20141008《靜思妙蓮華》(第409集) 福慧兩足 悲智雙運
（法華經•方便品第二）
「福慧兩足，悲智雙運，法性常住，隨緣說法。」
【證嚴上人開示】
「福慧兩足，悲智雙運，法性常住，隨緣說法。」
福慧兩足
悲智雙運
法性常住
隨緣說法
也就是要說，福與慧就像我們人有兩隻腳，無論你要走東往西，兩隻腳若是健康，行動就自如了。
福，必定要投入人群，與眾生結好緣。過去也一直說過了，未成佛前，必定要先結好人緣。人群中的付出，不論是開口動舌、柔言軟語，這也是一種愛語的布施。我們若能從聲音瞭解了法，句句都是法，法法入人心，這也是同樣，在人間造福、結福緣。
當然，眾生苦難很多，最苦莫過於心。人人的心，方向若偏差，一念的煩惱起，可能終身都是一直纏在煩惱中。不是他有錢、沒錢，不是他的環境好過、不好過，最重要的是心有煩惱，就很難過了。現在的人間，有多少人因為一念心轉不過來，所以惹成了終生遺憾的事情。現在新聞媒體不就是，常常有(報導)這些事情發生？令人感到很遺憾。這就是心不滿足。心若是滿足，自然他就福有餘。
心要如何才能滿足？法入心。我們若能接受到佛法，法入心，我們的心永遠都是很知足。知足的心，有了佛法，在人群中就能把我們有餘的法，可以再傳播給別人，這就是福，結福緣。
不論是別人心中的遺憾，或者我們自己的遺憾，這都很痛苦。我們的心能滿足，別人的心也能滿足，這就是世間的福。所以，福就是在彼此之間，互相勉勵、互相鞭策，向正確的方向，這樣就是說法。
說法，要柔言軟語，在人群中自然是結好緣。當然，不只是用說的，我們還要身體力行。眾生的苦，是我們的苦，要如何去拔除眾生的苦？這就是佛陀，他生生世世所以再來人間，不斷不斷，不離開人間，在人間引度眾生如何能得福、如何能得慧，能夠很具足。這是佛陀來人間的教法，那就是「悲智雙運」。
悲，滿足因為有悲心，才會去造福；若沒有悲，沒有這個悲心，就不會去拔除眾生的苦難，無法去結好緣。所以，福從悲中，悲心去付出。慧，是因為秉智就運慧。有了智，世間的種種的世相分別之後，啟動了清淨的智慧，這樣才能使普天之下，人人的心能平和。世間很多是人禍造成的苦難，要如何能夠撫平了人禍？一定要啟動智慧。所以智慧就要學，人人構造出這樣的環境，去輔導這樣的人生，才能使天下和平無爭端。
哪怕是佛在世時，他的心意，也一直希望天下能夠和平。但是在佛的時代，以城立國，不遠處就是一個小城，就是一個小國，所以常常都有這樣，國(與)國要去，侵佔他人的國家。這在佛陀的時代，就看盡了人心的貪婪。
生、老、病、死，已經是大自然的法則，已經是苦了，何必貪婪無厭，互相侵奪，彼此傷害呢？所以他起了這分心，哪怕是身為，貴為國王，也無法消滅天下人禍的紛爭，所以他發心立願，脫離皇宮，修行去了，無非就是要盼望天下，能夠世界和平。
世界和平要從人心調，要調好人心。人人就是不知道，我們人「法性常住」，法，就是真理，真理永遠都在，真理就是原來人人本具佛性。天下本來就是有真理，是非分明，偏偏眾生就是一念無明起，整個亂了心，所以將這個法性，從無明、執著，掩埋掉這個清淨的法性。法性本來就是常住，卻是變成了眾生，這種偏執的無明。所以，佛陀認為要有人應緣、應機來逗教，所以成佛之後，開了很多方便法門，這樣隨緣說法，應機逗教。這也就是佛陀的愛心。
佛的愛，是不是我們人人都是具存呢？所以佛陀相信人人本具這分「無緣大慈、同體大悲」清淨的本性。這個真理，大乾坤永存；清淨的佛性，小乾坤人人本具。所以他出生在這個大乾坤之中，要顯示這些永遠都常存的道理，入人人，每一個人小乾坤的內心。將人人這個真理啟發起來，會合大乾坤的真理，這樣天下不就和平？
人人身外這個世間的亂象，要從每一個人開始。不是什麼樣的力量才能夠征服人心。人心無法征服，人心可以啟發，無法征服。我們昨天不是說過了南非，雖然他們生在南非，貧窮國家，但是有了這樣的因緣，這個種子從臺灣傳到南非去，在南非開闢了人人的心地，用種種因緣，隨種種的根機，開始安定他們的生活，付出他們需要的資糧，然後教他們謀生的方法。
再接下來，啟發他們的愛心，讓他們就地就可以發揮愛的關懷。現在又到史瓦濟蘭，昨天我們說過了，去到史瓦濟蘭，也是帶動了一群人，啟發他們的愛心，同樣也是在那個地方，種子入人的心田，瓦濟蘭也是有一群志工，也已經組成起來了，就地在照顧貧困、老人、殘障。
雖然人人都是貧，但是啟發了愛心，貧中之富，富有愛心。雖然沒錢、沒物資，不過用法來傳。七個人到了史瓦濟蘭，之後離開了史瓦濟蘭，又史瓦濟蘭還有志工跟著走，所以就到莫三比克去。
在莫三比克那個地方，有一個因緣成熟，臺灣有一位少女，就是因緣在莫三比克，來到臺灣的青年，來這裡讀書，所以臺灣的少女，就與這一位同學就因緣會合，就被他娶回去莫三比克，臺灣的姑娘嫁到莫三比克去了，去到那裡，才知道原來莫三比克是這樣，後悔來不及了，嫁過去了，實在是很不習慣，不過，在那個地方這分愛的力量，還是讓她住在那個地方。就是因緣不可思議！
南非的慈濟人，已經到了莫三比克，這位蔡岱霖，這位就是嫁到莫三比克的，聽到了、看到了，她發心，這個因緣引進來了，開始她和南非的菩薩，會合去關懷莫三比克。
雖然在那個地方，她的生活還算是不錯，但是，跟著這些南非的菩薩，實在是很不簡單。臺灣的女孩子和南非的菩薩群，走入最貧窮、苦難的地方。開始去的時候，有的人排斥：「你們和我一樣窮，你們憑什麼來，你們是不是有什麼企圖？」一次再一次，用愛、用微笑、用溫言軟語，這樣去說服他們。一直到物資送了，去為他們發放，大家才信這群菩薩是真誠來，而且送來了大米，送來了生活物資。所以莫三比克的地方，貧窮的人等等，開始接受。
下次再來時，他們就問：「你們還有什麼能給我們？」她們的回答也是一樣：「帶給給你們心靈的財富。」開始組織志工，這種在那個地方愛灑，向他們說法，從此開始。已經莫三比克和南非的菩薩，也結成了朋友，有一群，心向著做好事的愛，已經開始萌芽、啟動了。
這一次，他們去的使命，就是莫三比克的水災。所以他們去勘災，不過，這個因緣，岱霖的先生是在總統府做事情，雖然是黑人，也黑得像黑珍珠一樣，也是很英俊，他用師父的法，「一人一菩薩」，開始用網路，臉書，開始傳出消息，要號召志工。真的開始做了，也有近百人在臉書登記，同時，真正來報到的有二十多人，這二十多人，開始她就帶著去勘災了。
其中有一位年輕人，他看到大家這樣，也已經走進去，勘察水災，很嚴重，貧困的人很可憐，所以這位年輕人，就開始告訴大家，雖然我們這些人，現在走進去，看那一些苦難人，很苦，是不是我們這一波若是做完弓，大家組成團體；這種網路的一個什麼團體，就這樣結集起來。這是我們慈濟還未授權給他，他不敢擅用慈濟(之名)，用一個網路的慈善社團，這二十幾位，變成了網路慈善的團體。
所以就這樣，南非的慈濟人到莫三比克，先安住在岱霖的家。開始啟動了，就先去看那一些，前次來時，大家結成好朋友，有心想要當志工的人，去向那些，那些人關心他們，拉長情、擴大愛，把那些人再帶出來，開始傳授他們，如何做救濟，救濟時要如何尊重，用真誠的心付出，用尊重的愛送給他們，要如何關懷前次來的老人，和前次已經照顧過的人。這些事情，又都再分享完了後，帶動，這樣展開了，在莫三比克號召，在當地招募到物資。
在那個地方，網路一開，真的物資都一直來。那些物資很雜，看了怹們的資料，說實在是頭很痛，人家捐來了，不敢不收，好的也收，壞的也收。
總而言之，那個地方人人貧困，不過，總是要讓人的愛心，全都能夠付出，所以他們就要再動員很多志工，去分類。
我常常說，（盲目的捐贈物資），這也是二次的災害，又動員很多的志工，開始將那些東西，仔細地分類，哪一個家庭能夠用到，哪一個地方能夠發揮效用。真的是又要收集物資，又要分類，也要送物資出去，莫三比克，那些志工初次，而且人數再怎麼多都是不夠用。
幸好南非，這些一到達，去指導他們如何分類，如何整理，如何發放，那種傳授愛的付出。若想到這些，你們想，其中很多故事，其中一段一段，真的是悲苦的人生，但是，貧中發揮那分愛的力量，真的是讓人很感動。
所以，「福慧兩足」，是從他們的內心很滿足。假如心不滿足，再怎麼有錢、再怎麼有名、有地位，心都是很痛苦。所以，必定要如何去輔導，人人的心會滿足，有滿足的心，這麼的貧困，用克難的行動，他也願意去救人。這真正是「(福慧)兩足」，讓人很尊重。
所以「悲智雙運」，有了這個大悲心，克服種種的困難，無悔無怨這樣付出，現在莫三比克才能夠帶動那麼多的愛心人出來。其實，任何一個國家，人人的心中都是「法性常住」，人人本具佛性，我們應該要相信，只是隨這個緣，因緣，我們要怎麼付出。
各位菩薩，學佛真的在於我們的心，「虛空有盡，我願無窮」，我們的願有多大，你的智慧、你的福德就有多大。只要你的心有願，沒有做不到的事情。看看南非這群，他們能夠成就這麼的殊勝，這麼讓人尊重的行動，真的是非常讓人很感動！不知道要如何分享他們那分，用歡喜快樂的心去捨、去付出。
『所以「慈悲喜捨」就是在他們的行動中，所以才能夠「福慧兩足」，才能夠「悲智雙運」，才能證明、透徹了「法性常住」。在南非這個因緣，莫三比克的貧窮、水災，他們隨這個因緣，馬上投入，再次帶動。看，因緣多不可思議啊！大乾坤的真理，到處都可以應用，所以我們應該要相信，人人要多用心。
Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: Blessings and Wisdom are Exercised in Parallel (福慧兩足 悲智雙運)
Date: October. 07. 2014
“Blessings and wisdom are like two feet; compassion and wisdom are exercised in parallel. The nature of Dharma is ever-abiding but it is taught according to conditions.”
This is telling everyone that blessings and wisdom are like our two feet. Whether we want to walk to the east or the west, if both of our feet are healthy, we can move around freely. Blessings come from interacting with others and creating good karmic connections. As I have continuously said in the past, before attaining Buddhahood, we must first create good affinities with people. We must practice giving to other people. Even speaking soft and gentle words can be the gift of loving speech.
If we can understand teachings through speech, then everything we hear is Dharma and we will take every bit of it to heart. This also helps us create blessings and form blessed connections. Sentient beings face much suffering, and the most painful is the suffering in our mind. If our mind strays from its course, an afflicted thought may arise and we may be entangled by afflictions for the rest of our lives. Whether we have money or not, live in comfortable circumstances or not, if we are afflicted, we will feel terrible.
In this world, many people who cannot change their mindset end up doing things they will regret for the rest of their lives. The news media often report on these kinds of stories, and we feel very sad when we hear of them. These things happen when people are not content. If people truly feel content, they will have an abundance of blessings. How can we be content? By taking the Dharma to heart. If we can accept the Dharma and take it to heart, we will always feel very content. If we are content and know the Dharma, we can go among people and share that abundance of Dharma with others. This is also creating blessings and forming blessed connections. Whether the regret is in their hearts or in ours, we deeply feel the pain. If we can be content, and other people can be content too, this brings blessings to the world.
Thus, blessings are [created] as we encourage and motivate each other to move in the right direction. This is a way to teach the Dharma. When we give teachings, we need to speak softly and gently so we naturally form good karmic connections. Of course, we cannot just talk about [the Dharma], we also need to put it into practice. Sentient beings’ sufferings are our sufferings. How do we help relieve their sufferings? These are the reasons the Buddha comes back to this world lifetime after lifetime; He never stops coming to this world.
He guides sentient beings to attain blessings, attain wisdom and become replete with both. This is what the Buddha teaches in this world, that “compassion and wisdom are exercised in parallel.” We need to be compassionate and content. Only when we have compassion, will we create blessings. Without compassion, we will not eliminate the suffering of others nor form good karmic connections. So, blessings come from giving out of compassion and at the same time we develop our wisdom. With discerning wisdom we can differentiate all worldly appearances, and then awaken our pure, impartial wisdom.
Only then can we bring peace to the minds of people all over the world.Much suffering in this world is cause by manmade calamities.In order to reduce those manmade calamities, we must awaken our wisdom.Through wisdom we learn what kind of environment everyone must create and what kind lifestyle we can advocate to create a peaceful world that is free of conflict.
During the Buddha’s lifetime, He always hoped for there to be peace in the world.Back then, each city was considered a kingdom.These small cities, or kingdoms, were located close to each other, so it was very common for kingdoms to invade one another.
Therefore, during His lifetime, He witnessed the depths of human greed.Birth, aging, illness and death are the natural course of life and already bring much suffering, so why would people also invade and bring harm to each other out of bottomless greed?This led Him to form a resolve.Even if He had the high status of a king, He still could not eliminate these manmade calamities, so He aspired and vowed to leave the palace and engage in spiritual practice.
All He wanted was for the world to be peaceful.World peace starts by adjusting people’s minds.People simply do not know that “the nature of Dharma is ever-abiding”.The Dharma is the truth, which has always existed.This true principle is that we all intrinsically have Buddha-nature.The truth has always been in this world so we can clearly discern right from wrong.
Unfortunately, sentient beings give rise to ignorant thoughts, which confuse their minds.
So, the pure nature of the Dharma has been covered by ignorance and attachments.
The nature of the Dharma is ever-abiding.However, sentient beings cling to attachments out of ignorance.
So, the Buddha believed someone had to teach according to conditions and capabilities.After [the Buddha] attained Buddhahood, he opened many Dharma-doors with skillful means to teach according to conditions and capabilities.This shows the Buddha’s loving heart.Don’t we also have the Buddha’s love in us?
The Buddha believes we all inherently have “unconditional loving-kindness” and “universal compassion”.This pure intrinsic nature, this truth, is ever-present in the macrocosm of the wider universe.This pure Buddha-nature is also present in the microcosm, in each of us.So, the Buddha was born in this universe to reveal these ever-abiding principles for everyone to take into their hearts.By awakening true principles in every person and bringing all sentient beings into harmony with true principles of the universe, won’t the world become peaceful?
Eliminating the chaos in this world starts with each person.No kind of power can control people’s minds.People’s minds cannot be controlled, only inspired.Yesterday, I spoke of South African [volunteers].They were born poor in the country of South Africa but karmic causes and conditions converged for seeds of [Tzu Chi] to travel there from Taiwan.
There, Tzu Chi volunteers cultivated the fields in people’s hearts, and through various karmic conditions and by adapting to various capabilities, helped to stabilize their lives.
We provided the nourishment they needed and taught them ways to make a living.Then, we inspired their love so they could exercise their care and compassion locally.
Now they are crossing into Swaziland. As we discussed yesterday, Tzu Chi volunteers went to Swaziland to mobilize a group of people and inspire their love. There, they also sowed the seeds [of love] in the fields of people’s hearts. Thus, a group of volunteers came together in Swaziland as well. They took care of the poor, elderly and disabled. Although every one of them was poor, their loving hearts were inspired. They are the rich among the poor, because they have an abundance of love. Though they lack money and resources, they can spread the Dharma.
Seven Tzu Chi volunteers went to Swaziland and when they left, some volunteers from Swaziland joined them as they traveled to Mozambique. In Mozambique, karmic conditions are ripening. There was a young woman there from Taiwan. Causes and conditions brought a young man from Mozambique to Taiwan to study, and this Taiwanese young woman had the karmic affinity to be his classmate, marry him and move to Mozambique. This is how she ended up there. Only after arriving did she realize what Mozambique was actually like, but it was too late for regrets. She really had a hard time adjusting. However, the power of love gave her strength to continue living there. The workings of karma are inconceivable.
When Tzu Chi volunteers from South Africa arrived in Mozambique, this woman, Denise Tsai, who married and move to Mozambique, heard about and met them. She aspired to foster this karmic connection. She began to join the South African volunteers in providing care for Mozambicans. Though she lived in Mozambique, and her standard of living was pretty good, it was truly not easy for her to do what these South African volunteers were doing. This young Taiwanese woman and this group of volunteers from South Africa went to places with extreme poverty and suffering. When they first arrived, people rejected their efforts by saying, “You are just as poor as me, what gives you the right to come here? Do you have some kind of ulterior motive?” Time after time, Tzu Chi volunteers used love, smiles and gentle words to interact with them.
Then when the relief supplies arrived and Tzu Chi volunteers distributed them,everyone believed that this group of Bodhisattvas had come out of genuine sincerity. They had brought rice and other necessities. So, the poor people of Mozambique began to accept these volunteers. When Tzu Chi volunteers visited them again, people would ask, “What else can you give us?” Our volunteers always gave the same answer, “We are bringing you spiritual wealth” and began recruiting volunteers. By spreading [the seeds of] love there, by sharing teachings with them, the volunteers of South Africa and Mozambique became fast friends, [creating] a group of people who were loving and aspired to do good deeds. The seeds had already sprouted and grown.
This time, their mission to Mozambique was [to survey] the effects of the floods. This was possible because Denise’s husband worked in the President’s Office. Her husband was a dark and handsome man, radiant like a black pearl. Believing in my teaching that everyone can recruit more Bodhisattvas, he used the internet and Facebook to send out messages and recruit volunteers. Once they began [to recruit], several hundreds of people signed up on Facebook. More than 20 people actually showed up to help. Then [Denise] led this group of volunteers to survey the damage.
In the group, there was a young man who watched the way they went into the affected area to survey the flood damage. When he realized that things were very serious and the poor were very miserable, this young man said to everyone, “Now that we have gone into the affected area and have seen the suffering of these people, after this wave of relief work is done, shouldn’t we form a group [to help them]?” He formed an organization online, but because Tzu Chi had not authorized them, he dared not use Tzu Chi name. So, he established a charity group online. Thus, these 20 or so people formed a charitable group over the internet. After that, every time Tzu Chi volunteers went to Mozambique, they would first stay at Denise’s home. Before they began to work, they would first visit the friends they had made last time and those who wanted to become Tzu Chi volunteers. They cared for them worked with them to extend this affection and spread great love, to mentor this group of people and teach them how to do relief work. In doing relief work, they must show respect, give to other out of genuine sincerity and deliver good with respect and love. They taught them how to build on their care for the elderly and others they have previously cared for.
After sharing these experiences, they could mobilize people, this is how they-began to appeal to fellow Mozambicans for help and to collect relief supplies locally. As soon as they put the request on the internet, supplies began to flow in. They received quite a mix of things Judging from the information they sent back, this actually caused a great headache for them. They did not want to reject donations, so they accepted both helpful and unhelpful things. Simply put, most people there were poor, but there had to be a way for them to help others out of love.
So, they mobilized even more volunteers to sort the donations I often say that this can be a secondary disaster. We have to mobilize many volunteers to carefully sort and categorize the donations, then determine which family can use what and where these donations can be fully utilized. It takes a lot to collect, sort and then properly distribute these things In Mozambique, these first-time volunteers were inexperienced and no matter how many volunteer they had, it would not be enough.
Fortunately, volunteers from South Africa arrived to teach them how to sort, organize and distribute these donations.They shared about giving with love. As we think about them, consider the many, many stories behind each [volunteer]. They have truly led difficult lives. However, despite living in poverty, They are truly inspiring.
So, “blessings and wisdom are like two feet” that arise out of a sense of contentment. If we are not content, no matter how rich we are, how famous we are or how high our status is, we will feel very miserable. So, we must guide people so they will feel content. When we feel content, no matter how poor we are, no matter how difficult this work is, we are still willing to help others.Then we truly have the two feet of [blessings and wisdom]. Then we will be honored by others.
“Compassion and wisdom are exercised in parallel.” With great compassion, we can overcome various difficulties and practice giving without regret or resentment. This is how we were able to mobilize so many loving people in Mozambique.
Actually, in every country in the world, the nature of Dharma is ever-abiding in every person’s mind. People intrinsically have Buddha-nature.We must believe this. Then, based on karmic conditions, we figure out how to help them.
Dear Bodhisattvas, learning the Buddha’s Way depends on our minds. “Though the universe has bounds, our vows are boundless.” The greater our vows are, the greater our wisdom and blessings will be. As long as we have the vow, there is nothing we cannot do. Look at how our South African volunteers have accomplished such amazing deeds that bring them honor. This is truly inspiring. I really do not know how to share with you the way they give to others out of joy and happiness.
“Loving-kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity” are reflected in their actions, so their “blessings and wisdom are like two feet” and they can “exercise compassion and wisdom in parallel.” This proves that they have clearly understood that “the nature of Dharma is ever-abiding.” The South African volunteers had the opportunity, because of Mozambique’s poverty and floods, to dedicate themselves to providing immediate aid and mobilizing the people.
See, the workings of karma are inconceivable. The true principles of the universe can be applied anywhere, so we must have faith in them. Everyone, please always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV – Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
（法華經•方便品第二）
「福慧兩足，悲智雙運，法性常住，隨緣說法。」
【證嚴上人開示】
「福慧兩足，悲智雙運，法性常住，隨緣說法。」
福慧兩足
悲智雙運
法性常住
隨緣說法
也就是要說，福與慧就像我們人有兩隻腳，無論你要走東往西，兩隻腳若是健康，行動就自如了。
福，必定要投入人群，與眾生結好緣。過去也一直說過了，未成佛前，必定要先結好人緣。人群中的付出，不論是開口動舌、柔言軟語，這也是一種愛語的布施。我們若能從聲音瞭解了法，句句都是法，法法入人心，這也是同樣，在人間造福、結福緣。
當然，眾生苦難很多，最苦莫過於心。人人的心，方向若偏差，一念的煩惱起，可能終身都是一直纏在煩惱中。不是他有錢、沒錢，不是他的環境好過、不好過，最重要的是心有煩惱，就很難過了。現在的人間，有多少人因為一念心轉不過來，所以惹成了終生遺憾的事情。現在新聞媒體不就是，常常有(報導)這些事情發生？令人感到很遺憾。這就是心不滿足。心若是滿足，自然他就福有餘。
心要如何才能滿足？法入心。我們若能接受到佛法，法入心，我們的心永遠都是很知足。知足的心，有了佛法，在人群中就能把我們有餘的法，可以再傳播給別人，這就是福，結福緣。
不論是別人心中的遺憾，或者我們自己的遺憾，這都很痛苦。我們的心能滿足，別人的心也能滿足，這就是世間的福。所以，福就是在彼此之間，互相勉勵、互相鞭策，向正確的方向，這樣就是說法。
說法，要柔言軟語，在人群中自然是結好緣。當然，不只是用說的，我們還要身體力行。眾生的苦，是我們的苦，要如何去拔除眾生的苦？這就是佛陀，他生生世世所以再來人間，不斷不斷，不離開人間，在人間引度眾生如何能得福、如何能得慧，能夠很具足。這是佛陀來人間的教法，那就是「悲智雙運」。
悲，滿足因為有悲心，才會去造福；若沒有悲，沒有這個悲心，就不會去拔除眾生的苦難，無法去結好緣。所以，福從悲中，悲心去付出。慧，是因為秉智就運慧。有了智，世間的種種的世相分別之後，啟動了清淨的智慧，這樣才能使普天之下，人人的心能平和。世間很多是人禍造成的苦難，要如何能夠撫平了人禍？一定要啟動智慧。所以智慧就要學，人人構造出這樣的環境，去輔導這樣的人生，才能使天下和平無爭端。
哪怕是佛在世時，他的心意，也一直希望天下能夠和平。但是在佛的時代，以城立國，不遠處就是一個小城，就是一個小國，所以常常都有這樣，國(與)國要去，侵佔他人的國家。這在佛陀的時代，就看盡了人心的貪婪。
生、老、病、死，已經是大自然的法則，已經是苦了，何必貪婪無厭，互相侵奪，彼此傷害呢？所以他起了這分心，哪怕是身為，貴為國王，也無法消滅天下人禍的紛爭，所以他發心立願，脫離皇宮，修行去了，無非就是要盼望天下，能夠世界和平。
世界和平要從人心調，要調好人心。人人就是不知道，我們人「法性常住」，法，就是真理，真理永遠都在，真理就是原來人人本具佛性。天下本來就是有真理，是非分明，偏偏眾生就是一念無明起，整個亂了心，所以將這個法性，從無明、執著，掩埋掉這個清淨的法性。法性本來就是常住，卻是變成了眾生，這種偏執的無明。所以，佛陀認為要有人應緣、應機來逗教，所以成佛之後，開了很多方便法門，這樣隨緣說法，應機逗教。這也就是佛陀的愛心。
佛的愛，是不是我們人人都是具存呢？所以佛陀相信人人本具這分「無緣大慈、同體大悲」清淨的本性。這個真理，大乾坤永存；清淨的佛性，小乾坤人人本具。所以他出生在這個大乾坤之中，要顯示這些永遠都常存的道理，入人人，每一個人小乾坤的內心。將人人這個真理啟發起來，會合大乾坤的真理，這樣天下不就和平？
人人身外這個世間的亂象，要從每一個人開始。不是什麼樣的力量才能夠征服人心。人心無法征服，人心可以啟發，無法征服。我們昨天不是說過了南非，雖然他們生在南非，貧窮國家，但是有了這樣的因緣，這個種子從臺灣傳到南非去，在南非開闢了人人的心地，用種種因緣，隨種種的根機，開始安定他們的生活，付出他們需要的資糧，然後教他們謀生的方法。
再接下來，啟發他們的愛心，讓他們就地就可以發揮愛的關懷。現在又到史瓦濟蘭，昨天我們說過了，去到史瓦濟蘭，也是帶動了一群人，啟發他們的愛心，同樣也是在那個地方，種子入人的心田，瓦濟蘭也是有一群志工，也已經組成起來了，就地在照顧貧困、老人、殘障。
雖然人人都是貧，但是啟發了愛心，貧中之富，富有愛心。雖然沒錢、沒物資，不過用法來傳。七個人到了史瓦濟蘭，之後離開了史瓦濟蘭，又史瓦濟蘭還有志工跟著走，所以就到莫三比克去。
在莫三比克那個地方，有一個因緣成熟，臺灣有一位少女，就是因緣在莫三比克，來到臺灣的青年，來這裡讀書，所以臺灣的少女，就與這一位同學就因緣會合，就被他娶回去莫三比克，臺灣的姑娘嫁到莫三比克去了，去到那裡，才知道原來莫三比克是這樣，後悔來不及了，嫁過去了，實在是很不習慣，不過，在那個地方這分愛的力量，還是讓她住在那個地方。就是因緣不可思議！
南非的慈濟人，已經到了莫三比克，這位蔡岱霖，這位就是嫁到莫三比克的，聽到了、看到了，她發心，這個因緣引進來了，開始她和南非的菩薩，會合去關懷莫三比克。
雖然在那個地方，她的生活還算是不錯，但是，跟著這些南非的菩薩，實在是很不簡單。臺灣的女孩子和南非的菩薩群，走入最貧窮、苦難的地方。開始去的時候，有的人排斥：「你們和我一樣窮，你們憑什麼來，你們是不是有什麼企圖？」一次再一次，用愛、用微笑、用溫言軟語，這樣去說服他們。一直到物資送了，去為他們發放，大家才信這群菩薩是真誠來，而且送來了大米，送來了生活物資。所以莫三比克的地方，貧窮的人等等，開始接受。
下次再來時，他們就問：「你們還有什麼能給我們？」她們的回答也是一樣：「帶給給你們心靈的財富。」開始組織志工，這種在那個地方愛灑，向他們說法，從此開始。已經莫三比克和南非的菩薩，也結成了朋友，有一群，心向著做好事的愛，已經開始萌芽、啟動了。
這一次，他們去的使命，就是莫三比克的水災。所以他們去勘災，不過，這個因緣，岱霖的先生是在總統府做事情，雖然是黑人，也黑得像黑珍珠一樣，也是很英俊，他用師父的法，「一人一菩薩」，開始用網路，臉書，開始傳出消息，要號召志工。真的開始做了，也有近百人在臉書登記，同時，真正來報到的有二十多人，這二十多人，開始她就帶著去勘災了。
其中有一位年輕人，他看到大家這樣，也已經走進去，勘察水災，很嚴重，貧困的人很可憐，所以這位年輕人，就開始告訴大家，雖然我們這些人，現在走進去，看那一些苦難人，很苦，是不是我們這一波若是做完弓，大家組成團體；這種網路的一個什麼團體，就這樣結集起來。這是我們慈濟還未授權給他，他不敢擅用慈濟(之名)，用一個網路的慈善社團，這二十幾位，變成了網路慈善的團體。
所以就這樣，南非的慈濟人到莫三比克，先安住在岱霖的家。開始啟動了，就先去看那一些，前次來時，大家結成好朋友，有心想要當志工的人，去向那些，那些人關心他們，拉長情、擴大愛，把那些人再帶出來，開始傳授他們，如何做救濟，救濟時要如何尊重，用真誠的心付出，用尊重的愛送給他們，要如何關懷前次來的老人，和前次已經照顧過的人。這些事情，又都再分享完了後，帶動，這樣展開了，在莫三比克號召，在當地招募到物資。
在那個地方，網路一開，真的物資都一直來。那些物資很雜，看了怹們的資料，說實在是頭很痛，人家捐來了，不敢不收，好的也收，壞的也收。
總而言之，那個地方人人貧困，不過，總是要讓人的愛心，全都能夠付出，所以他們就要再動員很多志工，去分類。
我常常說，（盲目的捐贈物資），這也是二次的災害，又動員很多的志工，開始將那些東西，仔細地分類，哪一個家庭能夠用到，哪一個地方能夠發揮效用。真的是又要收集物資，又要分類，也要送物資出去，莫三比克，那些志工初次，而且人數再怎麼多都是不夠用。
幸好南非，這些一到達，去指導他們如何分類，如何整理，如何發放，那種傳授愛的付出。若想到這些，你們想，其中很多故事，其中一段一段，真的是悲苦的人生，但是，貧中發揮那分愛的力量，真的是讓人很感動。
所以，「福慧兩足」，是從他們的內心很滿足。假如心不滿足，再怎麼有錢、再怎麼有名、有地位，心都是很痛苦。所以，必定要如何去輔導，人人的心會滿足，有滿足的心，這麼的貧困，用克難的行動，他也願意去救人。這真正是「(福慧)兩足」，讓人很尊重。
所以「悲智雙運」，有了這個大悲心，克服種種的困難，無悔無怨這樣付出，現在莫三比克才能夠帶動那麼多的愛心人出來。其實，任何一個國家，人人的心中都是「法性常住」，人人本具佛性，我們應該要相信，只是隨這個緣，因緣，我們要怎麼付出。
各位菩薩，學佛真的在於我們的心，「虛空有盡，我願無窮」，我們的願有多大，你的智慧、你的福德就有多大。只要你的心有願，沒有做不到的事情。看看南非這群，他們能夠成就這麼的殊勝，這麼讓人尊重的行動，真的是非常讓人很感動！不知道要如何分享他們那分，用歡喜快樂的心去捨、去付出。
『所以「慈悲喜捨」就是在他們的行動中，所以才能夠「福慧兩足」，才能夠「悲智雙運」，才能證明、透徹了「法性常住」。在南非這個因緣，莫三比克的貧窮、水災，他們隨這個因緣，馬上投入，再次帶動。看，因緣多不可思議啊！大乾坤的真理，到處都可以應用，所以我們應該要相信，人人要多用心。
Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: Blessings and Wisdom are Exercised in Parallel (福慧兩足 悲智雙運)
Date: October. 07. 2014
“Blessings and wisdom are like two feet; compassion and wisdom are exercised in parallel. The nature of Dharma is ever-abiding but it is taught according to conditions.”
This is telling everyone that blessings and wisdom are like our two feet. Whether we want to walk to the east or the west, if both of our feet are healthy, we can move around freely. Blessings come from interacting with others and creating good karmic connections. As I have continuously said in the past, before attaining Buddhahood, we must first create good affinities with people. We must practice giving to other people. Even speaking soft and gentle words can be the gift of loving speech.
If we can understand teachings through speech, then everything we hear is Dharma and we will take every bit of it to heart. This also helps us create blessings and form blessed connections. Sentient beings face much suffering, and the most painful is the suffering in our mind. If our mind strays from its course, an afflicted thought may arise and we may be entangled by afflictions for the rest of our lives. Whether we have money or not, live in comfortable circumstances or not, if we are afflicted, we will feel terrible.
In this world, many people who cannot change their mindset end up doing things they will regret for the rest of their lives. The news media often report on these kinds of stories, and we feel very sad when we hear of them. These things happen when people are not content. If people truly feel content, they will have an abundance of blessings. How can we be content? By taking the Dharma to heart. If we can accept the Dharma and take it to heart, we will always feel very content. If we are content and know the Dharma, we can go among people and share that abundance of Dharma with others. This is also creating blessings and forming blessed connections. Whether the regret is in their hearts or in ours, we deeply feel the pain. If we can be content, and other people can be content too, this brings blessings to the world.
Thus, blessings are [created] as we encourage and motivate each other to move in the right direction. This is a way to teach the Dharma. When we give teachings, we need to speak softly and gently so we naturally form good karmic connections. Of course, we cannot just talk about [the Dharma], we also need to put it into practice. Sentient beings’ sufferings are our sufferings. How do we help relieve their sufferings? These are the reasons the Buddha comes back to this world lifetime after lifetime; He never stops coming to this world.
He guides sentient beings to attain blessings, attain wisdom and become replete with both. This is what the Buddha teaches in this world, that “compassion and wisdom are exercised in parallel.” We need to be compassionate and content. Only when we have compassion, will we create blessings. Without compassion, we will not eliminate the suffering of others nor form good karmic connections. So, blessings come from giving out of compassion and at the same time we develop our wisdom. With discerning wisdom we can differentiate all worldly appearances, and then awaken our pure, impartial wisdom.
Only then can we bring peace to the minds of people all over the world.Much suffering in this world is cause by manmade calamities.In order to reduce those manmade calamities, we must awaken our wisdom.Through wisdom we learn what kind of environment everyone must create and what kind lifestyle we can advocate to create a peaceful world that is free of conflict.
During the Buddha’s lifetime, He always hoped for there to be peace in the world.Back then, each city was considered a kingdom.These small cities, or kingdoms, were located close to each other, so it was very common for kingdoms to invade one another.
Therefore, during His lifetime, He witnessed the depths of human greed.Birth, aging, illness and death are the natural course of life and already bring much suffering, so why would people also invade and bring harm to each other out of bottomless greed?This led Him to form a resolve.Even if He had the high status of a king, He still could not eliminate these manmade calamities, so He aspired and vowed to leave the palace and engage in spiritual practice.
All He wanted was for the world to be peaceful.World peace starts by adjusting people’s minds.People simply do not know that “the nature of Dharma is ever-abiding”.The Dharma is the truth, which has always existed.This true principle is that we all intrinsically have Buddha-nature.The truth has always been in this world so we can clearly discern right from wrong.
Unfortunately, sentient beings give rise to ignorant thoughts, which confuse their minds.
So, the pure nature of the Dharma has been covered by ignorance and attachments.
The nature of the Dharma is ever-abiding.However, sentient beings cling to attachments out of ignorance.
So, the Buddha believed someone had to teach according to conditions and capabilities.After [the Buddha] attained Buddhahood, he opened many Dharma-doors with skillful means to teach according to conditions and capabilities.This shows the Buddha’s loving heart.Don’t we also have the Buddha’s love in us?
The Buddha believes we all inherently have “unconditional loving-kindness” and “universal compassion”.This pure intrinsic nature, this truth, is ever-present in the macrocosm of the wider universe.This pure Buddha-nature is also present in the microcosm, in each of us.So, the Buddha was born in this universe to reveal these ever-abiding principles for everyone to take into their hearts.By awakening true principles in every person and bringing all sentient beings into harmony with true principles of the universe, won’t the world become peaceful?
Eliminating the chaos in this world starts with each person.No kind of power can control people’s minds.People’s minds cannot be controlled, only inspired.Yesterday, I spoke of South African [volunteers].They were born poor in the country of South Africa but karmic causes and conditions converged for seeds of [Tzu Chi] to travel there from Taiwan.
There, Tzu Chi volunteers cultivated the fields in people’s hearts, and through various karmic conditions and by adapting to various capabilities, helped to stabilize their lives.
We provided the nourishment they needed and taught them ways to make a living.Then, we inspired their love so they could exercise their care and compassion locally.
Now they are crossing into Swaziland. As we discussed yesterday, Tzu Chi volunteers went to Swaziland to mobilize a group of people and inspire their love. There, they also sowed the seeds [of love] in the fields of people’s hearts. Thus, a group of volunteers came together in Swaziland as well. They took care of the poor, elderly and disabled. Although every one of them was poor, their loving hearts were inspired. They are the rich among the poor, because they have an abundance of love. Though they lack money and resources, they can spread the Dharma.
Seven Tzu Chi volunteers went to Swaziland and when they left, some volunteers from Swaziland joined them as they traveled to Mozambique. In Mozambique, karmic conditions are ripening. There was a young woman there from Taiwan. Causes and conditions brought a young man from Mozambique to Taiwan to study, and this Taiwanese young woman had the karmic affinity to be his classmate, marry him and move to Mozambique. This is how she ended up there. Only after arriving did she realize what Mozambique was actually like, but it was too late for regrets. She really had a hard time adjusting. However, the power of love gave her strength to continue living there. The workings of karma are inconceivable.
When Tzu Chi volunteers from South Africa arrived in Mozambique, this woman, Denise Tsai, who married and move to Mozambique, heard about and met them. She aspired to foster this karmic connection. She began to join the South African volunteers in providing care for Mozambicans. Though she lived in Mozambique, and her standard of living was pretty good, it was truly not easy for her to do what these South African volunteers were doing. This young Taiwanese woman and this group of volunteers from South Africa went to places with extreme poverty and suffering. When they first arrived, people rejected their efforts by saying, “You are just as poor as me, what gives you the right to come here? Do you have some kind of ulterior motive?” Time after time, Tzu Chi volunteers used love, smiles and gentle words to interact with them.
Then when the relief supplies arrived and Tzu Chi volunteers distributed them,everyone believed that this group of Bodhisattvas had come out of genuine sincerity. They had brought rice and other necessities. So, the poor people of Mozambique began to accept these volunteers. When Tzu Chi volunteers visited them again, people would ask, “What else can you give us?” Our volunteers always gave the same answer, “We are bringing you spiritual wealth” and began recruiting volunteers. By spreading [the seeds of] love there, by sharing teachings with them, the volunteers of South Africa and Mozambique became fast friends, [creating] a group of people who were loving and aspired to do good deeds. The seeds had already sprouted and grown.
This time, their mission to Mozambique was [to survey] the effects of the floods. This was possible because Denise’s husband worked in the President’s Office. Her husband was a dark and handsome man, radiant like a black pearl. Believing in my teaching that everyone can recruit more Bodhisattvas, he used the internet and Facebook to send out messages and recruit volunteers. Once they began [to recruit], several hundreds of people signed up on Facebook. More than 20 people actually showed up to help. Then [Denise] led this group of volunteers to survey the damage.
In the group, there was a young man who watched the way they went into the affected area to survey the flood damage. When he realized that things were very serious and the poor were very miserable, this young man said to everyone, “Now that we have gone into the affected area and have seen the suffering of these people, after this wave of relief work is done, shouldn’t we form a group [to help them]?” He formed an organization online, but because Tzu Chi had not authorized them, he dared not use Tzu Chi name. So, he established a charity group online. Thus, these 20 or so people formed a charitable group over the internet. After that, every time Tzu Chi volunteers went to Mozambique, they would first stay at Denise’s home. Before they began to work, they would first visit the friends they had made last time and those who wanted to become Tzu Chi volunteers. They cared for them worked with them to extend this affection and spread great love, to mentor this group of people and teach them how to do relief work. In doing relief work, they must show respect, give to other out of genuine sincerity and deliver good with respect and love. They taught them how to build on their care for the elderly and others they have previously cared for.
After sharing these experiences, they could mobilize people, this is how they-began to appeal to fellow Mozambicans for help and to collect relief supplies locally. As soon as they put the request on the internet, supplies began to flow in. They received quite a mix of things Judging from the information they sent back, this actually caused a great headache for them. They did not want to reject donations, so they accepted both helpful and unhelpful things. Simply put, most people there were poor, but there had to be a way for them to help others out of love.
So, they mobilized even more volunteers to sort the donations I often say that this can be a secondary disaster. We have to mobilize many volunteers to carefully sort and categorize the donations, then determine which family can use what and where these donations can be fully utilized. It takes a lot to collect, sort and then properly distribute these things In Mozambique, these first-time volunteers were inexperienced and no matter how many volunteer they had, it would not be enough.
Fortunately, volunteers from South Africa arrived to teach them how to sort, organize and distribute these donations.They shared about giving with love. As we think about them, consider the many, many stories behind each [volunteer]. They have truly led difficult lives. However, despite living in poverty, They are truly inspiring.
So, “blessings and wisdom are like two feet” that arise out of a sense of contentment. If we are not content, no matter how rich we are, how famous we are or how high our status is, we will feel very miserable. So, we must guide people so they will feel content. When we feel content, no matter how poor we are, no matter how difficult this work is, we are still willing to help others.Then we truly have the two feet of [blessings and wisdom]. Then we will be honored by others.
“Compassion and wisdom are exercised in parallel.” With great compassion, we can overcome various difficulties and practice giving without regret or resentment. This is how we were able to mobilize so many loving people in Mozambique.
Actually, in every country in the world, the nature of Dharma is ever-abiding in every person’s mind. People intrinsically have Buddha-nature.We must believe this. Then, based on karmic conditions, we figure out how to help them.
Dear Bodhisattvas, learning the Buddha’s Way depends on our minds. “Though the universe has bounds, our vows are boundless.” The greater our vows are, the greater our wisdom and blessings will be. As long as we have the vow, there is nothing we cannot do. Look at how our South African volunteers have accomplished such amazing deeds that bring them honor. This is truly inspiring. I really do not know how to share with you the way they give to others out of joy and happiness.
“Loving-kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity” are reflected in their actions, so their “blessings and wisdom are like two feet” and they can “exercise compassion and wisdom in parallel.” This proves that they have clearly understood that “the nature of Dharma is ever-abiding.” The South African volunteers had the opportunity, because of Mozambique’s poverty and floods, to dedicate themselves to providing immediate aid and mobilizing the people.
See, the workings of karma are inconceivable. The true principles of the universe can be applied anywhere, so we must have faith in them. Everyone, please always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV – Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
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