20141028《靜思妙蓮華》貪愛自蔽不知斷苦(第423)
（法華經•方便品第二）
⊙「愚人因貪著欲樂，五根五塵互牽絆，無明覆蔽如盲目，不見不知斷苦法。」
⊙「深著於五欲，如犛牛愛尾，以貪愛自蔽，盲瞑無所見，不求大勢佛，及與斷苦法。」《法華經 方便品第二》
⊙深著於五欲：即煩惱濁，喻犛牛尾大，性特貪愛其尾，就身護尾，一味愛著。喻眾生貪著於五欲，不顧前途安危，更不能知見身後，去來何處？不知生死之苦。
⊙以貪愛自蔽，盲瞑無所見：眾生長夜流轉，六道苦輪不息，皆由貪愛。眾生盲瞑，不循人倫孝道，無孝敬心、忤逆父母，交惡友，盲瞑自蔽。
⊙不求大勢佛，及與斷苦法：人貪五欲，一味愛著，沉迷不悟。佛有大勢力，能斷眾生身心苦之煩惱，亦所謂大醫王也。眾生以貪欲自蔽，盲瞑無所見，不求大勢佛及與斷苦法。
【證嚴上人開示】
「愚人因貪著欲樂，五根五塵互牽絆，無明覆蔽如盲目，不見不知斷苦法。」
愚人因貪著欲樂
五根五塵互牽絆
無明覆蔽如盲目
不見不知斷苦法
這就是我們的生活中離不開這個貪、瞋、癡。會貪就是來自於欲。因為欲念無止境，所以要貪、要取的很多，所以，為了貪，求不得，那就是心的無明又再複製，所以愈來愈是無明，愈來就是愚癡。人生一切的業，就是來自於無明、愚癡，所以貪念互相牽絆，這全都是在五根、五塵。
五根：眼、耳、鼻、舌、身。五塵：色、聲、香、味、觸。這五根對著外面的緣境（五塵），互相牽纏著（產生意識），眼睛看外面的境界，就會起了那分貪著、欲念；耳朵聽到聲音，不如己意的事情就是起瞋恚心；身體的感覺，所接觸到的欲，身的享受，那就是愈來與外面的境界愈無法離開。所以像這樣，苦欲樂，互相牽絆著，這是愈纏愈大，愈結愈緊，這要解就很難了。
這就是我們人生都是受到無明，遮蓋了我們心中的眼，心眼。若是心眼盲，不見、不知，就不斷苦法，就無法想怎樣人生的苦，找出了苦的源頭，如何將苦完全去除。不明白道理的人，只想要享受，都不會想要去追求道理，人間到底如何來？為何在這個人間庸庸碌碌？為何人間有這麼多的苦，天然的災難、人禍的苦，或者是怨憎會苦、愛別離苦，這麼多人與人之間這麼多苦？只會在苦中，心意慌亂，不會想要如何讓我們的心清楚，苦的原因從何而來。
過去佛世時，卻也有一大群，五百位，眼睛都是看不見，因為大家的眼睛都看不見，無法生活，他們就要去乞討。這五百人集合在一起，一起在那一群當中，有人就這樣提起：「說，聽聞,耳朵有聽到，悉達多太子修行已經成佛了，在人間指點人的明心的方向。大家覺得我們這輩子，大家都看不見，過著這種，看不見外面境界的生活，所以我們的生活苦不堪，每一天都要向人乞討來過日子，苦啊！我們若能夠，能夠得到佛陀來開導我們，不知有多好！」
其中又有人這樣說：「我也有聽說，不過現在佛陀是在舍衛國，離我們這麼遠，我們哪有辦法？」就又有人這樣提議：「可以，我們可以大家集資，來僱一位明眼人來帶我們走。、所以，僱了一位明眼人，來帶他們。這位明眼人帶著這群五百位盲眼人，一個牽一個，這樣浩蕩長的隊伍，互牽互伴，隨著這位明眼人走。
經過了幾天後，這位明眼人覺得厭煩了，一大群都是盲眼人，要找佛，路途是這麼遠，我還要帶他們幾天才能到達呢？心起了一個壞念，就這樣找一個機會，就告訴他們說：「我一點事情，我覺得很渴，我去找水來喝。」就這樣一去不回頭了。這群盲眼人在半途中，何去何從？心驚惶。
後來大家又互相安慰：「既然都來到這裡了，我們還是要再向前走。路在嘴上，我們去問。」就這樣浩浩蕩蕩向前走，方向不知。忽然間，聽到一個人很生氣，在那裡喊：「這是哪裡來的盲眼人，怎麼會沒看到這大片，我的農作物，這樣把我的全都踩壞了，一些農作物，被你們踩斷、被你們踩平了。」
這群人，大家更惶恐，趕緊異口同聲，向這位田園的主人就說：「抱歉啊！我們是真的看不見的人，我們是真的眼盲的人。因為我們是為了聽說，佛陀在舍衛國，我們一心一意要來找佛、見佛。但是我們僱了一位明眼人，在半路放棄了我們，所以現在我們不知道方向走。」
這位田園的主人感動了，浩浩蕩蕩都是看不見的人，竟然在這麼遠的地方要去找佛。這位田主人發一個心，他自己就去僱人，來帶他們這群盲眼人去舍衛國。這些盲眼人，大家都很感恩遇到貴人了，所以感恩中，就再向前前進。
一位明眼人來帶他們，這位就很有愛心，好不容易去到舍衛國時，到佛陀的精舍，但是那裡的人就告訴他們：「你們來得太遲了，佛陀到他們的國(毘舍離國)去了。」佛陀竟然已經離開了。大家求法、見佛心切，要求這位明眼人再帶他們路，再趕快回去，他們的國(毘舍離國)。很辛苦，回到他們的國(毘舍離國)，佛陀又是離開了，又回到舍衛國去了。
就這樣來回七次，就是三次來回，就是來回七次，終於在舍衛國，佛陀知道這群是這麼誠意來，所以不忍心，就在舍衛國等待這群人。而這群盲眼人，已經可以接近佛陀了，雖然大家的眼睛都看不見，不過好像每一位，有感覺到佛的光芒，已經照入他們的心，好像佛陀在他們的面前，很明朗、莊嚴的身態。大家都很感動，向佛陀頂禮膜拜，向佛陀說出了他們人生的苦難。
佛陀就很慈悲的心，就為他們說法，讓人人知道，人生就是因緣果報觀，說過了過去一切的因緣。這些盲眼人很感動，一切都是因緣果報，所以大家求佛陀為他們皈依，求佛陀是不是能讓他們出家？佛陀的慈悲，不忍捨棄任何一個眾生，佛陀開口就說：「善來，比丘！鬚髮自落。」就開始這五百位也能隨佛出家，安住在那個地方。人人內心在修行，比明眼的人更清楚，所以，初果、二果、三果，這樣陸陸續續，人人修行證果了。
像那位第一位明眼人，那個心，放棄了五百位，這樣離去，這是明眼人，卻是心盲，這個明眼、盲目，雖然眼睛是明，但是心眼是盲，那是因為就是「深著於五欲。」這個文，經文，人人就是愚昧，所以就是深著在五欲之中，「如犛牛愛尾，以貪愛自蔽，盲瞑無所見，不求大勢佛，及與斷苦法。」
深著於五欲
如犛牛愛尾
以貪愛自蔽
盲瞑無所見
不求大勢佛
及與斷苦法
《法華經 方便品第二》
這段經文與前面所說的，不是很像嗎？人生我們就要好好去除五欲，這個「深著於五欲」，就矇蔽了我們的心，就是因為五欲。
深著於五欲：
即煩惱濁
喻犛牛尾大
性特貪愛其尾
就身護尾
一味愛著
喻眾生貪著於五欲
不顧前途安危
更不能知見
身後去來何處
不知生死之苦
我們人心的濁氣很重，這叫做煩惱濁。就像犛牛尾很大，犛牛（青康藏高原地區主要的力畜），這種牛牠的性特別貪愛牠的尾，所以隨時都是用牠的身體，保護著牠的尾，若在走路，都很少向前看，本來牠的毛就很長，眼睛都遮著，但是牠還是走路時，同樣也是一直看牠的尾，這種的獸類，牠就是有這樣的執著。
這種一味貪著，與我們眾生，不就是這樣？道理不明，只是貪著於日常生活，這種愛的享受，這種欲念享受，這就像眾生在五欲中，不顧前途的安危。其實，我們在生活中，開口動舌、舉步動足，心念一偏差，我們說不定很危險，人間的前途，就是在我們日常起心動念，我們的身體舉止動作中，危機在周圍。
所以，我們常常在說無常，現在的平安，不知未來的一刻，這我們都常常說。所以這個五欲，只是一直讓我們貪著在那裡，不顧前途安危，更不能知見身後去來。我們現在只貪於現在，財產要多少、名要多大，我所愛的人、我所愛……等等，只知道這樣，卻不知道我們正在造業──我們現在愛這個、傷害那個；追求這項，但是會捨離了那項，這我們大家都不知道。光知道捨去了道理，但是將就於現在，都沒有去想未來是如何。
所以說，「去來何處」？未來，我這個身體，捨了這個身，要去哪裡呢？又再來的來生，又是什麼呢？一直在說六道，是要上天，還是再來做人？或者是在地獄、餓鬼、畜生(道)呢？這去來何處？我們光貪著於現在，沒有想我們未來，這就像犛牛愛尾，像我們人在愛這個五欲，沒有想未來的前途，這個路到底要怎麼走？所以「不知生死之苦」。生死輪迴，在人間苦不堪！所以「以貪愛自蔽，盲暝無所見」。
以貪愛自蔽
盲瞑無所見：
眾生長夜流轉
六道苦輪不息
皆由貪愛
眾生盲瞑
不循人倫孝道
無孝敬心
忤逆父母
交惡友
盲瞑自蔽
眾生就是這樣，長夜流轉，我們人生實在很黑暗，因為心眼黑暗，所以我們長夜，長夜茫茫，何處才是我們所要去的方向？不知道。所以在這個「長夜流轉」，在這個六道，不離開六道。這光是為了「貪愛」這兩個字，貪、瞋、癡這種的欲愛，使我們六道輪迴不息。
所以眾生盲瞑，不循人倫孝道，因為我們一貪了欲念，不孝父母、忤逆長輩，不順道理。這一切人間的惡事，就是從不循人倫道德開始。所以，「無孝敬心、忤逆父母」，這種「交惡友」，這全都叫做「盲暝自蔽」，這叫做人生的黑暗。
再來說，「不求大勢佛，及與斷苦法」。
不求大勢佛
及與斷苦法：
人貪五欲
一味愛著，
沉迷不悟
佛有大勢力
能斷眾生身心苦
之煩惱
亦所謂大醫王也
眾生以貪欲自蔽
盲瞑無所見
不求大勢佛
及與斷苦法
我們人都是貪於五欲，一味的貪愛，只是一項，一直要貪、貪，所以貪著愛欲，所以「沉迷不悟」，不知道佛，不懂得要去追求。剛才說的故事，盲眼人都一直想要見佛，明眼人卻一直貪著。
因為「佛有大勢力，能斷眾生身心苦之煩惱」，這佛也是叫做大醫王。看看盲眼人見佛，心會發光，道理就能夠入心，這不就是開了眾生的明眼嗎？不過，五欲若矇蔽了，我們的心，那他就無法了解，世間佛法的真理，所以不會想要追求，就沒辦法斷苦法。既然不見佛、不聞法，沒有道理入心，哪有辦法斷苦法呢？所以，眾生是貪欲,因為他有「貪欲自蔽」，自己遮蔽了自己的心，所以「盲暝無所見」，我們的心很盲，所以心盲就沒辦法了解道理了。
所以這種盲暝，這個心矇蔽，見不到道理，就是他不想要追求，他不覺得人生是苦，或者苦的人，再複製苦，那個心就是傲慢、卑劣慢，或者是懷疑、不信佛所教法。若像是這樣，永遠不得見佛、聞法，心永遠都是在茫茫長夜中，永遠就是「盲暝無所見」，這就是人生。
凡夫就是因為，「愚人因貪著愛欲」，所以五根、五塵，這樣自己互相牽絆著，所以「無明覆蔽如盲目」，所以「不見不知斷苦法」，這就是我們人生不肯向上。我們既然學佛了，我們要聽了佛法，要時時多用心。
Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: Craving Hinders the Elimination of Suffering (貪愛自蔽不知斷苦)
Date: October. 28. 2014
“Because foolish people crave desires and pleasure, the Five Roots and Five Dusts entangle each other. Being covered by ignorance is like being blind. They do not see or know the way to end suffering.”
In our daily living, we are never free from our greed, anger and ignorance. Our cravings come from our desires. Because our desires are endless, there are many things we crave and pursue. When our cravings cannot be fulfilled, the ignorance in our minds is multiplied, and we become more ignorant and more foolish.
All karma [created] in life originates in ignorance and foolishness. This is how our greed entangles us with each other. All this is due to the Five Roots and Five Dusts. The Five Roots are eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body. The Five Dusts are form, sound, smell, taste, touch. When the Five Roots come in contact with external phenomena, they become entangled with them. When we look at external conditions with our eyes, cravings and desires arise. When our ears hear a sound and it is something unpleasant, we give rise to anger. What we feel with our bodies, the desires we come in contact with and physical pleasures we enjoy, make it harder for us to be separated from our external conditions. This is how we become attached to desire and pleasure and how our mutual entanglements become ever larger and ever tighter. They become very difficult to dissolve.
Then we are living life with our mind’s eye covered by ignorance. So, if our mind’s eye is blind, we cannot see, understand or end our suffering. We are unable to find the source of suffering, or figure out how to completely eliminate it. People who do not understand principles only care about indulging in pleasure. They will not think of seeking out the truth. How did we come to this world? What are we so busy doing in this world? Why is there so much suffering in this world? Suffering comes from natural disasters, manmade calamities, meeting those we hate, parting from those we love. So much suffering arises from interpersonal interactions. When we are suffering, we are bewildered. We do not think to bring clarity to our minds or understand where suffering comes from.
In the past, during the Buddha’s lifetime, there was a large group of 500 people who could not see with their eyes. Because they could not see, they could not work, so they had to beg for alms. These 500 people were always gathered as a group. Someone said, “I heard,” as his ears could still hear, “that Prince Siddhartha has attained Buddhahood through spiritual practice. He is pointing out a way for others to clearly see their hearts. We all feel that because in this lifetime, we cannot see, because we live a life in which we are unable to see our surroundings, our lives are unbearably painful. Every day, we have to beg to make a living. This is so painful!
“If the Buddha can provide us with guidance, that would be so wonderful!” Another person said, “I’ve also heard about this. But the Buddha is now in the Kingdom of Sravasti.It’s very far, how can we find our way there?”
One of the others said, “It’s possible.We can pool all our resources and hire someone to lead us there”So, they hired a sighted guide to lead them.This sighted guide led this group of 500 blind people.Each person held the hand of the next.This long and grand procession followed behind the sighted guide.After a few days, the sighted guide felt annoyed.“They are all blind people”“We have to go such a long way to find Buddha.
“How many more days do I have to spend guiding them?”An unwholesome thought arose in his mind, so one day he told them, “I have something to do.I’m thirsty; I’ll find some water to drink.”Then he left and never came back.
These blind people had already come halfway, and did not know where they were; they grew afraid.They began to comfort each other.“Since we have come this far, we have to keep going forward.We still have mouths, we can talk to people.”So they marched on in their procession without knowing their course.
Suddenly, they heard someone yelling angrily, “Where did all you people come from?How could you not see my crops?You have trampled over them!All of my crops have been ruined by you!”This group of people became even more frightened.In chorus, they quickly called out to the owner of the field, “We apologize! We really cannot see.We are truly blind.Because we heard that the Buddha is in the Kingdom of Sravasti, we wholeheartedly want to find and meet Him. However, the sighted guide we hired has deserted us midway through our journey, so now we don’t know which way to go.”
The owner of the field was moved.This long procession of blind people had traveled so far to look for the Buddha.So, he resolved to hire someone to lead this group of blind people to the Kingdom of Sravasti.
The blind people felt very grateful to have encountered this benefactor.So, they marched on with gratitude.Another sighted guide came to lead them.This one was very loving.Finally, they arrived in the Kingdom of Sravasti, at the Buddha’s abode.But the people there told them, “You’re too late. The Buddha went to the Kingdom of Vaisali.”
The Buddha had already left.
Everyone was eager to seek the Dharma and see the Buddha, so they asked the sighted guide to quickly lead them to the Kingdom of Vaisali.The journey was very arduous.But when they got to the Kingdom of Vaisali, the Buddha had already returned to the Kingdom of Sravasti.In this way, they went back and forth seven times.They made three round trips.On the seventh leg of their trip, they arrived again in the Kingdom of Sravasti.
The Buddha heard about their sincerity and felt great compassion for them, so He waited for them there.Finally this group blind people could approach the Buddha.
Although they could not see with their eyes, every one of them felt as if the Buddha’s light had entered their hearts.The Buddha seemed to stand in front of them with a radiant and dignified appearance.They were all very moved and prostrated to the Buddha and told Him of their suffering and hardship.
Out of great compassion,He expounded the Dharma for them to help them understand that they were living this kind of life because of the law of karma.He talked about past causes and conditions.These people were very moved upon learning how all things happen according to the law of karma.So, they all asked to take refuge with the Buddha.
They asked Him if they could become monastics.
The Buddha was compassionate and could not bear to abandon any sentient beings.
The Buddha said, “Welcome, bhiksus, you may shave your own head.”So, these 500 people became monastics, and peacefully resided there. All of them engaged in spiritual practice. Their understanding was clearer than the sighted. So, they attained the first, second, then third fruit, in this way successively realizing the fruits of spiritual practice.
Look at that first sighted guide. His mindset led him to desert these 500 people and go on his way. His eyes could see, but his mind was blind. When it comes to sight and blindness, one who can see with physical eyes may be blind in their mind’s eye. This is from “deep attachment to the Five Desires”. This [next] sutra passage discusses how ignorant and foolish people are deeply attached to the Five Desires.
“Like a yak obsessed with his tail, they smother themselves with greed and cravings, blind and in darkness, they see nothing. They do not seek the Buddha of mighty power, or the Dharma which ends suffering.”
Isn’t this sutra passage very similar to what we just talked about? In life, we have to eliminate the Five Desires, since we “are deeply attached to the Five Desires”. Our minds are covered because of the Five Desires.
“They are deeply attached to the Five Desires:
These are the turbidity of afflictions. They are like a yak with a big tail who is particularly attached to it and constantly uses his body to protect it. He is completely enamored with it. This is like how sentient beings cling to the Five Desires without regard for their future and safety. Furthermore, they do not know where they will go after they leave this body, nor do they know the suffering of cyclic existence.”
There is a lot of turbidity in our minds, so we have the turbidity of afflictions. We are like a yak with a big tail. A yak is a kind of ox. This yak is particularly fond of his tail so he always use his body to protect it. When he walks, he rarely looks ahead. His hair is very long to begin with, covering his eyes, but when he is walking, he keeps looking at his tail.Even animals also have their own particular attachments. Don’t we find this kind of clinging in ourselves? Aren’t we sentient beings just like this? We do not understand principles, so all we do is cling to our daily living, enjoying our cravings and objects of desire. This is like how sentient beings caught up in the Five Desires show no regard for their future safety.
Indeed, as we go about our day, if our words, actions or thoughts go astray, this can lead to great danger. Our future in the human realm is determined by the thoughts we give rise to and the physical actions we take. Dangers are lurking all around us. Thus, we constantly speak of impermanence. We are safe now, but not necessarily in the future. This is something we constantly talk about. So, the Five Desires lead us to cling to the present without regard for our future safety, without knowing where our next life will be.
We are simply clinging to the present, to how much wealth or recognition we want, to people we love and things we love, and so on. This is all we know. We do not realize that we are creating karma when we love this person, hurt that person or seek this thing and let go of that thing. None of us realize this at all. We may set aside principles to get what we want right now, but do not think about how this affects the future.
So, [they do not know] “where they will go”. In the future, after we leave this body, where will we go? What will our future life be like? We are always talking about the Six Realms. Will we go up to heaven? Or return as a human? Or will we be in the hell, hungry ghost or animal realms? Where will we go? We are only clinging to the present. We do not think about our future. We are like the yak who loves his tail. We human beings crave the Five Desires without thinking about our future and how we should walk the road of this life.
“Nor do [we] know the suffering of cyclic existence”. Cyclic existence leads to unbearable suffering. “They smother themselves with greed and cravings; blind and in darkness, they see nothing”.
“They smother themselves with greed and cravings: blind and in darkness, they see nothing: Sentient beings roam about in the long night. They endlessly cycle through the Six Realms of suffering, all because of greed and cravings. Sentient beings are blind and in darkness. They do not abide by morals or their filial duty. Lacking respect, they willfully disobey their parents, make unwholesome friends and cover themselves so they are blind and in darkness”.
Sentient beings roam about in the long night. We truly live in darkness. Because our mind’s sys is still in the dark, we are living in an endless night. What is the direction that we want to go in? We do not know, so we “roam about in the long night, in the Six Realms, and cannot escape.” This is simply due to “greed and cravings”. Desires [arising from] greed, anger and ignorance cause us to endlessly cycle in the Six Realms. We sentient beings who are blind and in the dark do not abide by morals or our filial duty.
Because we have greed and desires, we are not filial our parents, we disobey our elders and we do not abide by principles. All evil things done in this world begin from not abiding by morals. So, “lacking respect, they willfully disobey their parents and make unwholesome friends.” With this, they “cover themselves so they are blind and in darkness.” This is the darkness of life.
Now, let us discuss, “They do not seek the Buddha of mighty power, or the Dharma which ends suffering.”
They do not seek the Buddha of mighty power or the Dharma which ends suffering: Humans cling to the Five Desires. They are completely enamored with them, and thus are deluded and cannot awaken. The Buddha has mighty power and can end sentient beings physical and mental suffering and its resulting afflictions.
Therefore He is the Great King of Healers. Sentient beings cover themselves with greed and desires. Blind and in darkness, they cannot see. They do not seek the Buddha of Mighty Power, or His teachings about ending suffering.
We humans cling to the Five Desires. We are completely enamored of them. We have nothing constant greed. So, we cling to objects of craving and desire. Thus we are “deluded and cannot awaken”. We do not know about the Buddha and do not seek Him. From the story I just told, the blind people focused on meeting the Buddha, but the first sighted guide focused on his greed. “The Buddha has mighty power and can end sentient beings’ physical and mental suffering.”So, He is also known as the Great King of Healers.
You see, when the blind people saw the Buddha, their minds became illuminated and principles entered their hearts. Didn’t this open their mind’s eye? However, if the Five Desires cover our minds, then we cannot understand the true principles of the Buddha-Dharma in the world. Then we do not think of seeking ways of ending suffering. Since we do not see the Buddha or hear the Dharma and do not take these principles to heart, how can we find a way to end suffering?
So sentient beings are greedy and desirous. They “cover themselves with greed and desires.” Because they have covered their own minds, “blind and in darkness, they cannot see.” If their minds are blind, they cannot understand principles. So, for people who are blind and in darkness, their minds are covered and they cannot see the principles. They do not want to seek them because they do not feel like they are suffering.
Suffering people may also create more suffering our of arrogance and an inferiority complex. Perhaps they doubt the Buddha’s teachings. In this case, they will never see the Buddha or hear the Dharma. They will always be roaming the long night. Forever “blind and in darkness, they cannot see.” This is how life works.
Because ordinary people are “foolish people who cling to cravings and desires, their Five Roots become entangled with the Five Dusts. Being covered by ignorance is like beings blind.” ”They do not see or know the way to end suffering.” These people refuse to improve themselves. Since we are learning the Buddha’s Way, after listening to the Buddha-Dharma, we must always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV – Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
（法華經•方便品第二）
⊙「愚人因貪著欲樂，五根五塵互牽絆，無明覆蔽如盲目，不見不知斷苦法。」
⊙「深著於五欲，如犛牛愛尾，以貪愛自蔽，盲瞑無所見，不求大勢佛，及與斷苦法。」《法華經 方便品第二》
⊙深著於五欲：即煩惱濁，喻犛牛尾大，性特貪愛其尾，就身護尾，一味愛著。喻眾生貪著於五欲，不顧前途安危，更不能知見身後，去來何處？不知生死之苦。
⊙以貪愛自蔽，盲瞑無所見：眾生長夜流轉，六道苦輪不息，皆由貪愛。眾生盲瞑，不循人倫孝道，無孝敬心、忤逆父母，交惡友，盲瞑自蔽。
⊙不求大勢佛，及與斷苦法：人貪五欲，一味愛著，沉迷不悟。佛有大勢力，能斷眾生身心苦之煩惱，亦所謂大醫王也。眾生以貪欲自蔽，盲瞑無所見，不求大勢佛及與斷苦法。
【證嚴上人開示】
「愚人因貪著欲樂，五根五塵互牽絆，無明覆蔽如盲目，不見不知斷苦法。」
愚人因貪著欲樂
五根五塵互牽絆
無明覆蔽如盲目
不見不知斷苦法
這就是我們的生活中離不開這個貪、瞋、癡。會貪就是來自於欲。因為欲念無止境，所以要貪、要取的很多，所以，為了貪，求不得，那就是心的無明又再複製，所以愈來愈是無明，愈來就是愚癡。人生一切的業，就是來自於無明、愚癡，所以貪念互相牽絆，這全都是在五根、五塵。
五根：眼、耳、鼻、舌、身。五塵：色、聲、香、味、觸。這五根對著外面的緣境（五塵），互相牽纏著（產生意識），眼睛看外面的境界，就會起了那分貪著、欲念；耳朵聽到聲音，不如己意的事情就是起瞋恚心；身體的感覺，所接觸到的欲，身的享受，那就是愈來與外面的境界愈無法離開。所以像這樣，苦欲樂，互相牽絆著，這是愈纏愈大，愈結愈緊，這要解就很難了。
這就是我們人生都是受到無明，遮蓋了我們心中的眼，心眼。若是心眼盲，不見、不知，就不斷苦法，就無法想怎樣人生的苦，找出了苦的源頭，如何將苦完全去除。不明白道理的人，只想要享受，都不會想要去追求道理，人間到底如何來？為何在這個人間庸庸碌碌？為何人間有這麼多的苦，天然的災難、人禍的苦，或者是怨憎會苦、愛別離苦，這麼多人與人之間這麼多苦？只會在苦中，心意慌亂，不會想要如何讓我們的心清楚，苦的原因從何而來。
過去佛世時，卻也有一大群，五百位，眼睛都是看不見，因為大家的眼睛都看不見，無法生活，他們就要去乞討。這五百人集合在一起，一起在那一群當中，有人就這樣提起：「說，聽聞,耳朵有聽到，悉達多太子修行已經成佛了，在人間指點人的明心的方向。大家覺得我們這輩子，大家都看不見，過著這種，看不見外面境界的生活，所以我們的生活苦不堪，每一天都要向人乞討來過日子，苦啊！我們若能夠，能夠得到佛陀來開導我們，不知有多好！」
其中又有人這樣說：「我也有聽說，不過現在佛陀是在舍衛國，離我們這麼遠，我們哪有辦法？」就又有人這樣提議：「可以，我們可以大家集資，來僱一位明眼人來帶我們走。、所以，僱了一位明眼人，來帶他們。這位明眼人帶著這群五百位盲眼人，一個牽一個，這樣浩蕩長的隊伍，互牽互伴，隨著這位明眼人走。
經過了幾天後，這位明眼人覺得厭煩了，一大群都是盲眼人，要找佛，路途是這麼遠，我還要帶他們幾天才能到達呢？心起了一個壞念，就這樣找一個機會，就告訴他們說：「我一點事情，我覺得很渴，我去找水來喝。」就這樣一去不回頭了。這群盲眼人在半途中，何去何從？心驚惶。
後來大家又互相安慰：「既然都來到這裡了，我們還是要再向前走。路在嘴上，我們去問。」就這樣浩浩蕩蕩向前走，方向不知。忽然間，聽到一個人很生氣，在那裡喊：「這是哪裡來的盲眼人，怎麼會沒看到這大片，我的農作物，這樣把我的全都踩壞了，一些農作物，被你們踩斷、被你們踩平了。」
這群人，大家更惶恐，趕緊異口同聲，向這位田園的主人就說：「抱歉啊！我們是真的看不見的人，我們是真的眼盲的人。因為我們是為了聽說，佛陀在舍衛國，我們一心一意要來找佛、見佛。但是我們僱了一位明眼人，在半路放棄了我們，所以現在我們不知道方向走。」
這位田園的主人感動了，浩浩蕩蕩都是看不見的人，竟然在這麼遠的地方要去找佛。這位田主人發一個心，他自己就去僱人，來帶他們這群盲眼人去舍衛國。這些盲眼人，大家都很感恩遇到貴人了，所以感恩中，就再向前前進。
一位明眼人來帶他們，這位就很有愛心，好不容易去到舍衛國時，到佛陀的精舍，但是那裡的人就告訴他們：「你們來得太遲了，佛陀到他們的國(毘舍離國)去了。」佛陀竟然已經離開了。大家求法、見佛心切，要求這位明眼人再帶他們路，再趕快回去，他們的國(毘舍離國)。很辛苦，回到他們的國(毘舍離國)，佛陀又是離開了，又回到舍衛國去了。
就這樣來回七次，就是三次來回，就是來回七次，終於在舍衛國，佛陀知道這群是這麼誠意來，所以不忍心，就在舍衛國等待這群人。而這群盲眼人，已經可以接近佛陀了，雖然大家的眼睛都看不見，不過好像每一位，有感覺到佛的光芒，已經照入他們的心，好像佛陀在他們的面前，很明朗、莊嚴的身態。大家都很感動，向佛陀頂禮膜拜，向佛陀說出了他們人生的苦難。
佛陀就很慈悲的心，就為他們說法，讓人人知道，人生就是因緣果報觀，說過了過去一切的因緣。這些盲眼人很感動，一切都是因緣果報，所以大家求佛陀為他們皈依，求佛陀是不是能讓他們出家？佛陀的慈悲，不忍捨棄任何一個眾生，佛陀開口就說：「善來，比丘！鬚髮自落。」就開始這五百位也能隨佛出家，安住在那個地方。人人內心在修行，比明眼的人更清楚，所以，初果、二果、三果，這樣陸陸續續，人人修行證果了。
像那位第一位明眼人，那個心，放棄了五百位，這樣離去，這是明眼人，卻是心盲，這個明眼、盲目，雖然眼睛是明，但是心眼是盲，那是因為就是「深著於五欲。」這個文，經文，人人就是愚昧，所以就是深著在五欲之中，「如犛牛愛尾，以貪愛自蔽，盲瞑無所見，不求大勢佛，及與斷苦法。」
深著於五欲
如犛牛愛尾
以貪愛自蔽
盲瞑無所見
不求大勢佛
及與斷苦法
《法華經 方便品第二》
這段經文與前面所說的，不是很像嗎？人生我們就要好好去除五欲，這個「深著於五欲」，就矇蔽了我們的心，就是因為五欲。
深著於五欲：
即煩惱濁
喻犛牛尾大
性特貪愛其尾
就身護尾
一味愛著
喻眾生貪著於五欲
不顧前途安危
更不能知見
身後去來何處
不知生死之苦
我們人心的濁氣很重，這叫做煩惱濁。就像犛牛尾很大，犛牛（青康藏高原地區主要的力畜），這種牛牠的性特別貪愛牠的尾，所以隨時都是用牠的身體，保護著牠的尾，若在走路，都很少向前看，本來牠的毛就很長，眼睛都遮著，但是牠還是走路時，同樣也是一直看牠的尾，這種的獸類，牠就是有這樣的執著。
這種一味貪著，與我們眾生，不就是這樣？道理不明，只是貪著於日常生活，這種愛的享受，這種欲念享受，這就像眾生在五欲中，不顧前途的安危。其實，我們在生活中，開口動舌、舉步動足，心念一偏差，我們說不定很危險，人間的前途，就是在我們日常起心動念，我們的身體舉止動作中，危機在周圍。
所以，我們常常在說無常，現在的平安，不知未來的一刻，這我們都常常說。所以這個五欲，只是一直讓我們貪著在那裡，不顧前途安危，更不能知見身後去來。我們現在只貪於現在，財產要多少、名要多大，我所愛的人、我所愛……等等，只知道這樣，卻不知道我們正在造業──我們現在愛這個、傷害那個；追求這項，但是會捨離了那項，這我們大家都不知道。光知道捨去了道理，但是將就於現在，都沒有去想未來是如何。
所以說，「去來何處」？未來，我這個身體，捨了這個身，要去哪裡呢？又再來的來生，又是什麼呢？一直在說六道，是要上天，還是再來做人？或者是在地獄、餓鬼、畜生(道)呢？這去來何處？我們光貪著於現在，沒有想我們未來，這就像犛牛愛尾，像我們人在愛這個五欲，沒有想未來的前途，這個路到底要怎麼走？所以「不知生死之苦」。生死輪迴，在人間苦不堪！所以「以貪愛自蔽，盲暝無所見」。
以貪愛自蔽
盲瞑無所見：
眾生長夜流轉
六道苦輪不息
皆由貪愛
眾生盲瞑
不循人倫孝道
無孝敬心
忤逆父母
交惡友
盲瞑自蔽
眾生就是這樣，長夜流轉，我們人生實在很黑暗，因為心眼黑暗，所以我們長夜，長夜茫茫，何處才是我們所要去的方向？不知道。所以在這個「長夜流轉」，在這個六道，不離開六道。這光是為了「貪愛」這兩個字，貪、瞋、癡這種的欲愛，使我們六道輪迴不息。
所以眾生盲瞑，不循人倫孝道，因為我們一貪了欲念，不孝父母、忤逆長輩，不順道理。這一切人間的惡事，就是從不循人倫道德開始。所以，「無孝敬心、忤逆父母」，這種「交惡友」，這全都叫做「盲暝自蔽」，這叫做人生的黑暗。
再來說，「不求大勢佛，及與斷苦法」。
不求大勢佛
及與斷苦法：
人貪五欲
一味愛著，
沉迷不悟
佛有大勢力
能斷眾生身心苦
之煩惱
亦所謂大醫王也
眾生以貪欲自蔽
盲瞑無所見
不求大勢佛
及與斷苦法
我們人都是貪於五欲，一味的貪愛，只是一項，一直要貪、貪，所以貪著愛欲，所以「沉迷不悟」，不知道佛，不懂得要去追求。剛才說的故事，盲眼人都一直想要見佛，明眼人卻一直貪著。
因為「佛有大勢力，能斷眾生身心苦之煩惱」，這佛也是叫做大醫王。看看盲眼人見佛，心會發光，道理就能夠入心，這不就是開了眾生的明眼嗎？不過，五欲若矇蔽了，我們的心，那他就無法了解，世間佛法的真理，所以不會想要追求，就沒辦法斷苦法。既然不見佛、不聞法，沒有道理入心，哪有辦法斷苦法呢？所以，眾生是貪欲,因為他有「貪欲自蔽」，自己遮蔽了自己的心，所以「盲暝無所見」，我們的心很盲，所以心盲就沒辦法了解道理了。
所以這種盲暝，這個心矇蔽，見不到道理，就是他不想要追求，他不覺得人生是苦，或者苦的人，再複製苦，那個心就是傲慢、卑劣慢，或者是懷疑、不信佛所教法。若像是這樣，永遠不得見佛、聞法，心永遠都是在茫茫長夜中，永遠就是「盲暝無所見」，這就是人生。
凡夫就是因為，「愚人因貪著愛欲」，所以五根、五塵，這樣自己互相牽絆著，所以「無明覆蔽如盲目」，所以「不見不知斷苦法」，這就是我們人生不肯向上。我們既然學佛了，我們要聽了佛法，要時時多用心。
Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: Craving Hinders the Elimination of Suffering (貪愛自蔽不知斷苦)
Date: October. 28. 2014
“Because foolish people crave desires and pleasure, the Five Roots and Five Dusts entangle each other. Being covered by ignorance is like being blind. They do not see or know the way to end suffering.”
In our daily living, we are never free from our greed, anger and ignorance. Our cravings come from our desires. Because our desires are endless, there are many things we crave and pursue. When our cravings cannot be fulfilled, the ignorance in our minds is multiplied, and we become more ignorant and more foolish.
All karma [created] in life originates in ignorance and foolishness. This is how our greed entangles us with each other. All this is due to the Five Roots and Five Dusts. The Five Roots are eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body. The Five Dusts are form, sound, smell, taste, touch. When the Five Roots come in contact with external phenomena, they become entangled with them. When we look at external conditions with our eyes, cravings and desires arise. When our ears hear a sound and it is something unpleasant, we give rise to anger. What we feel with our bodies, the desires we come in contact with and physical pleasures we enjoy, make it harder for us to be separated from our external conditions. This is how we become attached to desire and pleasure and how our mutual entanglements become ever larger and ever tighter. They become very difficult to dissolve.
Then we are living life with our mind’s eye covered by ignorance. So, if our mind’s eye is blind, we cannot see, understand or end our suffering. We are unable to find the source of suffering, or figure out how to completely eliminate it. People who do not understand principles only care about indulging in pleasure. They will not think of seeking out the truth. How did we come to this world? What are we so busy doing in this world? Why is there so much suffering in this world? Suffering comes from natural disasters, manmade calamities, meeting those we hate, parting from those we love. So much suffering arises from interpersonal interactions. When we are suffering, we are bewildered. We do not think to bring clarity to our minds or understand where suffering comes from.
In the past, during the Buddha’s lifetime, there was a large group of 500 people who could not see with their eyes. Because they could not see, they could not work, so they had to beg for alms. These 500 people were always gathered as a group. Someone said, “I heard,” as his ears could still hear, “that Prince Siddhartha has attained Buddhahood through spiritual practice. He is pointing out a way for others to clearly see their hearts. We all feel that because in this lifetime, we cannot see, because we live a life in which we are unable to see our surroundings, our lives are unbearably painful. Every day, we have to beg to make a living. This is so painful!
“If the Buddha can provide us with guidance, that would be so wonderful!” Another person said, “I’ve also heard about this. But the Buddha is now in the Kingdom of Sravasti.It’s very far, how can we find our way there?”
One of the others said, “It’s possible.We can pool all our resources and hire someone to lead us there”So, they hired a sighted guide to lead them.This sighted guide led this group of 500 blind people.Each person held the hand of the next.This long and grand procession followed behind the sighted guide.After a few days, the sighted guide felt annoyed.“They are all blind people”“We have to go such a long way to find Buddha.
“How many more days do I have to spend guiding them?”An unwholesome thought arose in his mind, so one day he told them, “I have something to do.I’m thirsty; I’ll find some water to drink.”Then he left and never came back.
These blind people had already come halfway, and did not know where they were; they grew afraid.They began to comfort each other.“Since we have come this far, we have to keep going forward.We still have mouths, we can talk to people.”So they marched on in their procession without knowing their course.
Suddenly, they heard someone yelling angrily, “Where did all you people come from?How could you not see my crops?You have trampled over them!All of my crops have been ruined by you!”This group of people became even more frightened.In chorus, they quickly called out to the owner of the field, “We apologize! We really cannot see.We are truly blind.Because we heard that the Buddha is in the Kingdom of Sravasti, we wholeheartedly want to find and meet Him. However, the sighted guide we hired has deserted us midway through our journey, so now we don’t know which way to go.”
The owner of the field was moved.This long procession of blind people had traveled so far to look for the Buddha.So, he resolved to hire someone to lead this group of blind people to the Kingdom of Sravasti.
The blind people felt very grateful to have encountered this benefactor.So, they marched on with gratitude.Another sighted guide came to lead them.This one was very loving.Finally, they arrived in the Kingdom of Sravasti, at the Buddha’s abode.But the people there told them, “You’re too late. The Buddha went to the Kingdom of Vaisali.”
The Buddha had already left.
Everyone was eager to seek the Dharma and see the Buddha, so they asked the sighted guide to quickly lead them to the Kingdom of Vaisali.The journey was very arduous.But when they got to the Kingdom of Vaisali, the Buddha had already returned to the Kingdom of Sravasti.In this way, they went back and forth seven times.They made three round trips.On the seventh leg of their trip, they arrived again in the Kingdom of Sravasti.
The Buddha heard about their sincerity and felt great compassion for them, so He waited for them there.Finally this group blind people could approach the Buddha.
Although they could not see with their eyes, every one of them felt as if the Buddha’s light had entered their hearts.The Buddha seemed to stand in front of them with a radiant and dignified appearance.They were all very moved and prostrated to the Buddha and told Him of their suffering and hardship.
Out of great compassion,He expounded the Dharma for them to help them understand that they were living this kind of life because of the law of karma.He talked about past causes and conditions.These people were very moved upon learning how all things happen according to the law of karma.So, they all asked to take refuge with the Buddha.
They asked Him if they could become monastics.
The Buddha was compassionate and could not bear to abandon any sentient beings.
The Buddha said, “Welcome, bhiksus, you may shave your own head.”So, these 500 people became monastics, and peacefully resided there. All of them engaged in spiritual practice. Their understanding was clearer than the sighted. So, they attained the first, second, then third fruit, in this way successively realizing the fruits of spiritual practice.
Look at that first sighted guide. His mindset led him to desert these 500 people and go on his way. His eyes could see, but his mind was blind. When it comes to sight and blindness, one who can see with physical eyes may be blind in their mind’s eye. This is from “deep attachment to the Five Desires”. This [next] sutra passage discusses how ignorant and foolish people are deeply attached to the Five Desires.
“Like a yak obsessed with his tail, they smother themselves with greed and cravings, blind and in darkness, they see nothing. They do not seek the Buddha of mighty power, or the Dharma which ends suffering.”
Isn’t this sutra passage very similar to what we just talked about? In life, we have to eliminate the Five Desires, since we “are deeply attached to the Five Desires”. Our minds are covered because of the Five Desires.
“They are deeply attached to the Five Desires:
These are the turbidity of afflictions. They are like a yak with a big tail who is particularly attached to it and constantly uses his body to protect it. He is completely enamored with it. This is like how sentient beings cling to the Five Desires without regard for their future and safety. Furthermore, they do not know where they will go after they leave this body, nor do they know the suffering of cyclic existence.”
There is a lot of turbidity in our minds, so we have the turbidity of afflictions. We are like a yak with a big tail. A yak is a kind of ox. This yak is particularly fond of his tail so he always use his body to protect it. When he walks, he rarely looks ahead. His hair is very long to begin with, covering his eyes, but when he is walking, he keeps looking at his tail.Even animals also have their own particular attachments. Don’t we find this kind of clinging in ourselves? Aren’t we sentient beings just like this? We do not understand principles, so all we do is cling to our daily living, enjoying our cravings and objects of desire. This is like how sentient beings caught up in the Five Desires show no regard for their future safety.
Indeed, as we go about our day, if our words, actions or thoughts go astray, this can lead to great danger. Our future in the human realm is determined by the thoughts we give rise to and the physical actions we take. Dangers are lurking all around us. Thus, we constantly speak of impermanence. We are safe now, but not necessarily in the future. This is something we constantly talk about. So, the Five Desires lead us to cling to the present without regard for our future safety, without knowing where our next life will be.
We are simply clinging to the present, to how much wealth or recognition we want, to people we love and things we love, and so on. This is all we know. We do not realize that we are creating karma when we love this person, hurt that person or seek this thing and let go of that thing. None of us realize this at all. We may set aside principles to get what we want right now, but do not think about how this affects the future.
So, [they do not know] “where they will go”. In the future, after we leave this body, where will we go? What will our future life be like? We are always talking about the Six Realms. Will we go up to heaven? Or return as a human? Or will we be in the hell, hungry ghost or animal realms? Where will we go? We are only clinging to the present. We do not think about our future. We are like the yak who loves his tail. We human beings crave the Five Desires without thinking about our future and how we should walk the road of this life.
“Nor do [we] know the suffering of cyclic existence”. Cyclic existence leads to unbearable suffering. “They smother themselves with greed and cravings; blind and in darkness, they see nothing”.
“They smother themselves with greed and cravings: blind and in darkness, they see nothing: Sentient beings roam about in the long night. They endlessly cycle through the Six Realms of suffering, all because of greed and cravings. Sentient beings are blind and in darkness. They do not abide by morals or their filial duty. Lacking respect, they willfully disobey their parents, make unwholesome friends and cover themselves so they are blind and in darkness”.
Sentient beings roam about in the long night. We truly live in darkness. Because our mind’s sys is still in the dark, we are living in an endless night. What is the direction that we want to go in? We do not know, so we “roam about in the long night, in the Six Realms, and cannot escape.” This is simply due to “greed and cravings”. Desires [arising from] greed, anger and ignorance cause us to endlessly cycle in the Six Realms. We sentient beings who are blind and in the dark do not abide by morals or our filial duty.
Because we have greed and desires, we are not filial our parents, we disobey our elders and we do not abide by principles. All evil things done in this world begin from not abiding by morals. So, “lacking respect, they willfully disobey their parents and make unwholesome friends.” With this, they “cover themselves so they are blind and in darkness.” This is the darkness of life.
Now, let us discuss, “They do not seek the Buddha of mighty power, or the Dharma which ends suffering.”
They do not seek the Buddha of mighty power or the Dharma which ends suffering: Humans cling to the Five Desires. They are completely enamored with them, and thus are deluded and cannot awaken. The Buddha has mighty power and can end sentient beings physical and mental suffering and its resulting afflictions.
Therefore He is the Great King of Healers. Sentient beings cover themselves with greed and desires. Blind and in darkness, they cannot see. They do not seek the Buddha of Mighty Power, or His teachings about ending suffering.
We humans cling to the Five Desires. We are completely enamored of them. We have nothing constant greed. So, we cling to objects of craving and desire. Thus we are “deluded and cannot awaken”. We do not know about the Buddha and do not seek Him. From the story I just told, the blind people focused on meeting the Buddha, but the first sighted guide focused on his greed. “The Buddha has mighty power and can end sentient beings’ physical and mental suffering.”So, He is also known as the Great King of Healers.
You see, when the blind people saw the Buddha, their minds became illuminated and principles entered their hearts. Didn’t this open their mind’s eye? However, if the Five Desires cover our minds, then we cannot understand the true principles of the Buddha-Dharma in the world. Then we do not think of seeking ways of ending suffering. Since we do not see the Buddha or hear the Dharma and do not take these principles to heart, how can we find a way to end suffering?
So sentient beings are greedy and desirous. They “cover themselves with greed and desires.” Because they have covered their own minds, “blind and in darkness, they cannot see.” If their minds are blind, they cannot understand principles. So, for people who are blind and in darkness, their minds are covered and they cannot see the principles. They do not want to seek them because they do not feel like they are suffering.
Suffering people may also create more suffering our of arrogance and an inferiority complex. Perhaps they doubt the Buddha’s teachings. In this case, they will never see the Buddha or hear the Dharma. They will always be roaming the long night. Forever “blind and in darkness, they cannot see.” This is how life works.
Because ordinary people are “foolish people who cling to cravings and desires, their Five Roots become entangled with the Five Dusts. Being covered by ignorance is like beings blind.” ”They do not see or know the way to end suffering.” These people refuse to improve themselves. Since we are learning the Buddha’s Way, after listening to the Buddha-Dharma, we must always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV – Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
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