20150226《靜思妙蓮華》光光相續長慧脈傳(第510集)
（法華經•譬喻品第三）
⊙「燈燈相傳增道明，光光相續長慧命，心心念道傳法脈，佛佛相授皆歡喜。」
⊙「佛言：睹人施道，助之歡喜，得福甚大。沙門問曰：此福盡乎？佛言：譬如一炬之火，數千百人各以炬來分取，熟食除冥，此炬如故，福亦如之。」《佛說四十二章經》
⊙「正法滅盡已，像法三十二，舍利廣流布，天人普供養。華光佛所為，其事皆如是。」《法華經 譬喻品第三》
⊙「其兩足聖尊，最勝無倫匹。彼即是汝身，宜應自欣慶。」《法華經 譬喻品第三》
⊙以此偈頌結會令欣；言舍利弗汝既受佛記，未來將成佛，應自欣慶。述明以此法會之歸結也。
⊙「爾時，四部眾：比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷，天、龍、夜叉、乾闥婆、阿修羅、迦樓羅、緊那羅、摩睺羅伽等大眾。」《法華經 譬喻品第三》
⊙此釋人、天、龍天八部等眾，集會敬恭，與會見證釋迦佛授舍利弗未來成佛記。
【證嚴上人開示】
「燈燈相傳增道明，光光相續長慧命，心心念道傳法脈，佛佛相授皆歡喜。」
燈燈相傳增道明
光光相續長慧命
心心念道傳法脈
佛佛相授皆歡喜
也就是我們學佛，必定要依佛的教法，在這個五濁惡世，點起了一盞燈。一盞燈的亮有多少呢？只要一盞燈點亮起來，人人將你心中，還未點燃這支蠟燭，也同樣向著這盞燭火，分點過去，不斷一盞，再分給一盞燈，燈燈相傳，這樣這個娑婆世界，濁氣，很黯淡的地方，自然它的路照亮了，它的範圍也會亮麗起來。
這是我們在佛經裡面的，一段的經文。
佛言
睹人施道
助之歡喜
得福甚大
沙門問曰
此福盡乎
佛言
譬如一炬之火
數千百人
各以炬來分取
熟食除冥
此炬如故
福亦如之
《佛說四十二章經》
有的人會認為：各人修、各人得，我修的，我若傳給他，轉法輪，傳法給別人，這樣我會較減少嗎？用這樣的問題來問佛。佛陀的回答，用這樣的譬喻：譬喻一盞燈點亮了，假如有更多人拿著一盞，還未點亮的燈，來到這個地方，這盞點亮的燈，這樣點過去，再不斷，燈燈將火分出去，這樣你覺得怎麼樣？這盞燈火有比較暗了嗎？沒有。這範圍有比較亮嗎？有啊。
對，同樣的道理，法，我們能夠了解了，讓人人都了解，我們能夠將這個法，能夠通達，這條路鋪得平；一個人鋪，千千萬萬人來鋪，這樣這條路會很快，鋪得很通，也很透徹、很平坦。這也就是像我們佛法，若能得大家都來接受，大家都是用點燈、鋪路的精神，若這樣，燈燈相傳，不就是增加，這條道路的光明嗎？路又是平，前途又是光明。
所以光光相續，這個光與光，這樣一盞、一盞，一直接下去，這就像我們人人，智慧，成長智慧，人人有智慧，智慧與智慧相匯聚，你們想，我們的環境都是福慧的人，這個環境不就是與華光如來，大寶莊嚴的世界一樣嗎？
在《法華經》，佛陀開始就是要，向所有的弟子授記。其實釋迦牟尼佛過去也是一樣，他也是受過去佛，所授記來的。現在佛陀的弟子群中也是，人人都有成佛的機會，所以佛佛傳授，人人本具佛性，人人有成佛的機會，只是要看我們是不是很精進。
精進，有很用心在精進的，一聞一解，或者是一聞十解、千解、萬萬的解；若較鈍根的人，就是了解少一點；再更鈍的，可能要再用很久的時間，慢慢地帶、慢慢地教、慢慢來了解。所以說成佛有前後，這個前後，要看他的根機，看他的因緣，看他的煩惱，是厚或是薄。煩惱若很厚的人，就要較長的時間，慢慢用法水，慢慢洗滌他。
所以我們的煩惱，到底是從哪裡來？煩惱都是自己累積來的。所以我們能夠早日了解法，那就是少造煩惱；早一天體悟佛法，我們自然保護了自己，還能夠增加福慧，心能夠清淨，不要再複製無明。我們可以及時行善、造福、結福緣，這樣我們的慧就不斷增加，煩惱不斷減少，所以我們要把握因緣，做就對了。
昨天看到從我們的國際間，傳回來的訊息，其中讓我很感動的，那就是在莫三比克那個地方，已經那個愛，很溫暖的燈光，一盞點過一盞，而且黑暗的地方，已經開出了一條路來。看了實在是從內心的歡喜！當然，故事很長。
上次已經說過了，第一次的發放，在莫三比克在發放的時候，潘明水，潘居士，從南非帶著慈濟人，有我們臺灣去的種子，有就地成就的種子，浩浩蕩蕩去到莫三比克，在那個地方，去輔導他們。當然，白米到莫三比克，實在是重重的困難，那些重重的困難，能夠努力領出來，那段也是很感動人。
將要發放之前，那時候的潘居士，在那個地方陪伴，教他們，人要如何引導他們，讓他們有次序進來，借小學，要如何發放，位置要怎麼排？米要怎麼排？人要如何引？這一一都教他們教得很周全。同時，多少人要來發放，這些人要受過訓練，所以前次所訓練過的志工，這次已經是志願，永遠都要做慈濟的志工。
這次是第二梯次，第二梯次的米，到達的時候，三點多接到的訊息，岱霖，她就馬上趕緊發布訊息：二十一個志工，在一小時內集合，四點多大家已經都，到齊在倉庫前面，等那輛車子要到，遲遲還未到，不過大家很歡喜。將近七點了，黃昏了，所以岱霖就趕快去張羅，有的人去做香積，準備讓人家吃晚餐，待會米到達了，才有力氣能搬。
岱霖就在這個時候，時間不空過，馬上就將她的電腦網路接上，就聽我說話。其實，我說的話，他們聽得懂嗎？是聽不懂。不過網路放上來，我的影像，師父的影像，在那裡有聲、有影，大家坐在那個地方，就這樣看得很認真。岱霖她就翻譯一下，大意翻譯，這樣大家也很歡喜，將這個法，句句入心。
吃飽了飯，終於到九點多了，車子將米載來了，姍姍來遲了，不過大家還是歡喜。二十二位，加上岱霖，二十二個人，就這樣從車上一直搬，要搬入倉庫疊好，一直到十一點多了，他們這樣在描述，在莫三比克的人，黃昏就是開始要睡了，因為那個地方，那麼貧窮，那麼窮困，白天沒有工作可做，他們也是無所事事，但是黃昏之後，大家就要睡了。卻是在這一天，人人精神都是很好。
用二個多鐘頭，二千包的白米，這樣二十二個人搬好，還疊得很整齊。然後，還在那裡歡喜、快樂，邊唱歌、邊搖擺，一邊唱歌、一邊搖搖擺擺。我們若想像南非的志工，那種邊走、邊唱歌，全身這樣搖，你看，那種的快樂，已經是十二點了。
在這當中，岱霖的先生，他有一些網友志工，他就在那個網路，開始將這個訊息、照片等等，傳上網路去，得到很多人的讚歎。這就是只是一段的開頭，再接下去，真的是很精彩！這不就是燈燈相傳，這不就是在黑暗昏沉、貧窮苦難的世界，已經鋪出了一條路。這種光也已經漸漸相續，一直延續下去，從臺灣引到南非，從南非到莫三比克。
看，這樣「光光相續長慧命」，大家做得很歡喜，沒有一個人說累，那種的歡喜，這是用「踴躍」二字，可以來說，大家那種法喜充滿。想到、看到，這些東西可以幫助人，一點都沒有貪念，就是很歡喜，可以更再付出，這種「心心念道傳法脈」，這實在是不簡單。
所以說，我們學佛就是要學在這裡，學在你有辦法，在什麼樣的時代，在什麼樣的環境的眾生，他的苦難，我們能夠去救他，這才是真正，佛陀一大事因緣來人間。
所以前面的經文，「正法滅盡已，像法三十二，舍利廣流布，天人普供養。華光佛所為，其事皆如是。」
正法滅盡已
像法三十二
舍利廣流布
天人普供養
華光佛所為
其事皆如是
《法華經 譬喻品第三》
正法過了之後，像法三十二小劫之後，佛，華光佛住世，是十二小劫，華光滅度後，圓寂、滅度之後，就是他的舍利，就是說，他的身形以及他的法，還是不斷流布在人間裡。
下面接著說，「其兩足聖尊，最勝無倫匹。彼即是汝身，宜應自欣慶。」
其兩足聖尊
最勝無倫匹
彼即是汝身
宜應自欣慶
《法華經 譬喻品第三》
那是佛陀對舍利弗說：華光佛，那尊佛是兩足聖尊，「最勝無倫匹」，那位，沒有人能再超越過的，這位大覺者。那位大覺者是誰？那就是你，舍利弗你現在，未來所成佛的華光如來，那個地方。這一切，你應該要很歡喜。這是佛陀為他的祝福。生生世世，累積福與慧，福慧叫做兩足，這樣兩項都很具足。
兩足尊：
佛的尊號
因佛在兩足
是於覺有情中
最尊貴者
又兩足
是指佛福慧兩足
所以，佛的尊佛，最尊敬的稱呼，叫做「兩足尊」，那因為佛這二項都具足，你能夠成覺悟的人，你能夠覺悟的人，必定福、慧都要具足，這個具足了福、慧，是在覺有情中，最尊貴，
就是佛的福、慧兩足。生生世世累積福與慧，就是在菩薩群中，佛，是是超越了菩薩，所以這是覺有情中，最尊貴者。這樣叫做「兩足尊」。這樣是「最勝無倫匹」，沒有人能和他比得上，這就是已經超越一切的群眾。「兩足尊」就是，佛的福、慧兩足。這已經是在這段的偈文，前面的長行文結束之後，又再，佛又重宣此義，而說偈言。
以此偈頌結會令欣
言舍利弗
汝既受佛記
未來將成佛
應自欣慶
述明以此法會
之歸結也
所以，說話都要有個結語，所以這段(偈)文是，授記的結語，就是說，舍利弗已受佛記，未來將成佛。
這種描述於師徒的心態，佛是師，舍利弗是徒弟，師父向徒弟祝福之後，你要好好用功，你自己要有信心，你要為自己歡喜。像這樣很親，很親的叮嚀。
經文：「爾時，四部眾：比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷，天、龍、夜叉、乾闥婆、阿修羅、迦樓羅、緊那羅、摩睺羅伽等大眾。」
爾時四部眾
比丘、比丘尼、
優婆塞、優婆夷
天、龍、夜叉、
乾闥婆、阿修羅、
迦樓羅、緊那羅、
摩睺羅伽等大眾
《法華經 譬喻品第三》
這就是稱為「四眾八部」。在這個大會，四眾，這個「四眾」就是指，比丘、比丘尼，還有優婆塞、優婆夷，這叫做「四眾」。「八部」就是天，天人、龍、夜叉、乾闥婆、阿修羅、迦樓羅、緊那羅、摩睺羅伽等。這叫做「八部」，人家說「天龍八部」，那就是這個八部。
這段文的解釋，就是說，人、天、龍天八部等眾，全都集合，用恭敬心來見證，見證釋迦牟尼佛授舍利弗未來能夠成佛的記。
此釋人、天、
龍天八部等眾
集會敬恭
與會見證
釋迦佛授舍利弗
未來成佛記
「優婆塞、優婆夷」，那就是代表人間社會、國家，上自國王、大臣，下至老百姓，富有的、貧困的，不分階級，人間一切的人類，全都集在那個道場裡。那個法會是已經，佛陀說法四十多年後，開始希望大家可以集會，這是又再重新從小乘法，開始轉為大乘法的一個道場，是多麼的殊勝，多麼盛況的景象啊！所以他將之描述，除了人類，很多知道佛陀，這一次所要講的經，與以往不同，是大轉大乘法輪，所以要來聽法。
我們若回憶在，那時候在說<序品>時，那個道場的盛況，還不只是人類，還有天龍八部，全都來集會來那個地方，等於是一個盛會。在那個地方，能夠大家來見證，見證於佛將要為某一位弟子，授記將來作佛。這個景象，真的不是用語言，有辦法可譬喻、言說，總之很莊嚴、很盛況。
所以這就是要平時不斷累積，行善、造福、結福緣。前後受記的機會，只是前與後，人人都有成佛的機會。人人心中都有一盞，還未點亮的燭光，所以燈燈相傳、光光相續，長出了慧命，能夠心心念道傳法脈，能夠佛佛相傳，全都是皆大歡喜。
那個道場真的很歡喜，希望很大，人人都抱著希望，將要得到佛授記，大家都隨喜祝福，多麼歡喜慶幸的一個大法會。所以我們要時時用心，真正法法相傳，這樣這個人間就能夠祥和。所以要時時多用心。
Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: Wisdom-life Grows with Sustained Radiance (光光相續長慧脈傳)
Date: February.26. 2015
“Passing the flame from lamp to lamp brightens the illumination on the path. This radiance is sustained from light to light as our wisdom-life grows. Be mindful of the path from thought to thought and transmit the Dharma-lineage. Predictions are passed from Buddha to Buddha so all feel great joy.”
In learning the Buddha’s Way, we must follow the Buddha’s teachings and light a lamp in his evil world of Five Turbidities. How bright can the light from one lamp be? If even one lamp can be lit, everyone can take the unlit candle of their mind and, by bringing it to the flame of this lamp, can light it in turn. Then it can light another lamp, and another. This is how the flame is passed from lamp to lamp. In this way, the Saha World, a place that is so turbid and dark, will have all its roads illuminated, along with their surrounding area. This is a passage that we read in the sutras.
The Buddha said: One who beholds another in the practice of giving and then feels joyful after assisting him will gain great blessings. A sramana asked: Would the blessings of the giver be diminished? The Buddha said: It is like the fire of a torch. If hundreds or even thousands of people would each come with a torch to be ignited by that flame, [then each of these torches] could be used to cook meals and keep a house brightly lit without diminishing the original flame. And so it is the same with these blessings. The Sutra of the Forty-Two Sections.
Some people believed that they would only benefit from their own practice. “In my spiritual practice, if I give the Dharma to others, if I turn the Dharma-wheel to share the Dharma with others will this diminish [my own attachment]?” They asked the Buddha this question, and the Buddha answered with this analogy. If one lamp has been lit and many people bring their unlit lamps to this place and use this already lit lamp to ignite their flames, then endlessly pass this flame from lamp to lamp, what do you think would happen? Would the original flame become dimmer? No. Would the surrounding area become brighter? Yes.
By the same principle, if we can understand the Dharma and help other people understand it, we can use the Dharma that we connected with to pave a road. If billions of people pave it instead of just one person, very quickly this road will reach its destination and be paved smoothly and without obstruction. So, with the Buddha-Dharma, if everyone can accept [and share] it with the same spirit as lighting a lamp or paving a road, then as the flame is passed from lamp to lamp, won’t that add to the brightness of this road? The road will also be smooth, and the path ahead will be bright.
So, this radiance is sustained from light to light. The light around us grows as the lamps are lit, one after another. This is just like the way our wisdom grows. We all have wisdom in our minds, and we can collectively pool our wisdom. Think about this. If we were surrounded by people full of blessings and wisdom, won’t this place be like Flower Light Tathagata’s world of Great Treasure Adornment?
In the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha began to bestow predictions of Buddhahood on all His disciples. Actually, He had the same experience in His own past lives. He also received a prediction of Buddhahood from past Buddhas. Now it was the same for His disciples. All have the opportunity to attain Buddhahood, so “predictions are passed from Buddha to Buddha.” Everyone intrinsically has Buddha-nature and has the chance to attain Buddhahood;it just depends on how diligent we are.
We must put our hearts into diligent practice.Some can hear one thing and understand one thing.Others can hear one thing and understand ten o raven one thousand or tens of thousands things.For those whose [capabilities] are less sharp, they will comprehend fewer things.If even more dull, they may need to be guided and taught for a very long time to build a gradual understanding.
Thus, people attain Buddhahood in a sequence.The sequence is based on their capabilities, their karmic conditions and the severity of their afflictions.For those with severe afflictions, they need to be gradually cleansed with Dharma-water over a long period of time.
Where do these afflictions come from?We accumulated all of them ourselves.If we can understand the Dharma sooner, we will create fewer afflictions.The sooner we realize the Buddha-Dharma, [the sooner] we can protect ourselves and grow in blessings and wisdom.When our minds are pure, we will not give rise to more ignorance, and we can immediately begin doing good deeds, benefiting others and forming good karmic connections.In this way, our wisdom will grow unceasingly as our afflictions constantly dwindle.So, we must seize our karmic conditions and do the right thing.
Yesterday, I received some information from a Tzu Chi office in another part of the world that moved me deeply.The news was that in Mozambique the warm light of love is already being spread.As lamp after lamp has been lit, in what was a very dark place, they have opened up a [brightly lit] road.Seeing this, joy arose from the bottom of my heart.Of course, this is a long story.
Previously, we have spoken of the first relief distribution [there].
When we held the distribution in Mozambique, Mr. Michael Pan went, leading a large group of South African volunteers.There were seeds originally from Taiwan and those that sprouted in South Africa.This large group of volunteers went to Mozambique to guide the volunteers there.
Of course, in delivering rice to Mozambique, there were many kinds of challenges.They were eventually able to solve those problems to get the rice cleared [through customs].That is another moving story.
Prior to holding the relief distribution, Mr. Pan spent time with them and instructed them in how to guide people [to receive their goods] in an orderly manner, how to conduct the distribution using the facilities of an elementary school, where to place the people, where to position the rice and how to guide people in.
With each of these things, he gave them very thorough instructions.Meanwhile,every person involved in the distribution had to be trained.
So, the volunteers who were trained during the last distribution, this time now vowed that they would be Tzu Chi volunteers forever.This was to be the second round of distributions.When this second shipment of rice arrived, they were notified just before 4pm.Denise, [one of our volunteers in Mozambique,] immediately sent out the announcement, and 21 volunteers gathered within an hour.They all arrived at the warehouse before 5pm.They were there, but the truck kept being delayed.
However, everyone there was very happy.At almost 7pm, the sky began getting dark so Denise quickly coordinated people to cook so that the volunteers would have dinner to eat.That way, when all the rice arrived, they would have the energy to move it.Denise wanted to make full use of this time.So, she connected her computer to the internet so they could hear me speak.
Were they able to understand what I was saying?They could not.
But when she played the video, they could see my image and hear my voice.Everyone sat there and watched earnestly as.
Denise translated the general idea of my words.This made everyone very happy and they took each word of the teachings to heart.
They finished eating, and it was already past 9pm when the truck with the rice finally arrived.It was very late, but everyone was still happy.There were 22 people including Denise.They carried the rice from the truck to the warehouse and stacked it neatly.They did this until almost midnight.
The people who told me this story also said that people in Mozambique usually start getting ready for bed at dusk. This is because, in that country, people are very poor. During the day, they may not have a job, so they end up doing nothing. Then after dusk, everyone goes to sleep. But on that day, [though it was late], everyone was energetic. They spent over two hours moving 2000 bags of rice. These 22 people moved all of the bags and then stacked them neatly. They did this very happily and sang as they moved their bodies. As they sang, they danced from side to side. We can recall how to South African volunteers also sing as they walk and moved their whole bodies. Think about how happy they must have been, even though it was midnight. Meanwhile, Denise’s husband worked with some volunteers online to share this story and the pictures on the internet. After they uploaded this, they received much praise, and this was only the beginning. What happened next was really amazing. Isn’t this flame being passed from lamp to lamp? In this dark world of poverty and suffering, [Tzu Chi volunteers] are already paving this road and are gradually continuing to spread the light. This radiance spread from Taiwan to South Africa, and then from South Africa to Mozambique.
See, “This radiance is sustained from light to light as our wisdom-life grows”. Everyone was working happily. None of them complained of being tired. That kind of happiness can be described as “jubilance”. Everyone was full of Dharma-joy. When they saw the material goods that were intended to be used to help others, they did not feel any desire for these things. They felt joyful and wished to do more to help. To “be mindful of the path from thought to thought and transmit the Dharma-lineage” is not at all an easy matter.
So, this is what we must learn when we learn the Buddha’s Way. We learn how, in any era, with sentient beings in any kind of environment, we can relieve people from their suffering. This is truly the one great cause for which the Buddha came to this world.
The previous passage states, “When Right Dharma becomes extinct, Dharma-semblance will last for 32 kalpas. That Buddha’s sariras will circulate widely, heavenly beings and humans everywhere will make offerings to them. The deeds of Flower Light Buddha will be as I have stated.”
When Right Dharma becomes extinct [in the future], Dharma-semblance will last for 32 small kalpas. Flower Light Buddha will abide in the world for 12 small kalpas. After Flower Light Buddha enters Parinirvana, the sariras from His body and His Dharma will constantly circulate in the human realm. Next, the passage continues with,
“They Two-Footed Honored One shall be supreme and without peer. He will be none other than you, so you should rejoice and feel fortunate”.
The Buddha said to Sariputra, “Flower Light Buddha is the Two-Footed Honored One, supreme and without peer. He is one who cannot be surpassed by anyone. Who is that great enlightened one? That will be you, Sariputra. When you attain Buddhahood,you will be Flower Light Taghagata. In that place. You should be happy about all this. This was the blessing the Buddha bestowed on him”. Life after life, he will accumulate blessings and wisdom.
Blessings and wisdom are the two feet. He will perfect them both. So, an honorable epithet for a Buddha, the most respectful way to address Him, is “the Two-Footed Honored One”. This is because He is replete with blessings and wisdom. To attain enlightenment, one must be replete with both blessings ad wisdom.
One who is replete with blessings and wisdom is the most honored among awakened sentient beings. Among bodhisattvas, the Buddha has surpassed all. So, He is the most honored among two-footed awakened beings. Thus He is called “the Two-Footed Honored One” and is “supreme and without peer”. The Buddha is unparalleled because He has surpassed everyone else. The title “Two-Footed Honored One” means the Buddha is replete with blessings and wisdom. This is already [the end] of this section of verse. After the end of the previous prose section, the Buddha restated His meaning in verse.
“Ending a section with this verse brings joy. [The Buddha] told Sariputra: Since you have attained my prediction that you will become a Buddha in the future, you should feel glad. This is clearly one of the conclusions from this Dharma-assembly.”
Whenever we speak, we must end with a conclusion. So, these verses were the concluding remarks about the prediction of Sariputra’s Buddhahood. Thus, Sariputra had already received the Buddha’s prediction that he would become a Buddha in the future. This describes the mindset of both teacher and student. The Buddha is the teacher, Sariputra the disciple. After the teacher blessed the disciple, He said, “You must work hard. You need to have confidence in yourself. You should be very happy”. This was very heartfelt advice.
So, “At that time, the fourfold assembly of bhiksus, bhiksunis, upasakas and upasikas, along with heavenly beings, dragons, yaksas, gandharvas, assuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas and so on…”
These are the fourfold assembly and eight classes. At this Dharma-assembly, the fourfold assembly refers to bhiksus, bhiksunis, upasakas and upasikas. These comprise the fourfold assembly. The eight classes of Dharma-protector are heavenly beings, dragons, yaksas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas. Those are the eight classes.The eight classes of Dharma-protector refers to these eight groups.
This passage is about how humans, heavenly beings and the eight classes of Dharma-protector all gathered together to reverently witness Sakyamuni Buddha bestowing the prediction of Buddhahood upon Sariputra.
Upasakas and upasikas were representatives of [laypeople] from different societies and countries, and included everyone from kings and high officials to average citizens, rich and poor, with no regard to caste.
All kinds of people were gathered together at that Dharma-assembly. This assembly was held over 40 years after the Buddha began teaching. He wanted for everyone to gather together. This assembly was the time to turn from the Small Vehicle to the Great Vehicle Dharma. This was a very special and grand occasion. So, He described all those who were there. In addition to human beings, many other beings knew that this time, the teaching given by the Buddha would be different from those He had given before. It was to be the great turning of the Great Vehicle-wheel.
So, they came to listen to the Dharma. You may recall from when we talking about the Introductory Chapter how grand an occasion this Dharma-assembly was. It was not only attended by humans, but also by the eight classes of Dharma-protector. They also all gathered at that place, so it was an exceptional gathering. There, everyone could witness the Buddha bestowing a prediction of Buddhahood on certain disciples. The sight of this cannot really be described in words, but only by analogy.
In summary, it was very grand and magnificent. This is why one must constantly do good deeds, create blessings and form good karmic connections. Then all will eventually receive such predictions, just some sooner than others. Everyone has the chance to attain Buddhahood. Everyone has a lamp in their minds that has not yet been lit. As the flame is passed from lamp to lamp, this radiance will be sustained from light to light. Thus wisdom-life will grow. Being mindful of the path from thought to thought, predictions will be passed from Buddha to Buddha. Then everyone will be very happy.
At this Dharma-assembly, everyone was happy and filled with great hope. Everyone hoped to receive the prediction of Buddhahood from the Buddha and they all rejoiced on behalf of those who had. This was a very joyous and celebratory assembly. So, we must always be mindful to truly pass along the Dharma. By doing this, the world will became peaceful. Therefore, we must always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV – Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
（法華經•譬喻品第三）
⊙「燈燈相傳增道明，光光相續長慧命，心心念道傳法脈，佛佛相授皆歡喜。」
⊙「佛言：睹人施道，助之歡喜，得福甚大。沙門問曰：此福盡乎？佛言：譬如一炬之火，數千百人各以炬來分取，熟食除冥，此炬如故，福亦如之。」《佛說四十二章經》
⊙「正法滅盡已，像法三十二，舍利廣流布，天人普供養。華光佛所為，其事皆如是。」《法華經 譬喻品第三》
⊙「其兩足聖尊，最勝無倫匹。彼即是汝身，宜應自欣慶。」《法華經 譬喻品第三》
⊙以此偈頌結會令欣；言舍利弗汝既受佛記，未來將成佛，應自欣慶。述明以此法會之歸結也。
⊙「爾時，四部眾：比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷，天、龍、夜叉、乾闥婆、阿修羅、迦樓羅、緊那羅、摩睺羅伽等大眾。」《法華經 譬喻品第三》
⊙此釋人、天、龍天八部等眾，集會敬恭，與會見證釋迦佛授舍利弗未來成佛記。
【證嚴上人開示】
「燈燈相傳增道明，光光相續長慧命，心心念道傳法脈，佛佛相授皆歡喜。」
燈燈相傳增道明
光光相續長慧命
心心念道傳法脈
佛佛相授皆歡喜
也就是我們學佛，必定要依佛的教法，在這個五濁惡世，點起了一盞燈。一盞燈的亮有多少呢？只要一盞燈點亮起來，人人將你心中，還未點燃這支蠟燭，也同樣向著這盞燭火，分點過去，不斷一盞，再分給一盞燈，燈燈相傳，這樣這個娑婆世界，濁氣，很黯淡的地方，自然它的路照亮了，它的範圍也會亮麗起來。
這是我們在佛經裡面的，一段的經文。
佛言
睹人施道
助之歡喜
得福甚大
沙門問曰
此福盡乎
佛言
譬如一炬之火
數千百人
各以炬來分取
熟食除冥
此炬如故
福亦如之
《佛說四十二章經》
有的人會認為：各人修、各人得，我修的，我若傳給他，轉法輪，傳法給別人，這樣我會較減少嗎？用這樣的問題來問佛。佛陀的回答，用這樣的譬喻：譬喻一盞燈點亮了，假如有更多人拿著一盞，還未點亮的燈，來到這個地方，這盞點亮的燈，這樣點過去，再不斷，燈燈將火分出去，這樣你覺得怎麼樣？這盞燈火有比較暗了嗎？沒有。這範圍有比較亮嗎？有啊。
對，同樣的道理，法，我們能夠了解了，讓人人都了解，我們能夠將這個法，能夠通達，這條路鋪得平；一個人鋪，千千萬萬人來鋪，這樣這條路會很快，鋪得很通，也很透徹、很平坦。這也就是像我們佛法，若能得大家都來接受，大家都是用點燈、鋪路的精神，若這樣，燈燈相傳，不就是增加，這條道路的光明嗎？路又是平，前途又是光明。
所以光光相續，這個光與光，這樣一盞、一盞，一直接下去，這就像我們人人，智慧，成長智慧，人人有智慧，智慧與智慧相匯聚，你們想，我們的環境都是福慧的人，這個環境不就是與華光如來，大寶莊嚴的世界一樣嗎？
在《法華經》，佛陀開始就是要，向所有的弟子授記。其實釋迦牟尼佛過去也是一樣，他也是受過去佛，所授記來的。現在佛陀的弟子群中也是，人人都有成佛的機會，所以佛佛傳授，人人本具佛性，人人有成佛的機會，只是要看我們是不是很精進。
精進，有很用心在精進的，一聞一解，或者是一聞十解、千解、萬萬的解；若較鈍根的人，就是了解少一點；再更鈍的，可能要再用很久的時間，慢慢地帶、慢慢地教、慢慢來了解。所以說成佛有前後，這個前後，要看他的根機，看他的因緣，看他的煩惱，是厚或是薄。煩惱若很厚的人，就要較長的時間，慢慢用法水，慢慢洗滌他。
所以我們的煩惱，到底是從哪裡來？煩惱都是自己累積來的。所以我們能夠早日了解法，那就是少造煩惱；早一天體悟佛法，我們自然保護了自己，還能夠增加福慧，心能夠清淨，不要再複製無明。我們可以及時行善、造福、結福緣，這樣我們的慧就不斷增加，煩惱不斷減少，所以我們要把握因緣，做就對了。
昨天看到從我們的國際間，傳回來的訊息，其中讓我很感動的，那就是在莫三比克那個地方，已經那個愛，很溫暖的燈光，一盞點過一盞，而且黑暗的地方，已經開出了一條路來。看了實在是從內心的歡喜！當然，故事很長。
上次已經說過了，第一次的發放，在莫三比克在發放的時候，潘明水，潘居士，從南非帶著慈濟人，有我們臺灣去的種子，有就地成就的種子，浩浩蕩蕩去到莫三比克，在那個地方，去輔導他們。當然，白米到莫三比克，實在是重重的困難，那些重重的困難，能夠努力領出來，那段也是很感動人。
將要發放之前，那時候的潘居士，在那個地方陪伴，教他們，人要如何引導他們，讓他們有次序進來，借小學，要如何發放，位置要怎麼排？米要怎麼排？人要如何引？這一一都教他們教得很周全。同時，多少人要來發放，這些人要受過訓練，所以前次所訓練過的志工，這次已經是志願，永遠都要做慈濟的志工。
這次是第二梯次，第二梯次的米，到達的時候，三點多接到的訊息，岱霖，她就馬上趕緊發布訊息：二十一個志工，在一小時內集合，四點多大家已經都，到齊在倉庫前面，等那輛車子要到，遲遲還未到，不過大家很歡喜。將近七點了，黃昏了，所以岱霖就趕快去張羅，有的人去做香積，準備讓人家吃晚餐，待會米到達了，才有力氣能搬。
岱霖就在這個時候，時間不空過，馬上就將她的電腦網路接上，就聽我說話。其實，我說的話，他們聽得懂嗎？是聽不懂。不過網路放上來，我的影像，師父的影像，在那裡有聲、有影，大家坐在那個地方，就這樣看得很認真。岱霖她就翻譯一下，大意翻譯，這樣大家也很歡喜，將這個法，句句入心。
吃飽了飯，終於到九點多了，車子將米載來了，姍姍來遲了，不過大家還是歡喜。二十二位，加上岱霖，二十二個人，就這樣從車上一直搬，要搬入倉庫疊好，一直到十一點多了，他們這樣在描述，在莫三比克的人，黃昏就是開始要睡了，因為那個地方，那麼貧窮，那麼窮困，白天沒有工作可做，他們也是無所事事，但是黃昏之後，大家就要睡了。卻是在這一天，人人精神都是很好。
用二個多鐘頭，二千包的白米，這樣二十二個人搬好，還疊得很整齊。然後，還在那裡歡喜、快樂，邊唱歌、邊搖擺，一邊唱歌、一邊搖搖擺擺。我們若想像南非的志工，那種邊走、邊唱歌，全身這樣搖，你看，那種的快樂，已經是十二點了。
在這當中，岱霖的先生，他有一些網友志工，他就在那個網路，開始將這個訊息、照片等等，傳上網路去，得到很多人的讚歎。這就是只是一段的開頭，再接下去，真的是很精彩！這不就是燈燈相傳，這不就是在黑暗昏沉、貧窮苦難的世界，已經鋪出了一條路。這種光也已經漸漸相續，一直延續下去，從臺灣引到南非，從南非到莫三比克。
看，這樣「光光相續長慧命」，大家做得很歡喜，沒有一個人說累，那種的歡喜，這是用「踴躍」二字，可以來說，大家那種法喜充滿。想到、看到，這些東西可以幫助人，一點都沒有貪念，就是很歡喜，可以更再付出，這種「心心念道傳法脈」，這實在是不簡單。
所以說，我們學佛就是要學在這裡，學在你有辦法，在什麼樣的時代，在什麼樣的環境的眾生，他的苦難，我們能夠去救他，這才是真正，佛陀一大事因緣來人間。
所以前面的經文，「正法滅盡已，像法三十二，舍利廣流布，天人普供養。華光佛所為，其事皆如是。」
正法滅盡已
像法三十二
舍利廣流布
天人普供養
華光佛所為
其事皆如是
《法華經 譬喻品第三》
正法過了之後，像法三十二小劫之後，佛，華光佛住世，是十二小劫，華光滅度後，圓寂、滅度之後，就是他的舍利，就是說，他的身形以及他的法，還是不斷流布在人間裡。
下面接著說，「其兩足聖尊，最勝無倫匹。彼即是汝身，宜應自欣慶。」
其兩足聖尊
最勝無倫匹
彼即是汝身
宜應自欣慶
《法華經 譬喻品第三》
那是佛陀對舍利弗說：華光佛，那尊佛是兩足聖尊，「最勝無倫匹」，那位，沒有人能再超越過的，這位大覺者。那位大覺者是誰？那就是你，舍利弗你現在，未來所成佛的華光如來，那個地方。這一切，你應該要很歡喜。這是佛陀為他的祝福。生生世世，累積福與慧，福慧叫做兩足，這樣兩項都很具足。
兩足尊：
佛的尊號
因佛在兩足
是於覺有情中
最尊貴者
又兩足
是指佛福慧兩足
所以，佛的尊佛，最尊敬的稱呼，叫做「兩足尊」，那因為佛這二項都具足，你能夠成覺悟的人，你能夠覺悟的人，必定福、慧都要具足，這個具足了福、慧，是在覺有情中，最尊貴，
就是佛的福、慧兩足。生生世世累積福與慧，就是在菩薩群中，佛，是是超越了菩薩，所以這是覺有情中，最尊貴者。這樣叫做「兩足尊」。這樣是「最勝無倫匹」，沒有人能和他比得上，這就是已經超越一切的群眾。「兩足尊」就是，佛的福、慧兩足。這已經是在這段的偈文，前面的長行文結束之後，又再，佛又重宣此義，而說偈言。
以此偈頌結會令欣
言舍利弗
汝既受佛記
未來將成佛
應自欣慶
述明以此法會
之歸結也
所以，說話都要有個結語，所以這段(偈)文是，授記的結語，就是說，舍利弗已受佛記，未來將成佛。
這種描述於師徒的心態，佛是師，舍利弗是徒弟，師父向徒弟祝福之後，你要好好用功，你自己要有信心，你要為自己歡喜。像這樣很親，很親的叮嚀。
經文：「爾時，四部眾：比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷，天、龍、夜叉、乾闥婆、阿修羅、迦樓羅、緊那羅、摩睺羅伽等大眾。」
爾時四部眾
比丘、比丘尼、
優婆塞、優婆夷
天、龍、夜叉、
乾闥婆、阿修羅、
迦樓羅、緊那羅、
摩睺羅伽等大眾
《法華經 譬喻品第三》
這就是稱為「四眾八部」。在這個大會，四眾，這個「四眾」就是指，比丘、比丘尼，還有優婆塞、優婆夷，這叫做「四眾」。「八部」就是天，天人、龍、夜叉、乾闥婆、阿修羅、迦樓羅、緊那羅、摩睺羅伽等。這叫做「八部」，人家說「天龍八部」，那就是這個八部。
這段文的解釋，就是說，人、天、龍天八部等眾，全都集合，用恭敬心來見證，見證釋迦牟尼佛授舍利弗未來能夠成佛的記。
此釋人、天、
龍天八部等眾
集會敬恭
與會見證
釋迦佛授舍利弗
未來成佛記
「優婆塞、優婆夷」，那就是代表人間社會、國家，上自國王、大臣，下至老百姓，富有的、貧困的，不分階級，人間一切的人類，全都集在那個道場裡。那個法會是已經，佛陀說法四十多年後，開始希望大家可以集會，這是又再重新從小乘法，開始轉為大乘法的一個道場，是多麼的殊勝，多麼盛況的景象啊！所以他將之描述，除了人類，很多知道佛陀，這一次所要講的經，與以往不同，是大轉大乘法輪，所以要來聽法。
我們若回憶在，那時候在說<序品>時，那個道場的盛況，還不只是人類，還有天龍八部，全都來集會來那個地方，等於是一個盛會。在那個地方，能夠大家來見證，見證於佛將要為某一位弟子，授記將來作佛。這個景象，真的不是用語言，有辦法可譬喻、言說，總之很莊嚴、很盛況。
所以這就是要平時不斷累積，行善、造福、結福緣。前後受記的機會，只是前與後，人人都有成佛的機會。人人心中都有一盞，還未點亮的燭光，所以燈燈相傳、光光相續，長出了慧命，能夠心心念道傳法脈，能夠佛佛相傳，全都是皆大歡喜。
那個道場真的很歡喜，希望很大，人人都抱著希望，將要得到佛授記，大家都隨喜祝福，多麼歡喜慶幸的一個大法會。所以我們要時時用心，真正法法相傳，這樣這個人間就能夠祥和。所以要時時多用心。
Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: Wisdom-life Grows with Sustained Radiance (光光相續長慧脈傳)
Date: February.26. 2015
“Passing the flame from lamp to lamp brightens the illumination on the path. This radiance is sustained from light to light as our wisdom-life grows. Be mindful of the path from thought to thought and transmit the Dharma-lineage. Predictions are passed from Buddha to Buddha so all feel great joy.”
In learning the Buddha’s Way, we must follow the Buddha’s teachings and light a lamp in his evil world of Five Turbidities. How bright can the light from one lamp be? If even one lamp can be lit, everyone can take the unlit candle of their mind and, by bringing it to the flame of this lamp, can light it in turn. Then it can light another lamp, and another. This is how the flame is passed from lamp to lamp. In this way, the Saha World, a place that is so turbid and dark, will have all its roads illuminated, along with their surrounding area. This is a passage that we read in the sutras.
The Buddha said: One who beholds another in the practice of giving and then feels joyful after assisting him will gain great blessings. A sramana asked: Would the blessings of the giver be diminished? The Buddha said: It is like the fire of a torch. If hundreds or even thousands of people would each come with a torch to be ignited by that flame, [then each of these torches] could be used to cook meals and keep a house brightly lit without diminishing the original flame. And so it is the same with these blessings. The Sutra of the Forty-Two Sections.
Some people believed that they would only benefit from their own practice. “In my spiritual practice, if I give the Dharma to others, if I turn the Dharma-wheel to share the Dharma with others will this diminish [my own attachment]?” They asked the Buddha this question, and the Buddha answered with this analogy. If one lamp has been lit and many people bring their unlit lamps to this place and use this already lit lamp to ignite their flames, then endlessly pass this flame from lamp to lamp, what do you think would happen? Would the original flame become dimmer? No. Would the surrounding area become brighter? Yes.
By the same principle, if we can understand the Dharma and help other people understand it, we can use the Dharma that we connected with to pave a road. If billions of people pave it instead of just one person, very quickly this road will reach its destination and be paved smoothly and without obstruction. So, with the Buddha-Dharma, if everyone can accept [and share] it with the same spirit as lighting a lamp or paving a road, then as the flame is passed from lamp to lamp, won’t that add to the brightness of this road? The road will also be smooth, and the path ahead will be bright.
So, this radiance is sustained from light to light. The light around us grows as the lamps are lit, one after another. This is just like the way our wisdom grows. We all have wisdom in our minds, and we can collectively pool our wisdom. Think about this. If we were surrounded by people full of blessings and wisdom, won’t this place be like Flower Light Tathagata’s world of Great Treasure Adornment?
In the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha began to bestow predictions of Buddhahood on all His disciples. Actually, He had the same experience in His own past lives. He also received a prediction of Buddhahood from past Buddhas. Now it was the same for His disciples. All have the opportunity to attain Buddhahood, so “predictions are passed from Buddha to Buddha.” Everyone intrinsically has Buddha-nature and has the chance to attain Buddhahood;it just depends on how diligent we are.
We must put our hearts into diligent practice.Some can hear one thing and understand one thing.Others can hear one thing and understand ten o raven one thousand or tens of thousands things.For those whose [capabilities] are less sharp, they will comprehend fewer things.If even more dull, they may need to be guided and taught for a very long time to build a gradual understanding.
Thus, people attain Buddhahood in a sequence.The sequence is based on their capabilities, their karmic conditions and the severity of their afflictions.For those with severe afflictions, they need to be gradually cleansed with Dharma-water over a long period of time.
Where do these afflictions come from?We accumulated all of them ourselves.If we can understand the Dharma sooner, we will create fewer afflictions.The sooner we realize the Buddha-Dharma, [the sooner] we can protect ourselves and grow in blessings and wisdom.When our minds are pure, we will not give rise to more ignorance, and we can immediately begin doing good deeds, benefiting others and forming good karmic connections.In this way, our wisdom will grow unceasingly as our afflictions constantly dwindle.So, we must seize our karmic conditions and do the right thing.
Yesterday, I received some information from a Tzu Chi office in another part of the world that moved me deeply.The news was that in Mozambique the warm light of love is already being spread.As lamp after lamp has been lit, in what was a very dark place, they have opened up a [brightly lit] road.Seeing this, joy arose from the bottom of my heart.Of course, this is a long story.
Previously, we have spoken of the first relief distribution [there].
When we held the distribution in Mozambique, Mr. Michael Pan went, leading a large group of South African volunteers.There were seeds originally from Taiwan and those that sprouted in South Africa.This large group of volunteers went to Mozambique to guide the volunteers there.
Of course, in delivering rice to Mozambique, there were many kinds of challenges.They were eventually able to solve those problems to get the rice cleared [through customs].That is another moving story.
Prior to holding the relief distribution, Mr. Pan spent time with them and instructed them in how to guide people [to receive their goods] in an orderly manner, how to conduct the distribution using the facilities of an elementary school, where to place the people, where to position the rice and how to guide people in.
With each of these things, he gave them very thorough instructions.Meanwhile,every person involved in the distribution had to be trained.
So, the volunteers who were trained during the last distribution, this time now vowed that they would be Tzu Chi volunteers forever.This was to be the second round of distributions.When this second shipment of rice arrived, they were notified just before 4pm.Denise, [one of our volunteers in Mozambique,] immediately sent out the announcement, and 21 volunteers gathered within an hour.They all arrived at the warehouse before 5pm.They were there, but the truck kept being delayed.
However, everyone there was very happy.At almost 7pm, the sky began getting dark so Denise quickly coordinated people to cook so that the volunteers would have dinner to eat.That way, when all the rice arrived, they would have the energy to move it.Denise wanted to make full use of this time.So, she connected her computer to the internet so they could hear me speak.
Were they able to understand what I was saying?They could not.
But when she played the video, they could see my image and hear my voice.Everyone sat there and watched earnestly as.
Denise translated the general idea of my words.This made everyone very happy and they took each word of the teachings to heart.
They finished eating, and it was already past 9pm when the truck with the rice finally arrived.It was very late, but everyone was still happy.There were 22 people including Denise.They carried the rice from the truck to the warehouse and stacked it neatly.They did this until almost midnight.
The people who told me this story also said that people in Mozambique usually start getting ready for bed at dusk. This is because, in that country, people are very poor. During the day, they may not have a job, so they end up doing nothing. Then after dusk, everyone goes to sleep. But on that day, [though it was late], everyone was energetic. They spent over two hours moving 2000 bags of rice. These 22 people moved all of the bags and then stacked them neatly. They did this very happily and sang as they moved their bodies. As they sang, they danced from side to side. We can recall how to South African volunteers also sing as they walk and moved their whole bodies. Think about how happy they must have been, even though it was midnight. Meanwhile, Denise’s husband worked with some volunteers online to share this story and the pictures on the internet. After they uploaded this, they received much praise, and this was only the beginning. What happened next was really amazing. Isn’t this flame being passed from lamp to lamp? In this dark world of poverty and suffering, [Tzu Chi volunteers] are already paving this road and are gradually continuing to spread the light. This radiance spread from Taiwan to South Africa, and then from South Africa to Mozambique.
See, “This radiance is sustained from light to light as our wisdom-life grows”. Everyone was working happily. None of them complained of being tired. That kind of happiness can be described as “jubilance”. Everyone was full of Dharma-joy. When they saw the material goods that were intended to be used to help others, they did not feel any desire for these things. They felt joyful and wished to do more to help. To “be mindful of the path from thought to thought and transmit the Dharma-lineage” is not at all an easy matter.
So, this is what we must learn when we learn the Buddha’s Way. We learn how, in any era, with sentient beings in any kind of environment, we can relieve people from their suffering. This is truly the one great cause for which the Buddha came to this world.
The previous passage states, “When Right Dharma becomes extinct, Dharma-semblance will last for 32 kalpas. That Buddha’s sariras will circulate widely, heavenly beings and humans everywhere will make offerings to them. The deeds of Flower Light Buddha will be as I have stated.”
When Right Dharma becomes extinct [in the future], Dharma-semblance will last for 32 small kalpas. Flower Light Buddha will abide in the world for 12 small kalpas. After Flower Light Buddha enters Parinirvana, the sariras from His body and His Dharma will constantly circulate in the human realm. Next, the passage continues with,
“They Two-Footed Honored One shall be supreme and without peer. He will be none other than you, so you should rejoice and feel fortunate”.
The Buddha said to Sariputra, “Flower Light Buddha is the Two-Footed Honored One, supreme and without peer. He is one who cannot be surpassed by anyone. Who is that great enlightened one? That will be you, Sariputra. When you attain Buddhahood,you will be Flower Light Taghagata. In that place. You should be happy about all this. This was the blessing the Buddha bestowed on him”. Life after life, he will accumulate blessings and wisdom.
Blessings and wisdom are the two feet. He will perfect them both. So, an honorable epithet for a Buddha, the most respectful way to address Him, is “the Two-Footed Honored One”. This is because He is replete with blessings and wisdom. To attain enlightenment, one must be replete with both blessings ad wisdom.
One who is replete with blessings and wisdom is the most honored among awakened sentient beings. Among bodhisattvas, the Buddha has surpassed all. So, He is the most honored among two-footed awakened beings. Thus He is called “the Two-Footed Honored One” and is “supreme and without peer”. The Buddha is unparalleled because He has surpassed everyone else. The title “Two-Footed Honored One” means the Buddha is replete with blessings and wisdom. This is already [the end] of this section of verse. After the end of the previous prose section, the Buddha restated His meaning in verse.
“Ending a section with this verse brings joy. [The Buddha] told Sariputra: Since you have attained my prediction that you will become a Buddha in the future, you should feel glad. This is clearly one of the conclusions from this Dharma-assembly.”
Whenever we speak, we must end with a conclusion. So, these verses were the concluding remarks about the prediction of Sariputra’s Buddhahood. Thus, Sariputra had already received the Buddha’s prediction that he would become a Buddha in the future. This describes the mindset of both teacher and student. The Buddha is the teacher, Sariputra the disciple. After the teacher blessed the disciple, He said, “You must work hard. You need to have confidence in yourself. You should be very happy”. This was very heartfelt advice.
So, “At that time, the fourfold assembly of bhiksus, bhiksunis, upasakas and upasikas, along with heavenly beings, dragons, yaksas, gandharvas, assuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas and so on…”
These are the fourfold assembly and eight classes. At this Dharma-assembly, the fourfold assembly refers to bhiksus, bhiksunis, upasakas and upasikas. These comprise the fourfold assembly. The eight classes of Dharma-protector are heavenly beings, dragons, yaksas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas. Those are the eight classes.The eight classes of Dharma-protector refers to these eight groups.
This passage is about how humans, heavenly beings and the eight classes of Dharma-protector all gathered together to reverently witness Sakyamuni Buddha bestowing the prediction of Buddhahood upon Sariputra.
Upasakas and upasikas were representatives of [laypeople] from different societies and countries, and included everyone from kings and high officials to average citizens, rich and poor, with no regard to caste.
All kinds of people were gathered together at that Dharma-assembly. This assembly was held over 40 years after the Buddha began teaching. He wanted for everyone to gather together. This assembly was the time to turn from the Small Vehicle to the Great Vehicle Dharma. This was a very special and grand occasion. So, He described all those who were there. In addition to human beings, many other beings knew that this time, the teaching given by the Buddha would be different from those He had given before. It was to be the great turning of the Great Vehicle-wheel.
So, they came to listen to the Dharma. You may recall from when we talking about the Introductory Chapter how grand an occasion this Dharma-assembly was. It was not only attended by humans, but also by the eight classes of Dharma-protector. They also all gathered at that place, so it was an exceptional gathering. There, everyone could witness the Buddha bestowing a prediction of Buddhahood on certain disciples. The sight of this cannot really be described in words, but only by analogy.
In summary, it was very grand and magnificent. This is why one must constantly do good deeds, create blessings and form good karmic connections. Then all will eventually receive such predictions, just some sooner than others. Everyone has the chance to attain Buddhahood. Everyone has a lamp in their minds that has not yet been lit. As the flame is passed from lamp to lamp, this radiance will be sustained from light to light. Thus wisdom-life will grow. Being mindful of the path from thought to thought, predictions will be passed from Buddha to Buddha. Then everyone will be very happy.
At this Dharma-assembly, everyone was happy and filled with great hope. Everyone hoped to receive the prediction of Buddhahood from the Buddha and they all rejoiced on behalf of those who had. This was a very joyous and celebratory assembly. So, we must always be mindful to truly pass along the Dharma. By doing this, the world will became peaceful. Therefore, we must always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV – Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
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