20150331《靜思妙蓮華》一乘教門(第533集)
（法華經•譬喻品第三）
⊙「佛智能轉一切煩惱為功德，譬喻大宅主以清明智慧力，若奸狡之奴能聽從順調御，所有僮僕悉能歸屬持法人。」
⊙「若國邑聚落，有大長者，其年衰邁，財富無量，多有田宅，及諸僮僕，其家廣大，唯有一門。」《法華經 譬喻品第三》
⊙其家廣大，唯有一門：此廣大之家，即喻大乘之自體相，能出入者為門，此家惟有一門，喻即唯一大乘之門，顯示大乘法性，為一乘之教門。
⊙喻上佛以種種法，隨機宣示於菩提覺道，如來本懷，唯以一乘佛道利濟眾生。奈何機鈍障深，事不得已，先以種種法門引導，覺性純真，諦理唯有一乘，故言唯有一門。約教唯一佛乘，約理唯一實道知見。
【證嚴上人開示】
「佛智能轉一切煩惱為功德，譬喻大宅主以清明智慧力，若奸狡之奴能聽從順調御，所有僮僕悉能歸屬持法人。」
佛智能轉一切煩惱
為功德
譬喻大宅主
以清明智慧力
若奸狡之奴
能聽從順調御
所有僮僕
悉能歸屬持法人
什麼人能夠來轉，眾生的煩惱成為功德呢？「譬喻大宅主以清明智慧力」，就像一個大家庭那個主人，那個主人若是有智慧，身心清淨、智慧明朗，這種的力量，他就能將這個大家庭，調理得很順睦，很和睦、很調順。
譬喻說這個大家庭裡的傭人，或者是家诙裡任何一個人，若有那種奸狡之奴，若這樣，那就是這位大宅主就有辦法，能將這個奸狡的奴僕，也能教得他很順，就像調御師教育猛獸一樣，所有的僮僕，都能歸屬在這位主人，主人所說的，他們都能順從接受。
就像有一次，佛陀在祇園精舍，還未講法之前，人人就這樣在議論：「這麼多人！大家都那麼敬仰佛陀，佛陀所說的法，大家都這樣這麼歡喜信受，到底佛陀他與眾生，是結什麼樣的因緣？怎能(有)那樣的威力，來調伏眾生的心？」
佛陀又開始就說：想到過去無量無量劫前，有一個國家，這位國王叫做大光明王，非常明智，而且以德來統治他的國家，這個國家風調雨順、國泰民安，同時這位國王和鄰國，就是隔壁國這位國王相交，大家交往，感情很好。
有一次，隔壁國的國王，去山林中打獵時，發現到一隻很美、很健壯的大白象，得到這隻大白象，是表示國家的祥瑞的感覺，所以他趕緊將這隻象，整理得很乾淨，同時為牠掛上纓絡、披上綢緞，將這隻象就送給光明王。光明王看到這隻白象，也是很歡喜，請來了調御，馴獸的人。這位馴象師散闍，用心訓練、訓練，將這隻象訓練得很好。國王聽到歡喜，所以趕緊就布達給大家，全城的人知道，有這隻白象，大家可以來看，這隻象牽出來了，裝飾得很莊嚴，國王就騎到白象上面，國王本身高大、勇壯，所以騎在這隻白象上，真的是很威武莊嚴，好像太陽浮上海面，那種光芒四射。全城的人很轟動，歡喜！
這位象師也騎另外一隻象，隨從的人很多，就將這隻象騎出到城外，看到了，遠遠一群的象，這群野象在大蓮花池邊，在那裡咬蓮藕，又看到象群裡面，那象，母象，這隻白象忽然間獸性大作，雄性大作就這樣直衝。騎在象上的國王，坐都快要坐不住了，看到國王，連他的皇冠也掉了，頭髮都整個散下來，連他身上的外衣，也全都被這個過去的樹枝等等，這樣勾破了，甚至他的身體也遍體鱗傷。
這位象師在後面追不到，就出聲喊：「請國王有樹枝，您就趕緊攀著樹枝。」那時候國王趕緊在樹枝，粗的樹枝要過去之前，雙手攀著樹枝，這隻象這樣過去，國王在那個樹上，就慢慢這樣滾落地來，很狼狽，又驚又氣。象師追上來，趕緊下來叩頭求罪，向國王說：「請國王您息怒、安心，這隻白象不用再多久，牠會自己再回來皇宮。因為牠在皇宮這段時間，在受訓時所吃的東西，都是上等的食物，所享受的，相信牠現在出去外面，這隻象不適應，會再回頭，回來皇宮。」
國王還是很生氣，還是很驚惶時，就說：「不要看到你，我再也不要看到那隻象。」這樣後面的人也都已經到了，隨從趕緊將國王扶著，送入城中。城裡的人人圍在那裡，就是要等國王騎著白象，歡喜而歸，卻是看到的是，國王遍體鱗傷、全身狼狽，所以大家很驚慌、很擔心。
國王開始養傷了，過了一段時間，這位象師，果然看到這隻象回來皇宮，趕緊再向國王這樣說：「再給我一次機會，請國王要知道，這隻象是世間所稀有，不只是我們國家而已，要好好訓練牠。」國王好奇心又起了，就說：「好！看看這次白象又是如何？」
城中的人又圍過來看了，現在在這個廣場裡,;所設的，是有七顆火烤紅的鐵丸，還有就是鐵鉤為圈，鉤子，看起來怵目驚心。這當中國王又看到這隻象，怒氣又起，很生氣，原來象師就知道這隻象的生命難保，很可惜，同樣這隻象若被處死，也要讓國王要有這個明白，這隻象的可貴。
所以那時候象師很無奈，好吧，既然這樣，這隻象要經過那個鉤，鐵鉤，寸寸割破牠的身體，這太痛苦了。不如象吞下鐵丸，這樣要死也較快。他就向大象說：「你應該選擇這一項，因為你所犯的，太大的罪了。」所以這隻象聽到，無奈，四腳跪下，面向著國王流淚，好像向國王求饒，但是國王還在生氣，連看都不看，轉向一邊。
這位象師就說：「你是難免一死了，吞吧！鐵丸。」這隻象站起來，就這樣將象鼻勾鐵丸吞進肚子，那個紅、烤紅的鐵丸，吞進了象的肚子，全身就已經燙爛了，沒多久，那顆鐵丸就是破了象的肚皮，又滾出來，又滾出來，還是紅的；一些城中的人，圍觀的人，看到這隻象，不捨，大家怕，大聲哀嚎，哭了，為這隻象而悲傷。
國王在這樣的境界裡，後悔了，回到皇宮裡，悶悶不樂，百思不解，到底為什麼，我會發這麼大的怒氣呢？這位象師是怎樣馴象，能夠在當場叫牠選擇死的方法？所以心裡這種好奇，又將這位象師叫來，國王說：「當初你是怎麼教，為什麼不能將這隻象的心調好？象師的回答說：「我只能夠調御牠的身，能教牠如何(守)那個規矩，我無法調伏牠的心。」
但是國王就問：「那是什麼樣的人，才能調身，同時調心？」這位象師就說：「世間唯有三覺圓滿的人，又有兩種的德性，才能來調伏身與心。」二種的德性，一種是智慧德的性，一種是大慈悲的德性。什麼叫做三覺呢？自覺，自我調伏，又能調伏他人，這樣三覺圓滿、二德具足，成佛，叫做大覺者。
國王聽到大覺者，佛，忽然間，那個心整個震撼起來，從這樣開始，這位國王懺悔，除了後悔再懺悔，每天都在皇宮的高樓，禮拜四方，他就這樣發願：我從今開始，我一定好好修行，要廣度眾生，怎麼樣才能得到，我的心，自己自調伏，怎麼樣才能自調伏自己的心，還能調伏別人的心。希望人人的心受調伏，免受六道輪迴的苦難。假使有一個墮落地獄，我也願意到地獄，去把他救拔出來，讓人人都能聞法覺悟。
佛陀說到這裡，他就開始向大家說：「大家應該知道，這個故事，那就是過去的我，現在的釋迦牟尼佛，(是)那位國王，大光明，那位散闍，馴象師，就是現在的舍利弗。」
所以那時候所發的願，從這樣以來，一直一直就是，在人間，地獄六道中，五趣的地方不斷度眾生，所以現在有緣的人，那就是能聞法得度。
這段故事，末法這個時代，眾生的心就像獸類一樣，人人像有這隻白象，白象受調伏之後，但是獸性會再發作，獸性發作之後，還是會再回歸好的環境，在這個好的環境中，他，容納不了牠，就要受這樣的懲罰，這和我們人間一樣因緣果報，人能回歸我們，非常溫馴的真如本性，卻是無明煩惱再發作，所惹來的禍端就很大了。同時需要有這樣的馴獸師，普通的馴獸師，只能訓練牠的規矩，不能訓練牠的心，所以佛陀他，要在這三界中度眾生，必定要三覺圓滿、二德具足，同樣的道理。
所以我們前面所說的，「若國邑聚落，有大長者，其年衰邁，財富無量，多有田宅，及諸僮僕，其家廣大，唯有一門。」
若國邑聚落
有大長者
其年衰邁
財富無量
多有田宅
及諸僮僕
其家廣大
唯有一門
《法華經 譬喻品第三》
這是前面所說過的，這個大宅中非常的複雜，但是不論大小境域，都是譬喻眾生的境界。「其家廣大，唯有一門」，這個「廣大」表示家業，這個家很大，大到什麼程度？三界之內。這全都是表示天地之下，就如一個家一樣，這樣來譬喻，就是這個大乘自體相，大乘就是一個道理，道理，完整的道理的一個體相，這樣譬喻。
其家廣大
唯有一門：
此廣大之家
即喻大乘之自體相
能出入者為門
此家惟有一門
喻即唯一大乘之門
顯示大乘法性
為一乘之教門
這個大家庭只有一個門，唯一門，就是表示一乘、一門。要脫離三界火宅，也只有一個門而已。這是表示大乘的法性，大乘法，唯有一乘的教門，才有辦法讓人人安全離開火宅。
火宅就如，眾生所有煩惱累積的地方，也譬喻前面所說，很多很多因緣、譬喻，種種法，隨機宣示，就是無不都是為了，要教眾生菩提道。唯有菩薩道能夠自利、利他，自己調伏自己的心，也能救濟眾生，所以(唯)以一乘佛道，利濟眾生。
奈何機鈍障深，眾生的根機太鈍劣了，煩惱很重，所以不得已，所以佛陀先以種種法門來引導，引導人人純真的覺性，用真諦道理，只有一乘而已。
喻上佛以種種法
隨機宣示
於菩提覺道
如來本懷
唯以一乘佛道
利濟眾生
奈何機鈍障深
事不得已
先以種種法門引導
覺性純真
諦理唯有一乘
故言唯有一門
約教唯一佛乘
約理唯一實道知見
現在天地之間人禍、天災，眾生煩惱造作，苦不堪！要脫離這種的苦難，唯有一實道，一乘實道，這種的知見，所以用這樣來譬喻，「其家廣大，唯有一門」。這就是我們人人應該要體會。
前面那個故事，大光明王，一時的怒氣，造成了這一分後悔，然後懺悔、同時精進、發弘誓願：哪怕是一位眾生還在地獄中，他也願意再到地獄去度化。這是多久多久以來的心！
所以我們要好好，現在就要調伏自心，不要觸境怒心起，那就是後悔就很痛苦。所以要時時多用心。
Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: The Door of the One Vehicle (一乘教門)
Date: March.31. 2015
“The Buddha, with wisdom, can transform all afflictions into merits and virtues. He is like the owner of a great house. With the power of clear sight and wisdom, even treacherous servants will follow him and be tamed. All the servants will be loyal to he who upholds the Dharma.”
Who can transform sentient beings’ afflictions into merits and virtue? “The owner of a great house” who has “the power of clear sight and wisdom.” [The Buddha] is like the owner of a great house. If the owner has clear and radiant wisdom along with a pure body and mind, this will give him the power to manage his household so that things run smoothly; it will be very harmonious and organized.
For instance, if a servant of this household, or any member of the family, is treacherous, the head of this great house has ways of training them so that they remain obedient. Just as trainers can tame fierce animals, these servants will obey their master. They will accept and do whatever he tells them.
For instance, one time, the Buddha was teaching at Jeta Grove. Before the Buddha began to teach, everyone was talking about how there were so many people there and all had such great respect for the Buddha. Whatever He taught, everyone joyfully accepted and believed. They wondered what kind of karmic connections the Buddha had formed with sentient beings, that gave Him the amazing power to tame their hearts and minds.
The Buddha told those gathered the following story. Countless kalpas in the past, there was a kingdom with a king named Mahaprabhasa. He had radiant wisdom and governed his kingdom with virtue. His people enjoyed favorable wealth and lived in peace and prosperity. Meanwhile, this king and the king of the neighboring kingdom developed a close friendship.
One time, when the neighboring king was hunting in the forest, he saw a very beautiful and strong white elephant. The presence of a white elephant like this was an auspicious sign for any kingdom. Therefore, he arranged for the elephant to be carefully groomed and draped in beaded necklaces and fine silks, and he presented the elephant to King Mahaprabhasa. When King Mahaprabhasa was this white elephant, he felt very happy.
So, the king hired an animal trainer. The animal trainer, Scattered-Darkness, put his heart into the training and trained this elephant well. The king was happy to hear this, so he immediately issued an announcement to everyone in the city to let them know that he had a white elephant everyone was invited to come and see it. The elephant was led toward them. He was truly beautifully adorned. The king himself rode on his back. The kind was already tall and broad, so when he sat on top of the large white elephant, he truly looked formidable and magnificent, and like the sun rising above the horizon, he radiated power and light.
The sight caused a sensation and everyone was joyful. The trainer was riding another elephant, and they were followed by many attendants as the king rode the elephant out of the city.
Far away, they saw a herd of elephants.These wild elephants were right by a lotus pond, chewing on lotus roots.Within this elephant herd, there was a particular female elephant.The white elephant’s animal nature took control of him, and with his lust aroused, he charged after her.
The king could barely stay on his back everyone could see that the king had even lost his crown.His hair was loose and scattered, his outer garment had been ripped and torn by being caught on tree branches, and his body was covered in cuts and bruises.
The trainer was not about to catch up, so he yelled, “You’re Majesty! If you see a tree branch please quickly grab and hold on to it.”The king happened to be passing under a very thick branch, so he grabbed on to it with both hands.
As the elephant kept charging, the king remained hanging rum the tree before he gradually slid down the tree trunk to the ground.He was in a state of complete shock and looked very haggard.
The elephant trainer rushed up to him, threw himself to the ground, and begged forgiveness.He said, “You Majesty, please don’t be angry. Put your mind at ease. Soon, this elephant will come back to the parlance on his own, because during his time at the palace, the food he ate while he was being trained was food of the best quality and he lived very comfortably. I believe that if he tries to stay outside the palace, he will be unable to adjust to life outside. This elephant will certainly return.”
The king was still very angry and was still suffering a great fright.
He replied, “I never want to see you or that elephant ever again.”
At this moment, his followers finally caught up to them.The servants immediately helped him up and escorted him back to the city.
Everyone in the city was still gathered, waiting to see the king’s triumphant return on his white elephant.However, the king they saw was covered in wounds and looked very haggard.Everyone was anxious and very worried.
The king began his recovery.A while later, the elephant trainer could see that the elephant had made his way back to the palace.
He quickly spoke to the king again, “Please, I beg you to give me another chance. You Majesty, you must understand how rare and precious this elephant is, and not just in our kingdom. We must really make an effort to train him.”
The king’s curiosity was aroused, and so he agreed to come.
“I will see how the elephant performs once more.”The people from the city gathered to observe this.The setup in the city square included seven iron balls, heated bright red, and a circle of metal hooks.The hooks were a terrifying sight to behold.
When the king saw the elephant again, feelings of fury and anger arose in him.The elephant trainer knew that it would be hard to keep the elephant from being put to death.He felt that this was a pity, but if the elephant was going to be killed anyway, he wanted to the king to understand how precious he was.
The elephant trainer had no alternative.“[Your Majesty] if the elephant goes through the circle of hooks, it will cover every inch of his body with wounds. That would be a very painful death. Instead, have him swallow the metal balls. If he dies, it would be a faster way to go.”
He then told the elephant, “You choose the punishment, since you committed such a serious offense.”The elephant, upon hearing this, knelt down vulnerably in front of the king with tears in his eyes, as if begging the king for mercy.I spite of this, the king remained angry; he turned his head and refused to look.
The elephant trainer said, “You cannot avoid this death sentence,
so just swallow the metal ball”. The elephant stood up and picked up the burning metal ball with his truck and swallowed it. By the time the hot metal ball reached his stomach, his entire body had been scalded terribly. Soon afterwards, the metal ball burned through his stomach and fell to the ground. As the ball fell to the ground, it was still red. The people in the audience were hearbroken when they saw what happened to the elephant. Everyone was horrified, and they wailed loudly. They wept and mourned for this elephant. Because of this reaction, the king felt great regret.
When he returned to the palace, he was very upset and could not understand. “How could I have been so furious? How was the elephant trainer able to train the elephant so well that he could tell him to choose a way to die?” The king was very curious, so he summoned the elephant trainer.
The king asked, “How did you first train him? Why were you unable to tame his mind?” The elephant trainer answered, “I am only able to train his body and teach him how to obey my commands. I am not able to tame his mind”. The king then asked, “Then what kind of person would be able to tame both the body and the mind?” The elephant trainer said, “Only people who have perfected the three elements of enlightenment along with the two kids of virtues are able to tame both the body and the mind.
Of these two kinds of virtues, one is the virtue of wisdom and the other is the virtue of great compassion. What are the three elements of enlightenment? They include enlightening oneself developing self-discipline, and the ability to train others. Perfecting the three elements of enlightenment and the two kinds of virtues is the attainment of Buddhahood. Then one is called the Great Enlightened One.” When the king heard the words, “the Great Enlightened One” and “Buddha”, his mind was deeply moved.
From this point on, the king repented his ways. In addition to feeling regret, he was repentant. Every day, from a tall building in the palace, he prostrated in all directions and made this vow. “From now on, I will earnestly engage in spiritual practice so I can transform all sentient beings. I will find a way to train my mind. I will find the way to both train my mind and to train the minds of others. My hope is that everyone’s mind can be trained so they can avoid the suffering of cyclic existence in the Six Realms. Even if one person falls into hell, I am willing to go to hell and save him. I want everyone to hear the Dharma and awaken.”
At this point of the story, the Buddha stopped and told everyone. “All of you should know that this is a story about one of my past lives I, Sakyamuni Buddha, was once King Mahaprabhasa”. The elephant trainer, Scattered-Dharkness, is Sariputra in this lifetime. With the vow I made back then, from that time until now, I have been in the human realm, hell and the rest of the Six Realms. In the Five Destinies, I have unceasingly transformed sentient beings.
So, people who have karmic affinities with me can now hear the Dharma and be transformed.” This story is telling us that in the era of Dharma-degeneration, the minds of sentient beings are like animals. People are like this white elephant. Even after he was trained, he succumbed to his animal nature. After having gone wild, he returned to a comfortable environment, but this comfortable environment could not accommodate him, so he was subjected to this terrible punishment. This describes the way that we have to face karmic retribution in our lives. We can return to our gentle and pure Buddha-nature; however, when ignorance and affliction arise, the disasters they cause will be devastating. This is why we need to trainer [like the Buddha]. An ordinary trainer can only train us to follow rules but cannot transform our minds.
In order for the Buddha to transform sentient beings in the Three Realms, He had to perfect the three elements of enlightenment and two virtues. This is similar to what we have discussed.
The previous passage discussed states, “In a certain kingdom’s city or settlement, there was a great elder who was old and frail. He possessed limitless wealth and had many farmlands, houses and servants and had many farmlands, houses and servants. His house was spacious and large and had only one door.”
Things in this great house are very complicated, but whether the area is big or small, it is an analogy for the minds of sentient beings. “His house was spacious and large and had only one door.” “Spacious” means the size of his family enterprise and his house were very big. How large were they?As vast is the Three Realms. This represents how the whole world is one family. This is an analogy. This is the essence and appearance of the Great Vehicle. The Great Vehicle is a principle and this is the essence and appearance of this principle. So, it is an analogy.
His house was spacious and large and had only one door: This spacious house is an analogy for the Great Vehicle’s essence and appearance. The place where people enter and exit is the door. This house only has one door, just as the Great Vehicle only has one door. This expresses that the Dharma-nature of the Great Vehicle is the door of the One Vehicle teachings.
This household has only one door. This one door represents the One Vehicle. There is one door the burning house of the Three Realms, there is only door available. It represents the nature of the Great Vehicle, or the Great Vehicle Dharma; only the door of the One Vehicle can allow everyone to escape from the burning house. The burning house is the place where sentient beings have accumulated all their afflictions
This is also an analogy for the various causes and conditions, analogies and the various Dharma that He proclaimed according to capabilities, which were all for the purpose of teaching the Bodhi-path to sentient beings. Only with the Bodhisattva-path can one benefit oneself and others. By training one’s on mind, one can also save sentient beings. Thus, with the One Vehicle path to Buddhahood, [the Buddha sought to] benefit all sentient beings. Sadly, they had dull capabilities and severe obstructions. Sentient beings’ capabilities were too dull, their afflictions so severe. So, the Buddha could not do what He wanted, He had to first guide them with many Dharma-doors. To guide them back to their pure awakened nature, He had to use the true principles, so there is only the One Vehicle.
This is how the Buddha, with various methods, taught the Bodhi-path to enlightenment according to capabilities.The Buddha’s original intent was, with the One Vehicle path to Buddhahood, to benefit all sentient beings. Sadly, they had dull capabilities and severe obstructions, so He could not do what He wanted. First He guided them with many Dharma-doors to their pure and genuine nature. There is only One Vehicle to this ultimate truth. Therefore it is said there is only one door. From the perspective of teachings, there is only the One Buddha Vehicle From the perspective of principles, there is only the understanding and views of the One Reality.
Right now, there are so many manmade calamities and natural disasters. The karma created by afflicted sentient beings leads to unbearable suffering. Transcending this suffering is only possible through one path, the understanding and views of the One Reality. Therefore, the Buddha drew this analogy “His house was spacious and large and had only one door.”This is something everyone must realize.
The story I told earlier was about King Mahaprabhasa. In a moment of rage, he did something he later deeply regretted. He then repented his actions, practiced diligently and made the great vows. Even if one sentient beings was still in hell, he was willing to go to hell and deliver him. This remained his resolve for a very long time. So, from now on, we must earnestly train our minds so that the conditions we encounter will not trigger our rage. If we do things we regret, we will suffer greatly. 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）
⊙「佛智能轉一切煩惱為功德，譬喻大宅主以清明智慧力，若奸狡之奴能聽從順調御，所有僮僕悉能歸屬持法人。」
⊙「若國邑聚落，有大長者，其年衰邁，財富無量，多有田宅，及諸僮僕，其家廣大，唯有一門。」《法華經 譬喻品第三》
⊙其家廣大，唯有一門：此廣大之家，即喻大乘之自體相，能出入者為門，此家惟有一門，喻即唯一大乘之門，顯示大乘法性，為一乘之教門。
⊙喻上佛以種種法，隨機宣示於菩提覺道，如來本懷，唯以一乘佛道利濟眾生。奈何機鈍障深，事不得已，先以種種法門引導，覺性純真，諦理唯有一乘，故言唯有一門。約教唯一佛乘，約理唯一實道知見。
【證嚴上人開示】
「佛智能轉一切煩惱為功德，譬喻大宅主以清明智慧力，若奸狡之奴能聽從順調御，所有僮僕悉能歸屬持法人。」
佛智能轉一切煩惱
為功德
譬喻大宅主
以清明智慧力
若奸狡之奴
能聽從順調御
所有僮僕
悉能歸屬持法人
什麼人能夠來轉，眾生的煩惱成為功德呢？「譬喻大宅主以清明智慧力」，就像一個大家庭那個主人，那個主人若是有智慧，身心清淨、智慧明朗，這種的力量，他就能將這個大家庭，調理得很順睦，很和睦、很調順。
譬喻說這個大家庭裡的傭人，或者是家诙裡任何一個人，若有那種奸狡之奴，若這樣，那就是這位大宅主就有辦法，能將這個奸狡的奴僕，也能教得他很順，就像調御師教育猛獸一樣，所有的僮僕，都能歸屬在這位主人，主人所說的，他們都能順從接受。
就像有一次，佛陀在祇園精舍，還未講法之前，人人就這樣在議論：「這麼多人！大家都那麼敬仰佛陀，佛陀所說的法，大家都這樣這麼歡喜信受，到底佛陀他與眾生，是結什麼樣的因緣？怎能(有)那樣的威力，來調伏眾生的心？」
佛陀又開始就說：想到過去無量無量劫前，有一個國家，這位國王叫做大光明王，非常明智，而且以德來統治他的國家，這個國家風調雨順、國泰民安，同時這位國王和鄰國，就是隔壁國這位國王相交，大家交往，感情很好。
有一次，隔壁國的國王，去山林中打獵時，發現到一隻很美、很健壯的大白象，得到這隻大白象，是表示國家的祥瑞的感覺，所以他趕緊將這隻象，整理得很乾淨，同時為牠掛上纓絡、披上綢緞，將這隻象就送給光明王。光明王看到這隻白象，也是很歡喜，請來了調御，馴獸的人。這位馴象師散闍，用心訓練、訓練，將這隻象訓練得很好。國王聽到歡喜，所以趕緊就布達給大家，全城的人知道，有這隻白象，大家可以來看，這隻象牽出來了，裝飾得很莊嚴，國王就騎到白象上面，國王本身高大、勇壯，所以騎在這隻白象上，真的是很威武莊嚴，好像太陽浮上海面，那種光芒四射。全城的人很轟動，歡喜！
這位象師也騎另外一隻象，隨從的人很多，就將這隻象騎出到城外，看到了，遠遠一群的象，這群野象在大蓮花池邊，在那裡咬蓮藕，又看到象群裡面，那象，母象，這隻白象忽然間獸性大作，雄性大作就這樣直衝。騎在象上的國王，坐都快要坐不住了，看到國王，連他的皇冠也掉了，頭髮都整個散下來，連他身上的外衣，也全都被這個過去的樹枝等等，這樣勾破了，甚至他的身體也遍體鱗傷。
這位象師在後面追不到，就出聲喊：「請國王有樹枝，您就趕緊攀著樹枝。」那時候國王趕緊在樹枝，粗的樹枝要過去之前，雙手攀著樹枝，這隻象這樣過去，國王在那個樹上，就慢慢這樣滾落地來，很狼狽，又驚又氣。象師追上來，趕緊下來叩頭求罪，向國王說：「請國王您息怒、安心，這隻白象不用再多久，牠會自己再回來皇宮。因為牠在皇宮這段時間，在受訓時所吃的東西，都是上等的食物，所享受的，相信牠現在出去外面，這隻象不適應，會再回頭，回來皇宮。」
國王還是很生氣，還是很驚惶時，就說：「不要看到你，我再也不要看到那隻象。」這樣後面的人也都已經到了，隨從趕緊將國王扶著，送入城中。城裡的人人圍在那裡，就是要等國王騎著白象，歡喜而歸，卻是看到的是，國王遍體鱗傷、全身狼狽，所以大家很驚慌、很擔心。
國王開始養傷了，過了一段時間，這位象師，果然看到這隻象回來皇宮，趕緊再向國王這樣說：「再給我一次機會，請國王要知道，這隻象是世間所稀有，不只是我們國家而已，要好好訓練牠。」國王好奇心又起了，就說：「好！看看這次白象又是如何？」
城中的人又圍過來看了，現在在這個廣場裡,;所設的，是有七顆火烤紅的鐵丸，還有就是鐵鉤為圈，鉤子，看起來怵目驚心。這當中國王又看到這隻象，怒氣又起，很生氣，原來象師就知道這隻象的生命難保，很可惜，同樣這隻象若被處死，也要讓國王要有這個明白，這隻象的可貴。
所以那時候象師很無奈，好吧，既然這樣，這隻象要經過那個鉤，鐵鉤，寸寸割破牠的身體，這太痛苦了。不如象吞下鐵丸，這樣要死也較快。他就向大象說：「你應該選擇這一項，因為你所犯的，太大的罪了。」所以這隻象聽到，無奈，四腳跪下，面向著國王流淚，好像向國王求饒，但是國王還在生氣，連看都不看，轉向一邊。
這位象師就說：「你是難免一死了，吞吧！鐵丸。」這隻象站起來，就這樣將象鼻勾鐵丸吞進肚子，那個紅、烤紅的鐵丸，吞進了象的肚子，全身就已經燙爛了，沒多久，那顆鐵丸就是破了象的肚皮，又滾出來，又滾出來，還是紅的；一些城中的人，圍觀的人，看到這隻象，不捨，大家怕，大聲哀嚎，哭了，為這隻象而悲傷。
國王在這樣的境界裡，後悔了，回到皇宮裡，悶悶不樂，百思不解，到底為什麼，我會發這麼大的怒氣呢？這位象師是怎樣馴象，能夠在當場叫牠選擇死的方法？所以心裡這種好奇，又將這位象師叫來，國王說：「當初你是怎麼教，為什麼不能將這隻象的心調好？象師的回答說：「我只能夠調御牠的身，能教牠如何(守)那個規矩，我無法調伏牠的心。」
但是國王就問：「那是什麼樣的人，才能調身，同時調心？」這位象師就說：「世間唯有三覺圓滿的人，又有兩種的德性，才能來調伏身與心。」二種的德性，一種是智慧德的性，一種是大慈悲的德性。什麼叫做三覺呢？自覺，自我調伏，又能調伏他人，這樣三覺圓滿、二德具足，成佛，叫做大覺者。
國王聽到大覺者，佛，忽然間，那個心整個震撼起來，從這樣開始，這位國王懺悔，除了後悔再懺悔，每天都在皇宮的高樓，禮拜四方，他就這樣發願：我從今開始，我一定好好修行，要廣度眾生，怎麼樣才能得到，我的心，自己自調伏，怎麼樣才能自調伏自己的心，還能調伏別人的心。希望人人的心受調伏，免受六道輪迴的苦難。假使有一個墮落地獄，我也願意到地獄，去把他救拔出來，讓人人都能聞法覺悟。
佛陀說到這裡，他就開始向大家說：「大家應該知道，這個故事，那就是過去的我，現在的釋迦牟尼佛，(是)那位國王，大光明，那位散闍，馴象師，就是現在的舍利弗。」
所以那時候所發的願，從這樣以來，一直一直就是，在人間，地獄六道中，五趣的地方不斷度眾生，所以現在有緣的人，那就是能聞法得度。
這段故事，末法這個時代，眾生的心就像獸類一樣，人人像有這隻白象，白象受調伏之後，但是獸性會再發作，獸性發作之後，還是會再回歸好的環境，在這個好的環境中，他，容納不了牠，就要受這樣的懲罰，這和我們人間一樣因緣果報，人能回歸我們，非常溫馴的真如本性，卻是無明煩惱再發作，所惹來的禍端就很大了。同時需要有這樣的馴獸師，普通的馴獸師，只能訓練牠的規矩，不能訓練牠的心，所以佛陀他，要在這三界中度眾生，必定要三覺圓滿、二德具足，同樣的道理。
所以我們前面所說的，「若國邑聚落，有大長者，其年衰邁，財富無量，多有田宅，及諸僮僕，其家廣大，唯有一門。」
若國邑聚落
有大長者
其年衰邁
財富無量
多有田宅
及諸僮僕
其家廣大
唯有一門
《法華經 譬喻品第三》
這是前面所說過的，這個大宅中非常的複雜，但是不論大小境域，都是譬喻眾生的境界。「其家廣大，唯有一門」，這個「廣大」表示家業，這個家很大，大到什麼程度？三界之內。這全都是表示天地之下，就如一個家一樣，這樣來譬喻，就是這個大乘自體相，大乘就是一個道理，道理，完整的道理的一個體相，這樣譬喻。
其家廣大
唯有一門：
此廣大之家
即喻大乘之自體相
能出入者為門
此家惟有一門
喻即唯一大乘之門
顯示大乘法性
為一乘之教門
這個大家庭只有一個門，唯一門，就是表示一乘、一門。要脫離三界火宅，也只有一個門而已。這是表示大乘的法性，大乘法，唯有一乘的教門，才有辦法讓人人安全離開火宅。
火宅就如，眾生所有煩惱累積的地方，也譬喻前面所說，很多很多因緣、譬喻，種種法，隨機宣示，就是無不都是為了，要教眾生菩提道。唯有菩薩道能夠自利、利他，自己調伏自己的心，也能救濟眾生，所以(唯)以一乘佛道，利濟眾生。
奈何機鈍障深，眾生的根機太鈍劣了，煩惱很重，所以不得已，所以佛陀先以種種法門來引導，引導人人純真的覺性，用真諦道理，只有一乘而已。
喻上佛以種種法
隨機宣示
於菩提覺道
如來本懷
唯以一乘佛道
利濟眾生
奈何機鈍障深
事不得已
先以種種法門引導
覺性純真
諦理唯有一乘
故言唯有一門
約教唯一佛乘
約理唯一實道知見
現在天地之間人禍、天災，眾生煩惱造作，苦不堪！要脫離這種的苦難，唯有一實道，一乘實道，這種的知見，所以用這樣來譬喻，「其家廣大，唯有一門」。這就是我們人人應該要體會。
前面那個故事，大光明王，一時的怒氣，造成了這一分後悔，然後懺悔、同時精進、發弘誓願：哪怕是一位眾生還在地獄中，他也願意再到地獄去度化。這是多久多久以來的心！
所以我們要好好，現在就要調伏自心，不要觸境怒心起，那就是後悔就很痛苦。所以要時時多用心。
Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: The Door of the One Vehicle (一乘教門)
Date: March.31. 2015
“The Buddha, with wisdom, can transform all afflictions into merits and virtues. He is like the owner of a great house. With the power of clear sight and wisdom, even treacherous servants will follow him and be tamed. All the servants will be loyal to he who upholds the Dharma.”
Who can transform sentient beings’ afflictions into merits and virtue? “The owner of a great house” who has “the power of clear sight and wisdom.” [The Buddha] is like the owner of a great house. If the owner has clear and radiant wisdom along with a pure body and mind, this will give him the power to manage his household so that things run smoothly; it will be very harmonious and organized.
For instance, if a servant of this household, or any member of the family, is treacherous, the head of this great house has ways of training them so that they remain obedient. Just as trainers can tame fierce animals, these servants will obey their master. They will accept and do whatever he tells them.
For instance, one time, the Buddha was teaching at Jeta Grove. Before the Buddha began to teach, everyone was talking about how there were so many people there and all had such great respect for the Buddha. Whatever He taught, everyone joyfully accepted and believed. They wondered what kind of karmic connections the Buddha had formed with sentient beings, that gave Him the amazing power to tame their hearts and minds.
The Buddha told those gathered the following story. Countless kalpas in the past, there was a kingdom with a king named Mahaprabhasa. He had radiant wisdom and governed his kingdom with virtue. His people enjoyed favorable wealth and lived in peace and prosperity. Meanwhile, this king and the king of the neighboring kingdom developed a close friendship.
One time, when the neighboring king was hunting in the forest, he saw a very beautiful and strong white elephant. The presence of a white elephant like this was an auspicious sign for any kingdom. Therefore, he arranged for the elephant to be carefully groomed and draped in beaded necklaces and fine silks, and he presented the elephant to King Mahaprabhasa. When King Mahaprabhasa was this white elephant, he felt very happy.
So, the king hired an animal trainer. The animal trainer, Scattered-Darkness, put his heart into the training and trained this elephant well. The king was happy to hear this, so he immediately issued an announcement to everyone in the city to let them know that he had a white elephant everyone was invited to come and see it. The elephant was led toward them. He was truly beautifully adorned. The king himself rode on his back. The kind was already tall and broad, so when he sat on top of the large white elephant, he truly looked formidable and magnificent, and like the sun rising above the horizon, he radiated power and light.
The sight caused a sensation and everyone was joyful. The trainer was riding another elephant, and they were followed by many attendants as the king rode the elephant out of the city.
Far away, they saw a herd of elephants.These wild elephants were right by a lotus pond, chewing on lotus roots.Within this elephant herd, there was a particular female elephant.The white elephant’s animal nature took control of him, and with his lust aroused, he charged after her.
The king could barely stay on his back everyone could see that the king had even lost his crown.His hair was loose and scattered, his outer garment had been ripped and torn by being caught on tree branches, and his body was covered in cuts and bruises.
The trainer was not about to catch up, so he yelled, “You’re Majesty! If you see a tree branch please quickly grab and hold on to it.”The king happened to be passing under a very thick branch, so he grabbed on to it with both hands.
As the elephant kept charging, the king remained hanging rum the tree before he gradually slid down the tree trunk to the ground.He was in a state of complete shock and looked very haggard.
The elephant trainer rushed up to him, threw himself to the ground, and begged forgiveness.He said, “You Majesty, please don’t be angry. Put your mind at ease. Soon, this elephant will come back to the parlance on his own, because during his time at the palace, the food he ate while he was being trained was food of the best quality and he lived very comfortably. I believe that if he tries to stay outside the palace, he will be unable to adjust to life outside. This elephant will certainly return.”
The king was still very angry and was still suffering a great fright.
He replied, “I never want to see you or that elephant ever again.”
At this moment, his followers finally caught up to them.The servants immediately helped him up and escorted him back to the city.
Everyone in the city was still gathered, waiting to see the king’s triumphant return on his white elephant.However, the king they saw was covered in wounds and looked very haggard.Everyone was anxious and very worried.
The king began his recovery.A while later, the elephant trainer could see that the elephant had made his way back to the palace.
He quickly spoke to the king again, “Please, I beg you to give me another chance. You Majesty, you must understand how rare and precious this elephant is, and not just in our kingdom. We must really make an effort to train him.”
The king’s curiosity was aroused, and so he agreed to come.
“I will see how the elephant performs once more.”The people from the city gathered to observe this.The setup in the city square included seven iron balls, heated bright red, and a circle of metal hooks.The hooks were a terrifying sight to behold.
When the king saw the elephant again, feelings of fury and anger arose in him.The elephant trainer knew that it would be hard to keep the elephant from being put to death.He felt that this was a pity, but if the elephant was going to be killed anyway, he wanted to the king to understand how precious he was.
The elephant trainer had no alternative.“[Your Majesty] if the elephant goes through the circle of hooks, it will cover every inch of his body with wounds. That would be a very painful death. Instead, have him swallow the metal balls. If he dies, it would be a faster way to go.”
He then told the elephant, “You choose the punishment, since you committed such a serious offense.”The elephant, upon hearing this, knelt down vulnerably in front of the king with tears in his eyes, as if begging the king for mercy.I spite of this, the king remained angry; he turned his head and refused to look.
The elephant trainer said, “You cannot avoid this death sentence,
so just swallow the metal ball”. The elephant stood up and picked up the burning metal ball with his truck and swallowed it. By the time the hot metal ball reached his stomach, his entire body had been scalded terribly. Soon afterwards, the metal ball burned through his stomach and fell to the ground. As the ball fell to the ground, it was still red. The people in the audience were hearbroken when they saw what happened to the elephant. Everyone was horrified, and they wailed loudly. They wept and mourned for this elephant. Because of this reaction, the king felt great regret.
When he returned to the palace, he was very upset and could not understand. “How could I have been so furious? How was the elephant trainer able to train the elephant so well that he could tell him to choose a way to die?” The king was very curious, so he summoned the elephant trainer.
The king asked, “How did you first train him? Why were you unable to tame his mind?” The elephant trainer answered, “I am only able to train his body and teach him how to obey my commands. I am not able to tame his mind”. The king then asked, “Then what kind of person would be able to tame both the body and the mind?” The elephant trainer said, “Only people who have perfected the three elements of enlightenment along with the two kids of virtues are able to tame both the body and the mind.
Of these two kinds of virtues, one is the virtue of wisdom and the other is the virtue of great compassion. What are the three elements of enlightenment? They include enlightening oneself developing self-discipline, and the ability to train others. Perfecting the three elements of enlightenment and the two kinds of virtues is the attainment of Buddhahood. Then one is called the Great Enlightened One.” When the king heard the words, “the Great Enlightened One” and “Buddha”, his mind was deeply moved.
From this point on, the king repented his ways. In addition to feeling regret, he was repentant. Every day, from a tall building in the palace, he prostrated in all directions and made this vow. “From now on, I will earnestly engage in spiritual practice so I can transform all sentient beings. I will find a way to train my mind. I will find the way to both train my mind and to train the minds of others. My hope is that everyone’s mind can be trained so they can avoid the suffering of cyclic existence in the Six Realms. Even if one person falls into hell, I am willing to go to hell and save him. I want everyone to hear the Dharma and awaken.”
At this point of the story, the Buddha stopped and told everyone. “All of you should know that this is a story about one of my past lives I, Sakyamuni Buddha, was once King Mahaprabhasa”. The elephant trainer, Scattered-Dharkness, is Sariputra in this lifetime. With the vow I made back then, from that time until now, I have been in the human realm, hell and the rest of the Six Realms. In the Five Destinies, I have unceasingly transformed sentient beings.
So, people who have karmic affinities with me can now hear the Dharma and be transformed.” This story is telling us that in the era of Dharma-degeneration, the minds of sentient beings are like animals. People are like this white elephant. Even after he was trained, he succumbed to his animal nature. After having gone wild, he returned to a comfortable environment, but this comfortable environment could not accommodate him, so he was subjected to this terrible punishment. This describes the way that we have to face karmic retribution in our lives. We can return to our gentle and pure Buddha-nature; however, when ignorance and affliction arise, the disasters they cause will be devastating. This is why we need to trainer [like the Buddha]. An ordinary trainer can only train us to follow rules but cannot transform our minds.
In order for the Buddha to transform sentient beings in the Three Realms, He had to perfect the three elements of enlightenment and two virtues. This is similar to what we have discussed.
The previous passage discussed states, “In a certain kingdom’s city or settlement, there was a great elder who was old and frail. He possessed limitless wealth and had many farmlands, houses and servants and had many farmlands, houses and servants. His house was spacious and large and had only one door.”
Things in this great house are very complicated, but whether the area is big or small, it is an analogy for the minds of sentient beings. “His house was spacious and large and had only one door.” “Spacious” means the size of his family enterprise and his house were very big. How large were they?As vast is the Three Realms. This represents how the whole world is one family. This is an analogy. This is the essence and appearance of the Great Vehicle. The Great Vehicle is a principle and this is the essence and appearance of this principle. So, it is an analogy.
His house was spacious and large and had only one door: This spacious house is an analogy for the Great Vehicle’s essence and appearance. The place where people enter and exit is the door. This house only has one door, just as the Great Vehicle only has one door. This expresses that the Dharma-nature of the Great Vehicle is the door of the One Vehicle teachings.
This household has only one door. This one door represents the One Vehicle. There is one door the burning house of the Three Realms, there is only door available. It represents the nature of the Great Vehicle, or the Great Vehicle Dharma; only the door of the One Vehicle can allow everyone to escape from the burning house. The burning house is the place where sentient beings have accumulated all their afflictions
This is also an analogy for the various causes and conditions, analogies and the various Dharma that He proclaimed according to capabilities, which were all for the purpose of teaching the Bodhi-path to sentient beings. Only with the Bodhisattva-path can one benefit oneself and others. By training one’s on mind, one can also save sentient beings. Thus, with the One Vehicle path to Buddhahood, [the Buddha sought to] benefit all sentient beings. Sadly, they had dull capabilities and severe obstructions. Sentient beings’ capabilities were too dull, their afflictions so severe. So, the Buddha could not do what He wanted, He had to first guide them with many Dharma-doors. To guide them back to their pure awakened nature, He had to use the true principles, so there is only the One Vehicle.
This is how the Buddha, with various methods, taught the Bodhi-path to enlightenment according to capabilities.The Buddha’s original intent was, with the One Vehicle path to Buddhahood, to benefit all sentient beings. Sadly, they had dull capabilities and severe obstructions, so He could not do what He wanted. First He guided them with many Dharma-doors to their pure and genuine nature. There is only One Vehicle to this ultimate truth. Therefore it is said there is only one door. From the perspective of teachings, there is only the One Buddha Vehicle From the perspective of principles, there is only the understanding and views of the One Reality.
Right now, there are so many manmade calamities and natural disasters. The karma created by afflicted sentient beings leads to unbearable suffering. Transcending this suffering is only possible through one path, the understanding and views of the One Reality. Therefore, the Buddha drew this analogy “His house was spacious and large and had only one door.”This is something everyone must realize.
The story I told earlier was about King Mahaprabhasa. In a moment of rage, he did something he later deeply regretted. He then repented his actions, practiced diligently and made the great vows. Even if one sentient beings was still in hell, he was willing to go to hell and deliver him. This remained his resolve for a very long time. So, from now on, we must earnestly train our minds so that the conditions we encounter will not trigger our rage. If we do things we regret, we will suffer greatly. Therefore, we must always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV – Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
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