20150302《靜思妙蓮華》隨他得記心踊躍(第512集)
（法華經•譬喻品第三）
⊙「福慧兩足喜無量，因緣合和悅歡樂，圓覺呈現大自在，隨他得記心踊躍。」
⊙「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。」《法華經 譬喻品第三》
⊙「大眾見舍利弗於佛前，受阿耨多羅三藐三菩提記，心大歡喜，踊躍無量，各各脫身所著上衣，以供養佛。」《法華經 譬喻品第三》
⊙舍利弗本為聲聞眾之上首，眾所知識；今於佛前得受，於未來成阿耨多羅三藐三菩提記。
⊙時會中大眾天人等，聞佛為舍利弗授記作佛，均起自慶、慶人之意。歡喜、喜發於內，稱「樂悅」；踊躍、喜形於外，稱「踊躍」。
⊙激動心扉，脫衣供養於佛，表示莊嚴佛身之誠意。
⊙天衣住空迴轉，顯當時之靈瑞，並喻聞《法華經》者，淨心超出四生，凝聚妙理，兼有循迴三界，悲愍群生，不忍境物生變之意。
【證嚴上人開示】
「福慧兩足喜無量，因緣合和悅歡樂，圓覺呈現大自在，隨他得記心踊躍。」
福慧兩足喜無量
因緣合和悅歡樂
圓覺呈現大自在
隨他得記心踊躍
要成佛，必定要修福、修慧兩具足，若能夠這樣，我們就漸漸，接近我們清淨如來的本性。因為我們人人與佛的心、與本性都是平等，所以才常常說「心、佛、眾生三無差別」，就是平等。
只是我們凡夫一念無明，落差千萬，生生世世，無量數劫，將我們這種無明習氣，不斷不斷增加，落得人生不得自己。要生在哪裡？我們都不知道。前世是如何來？要到哪裡去？不知道。但是，這時候若有因緣，遇到佛法，從最不理想、最貧窮苦難的地方，同樣每天都能看到曙光。
就像非洲，在那個地方，人人真的是貧困，人種就是被人輕視，在這樣的生活中，卻也是有一群菩薩，將法傳到那個國家去，從臺灣有一群的菩薩，在那裡地方，在那裡雖然在做生意，因緣會合，用這種的因緣引到南非，將臺灣的愛，就這樣帶過去。
十幾年的經營，就地的菩薩已經浮現出來，有人、有力，所以今年的冬令救濟，除了辛巴威、賴索托，還有史瓦濟蘭、還有莫三比克，這樣五個國家，將臺灣的白米，在那個地方分配。
莫三比克，因為有蔡岱霖夫妻在那個地方，從去年開始，南非的菩薩去，將這個種子撒下去之後，蔡岱霖夫妻在那個地方耕耘。這次八月的發放，真的也很感恩。因為迪諾，岱霖的先生，他在「臉書」上面，也有一群「臉書」的志工，這群的志工，也發揮很大的力量。支援卡車，在八月十二日，那就是要去，馬騰得尼這個地方，去發放。
那時候，因為也很感恩潘明水、還有賴文德、還有吳國榮，還有好幾位，臺灣(志工)在那個地方，我們的志工，這次同樣投入，帶領著南非的菩薩在史瓦濟蘭，前一天發放完，馬不停蹄，馬上趕快來到莫三比克。
第二天的發放在馬騰得尼，這樣去與他們會合，人數又增加起來，加上了「臉書」志工，這樣忽然間多這麼多人，岱霖她就擔心，這麼多人要怎麼辦呢？本來她是要減人數下來，幸好潘明水他就提醒她說：「交通，設法如何增加，讓人能夠到達，不要失掉了這種愛的種子。」就這樣，開始，人就(由)原來的車輛，就這樣一直擠、一直擠，知道那個地方的人，都蠻有「分量」，這樣一直擠，那是怎麼擠。
還有在馬騰得尼這個地方，還有本地志工，他們說：「我們能用走路的。」所以早上天未亮，離較近的，四、五公里路，他們就用走的。載著白米的車，也是同樣到達了，但是車無法上去，無法到達發放的地方，因為那裡的路都是砂石路，石頭、沙子路，尤其是路又小，所以車載著這麼重的米，無法接近要發放的地方。怎麼辦呢？
幸好有這麼多人，還有他們當地人，這樣排八十多公尺，翻過了二道牆，這樣人接著人、人接著人，就這樣一直接過去，他們拍照起來，可以看到「哇！很長、很長的人，排著人龍，真的排很長。」一包一包的白米，好像自己在飛一樣，那個米那樣在空中，一直過去，那種的場面，實在是很壯觀！幸好有這麼多的菩薩，臨時那樣湧現出來，所以，才有辦法，將這麼多，整輛的白米，卡車，整輛卡車的白米，在這樣快速這麼快的時間，搬到達去發放，這也是很不可思議！
看看，有心就像我們人的雙腳，福與慧兩足尊，二項合起來，不論時間要用多少，路要走多遠，只要心中有愛，一定可以到達。尤其是付出的人，不捨斷掉，看人在歡喜，也見聞隨喜，也是願意再投入。這種愛和智慧，付出那種內心的歡喜，真的是「喜無量」，這種「福慧兩足喜無量」。
看到他們志工不斷不斷，在增長起來，那種的歡喜，這實在是「因緣合和悅歡樂」。像這樣的人性與佛性，不就是都平等嗎？這「圓覺呈現」，每一個人，這個福與慧很圓滿，那分內心清淨、歡喜、這「大自在」，很歡喜、很自在，所以「隨他得記心踊躍」。這一段，就是說《法華經》，不也就是這樣的境界嗎？
我們前面，前面的(經)文，那就是佛陀已經為舍利弗授記，向舍利弗祝福：你未來的成就，就是這樣，你未來的報土，是那麼豐富。你所度，你所教化的人，人人都是菩薩，所以應該自己要歡喜。
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。」前面說過，這些是四眾、八部，也就是人與天龍護法等，全都很歡喜。
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
《法華經 譬喻品第三》
這前面說過是四眾、八部，這就是人與天，天龍護法等，全都是很歡喜，所以接著這段(經)文這樣說，「大眾見舍利弗於佛前，受阿耨多羅三藐三菩提記，心大歡喜，踊躍無量，各各脫身所著上衣，以供養佛。」這是看到舍利弗已經受佛陀授記，大家都很歡喜，見聞隨喜。
大眾見舍利弗
於佛前
受阿耨多羅
三藐三菩提記
心大歡喜
踊躍無量
各各脫身所著上衣
以供養佛
《法華經 譬喻品第三》
這段(經)文，這就是表示看人在受記，大家都很歡喜，見聞隨喜，因為舍利弗已經受佛陀授記，合利弗是聲聞眾之上首，眾所知識，大家都認識他。凡是佛教徒，沒有人不認識舍利弗，因為舍利弗是，佛陀僧團中，聲聞眾的上首，因為他是智慧第一，人人認識，人人所尊重。
舍利弗本為
聲聞眾之上首
眾所知識
今於佛前得受
於未來成阿耨多羅
三藐三菩提記
所以現在，「今於佛前得受，於未來成阿耨多羅三藐三菩提記」。現在佛陀已經為他授記，這種無上正等正覺。將來能夠開悟，但是要到無上正等正覺，這段時間還很長，必定要在人群中，這樣的付出，這樣去修，得來了很多，會合很多的福與慧具足，那時候他就是得到，無上正等正覺。所以，人群中，就是我們覺悟的資糧。
像過去幾天前，向大家說蓮花在污泥，在污泥，因為蓮花讓污泥能漂亮起來。就像在我們人群中，人群中就是有這麼多菩薩，讓這個人群亮麗起來。剛才在說南非，我們若只單獨想到南非，就想到那裡的人很辛苦。而我們現在聽到，當地有這樣發心的大菩薩，不怕遠，人種差不多，貧困也是相同，現在竟然能夠有這麼多人，踊躍想要去做好事情。從內心起歡喜，不怕辛苦，甘願這樣搬，有車的人出車，有力的人出力，你看，這就是在污泥中，展現了蓮花一樣。
像臺灣，看，無以為寶，以善、以愛為寶。多少愛的力量、愛的種子、愛的精神，就是從這個地方，這樣不斷不斷擴散出去，不斷向全球去布善種子，這就是我們那個心。所以，「無上正等正覺」，這就是是我們大家在追求。
為什麼要付出？在人群中見苦知福，我們很滿足。「足」就是有餘。所以我們自己覺得，我還有力量可以去幫助人，不論是體力，或者是物資的力量，願意付出、付出，這就是人間的美，美在那分愛的能量，能量，這就是愛的力量。
我們人間在天地之間，要如何來淨化？要如何讓人間有希望？那就是這念心，愛心。愛心凝聚，不斷不斷，能夠累積，所以福與慧的結晶，那就是淨如琉璃。
我們要成佛，能夠體會天地宇宙萬物的道理，那就是無上正等正覺，就要我們的心，凡夫心轉為菩薩心，行於菩薩道，一直累積在人間所見、所聞，所有的知識。又再加上了一個「日」字，「日」就是曙光，又再加「知」這樣合起來，叫做「智」，這個智，智慧與這個宇宙結合起來，這就已經是覺悟了。所以修善、造福、結大福緣，所以舍利弗，還要經過很長久的時間，能夠成佛。
所以在那個會中，他是眾所知識的智慧第一，所以大家聽到，舍利弗已經得佛授記，大家都隨喜，所以「心大歡喜，踊躍無量」。在這個會中，大眾都是這樣，聽到就歡喜，不只是歡喜，舍利弗能夠得記，其實自己也提升了信心，這些佛的弟子，僧團裡知道，舍利弗既然受記，我同樣也會受到佛授記。自己也起歡喜，替舍利弗歡喜，其實對自己也自慶、慶人，不只是我也會輪到我授記，別人也是會輪到，人人都輪得到。
時會中大眾
天人等聞佛
為舍利弗授記作佛
均起自慶
慶人之意
歡喜、喜發於內
稱樂悅
踊躍、喜形於外
稱踊躍
那種的歡喜，歡喜，舍利弗已經得佛授記，未來會輪到我，未來還會輪到他，這種彼此之間慶幸、歡喜，所以這種的歡喜，歡喜得要如何來表達呢？天人就是為了表達他們的歡喜，那種「激動心扉」，那個歡喜的心門一打開，真的很歡喜，就是脫衣供養於佛，那種表達出歡喜、激動。
激動心扉
脫衣供養於佛
表示莊嚴佛身
之誠意
一些貴族，將他身上穿的高貴衣服，也這樣脫下來，這種表達的歡喜！我們若看大學畢業之後，一些孩子將方帽丟到空中去，這是不是也是表達著歡喜，這天人脫身上衣，表達這是供佛，難道這些衣服，佛陀能穿嗎？沒辦法。但是這是表達一個歡喜的氣氛，我將衣服脫起來，表達我很歡喜，要讓佛陀知道，我們都歡喜。這種和孩子大學畢業，將帽子丟到空中去，一樣的意思。這是表達莊嚴，這種的歡喜，在這種歡喜的氣氛，這要讓佛陀瞭解，這種見聞隨喜，衣服在空中迴轉，大家的衣服都很美，脫下來再拋上去，大家都丟上去，那當中可以看到空中，五花十色的衣服，在那個地方迴轉。好像我在說，長長的路，車子進不去，但是人接著人，這樣接下去，遠遠地看，就像米在半空中走一樣。
天衣住空迴轉
顯當時之靈瑞
並喻聞法華經者
淨心超出四生
凝聚妙理
兼有循迴三界
悲愍群生
不忍境物生變之意
這種歡喜，這是一種瑞相，心靈的瑞相，就是在譬喻聞《法華經》的人，那個心是「淨心超出四生」。人聽經之後那個歡喜，四生，大家知道，卵生、胎生、濕生、化生，這叫做「四生」，人，才能做得到，人可以去幫助人，人可以行善、造福、結福緣。這種的歡喜，這已經心很歡喜，付出無所求，真正凝聚了種種的妙理，奧妙的道理結合在一起，所以這就是「兼有循迴三界」，色界、無色界、欲界，這樣「悲愍群生，不忍境物生變」的意思。
因為大家的歡喜，就是不忍心，在這個娑婆世界的環境，與娑婆世界有形、無形那種的變，當常說，每天、每天都聽到、看到，世間真的是大乾坤不調和，大地受毀傷。佛陀一大事因緣來人間，希望道理入人的心，大家身體力行，造就人間瑞慶，就是很歡喜的方式。
所以，這種佛陀的悲愍群生，不忍境界和物的變遷，成、住、壞、空這種物理，是人類的心理所造成，,所以以必定要說法來淨化人心，讓人人能夠這樣付出，這樣彼此之間，堅固了清淨無染的心地，那就是人生最美好的世界。所以不是做不到，只要人人的心淨化了，這樣自然就能夠人間淨土。所以，時時要多用心。
Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: A Heart Filled With Jubilance for Others (解佛契理悲心入眾)
Date: March.02. 2015
“Becoming replete with blessings and wisdom, leads to infinite joy. The convergence of causes and conditions brings happiness and delight. This perfect enlightenment manifests as great freedom. Our hearts are filled with jubilance for others receiving predictions of Buddhahood.”
To attain Buddhahood, we must cultivate and perfect both blessings and wisdom. If we do so, we will gradually draw closer to our pure intrinsic Tathagata-nature. Because our minds and our intrinsic nature are equal to that of the Buddha, it is therefore often said, “The mind, the Buddha and sentient beings are no different [in their nature].” We are all equal. But we unenlightened beings have given rise to one ignorant thought, that has caused this huge difference. Over many lifetimes and countless kalpas, our ignorance and habitual tendencies have continued to grow. We have no control over our rebirth. We have no idea where we will be born. How did our previous lives lead us here? Where will we go when we leave this life? We do not know, but if we have the karmic conditions to encounter the Buddha-Dharma, even if we live in the least ideal, the poorest and the most distressing places, we can still see the light of dawn every day.
Take Africa, for example. In that place, people there are truly living in poverty and are looked down upon by other people. Though they live that kind of life, there is a group of Bodhisattvas who have spread the Dharma in these countries. This group of Bodhisattvas from Taiwan ended up in that place. Though they went there for business reasons, causes and conditions came together. These causes and conditions allowed them to bring this love from Taiwan to South Africa. After almost 20 years of hard work, local Bodhisattvas have emerged. With more people, they have more strength, so this year, for their winter relief distributions, they not only went to Zimbabwe and Lesotho, but also Swaziland and Mozambique. [Volunteers from] these five countries distributed the rice from Taiwan to people in their countries.
In Mozambique, because of the [invitation from] Denise Tsai and her husband, starting last year, South Africa Bodhisattva[-volunteers] went there to sow the seeds of Tzu Chi. This couple has been working to cultivate them. The distribution in August of this year was really possible thanks to them. Denise’s husband, Dino, started a group of “Facebook volunteers”. This group of volunteers was a very great help and helped a lot with [transportation]. August 12th was the day the distribution was going to be held in Matendene.
We are very grateful to Michael Pan, Wende Lai, John Wu and many other Taiwanese Tzu Chi volunteers in Africa. This group of volunteers helped to lead the South African volunteers in Swaziland. After the relief distribution there was over, they immediately rushed to Mozambique for the second day of distributions, which was going to be in Matendene. When they arrived, that increased the number of volunteers. Then there were also the “Facebook volunteers,” so suddenly there were a lot of people [to help].
Denise started to worry about this; how could they [get] so many people there? She initially wanted to reduce the number of people, but luckily Michael Pan reminded her that “We can think of ways to arrange transportation so that people can come. We must not lose these seeds of love.”With that, they began to squeeze more people into the same number of cars.The people there are on the “wider” side, so this was very difficult.
The local volunteers close to Matendene said, “We can walk instead.”So, before sunrise, those who lived closer, about four or five kilometers away walked there and arrived quite early. The trucks carrying the rice also arrived, but they could not make the climb to the distribution location,because the roads were made of gravel and were especially narrow.So, the trucks carrying such heavy loads could not get close to the distribution site.
What could they do?Luckily, there were so many people, including the local residents.They stood in a line of over 80 meters, that even crossed over two walls.Then they [passed the rice] from person to person, all the way down the line.In the videos that they took, we can see a very, very, long line.This line of people was truly quote long.Bag after bag of rice seemed to fly down the line.They seemed to float through the air.This was truly a magnificent sight to behold.
It was fortunate so many Bodhisattvas appeared at the last minute; thus it was possible to unload so many truckloads of rice in a very short period of time and get them to the distribution site.
This was incredible.
See, having the will to do this [can move us forward like] our two feet.With blessings and wisdom as our feet, when we use both together, no matter how long it takes, no matter how far we need to travel, as long as we have love in our hearts, we will definitely reach our destination.Actually, those conducting the distribution did not want it to end.When the volunteers saw how happy people were, they also rejoiced and were willing to continue dedicating themselves.
This kind of love and wisdom, and the deep happiness that comes from giving, give rise to infinite joy.So, “Becoming replete with blessings and wisdom leads to infinite joy.”
As they saw the number of volunteers continuing to increase, the happiness they felt was indeed “the convergence of causes and conditions [that] brings happiness and delight.”Isn’t this kind of human nature equal to that of the Buddha?It is “the manifestation of perfect enlightenment.”
When all are replete with blessings and wisdom, the purity and joy in their mind is “great freedom”.They will feel very happy and free.So, “Our hearts are filled with jubilance for others receiving predictions of Buddhahood.”Isn’t this passage in the Lotus Sutra describing just such a state?
In the previous sutra passage, the Buddha had already bestowed the prediction of Buddhahood upon Sariputra.He gave Sariputra His blessings.“This will be your attainment in the future. Your reward-land in the future will be so prosperous. Those whom you will teach and transform will all be Bodhisattvas, so you should rejoice.”
So, “At that time, the fourfold assembly of bhiksus, bhiksunis, upasakas, upasikas, alone with heavenly beings, dragons, yaksas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas and so on…”
As we explained before, this is the fourfold assembly and eight classes.These humans, heavenly beings, Dharma-protectors and so on were all very joyful.
The next passage of the sutra states, “The assembly, seeing Sariputra, in the presence of the Buddha, receive the prediction of attaining. Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, felt great joy and boundless jubilance. Each removed their outer garment and presented it as an offering to the Buddha.”
This passage is expressing that, while seeing someone receiving such a prediction, they were all very happy because they rejoiced in others’ accomplishments.This was because Sariputra had received the prediction of Buddhahood.Sariputra was the leader of the Hearers.Everyone was familiar with him.All of the Buddha’s disciples, were all familiar with Sariputra.This was because Sariputra was the leader of the Hearers in the Sangha and because he was foremost in wisdom.Thus everyone knew and respected him.
”Sariputra was the leader of all Hearers and known by all. At this time, in the presence of the Buddha, he received the Buddha’s prediction that in the future he would attain Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.”
At this assembly, “at this time, in the presence of the Buddha, he received the Buddha’s prediction that in the future he would attain Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi”. Now the Buddha predicted that Sariputra would realize supreme, universal, perfect enlightenment. In the future, he could be awakened, but he still had a long way to go before he could attain supreme, universal, perfect enlightenment. He has to go among people and continue to give. By engaging I spiritual cultivation in this way, he will accumulate many blessings and wisdom until he is replete with them. At that time, he will attain supreme, universal, perfect enlightenment.
So, going amog people is the fuel for our awakening. This is just like what I told you a few days ago, about how the lotus grows from the mud and how it beautifies the mud. Similarly, among the people, there are many Bodhisattvas who are brightening up the human realm. We are just talking about South Africa. If we just think about South Africa, we think about how difficult people’s lives are. But now we have heard about such dedicated local Bodhisattvas [-volunteers]. They are not afraid to travel far. They are of the same ethnicity and as poor as the rest of the population. Now, incredibly, there are so many of these people who are jubilant at the idea of doing good deeds. They feel a deep joy and are unafraid of hard work. They are willing to help carry [the rice]; those who have cars lend their cars and those who have strength lend their strength. See, they are the lotuses that bloom in the mud.
In Taiwan, for example, we do not take pride in anything except for our kindness and love. The power of love, the seeds of love and the spirit of love have continuously been spread from this place. We sow seeds of goodness throughout the world. This is because we have the will.
So, “supreme, universal and perfect enlightenment” is what we are all striving for. Why do we give? Because when we are among people, we see suffering and recognize our blessings, and thus we feel very content. Content means we have more than enough, and so we feel like we have the power to help others. Whether what we can give is physical strength or is in the form of material goods, we are willing to offer it to others. This is the beauty [we see in] the human realm. This beauty lies in the power generated by the energy of love.
As for the world we live in, how can we purify it? How can we bring hope to it? With a loving heart. As we continually bring the love in people’s hearts together, blessings and wisdom will crystallize. Then the world can be pure as crystal. To attain Buddhahood, we must realize the principles of all things in the universe, which is to attain supreme, universal, perfect enlightenment. We must turn our minds from the minds of ordinary people into the minds of Bodhisattvas and practice the Bodhisattva-path.
Everything we see and hear in the world adds to our knowledge. When the Chinese character for “sun”, representing the light of dawn, is combined with character for “knowledge” it becomes the character for “wisdom”. When our wisdom converges with the universe, we will attain enlightenment. So, we must cultivate goodness, benefit others and form good karmic connections. Sariputra still has to go through a long period of practice before he can attain Buddhahood. In that assembly, he was the foremost in wisdom and known to all.
So, when everyone heard that Sariputra received the prediction of Buddhahood from the Buddha, they all rejoiced on his behalf; they “felt great joy and boundless jubilance”. In that assembly, everyone became joyful from what they had heard. Not only were they happy for Sariputra, they also felt more confidence in themselves. They were also the Buddha’s disciples, and felt, “Since Sariputra received predictions, I will also receive the Buddha’s predictions”. So, they became joyful. They were happy for Sariputra, but actually they were also happy for themselves and each other. “Not only will I also receive such a prediction, others will also receive theirs in turn”. Everyone will have a chance.
“When those who gathered at that assembly, the heavenly beings, humans and the rest, heard the Buddha bestow the prediction of Buddhahood upon Sariputra, they felt happy for themselves and for others. The happiness and delight that arises internally is joy. The delight that is manifested externally is jubilance.”
People felt that kind of happiness when Sariputra received the Buddha’s prediction. “In the future, it will be my turn, in the future, it will also be others’ turn.” They felt happy and delighted for each other. How should they express this great joy? These heavenly beings wanted to express their joy, their great excitement. When the door to happiness opened, they were truly very happy. So, they removed one of their garments as an offerings to the Buddha. This expressed their happiness and excitement.
“They felt such great excitement that they removed one of their garments as an offering to the Buddha. This was a demonstration of their reverence for the magnificent Buddha-body.”
Some nobles also removed one of their elegant garments. They did this to express their happiness. A college graduation, some students throw their caps into the air. Isn’t this also expression of their happiness? These heavenly beings, in the same way, removed one of their garments as an offering. Could the Buddha actually wear these garments? He could not. But this represents a happy atmosphere.
Removing this garment expressed how happy they really were. This let the Buddha know they were all happy. When students at their graduation ceremony threw their caps into the air, it means the same thing. This conveys the magnificence and joy of this occasion. These beings wanted the Buddha to know that they were rejoicing in other’s accomplishments. The garments whirled in the air. They all had beautiful garments that they removed and threw into the air; everyone threw their garments in the air.
One could see garments of all different colors whirling in the air. Similarly, at the distribution, when the trucks were not able to get through, people had to form a line to pass on the rice. From afar it looked as if the bags of rice were floating in air.
The celestial garments whirled in the air to mark that spiritual auspicious occasion. This shows that those listening to the Lotus Sutra had the pure heart to transcend the Four Forms of Birth. They could amass wondrous principles, go between the Three Realms and had compassion for living beings; they could not bear to let them be affected by external phenomena and conditions.
This kind of happiness is an auspicious appearance arising from the heart. It is an analogy for what happened to those who hears the Lotus Sutra. They “had the pure heart to transcend the Four of Birth.” After listening to these teachings, they were happy. The Four Forms of Birth, as we all know, are egg-born, womb-born, moisture-born and transformation-born.
Only humans can achieve [this transcendence]. Humans can help others. Humans can do good deeds, benefit others, form good karmic connections and feel this kind of happiness. Their hearts were already filled with joy. By giving unconditionally, they could bring wondrous principles together in their minds. When wondrously profound principles converge, they “could go between the Three Realms, the form realm, formless realm and desire realm. Thus they “had compassion for living beings and could not bear to let them be affected by external phenomena and conditions. Because they felt happy, they could not bear to let others remain in the Saha World and be influenced by its tangible and intangible changes.
I often say that every day we can hear and see that the macrocosm of the world is out of balance and the earth is being harmed. The Buddha comes here for one great cause, in the hope that true principles. When people take them to heart and then put them into practice, they create an auspicious celebration for the world, a very happy occasion.
The Buddha feels compassion for living beings, so He cannot bear to let them suffer from changes in “external phenomena and conditions. The formation, existence, decay and disappearance of material things are due to the workings of people’s minds. So, we must expound the Dharma to bring purity to people’s minds so that everyone is willing to give to others. Then everyone can help each other to reinforce this pure and undefiled state of mind. That will be the most beautiful world.
Achieving this is not impossible. When everyone’s minds are purified, then this world will naturally be a pure land. 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）
⊙「福慧兩足喜無量，因緣合和悅歡樂，圓覺呈現大自在，隨他得記心踊躍。」
⊙「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。」《法華經 譬喻品第三》
⊙「大眾見舍利弗於佛前，受阿耨多羅三藐三菩提記，心大歡喜，踊躍無量，各各脫身所著上衣，以供養佛。」《法華經 譬喻品第三》
⊙舍利弗本為聲聞眾之上首，眾所知識；今於佛前得受，於未來成阿耨多羅三藐三菩提記。
⊙時會中大眾天人等，聞佛為舍利弗授記作佛，均起自慶、慶人之意。歡喜、喜發於內，稱「樂悅」；踊躍、喜形於外，稱「踊躍」。
⊙激動心扉，脫衣供養於佛，表示莊嚴佛身之誠意。
⊙天衣住空迴轉，顯當時之靈瑞，並喻聞《法華經》者，淨心超出四生，凝聚妙理，兼有循迴三界，悲愍群生，不忍境物生變之意。
【證嚴上人開示】
「福慧兩足喜無量，因緣合和悅歡樂，圓覺呈現大自在，隨他得記心踊躍。」
福慧兩足喜無量
因緣合和悅歡樂
圓覺呈現大自在
隨他得記心踊躍
要成佛，必定要修福、修慧兩具足，若能夠這樣，我們就漸漸，接近我們清淨如來的本性。因為我們人人與佛的心、與本性都是平等，所以才常常說「心、佛、眾生三無差別」，就是平等。
只是我們凡夫一念無明，落差千萬，生生世世，無量數劫，將我們這種無明習氣，不斷不斷增加，落得人生不得自己。要生在哪裡？我們都不知道。前世是如何來？要到哪裡去？不知道。但是，這時候若有因緣，遇到佛法，從最不理想、最貧窮苦難的地方，同樣每天都能看到曙光。
就像非洲，在那個地方，人人真的是貧困，人種就是被人輕視，在這樣的生活中，卻也是有一群菩薩，將法傳到那個國家去，從臺灣有一群的菩薩，在那裡地方，在那裡雖然在做生意，因緣會合，用這種的因緣引到南非，將臺灣的愛，就這樣帶過去。
十幾年的經營，就地的菩薩已經浮現出來，有人、有力，所以今年的冬令救濟，除了辛巴威、賴索托，還有史瓦濟蘭、還有莫三比克，這樣五個國家，將臺灣的白米，在那個地方分配。
莫三比克，因為有蔡岱霖夫妻在那個地方，從去年開始，南非的菩薩去，將這個種子撒下去之後，蔡岱霖夫妻在那個地方耕耘。這次八月的發放，真的也很感恩。因為迪諾，岱霖的先生，他在「臉書」上面，也有一群「臉書」的志工，這群的志工，也發揮很大的力量。支援卡車，在八月十二日，那就是要去，馬騰得尼這個地方，去發放。
那時候，因為也很感恩潘明水、還有賴文德、還有吳國榮，還有好幾位，臺灣(志工)在那個地方，我們的志工，這次同樣投入，帶領著南非的菩薩在史瓦濟蘭，前一天發放完，馬不停蹄，馬上趕快來到莫三比克。
第二天的發放在馬騰得尼，這樣去與他們會合，人數又增加起來，加上了「臉書」志工，這樣忽然間多這麼多人，岱霖她就擔心，這麼多人要怎麼辦呢？本來她是要減人數下來，幸好潘明水他就提醒她說：「交通，設法如何增加，讓人能夠到達，不要失掉了這種愛的種子。」就這樣，開始，人就(由)原來的車輛，就這樣一直擠、一直擠，知道那個地方的人，都蠻有「分量」，這樣一直擠，那是怎麼擠。
還有在馬騰得尼這個地方，還有本地志工，他們說：「我們能用走路的。」所以早上天未亮，離較近的，四、五公里路，他們就用走的。載著白米的車，也是同樣到達了，但是車無法上去，無法到達發放的地方，因為那裡的路都是砂石路，石頭、沙子路，尤其是路又小，所以車載著這麼重的米，無法接近要發放的地方。怎麼辦呢？
幸好有這麼多人，還有他們當地人，這樣排八十多公尺，翻過了二道牆，這樣人接著人、人接著人，就這樣一直接過去，他們拍照起來，可以看到「哇！很長、很長的人，排著人龍，真的排很長。」一包一包的白米，好像自己在飛一樣，那個米那樣在空中，一直過去，那種的場面，實在是很壯觀！幸好有這麼多的菩薩，臨時那樣湧現出來，所以，才有辦法，將這麼多，整輛的白米，卡車，整輛卡車的白米，在這樣快速這麼快的時間，搬到達去發放，這也是很不可思議！
看看，有心就像我們人的雙腳，福與慧兩足尊，二項合起來，不論時間要用多少，路要走多遠，只要心中有愛，一定可以到達。尤其是付出的人，不捨斷掉，看人在歡喜，也見聞隨喜，也是願意再投入。這種愛和智慧，付出那種內心的歡喜，真的是「喜無量」，這種「福慧兩足喜無量」。
看到他們志工不斷不斷，在增長起來，那種的歡喜，這實在是「因緣合和悅歡樂」。像這樣的人性與佛性，不就是都平等嗎？這「圓覺呈現」，每一個人，這個福與慧很圓滿，那分內心清淨、歡喜、這「大自在」，很歡喜、很自在，所以「隨他得記心踊躍」。這一段，就是說《法華經》，不也就是這樣的境界嗎？
我們前面，前面的(經)文，那就是佛陀已經為舍利弗授記，向舍利弗祝福：你未來的成就，就是這樣，你未來的報土，是那麼豐富。你所度，你所教化的人，人人都是菩薩，所以應該自己要歡喜。
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。」前面說過，這些是四眾、八部，也就是人與天龍護法等，全都很歡喜。
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
《法華經 譬喻品第三》
這前面說過是四眾、八部，這就是人與天，天龍護法等，全都是很歡喜，所以接著這段(經)文這樣說，「大眾見舍利弗於佛前，受阿耨多羅三藐三菩提記，心大歡喜，踊躍無量，各各脫身所著上衣，以供養佛。」這是看到舍利弗已經受佛陀授記，大家都很歡喜，見聞隨喜。
大眾見舍利弗
於佛前
受阿耨多羅
三藐三菩提記
心大歡喜
踊躍無量
各各脫身所著上衣
以供養佛
《法華經 譬喻品第三》
這段(經)文，這就是表示看人在受記，大家都很歡喜，見聞隨喜，因為舍利弗已經受佛陀授記，合利弗是聲聞眾之上首，眾所知識，大家都認識他。凡是佛教徒，沒有人不認識舍利弗，因為舍利弗是，佛陀僧團中，聲聞眾的上首，因為他是智慧第一，人人認識，人人所尊重。
舍利弗本為
聲聞眾之上首
眾所知識
今於佛前得受
於未來成阿耨多羅
三藐三菩提記
所以現在，「今於佛前得受，於未來成阿耨多羅三藐三菩提記」。現在佛陀已經為他授記，這種無上正等正覺。將來能夠開悟，但是要到無上正等正覺，這段時間還很長，必定要在人群中，這樣的付出，這樣去修，得來了很多，會合很多的福與慧具足，那時候他就是得到，無上正等正覺。所以，人群中，就是我們覺悟的資糧。
像過去幾天前，向大家說蓮花在污泥，在污泥，因為蓮花讓污泥能漂亮起來。就像在我們人群中，人群中就是有這麼多菩薩，讓這個人群亮麗起來。剛才在說南非，我們若只單獨想到南非，就想到那裡的人很辛苦。而我們現在聽到，當地有這樣發心的大菩薩，不怕遠，人種差不多，貧困也是相同，現在竟然能夠有這麼多人，踊躍想要去做好事情。從內心起歡喜，不怕辛苦，甘願這樣搬，有車的人出車，有力的人出力，你看，這就是在污泥中，展現了蓮花一樣。
像臺灣，看，無以為寶，以善、以愛為寶。多少愛的力量、愛的種子、愛的精神，就是從這個地方，這樣不斷不斷擴散出去，不斷向全球去布善種子，這就是我們那個心。所以，「無上正等正覺」，這就是是我們大家在追求。
為什麼要付出？在人群中見苦知福，我們很滿足。「足」就是有餘。所以我們自己覺得，我還有力量可以去幫助人，不論是體力，或者是物資的力量，願意付出、付出，這就是人間的美，美在那分愛的能量，能量，這就是愛的力量。
我們人間在天地之間，要如何來淨化？要如何讓人間有希望？那就是這念心，愛心。愛心凝聚，不斷不斷，能夠累積，所以福與慧的結晶，那就是淨如琉璃。
我們要成佛，能夠體會天地宇宙萬物的道理，那就是無上正等正覺，就要我們的心，凡夫心轉為菩薩心，行於菩薩道，一直累積在人間所見、所聞，所有的知識。又再加上了一個「日」字，「日」就是曙光，又再加「知」這樣合起來，叫做「智」，這個智，智慧與這個宇宙結合起來，這就已經是覺悟了。所以修善、造福、結大福緣，所以舍利弗，還要經過很長久的時間，能夠成佛。
所以在那個會中，他是眾所知識的智慧第一，所以大家聽到，舍利弗已經得佛授記，大家都隨喜，所以「心大歡喜，踊躍無量」。在這個會中，大眾都是這樣，聽到就歡喜，不只是歡喜，舍利弗能夠得記，其實自己也提升了信心，這些佛的弟子，僧團裡知道，舍利弗既然受記，我同樣也會受到佛授記。自己也起歡喜，替舍利弗歡喜，其實對自己也自慶、慶人，不只是我也會輪到我授記，別人也是會輪到，人人都輪得到。
時會中大眾
天人等聞佛
為舍利弗授記作佛
均起自慶
慶人之意
歡喜、喜發於內
稱樂悅
踊躍、喜形於外
稱踊躍
那種的歡喜，歡喜，舍利弗已經得佛授記，未來會輪到我，未來還會輪到他，這種彼此之間慶幸、歡喜，所以這種的歡喜，歡喜得要如何來表達呢？天人就是為了表達他們的歡喜，那種「激動心扉」，那個歡喜的心門一打開，真的很歡喜，就是脫衣供養於佛，那種表達出歡喜、激動。
激動心扉
脫衣供養於佛
表示莊嚴佛身
之誠意
一些貴族，將他身上穿的高貴衣服，也這樣脫下來，這種表達的歡喜！我們若看大學畢業之後，一些孩子將方帽丟到空中去，這是不是也是表達著歡喜，這天人脫身上衣，表達這是供佛，難道這些衣服，佛陀能穿嗎？沒辦法。但是這是表達一個歡喜的氣氛，我將衣服脫起來，表達我很歡喜，要讓佛陀知道，我們都歡喜。這種和孩子大學畢業，將帽子丟到空中去，一樣的意思。這是表達莊嚴，這種的歡喜，在這種歡喜的氣氛，這要讓佛陀瞭解，這種見聞隨喜，衣服在空中迴轉，大家的衣服都很美，脫下來再拋上去，大家都丟上去，那當中可以看到空中，五花十色的衣服，在那個地方迴轉。好像我在說，長長的路，車子進不去，但是人接著人，這樣接下去，遠遠地看，就像米在半空中走一樣。
天衣住空迴轉
顯當時之靈瑞
並喻聞法華經者
淨心超出四生
凝聚妙理
兼有循迴三界
悲愍群生
不忍境物生變之意
這種歡喜，這是一種瑞相，心靈的瑞相，就是在譬喻聞《法華經》的人，那個心是「淨心超出四生」。人聽經之後那個歡喜，四生，大家知道，卵生、胎生、濕生、化生，這叫做「四生」，人，才能做得到，人可以去幫助人，人可以行善、造福、結福緣。這種的歡喜，這已經心很歡喜，付出無所求，真正凝聚了種種的妙理，奧妙的道理結合在一起，所以這就是「兼有循迴三界」，色界、無色界、欲界，這樣「悲愍群生，不忍境物生變」的意思。
因為大家的歡喜，就是不忍心，在這個娑婆世界的環境，與娑婆世界有形、無形那種的變，當常說，每天、每天都聽到、看到，世間真的是大乾坤不調和，大地受毀傷。佛陀一大事因緣來人間，希望道理入人的心，大家身體力行，造就人間瑞慶，就是很歡喜的方式。
所以，這種佛陀的悲愍群生，不忍境界和物的變遷，成、住、壞、空這種物理，是人類的心理所造成，,所以以必定要說法來淨化人心，讓人人能夠這樣付出，這樣彼此之間，堅固了清淨無染的心地，那就是人生最美好的世界。所以不是做不到，只要人人的心淨化了，這樣自然就能夠人間淨土。所以，時時要多用心。
Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: A Heart Filled With Jubilance for Others (解佛契理悲心入眾)
Date: March.02. 2015
“Becoming replete with blessings and wisdom, leads to infinite joy. The convergence of causes and conditions brings happiness and delight. This perfect enlightenment manifests as great freedom. Our hearts are filled with jubilance for others receiving predictions of Buddhahood.”
To attain Buddhahood, we must cultivate and perfect both blessings and wisdom. If we do so, we will gradually draw closer to our pure intrinsic Tathagata-nature. Because our minds and our intrinsic nature are equal to that of the Buddha, it is therefore often said, “The mind, the Buddha and sentient beings are no different [in their nature].” We are all equal. But we unenlightened beings have given rise to one ignorant thought, that has caused this huge difference. Over many lifetimes and countless kalpas, our ignorance and habitual tendencies have continued to grow. We have no control over our rebirth. We have no idea where we will be born. How did our previous lives lead us here? Where will we go when we leave this life? We do not know, but if we have the karmic conditions to encounter the Buddha-Dharma, even if we live in the least ideal, the poorest and the most distressing places, we can still see the light of dawn every day.
Take Africa, for example. In that place, people there are truly living in poverty and are looked down upon by other people. Though they live that kind of life, there is a group of Bodhisattvas who have spread the Dharma in these countries. This group of Bodhisattvas from Taiwan ended up in that place. Though they went there for business reasons, causes and conditions came together. These causes and conditions allowed them to bring this love from Taiwan to South Africa. After almost 20 years of hard work, local Bodhisattvas have emerged. With more people, they have more strength, so this year, for their winter relief distributions, they not only went to Zimbabwe and Lesotho, but also Swaziland and Mozambique. [Volunteers from] these five countries distributed the rice from Taiwan to people in their countries.
In Mozambique, because of the [invitation from] Denise Tsai and her husband, starting last year, South Africa Bodhisattva[-volunteers] went there to sow the seeds of Tzu Chi. This couple has been working to cultivate them. The distribution in August of this year was really possible thanks to them. Denise’s husband, Dino, started a group of “Facebook volunteers”. This group of volunteers was a very great help and helped a lot with [transportation]. August 12th was the day the distribution was going to be held in Matendene.
We are very grateful to Michael Pan, Wende Lai, John Wu and many other Taiwanese Tzu Chi volunteers in Africa. This group of volunteers helped to lead the South African volunteers in Swaziland. After the relief distribution there was over, they immediately rushed to Mozambique for the second day of distributions, which was going to be in Matendene. When they arrived, that increased the number of volunteers. Then there were also the “Facebook volunteers,” so suddenly there were a lot of people [to help].
Denise started to worry about this; how could they [get] so many people there? She initially wanted to reduce the number of people, but luckily Michael Pan reminded her that “We can think of ways to arrange transportation so that people can come. We must not lose these seeds of love.”With that, they began to squeeze more people into the same number of cars.The people there are on the “wider” side, so this was very difficult.
The local volunteers close to Matendene said, “We can walk instead.”So, before sunrise, those who lived closer, about four or five kilometers away walked there and arrived quite early. The trucks carrying the rice also arrived, but they could not make the climb to the distribution location,because the roads were made of gravel and were especially narrow.So, the trucks carrying such heavy loads could not get close to the distribution site.
What could they do?Luckily, there were so many people, including the local residents.They stood in a line of over 80 meters, that even crossed over two walls.Then they [passed the rice] from person to person, all the way down the line.In the videos that they took, we can see a very, very, long line.This line of people was truly quote long.Bag after bag of rice seemed to fly down the line.They seemed to float through the air.This was truly a magnificent sight to behold.
It was fortunate so many Bodhisattvas appeared at the last minute; thus it was possible to unload so many truckloads of rice in a very short period of time and get them to the distribution site.
This was incredible.
See, having the will to do this [can move us forward like] our two feet.With blessings and wisdom as our feet, when we use both together, no matter how long it takes, no matter how far we need to travel, as long as we have love in our hearts, we will definitely reach our destination.Actually, those conducting the distribution did not want it to end.When the volunteers saw how happy people were, they also rejoiced and were willing to continue dedicating themselves.
This kind of love and wisdom, and the deep happiness that comes from giving, give rise to infinite joy.So, “Becoming replete with blessings and wisdom leads to infinite joy.”
As they saw the number of volunteers continuing to increase, the happiness they felt was indeed “the convergence of causes and conditions [that] brings happiness and delight.”Isn’t this kind of human nature equal to that of the Buddha?It is “the manifestation of perfect enlightenment.”
When all are replete with blessings and wisdom, the purity and joy in their mind is “great freedom”.They will feel very happy and free.So, “Our hearts are filled with jubilance for others receiving predictions of Buddhahood.”Isn’t this passage in the Lotus Sutra describing just such a state?
In the previous sutra passage, the Buddha had already bestowed the prediction of Buddhahood upon Sariputra.He gave Sariputra His blessings.“This will be your attainment in the future. Your reward-land in the future will be so prosperous. Those whom you will teach and transform will all be Bodhisattvas, so you should rejoice.”
So, “At that time, the fourfold assembly of bhiksus, bhiksunis, upasakas, upasikas, alone with heavenly beings, dragons, yaksas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas and so on…”
As we explained before, this is the fourfold assembly and eight classes.These humans, heavenly beings, Dharma-protectors and so on were all very joyful.
The next passage of the sutra states, “The assembly, seeing Sariputra, in the presence of the Buddha, receive the prediction of attaining. Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, felt great joy and boundless jubilance. Each removed their outer garment and presented it as an offering to the Buddha.”
This passage is expressing that, while seeing someone receiving such a prediction, they were all very happy because they rejoiced in others’ accomplishments.This was because Sariputra had received the prediction of Buddhahood.Sariputra was the leader of the Hearers.Everyone was familiar with him.All of the Buddha’s disciples, were all familiar with Sariputra.This was because Sariputra was the leader of the Hearers in the Sangha and because he was foremost in wisdom.Thus everyone knew and respected him.
”Sariputra was the leader of all Hearers and known by all. At this time, in the presence of the Buddha, he received the Buddha’s prediction that in the future he would attain Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.”
At this assembly, “at this time, in the presence of the Buddha, he received the Buddha’s prediction that in the future he would attain Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi”. Now the Buddha predicted that Sariputra would realize supreme, universal, perfect enlightenment. In the future, he could be awakened, but he still had a long way to go before he could attain supreme, universal, perfect enlightenment. He has to go among people and continue to give. By engaging I spiritual cultivation in this way, he will accumulate many blessings and wisdom until he is replete with them. At that time, he will attain supreme, universal, perfect enlightenment.
So, going amog people is the fuel for our awakening. This is just like what I told you a few days ago, about how the lotus grows from the mud and how it beautifies the mud. Similarly, among the people, there are many Bodhisattvas who are brightening up the human realm. We are just talking about South Africa. If we just think about South Africa, we think about how difficult people’s lives are. But now we have heard about such dedicated local Bodhisattvas [-volunteers]. They are not afraid to travel far. They are of the same ethnicity and as poor as the rest of the population. Now, incredibly, there are so many of these people who are jubilant at the idea of doing good deeds. They feel a deep joy and are unafraid of hard work. They are willing to help carry [the rice]; those who have cars lend their cars and those who have strength lend their strength. See, they are the lotuses that bloom in the mud.
In Taiwan, for example, we do not take pride in anything except for our kindness and love. The power of love, the seeds of love and the spirit of love have continuously been spread from this place. We sow seeds of goodness throughout the world. This is because we have the will.
So, “supreme, universal and perfect enlightenment” is what we are all striving for. Why do we give? Because when we are among people, we see suffering and recognize our blessings, and thus we feel very content. Content means we have more than enough, and so we feel like we have the power to help others. Whether what we can give is physical strength or is in the form of material goods, we are willing to offer it to others. This is the beauty [we see in] the human realm. This beauty lies in the power generated by the energy of love.
As for the world we live in, how can we purify it? How can we bring hope to it? With a loving heart. As we continually bring the love in people’s hearts together, blessings and wisdom will crystallize. Then the world can be pure as crystal. To attain Buddhahood, we must realize the principles of all things in the universe, which is to attain supreme, universal, perfect enlightenment. We must turn our minds from the minds of ordinary people into the minds of Bodhisattvas and practice the Bodhisattva-path.
Everything we see and hear in the world adds to our knowledge. When the Chinese character for “sun”, representing the light of dawn, is combined with character for “knowledge” it becomes the character for “wisdom”. When our wisdom converges with the universe, we will attain enlightenment. So, we must cultivate goodness, benefit others and form good karmic connections. Sariputra still has to go through a long period of practice before he can attain Buddhahood. In that assembly, he was the foremost in wisdom and known to all.
So, when everyone heard that Sariputra received the prediction of Buddhahood from the Buddha, they all rejoiced on his behalf; they “felt great joy and boundless jubilance”. In that assembly, everyone became joyful from what they had heard. Not only were they happy for Sariputra, they also felt more confidence in themselves. They were also the Buddha’s disciples, and felt, “Since Sariputra received predictions, I will also receive the Buddha’s predictions”. So, they became joyful. They were happy for Sariputra, but actually they were also happy for themselves and each other. “Not only will I also receive such a prediction, others will also receive theirs in turn”. Everyone will have a chance.
“When those who gathered at that assembly, the heavenly beings, humans and the rest, heard the Buddha bestow the prediction of Buddhahood upon Sariputra, they felt happy for themselves and for others. The happiness and delight that arises internally is joy. The delight that is manifested externally is jubilance.”
People felt that kind of happiness when Sariputra received the Buddha’s prediction. “In the future, it will be my turn, in the future, it will also be others’ turn.” They felt happy and delighted for each other. How should they express this great joy? These heavenly beings wanted to express their joy, their great excitement. When the door to happiness opened, they were truly very happy. So, they removed one of their garments as an offerings to the Buddha. This expressed their happiness and excitement.
“They felt such great excitement that they removed one of their garments as an offering to the Buddha. This was a demonstration of their reverence for the magnificent Buddha-body.”
Some nobles also removed one of their elegant garments. They did this to express their happiness. A college graduation, some students throw their caps into the air. Isn’t this also expression of their happiness? These heavenly beings, in the same way, removed one of their garments as an offering. Could the Buddha actually wear these garments? He could not. But this represents a happy atmosphere.
Removing this garment expressed how happy they really were. This let the Buddha know they were all happy. When students at their graduation ceremony threw their caps into the air, it means the same thing. This conveys the magnificence and joy of this occasion. These beings wanted the Buddha to know that they were rejoicing in other’s accomplishments. The garments whirled in the air. They all had beautiful garments that they removed and threw into the air; everyone threw their garments in the air.
One could see garments of all different colors whirling in the air. Similarly, at the distribution, when the trucks were not able to get through, people had to form a line to pass on the rice. From afar it looked as if the bags of rice were floating in air.
The celestial garments whirled in the air to mark that spiritual auspicious occasion. This shows that those listening to the Lotus Sutra had the pure heart to transcend the Four Forms of Birth. They could amass wondrous principles, go between the Three Realms and had compassion for living beings; they could not bear to let them be affected by external phenomena and conditions.
This kind of happiness is an auspicious appearance arising from the heart. It is an analogy for what happened to those who hears the Lotus Sutra. They “had the pure heart to transcend the Four of Birth.” After listening to these teachings, they were happy. The Four Forms of Birth, as we all know, are egg-born, womb-born, moisture-born and transformation-born.
Only humans can achieve [this transcendence]. Humans can help others. Humans can do good deeds, benefit others, form good karmic connections and feel this kind of happiness. Their hearts were already filled with joy. By giving unconditionally, they could bring wondrous principles together in their minds. When wondrously profound principles converge, they “could go between the Three Realms, the form realm, formless realm and desire realm. Thus they “had compassion for living beings and could not bear to let them be affected by external phenomena and conditions. Because they felt happy, they could not bear to let others remain in the Saha World and be influenced by its tangible and intangible changes.
I often say that every day we can hear and see that the macrocosm of the world is out of balance and the earth is being harmed. The Buddha comes here for one great cause, in the hope that true principles. When people take them to heart and then put them into practice, they create an auspicious celebration for the world, a very happy occasion.
The Buddha feels compassion for living beings, so He cannot bear to let them suffer from changes in “external phenomena and conditions. The formation, existence, decay and disappearance of material things are due to the workings of people’s minds. So, we must expound the Dharma to bring purity to people’s minds so that everyone is willing to give to others. Then everyone can help each other to reinforce this pure and undefiled state of mind. That will be the most beautiful world.
Achieving this is not impossible. When everyone’s minds are purified, then this world will naturally be a pure land. Therefore, we must always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV – Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
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