering greatly.What kind of suffering is that?Aside from their experiences in this world, they “take a tiny form in the womb, life after life, [their karma] continues to grow. They take a tiny form in the womb”.
The Four Forms of Birth are “womb-, egg-, moisture- and transformation-born. Why do we take a tiny form in the womb? Because we all have desires. Once we have desires, we endlessly experience cyclic existence.
“They take a tiny form in the womb: From just one thought deviating, karma leads us to take a tiny form in the womb. Like a person who takes drugs, we become physically addicted, and cannot mentally free ourselves from it. Thus we take on a tiny form in one of the Four Forms of Birth.”
In the Six Destinies, heavenly beings are very tall and big. To describe the size of heavenly beings, we must measure them in yojanas (~9 miles). So, we can imagine how big they are. Compared to them, we are like ants. When we compare ants to humans, aren’t they very tiny? Compared to heavenly beings, we are like ants. We are really very insignificant; we start as a tiny form in the womb. Besides humans, other living beings [also begin like this]. When dogs look at people, they lift their heads. When people look at dogs, they lower their heads. There are many creatures even smaller than dogs that have also taken form in the womb.
Why do [womb-born] sentient beings end up with such different appearances? “From just one thought deviating, karma leads us to take a tiny form in the womb”. When a thought goes astray, if we have upheld the Fie Precepts, we may still be reborn in human form. If we did not uphold the Five Precepts, combined with the other karma we have created, we may be reborn in the form of oxen, horse, dog, pig, goat, chicken or duck. These are just animal we can name; there are many more that we cannot. Indeed, depending on the karma we create, it “lead us to take a tiny form in the womb”. “Like a person who takes drugs, we become physically addicted”. This is how we humans are. Once a thought goes astray, we cannot save ourselves. We are like drug addicts who have no control. They know they are addicted and should quit, but they cannot because quitting is so painful.Even if they work hard and finally succeed in quitting, their will may still be weak. If someone beckons them with the crook of a finger, they cannot help but go over and start using again. This is truly “becoming physically addicted”; we cannot help but face unbearable suffering.
We cannot free our minds. Though we clearly know doing this is wrong, thought it is painful, we cannot free ourselves. Our minds are just like this. This is not just talking about the mind of a drug addict, no. This describes all of our minds. Besides tangible suffering, there is the intangible suffering of our minds. We cannot escape the desire in our minds, so we continue to be reborn in the Four Forms of Birth. Thus we face unbearable suffering and in “life after life, [our karma] continues to grow”. Over each lifetime, [our karma] continues to accumulate. This is why we often talk about ignorance. It is the reason that, lifetime after lifetime, we continue to multiply our karma. So, with lifetimes of causes and conditions, it “continues”, which refers to continuous growth.
“life after life, [their karma] continues to grow: the causes and conditions of rebirth grow and extend continuously. “Growing” is horizontal expansion. “Extending” is vertical extension. This leads to retributions of cyclic existence and being born as one of the Four Kinds of Beings”.
Of the two words, “grow and extend”, growing means “horizontal expansion”. Increasing land area is an example of horizontal expansion. Extending means “vertical extension”. When we construct buildings, we add one floor after another. This is “extending”. When something increase in height, it gets taller; this is “extending”.
When something grows, “it is widening. Becoming taller is extending. Growing taller is to “extend”. Whether we are growing or extending in life after life, through this constant process of expansion and growth, we continue to create karma. So, life after life, causes and conditions continue to grow and extend continuously and our karma increases.
If our blessed karma grows, that is wonderful. Life after life, increasing our blessed Karma will help us develop our wisdom-mind. If life after life, we are increasing our bad karma, our suffering will be unbearable.
Unfortunately, we sentient beings have “little virtue and few blessings and are pressured by all kinds of suffering.”
People have little virtue and few blessings. Most people rarely benefit others and mostly commit bad deeds and create negative karma.
Who has little virtue and few blessings? People with little virtue and few blessings are those who do not often benefit others.
These people are stingy and greedy and are reluctant to give. Clearly they have the ability to help others, but they are not willing to do so and do not do any good deeds. These are people with little virtue and few blessings.
We are pressured by all kinds of suffering. Having all kinds of suffering is very painful. In hell, there is the suffering of hell. In the animal realm, there is animal suffering. In the hungry ghost realm, there is the suffering of hungry ghosts. In the human realm, there is human suffering. There is even suffering in the heaven realm.
Everyone, what kind of suffering is in hell? “Being pressured by all kinds of suffering.” Suffering in hell is indescribable; “their body endures endless suffering.” Because there was boundless evil in their minds, they face suffering in hell.
In the animal realm, they physically consume other beings. We see big fish eat small fish. Beings of the same species and appearance will also consume one another.
In the ghost realm, their bodies are in much pain. For the hungry ghost realm, we know the story about Maudgalyayana trying to give his mother a bowl of rice. Flame erupted from her mouth and burned the bowl of rice to ashes. It was as if her whole body was engulfed in fire and a fire was raging in her mind. This is what is like in the ghost realm.
In the human realm, our actions may not benefit others. If our body commits actions that do not benefit sentient beings and our mind is often tempted by cravings and desires, we will always be troubled.
For beings in the [hungry] ghost realm, their bodies are like burning mountains while their minds are like boiling works their actions do not benefit others, and their minds are often troubled. In the heaven realm, they indulge in pleasure and idleness and cannot encounter Right Dharma. Their lives are long.
And in the heaven realm, they indulge in pleasure and idleness and they cannot encounter Right Dharma. Heavenly beings cannot hear the Buddha-Dharma they must come to the human realm to hear it. So, they have not heard Dharma for a long time.
Since their heavenly lifespan is very long and they have not heard the Dharma for a long time they indulge in pleasure and idleness and lived a mixed-up life. All they want is to enjoy pleasures, and once they deplete [their blessings] they will still fall into the Four Forms of Birth and the Six Realms.
They have no control over this. In the Five Realms, the Five Destinies, or the Six Destinies if we add the asura destiny, they will take form in the womb. This is truly unbearable suffering.
The sentient beings in the Five Realms are lost and have not awakened. They are pressured by all kinds of suffering. They cannot control their lives and face unbearable suffering.
So everyone, learn the Buddha’s Way, it is good to be human since we can listen to the Dharma. If we do not listen to Right Dharma as humans we have many chances to create bad karma. Therefore, we must be vigilant and always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV – Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
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