20150504《靜思妙蓮華》明因緣修四諦（第557集）
（法華經•譬喻品第三）
⊙四生皆從因緣生，起心動念造善惡，不由帶來業種子，無明行識緣生死。
⊙「父知諸子先心各有所好，種種珍玩奇異之物，情必樂著。」《法華經 譬喻品第三》
⊙「而告之言：汝等所可玩好希有難得，汝若不取後必憂悔。」《法華經 譬喻品第三》
⊙而告之言：勸告其令修持四諦法，謂：此是苦，汝應知；此是集，汝應斷；此是滅，汝應證；此是道，汝應修。
【證嚴上人開示】
四生皆從因緣生
起心動念造善惡
不由帶來業種子
無明行識緣生死
也就是說，天下一切的生物叫做「四生」，「四生」就是，卵生、胎生、濕生、化生。除了我們人類之外，很多、很多的生物，蠢動含靈，無不都是在「四生」之中。我們都知道胎生，我們人，其他的動物，(哺乳類)動物也是「胎生」，有的牛這樣生下來，也就是很自然胎生下來。有的羊胎生，一胎生，母羊將小羊生下來，羊這種動物，牠生下來就跪地吃母奶，這種的動物也是這麼的有規矩。其他，還是胎生的動物，也是很多都是胎生。
除了胎生以外，還有卵生，這樣用覆著生出來，雞、鴨、鳥等等，飛禽這一類都是蛋生出來的；有的魚，魚這樣一胎就有很多卵，這就是天下之間，不論是山河大地所有的生物，都是在這種「四生」之中，卵生、胎生、濕生、化生。種種的生物，牠的生態不離開這四種，這四種都是有因緣，就是從因緣生。
佛就這樣說，「蠢動含靈皆有佛性」，這四種的生命，同樣都是有佛性，與我們人同樣；不論是牛、狗、豬、羊等等，或者是飛禽走獸，都是有佛性。我們看到一隻老的母猩猩，看到主人在做家事，牠也會學，牠跟著牠的主人做事情，做得全都一樣，會擰布、會擦窗戶、會掃地，女主人會做的工作，牠都會做。你們想，這是動物還是人呢？這和人的功能沒有比較差。
馬戲團，猴子在騎車，繞桶箍，那個特技的表演也不輸人。很多種的動物，可以這樣訓練出來。狗，能夠帶著牠的主人，眼睛看不見，安全走到哪個地方，狗就是這樣陪著主人，走在安全的路線。你們想，這不就是和人性很接近嗎？和人性接近，就是和佛性接近。
說起動物的故事卻是不少，可見一切的生靈皆有佛性。為什麼我們可以做人，為什麼動物，牠為何生在那個動物，任憑人類的宰割，？所生活的環境，和我們人差這麼多，到底是什麼因緣？就是因緣。這個因緣，我們常常說六道，為善者，生天道，人間的天堂，你若說，天道看不到，卻是人間就有「天堂」。輪迴
有多少人多麼享受！一輩子含著金湯匙來，一來，來到人間，好的家庭、好的家世，這樣一直長大，好的栽培等等，所生活的環境就如在天堂一樣，自已若愛玩車的人，一個人有好幾輛車，六、七輛、十幾輛車，自己甘願每天都在那裡擦車，這輛車不捨得讓別人摸到，執著在這個車。
我們的榮譽董事裡面也有，走入慈濟之後，知道了，就不當車奴才。每天都在那裡擦車，每天都是一輛車，出去外面跑一跑，跑一跑，沒事情，光是出去外面跑，開車出去，回來了，趕緊再顧好它，明天再另外換一輛。我問他：「你全部幾輛？」他說：「一星期就是七天，七天就每天換一輛。」「你一天都要擦七輛車？」他說：「不過摸到車子很歡喜。」
「一輛車是多少錢？」「有六百多萬元，那是比較便宜的。」「六百多萬比較便宜？那最貴的呢？」「二千多萬。」「這樣，你不會很辛苦嗎？」經過了一段時間，告訴我：「師父，我瞭解您的意思了，我現在將那些車賣出去，我留一輛就好了。」有一天，我問他：「賣了之後要如何？」「錢就是捐國際（賑災），或者是等等都可以。」「功德無量！」
像這樣已經進入慈濟裡面，他也是一位美食者，他說天上飛的、水裡游的、地上跑的，唸一唸，沒有一項，他沒有吃過。甚至，聽到哪一個地方，什麼樣出名的東西，光是專程搭飛機去吃。像這樣的人生，現在已經素食了，常常都出去現身說法。
人生轉變，為什麼轉變？因為他懂道理，瞭解「四生」隨著因緣，不能自己選擇，就是起心動念，所造作的善惡緣。捨去了這個身體，將來我們去生在哪裡呢？是要在胎生？要在卵生？要在濕生、化生？不知道，由不得我們自己。唯有要顧好這念心。我們起心動念，是要做善或者是造福呢？做善，造福緣，而若是作惡呢?那就是造惡緣。那個惡的環境，我若是造惡，我與那個惡的環境的緣，自然這股業力，就牽引他那個惡道去。
這人間要在畜生道，人間看到的畜生，種種的類邢我們看得到，要看到餓鬼道呢?看，現在資訊這麼發達，多少（眾生）在飢餓之中，餓得全身（剩）皮與骨，沒肉。在我們的大愛電視，常常畫面上所看到的，那個飢餓苦難的眾生，地獄道、鐵床地獄，我們若是有經濟的人、有因緣的人，生病還可以在醫院裡，這樣有人照顧。但是有的病即使如何照顧，他還是無法找出他的病因，找了病因，沒有方法治療，像在那個「鐵床」上，苦，我是最苦的，我無法知道隔床病人的苦。這種像鐵床地獄，尤其是鋸腳、鋸手、拔舌、用火燒等等，這不就是在人生的地獄道？這種惡業，這是隨緣牽引我們，由不得自己。
看，人間有富貴如處天堂的人，人間有苦難折磨，像在地獄中的人，善、惡道。不必再說人間以外的惡道，光是在人間就看得到的形態。
所以我們應該要瞭解道理，就是「不由帶來業種子」。看到人在享受，「若是知道，我也去生在那個家庭。」有可能嗎？就算讓你「若是知道」，也不可能。因為我們「若是知道」，上輩子就要造善，不要造惡。這是過去生中，所以「不由帶來業種子」，善惡業不由自己，就已經帶來了，這輩子我們已經帶來了。
所以這輩子既然帶來了，我們還有因緣聽到佛法，我們要改造我們的人生。改造在什麼時候？在現在改造，來生得。這輩子是這樣，不理想的人生，我們就為我們不理想的人生來改造；在我們這輩子是在享受，我們要趕緊再警惕著：不要消福，銀行的錢存得再多都領得完。所以我們必定要，及時再造福在來生。
所以，我們這輩子是由不得自己，這樣來到這個人生，我們還是很有福，常常要感恩。來到這個人生，能夠得聞佛法，同依止在臺灣，環境不錯，日日要感恩啊！
所以我們凡夫就是在，「無明行識緣生死」。我們說過了，佛陀來人間，那就是要和大家分享，能夠成佛心靈的境界，但是你要得到這個心靈的境界，你自已本身要有這樣的條件，那就是要淨化你的心，心若能夠很淨化，用心修行。
釋迦佛也不是生下來就叫做佛，他也要經過五年的參訪、六年的苦行，體會到宇宙人間的真理。所以這是經過了這樣在修行，這輩子是這樣，他是用他的期範現相，教我們就要這樣修行的過程。其實，過去生中也已經無量數劫，都是這樣這樣修行過來。
雖然他已經覺悟，他的心境這麼透徹如琉璃，很清淨，寂靜清澄，與宇宙同體。不過，這個心境要與大家分享。沒有辦法，所以佛陀就要設種種方便，應眾生根機，說「四諦法」、說「十二因緣法」。
所以我們前面的經文，「父知諸子，先心各有所好，種種珍玩，奇異之物，情必樂著」。已經瞭解眾生的根機，應機逗教，這是願意來接近佛法、聽佛法的人，才有辦法體會佛陀的法。
父知諸子
先心各有所好
種種珍玩
奇異之物
情必樂著
《法華經 譬喻品第三》
這已經瞭解眾生的根機，應機投教，這是已經願來接近佛法，聽佛法的人，才有辦法去體會佛院的法，再接下來的經文就說，「而告之言：汝等所可玩好希有難得，汝若不取後必憂悔。」
而告之言
汝等所可玩好
希有難得
汝若不取
後必憂悔
《法華經 譬喻品第三》
知道這些孩子所需要的、所好樂的東西，所以他就趕快大聲叫了。因為這些孩子，在那個火宅的裡面，不曉得要出來，怎麼叫，就是光看著父親，不曉得要出來。長者不得不設其他的方便法，知道這些孩子所樂著、所歡喜的是什麼?所以再叫：「來，來，來，告訴你們。」
「汝等所可玩好，希有難得，汝若不取，後必憂悔。」趕快來！這個地方，還有比在裡面那個地方，更好玩的東西、很多，你們現在若不趕快出來，這個東西是很珍貴、很稀有，不趕快出來，你沒有得到，下次，以後你會後悔。用這樣的方式來叫喚他的孩子，大聲快叫，希望這些孩子可以趕快，脫離那個火在燒的地方，大聲這樣叫。這就是說「勸告其令修持四諦法」。
而告之言：
勸告其
令修持四諦法
謂：此是苦 汝應知
此是集 汝應斷
此是滅 汝應證
此是道 汝應修
佛陀用「四諦法」，這個「四諦法」就是苦、集、滅、道。當初佛陀開始說，這個「四諦法」，這個眾生，人間種種的苦難大家知道嗎？「此是苦，汝應知」，世間這個地方有很多很多的苦難，來到人間無不都是受苦。
有多少苦呢？人人全都是平等，同樣除了生、老、病、死。生下來時，過程中慢慢長大，再來就老了。在這個長大，少年、青年、中年，這個過程中，各人的環境不同，有的是生活的苦，有的那就是無明的苦。
父母寵愛，花花公子，就是不懂得要瞭解人間的道理，所做的都感覺大家是對不起他，像這種，愛的東西很多很多，愛不到就煩惱、憎恨等等，這也算是苦。何況人與人之間，愛的，我就一直去追求，不擇手段去追求，在這當中，那就是「求不得」的苦，或者是愛的人愛不到的苦，「求不得」，「愛別離」，甚至「怨憎會」等等，所以佛陀就說：「此是苦，汝應知。」
大家要知道來到人生都是苦。你細細思惟，靜靜地想想看，哪一件事情，是讓我們歡喜很長久的？沒有一件事情，是讓我們長久歡喜的，都是不斷在無常變遷，何況很多突發性的意外災難。苦！苦不堪！我們要知道，佛陀說「此是苦，汝應知」。
「此是集，汝應斷」。這全都是我們的執著。我們人生就是有執著，才會在那個地方，這樣在計較、起心動念，看到好的東西，我們就是要爭、要取。看看，常常為了這種珠寶，起了盜與搶的心。
你知道那些東西，都破壞多少的山河大地呢？知道一塊寶石，就要炸掉了多大的山窟，才有發辦法發現這樣的寶石。這就是「集」──集來我們現在人間，這樣四大不調和、地球被破壞，都是人類那念心，所以這都是集來的，「集」來種種的業。所以這我們要斷，否則「集」來這麼多業，後來的人受苦無窮，我們的來生不知道會去哪裡？我們不知道，所以「此是集，汝應斷」。
我們不只要斷，我們要「滅」。這輩子不要再一直貪下去了，同時我們要趕緊修清淨行，來瞭解這些道理。所以「滅」，滅掉貪欲的心，不只不要去做，連心也要清淨。所以「此是滅，汝應證」。
「此是道，汝應修」，這是「道」，我們要好好地修。佛陀告訴我們這些道理，又開路讓我們走，這「四諦法」，還要讓我們知道：我們如何來？來了，到底是「集」哪幾項的因素來做人？再接下去就是「十二因緣」。他用「四諦法」，就是大家都普遍能聽，都能瞭解因緣果報等等，方便、譬喻，這樣都用在這個，「四諦法」之中。很多的道理，很多的因緣果報，都在這「四諦法」中，而我們人是怎麼來的？那就要瞭解「十二因緣」。
各位，「四諦法」，就有很多讓我們瞭解，「十二因緣」解釋也還要時間，所以要請大家及時，先將「四諦法」瞭解，我們後面再瞭解，「十二因緣」法的次序。所以大家時時要多用心。
Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: Learn the Law of Karma and the Four Noble Truths (明因緣修四諦)
Date: May.04. 2015
“All four forms of birth arise from causes and conditions. Every arising thought creates positive or negative karma. Uncontrollably we bring seeds of karma with us. Ignorance, volition and consciousness give rise to birth and death.”
All living beings are born through the four forms of birth. The four forms of birth are egg-, womb-, moisture- and transformation-born. Apart from we human beings, there are many kinds of living, moving beings. They all go through the four forms of birth.
We all know about the womb-born. We humans and other mammals are womb-born. Cows are like this; they are born very naturally from their mothers’ womb. Sheep are also womb-born. Once a ewe gives birth to a lamb, lambs are known for then kneeling to drink the ewe’s milk. It is very natural for the lamb to do this. There are many other womb-born creatures. Other than womb-born animals, there are many animals which are born in eggs, chicken, ducks, birds and so on. Animals which fly are egg-born. Some fish give birth to many egg at once.
In this world, no matter where they live, all living beings come from one of the four kinds of birth, egg-, womb-, moisture- and transformation-born. All creatures come into being through one of these four forms. These four forms all have their own causes and conditions; they arise from karmic cause and effect.
The Buddha said, “All living, moving beings have Buddha-nature.” These four kinds of beings all have Buddha-nature, just like us humans. Whether they are cows, dogs, pigs, sheep or any other animal, they all have Buddha-nature. We have seen [video] of an old female chimpanzee. When she saw her owner doing chores, she copies him. She did the same chores her owner did, in the exact same way. She wrung the cloth, washed the windows and swept the floor. Whatever her owner could do, the chimp could do the same. Do you think she is an animal or a human? She could pretty much do what humans could do.
In circuses, monkeys can ride bikes and go around buckets and hoops. Their tricks are just as good as human tricks. Many different kinds of creatures can be trained in the same way. Dogs can guide their blind owners to safely go where they need to go. The dogs stay with their owners and guide them along a safe route. Think about this. Isn’t their nature close to human nature? If so, then their nature is close to Buddha-nature. There are many stories like this regarding animals. We can clearly see that all living beings have Buddha-nature. How did we come to be born human? How did animals come to be born in the animal realm, to be slaughtered at the whim of humans?
The environment they live in is so very different from that of humans. What is the ultimate cause behind this? Causes and conditions. We often talk about causes and conditions in relation to the Six Realms. People who do good are born in the heaven realm or in heaven on earth. Even if you cannot see heaven realm, there is heaven on earth. Many people enjoy great comfort and luxury.They are born with a silver spoon in their mouths.In this world, they are born to a good family that is well-off.
They grow up in that environment and are nurtured with care.The environment they live in feels like heaven.
If they have a love for cars, they will have many cars six to seven, maybe more than ten vehicles.They are willing to polish the cars all day and cannot be to let other people touch them.They are attached to these cars.
One of our Honorary Board Members used to live like this.
After joining Tzu Chi he knew did not need to be a slave to his cars.Every day he was polishing his vehicles.Every day he worked on a different car.Sometimes he went for a drive.He had no purpose except to drive.After driving it, he did maintenance on the car once he was home.The next day, he switched to another car.
I asked him, “How many cars do you have?”He replied, “There are seven days in a week. I drive a different car every day.”“So, you have to polish seven cars in one day?”
He said “I enjoy polishing the cars”“How much is a car worth?”“Almost NT$7 million.”“That is one of the cheaper ones. If almost NT$7 million is one of cheaper ones, what about the most expensive?”“Over NT$ 20 million.”
“Doesn’t this take a lot of work?”After a while, he told me, “Master, now I understand what you were telling me. I’m going to sell all my cars. I’ll just keep one.”
One day I asked him, “What are you going to do with the money?”“I will donate to international relief or some of our other missions.”I said, “This creates countless merits.”
There is another Tzu Chi volunteer like him.He greatly enjoys fine cuisine.He said that I can name any creature that flies, swims or runs, and he would have already eaten it and he would have already eaten it.
One time, upon hearing about a famous dish somewhere, he got on a plane to go there and eat it.After living that way, now he is a vegetarian and often shares his story with other people his life changed.
Why did it change?Because he understood the principles, that the form of birth we experience depends on our causes and conditions.We cannot simply choose for ourselves.It depends on the thoughts that arise in our minds and the positive and negative karmic conditions which we create.After letting go of this body where will we be born in our next life?Will we be womb-born?Will we be egg-born?Will we be moisture-born, transformation-born?
We do not know, and it is beyond our control.All we can do is take good care of our minds.
When thoughts arise in our minds, will we do good deeds, or will we benefit others?We may do good deeds and create blessed karmic conditions.But what if we commit evil deeds?That creates negative karmic conditions.In the unwholesome environment thus created, if we commit evils, then with those negative karmic conditions, the power of this karma will naturally drag us into the evil realms.
We can end up in this world, in the animal realm.We can see all kinds of animals in our world.What if we want to see hungry ghosts?Nowadays, information is easily accessible.So many sentient beings are starving, starving to the point of beings skin and bones.They have no muscles.On Da Ai TV, we often see images of sentient beings who suffer from starvation.
In the hell realm, there is the hell of iron beds.If we are financially stable and have good karmic conditions, when we are sick we can go to the hospital so that people can take care of us.But some illness, no matter how much care we receive, are still impossible to diagnose, and even if a cause is found, there may be no way to treat it.The patients feel like they are on an iron bed.
“My suffering is the worst. I have no sense of the suffering experienced by the patient next to me.”It is as if they are in the hell of iron beds.
In particular, people who have had their feet or hands amputated, or tongues removed, or were burnt by fire and so on, don’t they feel like they are in hell on earth?This is a result of bad karma.We follow our karmic conditions; it is beyond our control.
See, in this world there are people who are so wealthy they are like heavenly beings.In this world, there are people so tormented by suffering it is as if they are in hell.
With these good and evil realms, we do not need to talk about evil realms beyond this world; we can already see them in this world.So, we must understand the principles.
When we are born, “Uncontrollably we bring seeds of karma with us.”
When we see people living in luxury, we may think, “If I’d known, I would have been born in that family.”Is that possible?Even if we knew, it is still impossible, because even if we knew, we would have had to create good karma in our past lives and not evil. This had to be done in our past lives.
“Uncontrollably we bring seeds of karma with us”. We bring good and bad karma with us; we have no choice about this. We have already brought it with us to this life. Since we have brought karma with us already now that we have the chance to hear the Dharma, we must change our life. When will we change our life? If we change now, we will reap the results in our future life. If we do not find this life ideal, we should be motivated to change it. If we enjoy this life. We should remain vigilant and not deplete our blessings. No matter how much money we have in the bank, eventually we will spend it all. So, we must create blessings for our future lifetimes right now.
What happens in this life is beyond our control. Since we are born human, we are still very blessed, so we should always be grateful. Born human in this lifetime, we are able to hear the Buddha-Dharma and live in Taiwan, which is a great place. We should feel grateful every day.
For ordinary people like us, “Ignorance, volition and consciousness give rise to birth and death”. We have talked about how the Buddha came to this world to share with everyone that they have the potential to attain Buddhahood. But to achieve this state of mind, we must fulfill certain conditions like purifying our minds. Our minds can be purified if we mindfully engage in spiritual practice. Sakyamuni Buddha was not born enlightened. It took Him five years of traveling and six years of ascetic practice in order to realize the truths of the universe.
So, this was the process of spiritual practice that He underwent and the life that He lived. He manifested an example for us, teaching us how to engage in spiritual practice. But actually, He had spent lifetimes over countless kalpas engaging in spiritual practice. He had already attained enlightenment and His state of mind is as clear as crystal, very pure, tranquil and clear. It is one with the universe. But there was no way for Him to share this state of mind with everyone. So, He had to devise various skillful means according to sentient beings’ capabilities. Thus He taught the Four Noble Truths and the Twelve Links of Existence.
The previous sutra passage states, “The father knew his children, that each had his or her own preferences for all kinds of precious toys or unusual objects, which would surely bring them joy.”
He had already understood, so He gave them suitable teachings. Only people who willingly draw near the Dharma and listen to it can realize the Buddha’s teachings.
The next passage in the sutra states, “So, he told them, These toys for you to play with are rare and difficult to obtain. If you do not come take them, you will regret it later.”
Knowing what these children needed and what would bring them joy, the elder called to them loudly. These children were still inside the burning house, not realizing they had to get out. No matter how he yelled, they merely watched him, not realizing they had to get out. The elder had to devise other skillful means. Knowing what these children liked and what made them happy, he called out to them, “Come here. Let me tell you something. These toys for you to play with are rare and difficult to obtain. If you do not come take them, you will regret it late.” He said, “Come quickly, because out here, there many more fun things than there are inside. If you do not quickly leave the house, you will miss out on getting your hands on these very rare and precious things. Then you will regret it.” This was how he called out to his children. He yelled to them loudly in hopes that they could quickly escape the place that was catching fire. This is why he yelled. This is like how “[The Buddha] urged them to practice and uphold the teachings of the Four Noble Truths”
“What the Buddha told them: He urged them to practice and uphold the teachings of the Four Noble Truths, stating; This is suffering: you should recognize it. This is causation: you should eradicate it. This is cessation: you should attain it. This is the Path: you should practice it”.
The Buddha teaches the Four Noble Truths, the truth of suffering, causation, cessation and the Path. From the beginning, the Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths. Do you know about the different kinds of suffering sentient beings experience in this world? “This is suffering: you should recognize it”. This world is a place full of suffering. Everyone in the human realm faces suffering. How much suffering is there? Everyone experiences some sufferings equally, such as birth, aging, illness and death. After we are born, we slowly grow up and mature. Then we become old. As we age from adolescence, young adulthood to middle-age, we each live in different environments.
Some suffering because of their living situation. Some suffering because of their ignorance. Children who are spoiled grow up to be playboys; they do not understand the principles of the world so they think others always treat them wrongly. People like this crave many things. If they cannot attain those things, they give rise to afflictions, hate and so on. This is also suffering.
What happens when it comes to relationships? If a man loves a woman, he will keep pursuing her by any means possible. During that process, he suffers from not getting what he wants or not being loved by the person he loves. So, [we suffer from] not getting what we want, from parting with those we love and even from meeting those we hate.
Therefore, Buddha said “This is suffering; you should recognize it.” Everyone should know that life is suffering. Contemplate this meticulously, think about this calmly. Is there anything that can make us happy forever? There is not one thing that can make us happy forever. Things are impermanent and constantly changing, moreover, there are many sudden accidents and unexpected disasters. These cause unbearable suffering. We must understand this.
The Buddha said “This is suffering; you should recognize it. “This is causation; you should eradicate it.” Suffering arises due to our attachments. It is because we have attachments that, when in these situations, we take issue over things and. When we see something good, we fight for it and want to take it.
Oftentimes, when people see jewelry they want to steal and snatch it. How much damage has acquiring these treasures caused our natural environment? We know that to find these gems people blow up mountains and caves. That is how they discover these precious stones. This is “causation.”
Accumulating these causes in the world has led to an imbalance of the four elements. The destruction caused to the earth happens because of people’s minds. This leads to the creation and accumulation of karma. We must put an end to this causation, otherwise, if we keep accumulation karma, we will create endless suffering for people in the future.
Who knows where we will end up in our next life? We have no idea.So, “This is causation; you should eradicate it.” We must not only eradicate them, we must reach a state of “cessation.” In this life, we cannot be greedy any more. At the same time, we cultivate purifying practices in order to understand these principles. This is the state of cessation; our greed and desire must cease. Not only must we refrain from acting on them, even our minds must be cleansed of them.
So, “This is cessation; you should attain it. This is the Path; you should practice it.” This is the Path; we must earnestly practice it. The Buddha told us about these principles and paved a road for us to walk on. The Four Noble Truths help us understand how we came to this world. In coming, what factors did we accumulate that led us to be born human? This teaching was followed by the Twelve Links of Cyclic Existence. The Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths so that everyone can hear and understand the law of karma, etc. He used skillful means and analogies in order to teach the Four Noble Truths. Many principles and many truths about the law of karma can be found in the teachings of the Four Noble Truths.
But to realize how we came to be human, we need to understand. Everyone, the Four Noble Truths can help us understand many things. Explaining the Twelve Links of Cyclic Existence. So, I ask all of you to, at this time, understand the Four Noble Truths first. Then I will explain the sequence of the Twelve Links. So everyone, please always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV – Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
（法華經•譬喻品第三）
⊙四生皆從因緣生，起心動念造善惡，不由帶來業種子，無明行識緣生死。
⊙「父知諸子先心各有所好，種種珍玩奇異之物，情必樂著。」《法華經 譬喻品第三》
⊙「而告之言：汝等所可玩好希有難得，汝若不取後必憂悔。」《法華經 譬喻品第三》
⊙而告之言：勸告其令修持四諦法，謂：此是苦，汝應知；此是集，汝應斷；此是滅，汝應證；此是道，汝應修。
【證嚴上人開示】
四生皆從因緣生
起心動念造善惡
不由帶來業種子
無明行識緣生死
也就是說，天下一切的生物叫做「四生」，「四生」就是，卵生、胎生、濕生、化生。除了我們人類之外，很多、很多的生物，蠢動含靈，無不都是在「四生」之中。我們都知道胎生，我們人，其他的動物，(哺乳類)動物也是「胎生」，有的牛這樣生下來，也就是很自然胎生下來。有的羊胎生，一胎生，母羊將小羊生下來，羊這種動物，牠生下來就跪地吃母奶，這種的動物也是這麼的有規矩。其他，還是胎生的動物，也是很多都是胎生。
除了胎生以外，還有卵生，這樣用覆著生出來，雞、鴨、鳥等等，飛禽這一類都是蛋生出來的；有的魚，魚這樣一胎就有很多卵，這就是天下之間，不論是山河大地所有的生物，都是在這種「四生」之中，卵生、胎生、濕生、化生。種種的生物，牠的生態不離開這四種，這四種都是有因緣，就是從因緣生。
佛就這樣說，「蠢動含靈皆有佛性」，這四種的生命，同樣都是有佛性，與我們人同樣；不論是牛、狗、豬、羊等等，或者是飛禽走獸，都是有佛性。我們看到一隻老的母猩猩，看到主人在做家事，牠也會學，牠跟著牠的主人做事情，做得全都一樣，會擰布、會擦窗戶、會掃地，女主人會做的工作，牠都會做。你們想，這是動物還是人呢？這和人的功能沒有比較差。
馬戲團，猴子在騎車，繞桶箍，那個特技的表演也不輸人。很多種的動物，可以這樣訓練出來。狗，能夠帶著牠的主人，眼睛看不見，安全走到哪個地方，狗就是這樣陪著主人，走在安全的路線。你們想，這不就是和人性很接近嗎？和人性接近，就是和佛性接近。
說起動物的故事卻是不少，可見一切的生靈皆有佛性。為什麼我們可以做人，為什麼動物，牠為何生在那個動物，任憑人類的宰割，？所生活的環境，和我們人差這麼多，到底是什麼因緣？就是因緣。這個因緣，我們常常說六道，為善者，生天道，人間的天堂，你若說，天道看不到，卻是人間就有「天堂」。輪迴
有多少人多麼享受！一輩子含著金湯匙來，一來，來到人間，好的家庭、好的家世，這樣一直長大，好的栽培等等，所生活的環境就如在天堂一樣，自已若愛玩車的人，一個人有好幾輛車，六、七輛、十幾輛車，自己甘願每天都在那裡擦車，這輛車不捨得讓別人摸到，執著在這個車。
我們的榮譽董事裡面也有，走入慈濟之後，知道了，就不當車奴才。每天都在那裡擦車，每天都是一輛車，出去外面跑一跑，跑一跑，沒事情，光是出去外面跑，開車出去，回來了，趕緊再顧好它，明天再另外換一輛。我問他：「你全部幾輛？」他說：「一星期就是七天，七天就每天換一輛。」「你一天都要擦七輛車？」他說：「不過摸到車子很歡喜。」
「一輛車是多少錢？」「有六百多萬元，那是比較便宜的。」「六百多萬比較便宜？那最貴的呢？」「二千多萬。」「這樣，你不會很辛苦嗎？」經過了一段時間，告訴我：「師父，我瞭解您的意思了，我現在將那些車賣出去，我留一輛就好了。」有一天，我問他：「賣了之後要如何？」「錢就是捐國際（賑災），或者是等等都可以。」「功德無量！」
像這樣已經進入慈濟裡面，他也是一位美食者，他說天上飛的、水裡游的、地上跑的，唸一唸，沒有一項，他沒有吃過。甚至，聽到哪一個地方，什麼樣出名的東西，光是專程搭飛機去吃。像這樣的人生，現在已經素食了，常常都出去現身說法。
人生轉變，為什麼轉變？因為他懂道理，瞭解「四生」隨著因緣，不能自己選擇，就是起心動念，所造作的善惡緣。捨去了這個身體，將來我們去生在哪裡呢？是要在胎生？要在卵生？要在濕生、化生？不知道，由不得我們自己。唯有要顧好這念心。我們起心動念，是要做善或者是造福呢？做善，造福緣，而若是作惡呢?那就是造惡緣。那個惡的環境，我若是造惡，我與那個惡的環境的緣，自然這股業力，就牽引他那個惡道去。
這人間要在畜生道，人間看到的畜生，種種的類邢我們看得到，要看到餓鬼道呢?看，現在資訊這麼發達，多少（眾生）在飢餓之中，餓得全身（剩）皮與骨，沒肉。在我們的大愛電視，常常畫面上所看到的，那個飢餓苦難的眾生，地獄道、鐵床地獄，我們若是有經濟的人、有因緣的人，生病還可以在醫院裡，這樣有人照顧。但是有的病即使如何照顧，他還是無法找出他的病因，找了病因，沒有方法治療，像在那個「鐵床」上，苦，我是最苦的，我無法知道隔床病人的苦。這種像鐵床地獄，尤其是鋸腳、鋸手、拔舌、用火燒等等，這不就是在人生的地獄道？這種惡業，這是隨緣牽引我們，由不得自己。
看，人間有富貴如處天堂的人，人間有苦難折磨，像在地獄中的人，善、惡道。不必再說人間以外的惡道，光是在人間就看得到的形態。
所以我們應該要瞭解道理，就是「不由帶來業種子」。看到人在享受，「若是知道，我也去生在那個家庭。」有可能嗎？就算讓你「若是知道」，也不可能。因為我們「若是知道」，上輩子就要造善，不要造惡。這是過去生中，所以「不由帶來業種子」，善惡業不由自己，就已經帶來了，這輩子我們已經帶來了。
所以這輩子既然帶來了，我們還有因緣聽到佛法，我們要改造我們的人生。改造在什麼時候？在現在改造，來生得。這輩子是這樣，不理想的人生，我們就為我們不理想的人生來改造；在我們這輩子是在享受，我們要趕緊再警惕著：不要消福，銀行的錢存得再多都領得完。所以我們必定要，及時再造福在來生。
所以，我們這輩子是由不得自己，這樣來到這個人生，我們還是很有福，常常要感恩。來到這個人生，能夠得聞佛法，同依止在臺灣，環境不錯，日日要感恩啊！
所以我們凡夫就是在，「無明行識緣生死」。我們說過了，佛陀來人間，那就是要和大家分享，能夠成佛心靈的境界，但是你要得到這個心靈的境界，你自已本身要有這樣的條件，那就是要淨化你的心，心若能夠很淨化，用心修行。
釋迦佛也不是生下來就叫做佛，他也要經過五年的參訪、六年的苦行，體會到宇宙人間的真理。所以這是經過了這樣在修行，這輩子是這樣，他是用他的期範現相，教我們就要這樣修行的過程。其實，過去生中也已經無量數劫，都是這樣這樣修行過來。
雖然他已經覺悟，他的心境這麼透徹如琉璃，很清淨，寂靜清澄，與宇宙同體。不過，這個心境要與大家分享。沒有辦法，所以佛陀就要設種種方便，應眾生根機，說「四諦法」、說「十二因緣法」。
所以我們前面的經文，「父知諸子，先心各有所好，種種珍玩，奇異之物，情必樂著」。已經瞭解眾生的根機，應機逗教，這是願意來接近佛法、聽佛法的人，才有辦法體會佛陀的法。
父知諸子
先心各有所好
種種珍玩
奇異之物
情必樂著
《法華經 譬喻品第三》
這已經瞭解眾生的根機，應機投教，這是已經願來接近佛法，聽佛法的人，才有辦法去體會佛院的法，再接下來的經文就說，「而告之言：汝等所可玩好希有難得，汝若不取後必憂悔。」
而告之言
汝等所可玩好
希有難得
汝若不取
後必憂悔
《法華經 譬喻品第三》
知道這些孩子所需要的、所好樂的東西，所以他就趕快大聲叫了。因為這些孩子，在那個火宅的裡面，不曉得要出來，怎麼叫，就是光看著父親，不曉得要出來。長者不得不設其他的方便法，知道這些孩子所樂著、所歡喜的是什麼?所以再叫：「來，來，來，告訴你們。」
「汝等所可玩好，希有難得，汝若不取，後必憂悔。」趕快來！這個地方，還有比在裡面那個地方，更好玩的東西、很多，你們現在若不趕快出來，這個東西是很珍貴、很稀有，不趕快出來，你沒有得到，下次，以後你會後悔。用這樣的方式來叫喚他的孩子，大聲快叫，希望這些孩子可以趕快，脫離那個火在燒的地方，大聲這樣叫。這就是說「勸告其令修持四諦法」。
而告之言：
勸告其
令修持四諦法
謂：此是苦 汝應知
此是集 汝應斷
此是滅 汝應證
此是道 汝應修
佛陀用「四諦法」，這個「四諦法」就是苦、集、滅、道。當初佛陀開始說，這個「四諦法」，這個眾生，人間種種的苦難大家知道嗎？「此是苦，汝應知」，世間這個地方有很多很多的苦難，來到人間無不都是受苦。
有多少苦呢？人人全都是平等，同樣除了生、老、病、死。生下來時，過程中慢慢長大，再來就老了。在這個長大，少年、青年、中年，這個過程中，各人的環境不同，有的是生活的苦，有的那就是無明的苦。
父母寵愛，花花公子，就是不懂得要瞭解人間的道理，所做的都感覺大家是對不起他，像這種，愛的東西很多很多，愛不到就煩惱、憎恨等等，這也算是苦。何況人與人之間，愛的，我就一直去追求，不擇手段去追求，在這當中，那就是「求不得」的苦，或者是愛的人愛不到的苦，「求不得」，「愛別離」，甚至「怨憎會」等等，所以佛陀就說：「此是苦，汝應知。」
大家要知道來到人生都是苦。你細細思惟，靜靜地想想看，哪一件事情，是讓我們歡喜很長久的？沒有一件事情，是讓我們長久歡喜的，都是不斷在無常變遷，何況很多突發性的意外災難。苦！苦不堪！我們要知道，佛陀說「此是苦，汝應知」。
「此是集，汝應斷」。這全都是我們的執著。我們人生就是有執著，才會在那個地方，這樣在計較、起心動念，看到好的東西，我們就是要爭、要取。看看，常常為了這種珠寶，起了盜與搶的心。
你知道那些東西，都破壞多少的山河大地呢？知道一塊寶石，就要炸掉了多大的山窟，才有發辦法發現這樣的寶石。這就是「集」──集來我們現在人間，這樣四大不調和、地球被破壞，都是人類那念心，所以這都是集來的，「集」來種種的業。所以這我們要斷，否則「集」來這麼多業，後來的人受苦無窮，我們的來生不知道會去哪裡？我們不知道，所以「此是集，汝應斷」。
我們不只要斷，我們要「滅」。這輩子不要再一直貪下去了，同時我們要趕緊修清淨行，來瞭解這些道理。所以「滅」，滅掉貪欲的心，不只不要去做，連心也要清淨。所以「此是滅，汝應證」。
「此是道，汝應修」，這是「道」，我們要好好地修。佛陀告訴我們這些道理，又開路讓我們走，這「四諦法」，還要讓我們知道：我們如何來？來了，到底是「集」哪幾項的因素來做人？再接下去就是「十二因緣」。他用「四諦法」，就是大家都普遍能聽，都能瞭解因緣果報等等，方便、譬喻，這樣都用在這個，「四諦法」之中。很多的道理，很多的因緣果報，都在這「四諦法」中，而我們人是怎麼來的？那就要瞭解「十二因緣」。
各位，「四諦法」，就有很多讓我們瞭解，「十二因緣」解釋也還要時間，所以要請大家及時，先將「四諦法」瞭解，我們後面再瞭解，「十二因緣」法的次序。所以大家時時要多用心。
Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: Learn the Law of Karma and the Four Noble Truths (明因緣修四諦)
Date: May.04. 2015
“All four forms of birth arise from causes and conditions. Every arising thought creates positive or negative karma. Uncontrollably we bring seeds of karma with us. Ignorance, volition and consciousness give rise to birth and death.”
All living beings are born through the four forms of birth. The four forms of birth are egg-, womb-, moisture- and transformation-born. Apart from we human beings, there are many kinds of living, moving beings. They all go through the four forms of birth.
We all know about the womb-born. We humans and other mammals are womb-born. Cows are like this; they are born very naturally from their mothers’ womb. Sheep are also womb-born. Once a ewe gives birth to a lamb, lambs are known for then kneeling to drink the ewe’s milk. It is very natural for the lamb to do this. There are many other womb-born creatures. Other than womb-born animals, there are many animals which are born in eggs, chicken, ducks, birds and so on. Animals which fly are egg-born. Some fish give birth to many egg at once.
In this world, no matter where they live, all living beings come from one of the four kinds of birth, egg-, womb-, moisture- and transformation-born. All creatures come into being through one of these four forms. These four forms all have their own causes and conditions; they arise from karmic cause and effect.
The Buddha said, “All living, moving beings have Buddha-nature.” These four kinds of beings all have Buddha-nature, just like us humans. Whether they are cows, dogs, pigs, sheep or any other animal, they all have Buddha-nature. We have seen [video] of an old female chimpanzee. When she saw her owner doing chores, she copies him. She did the same chores her owner did, in the exact same way. She wrung the cloth, washed the windows and swept the floor. Whatever her owner could do, the chimp could do the same. Do you think she is an animal or a human? She could pretty much do what humans could do.
In circuses, monkeys can ride bikes and go around buckets and hoops. Their tricks are just as good as human tricks. Many different kinds of creatures can be trained in the same way. Dogs can guide their blind owners to safely go where they need to go. The dogs stay with their owners and guide them along a safe route. Think about this. Isn’t their nature close to human nature? If so, then their nature is close to Buddha-nature. There are many stories like this regarding animals. We can clearly see that all living beings have Buddha-nature. How did we come to be born human? How did animals come to be born in the animal realm, to be slaughtered at the whim of humans?
The environment they live in is so very different from that of humans. What is the ultimate cause behind this? Causes and conditions. We often talk about causes and conditions in relation to the Six Realms. People who do good are born in the heaven realm or in heaven on earth. Even if you cannot see heaven realm, there is heaven on earth. Many people enjoy great comfort and luxury.They are born with a silver spoon in their mouths.In this world, they are born to a good family that is well-off.
They grow up in that environment and are nurtured with care.The environment they live in feels like heaven.
If they have a love for cars, they will have many cars six to seven, maybe more than ten vehicles.They are willing to polish the cars all day and cannot be to let other people touch them.They are attached to these cars.
One of our Honorary Board Members used to live like this.
After joining Tzu Chi he knew did not need to be a slave to his cars.Every day he was polishing his vehicles.Every day he worked on a different car.Sometimes he went for a drive.He had no purpose except to drive.After driving it, he did maintenance on the car once he was home.The next day, he switched to another car.
I asked him, “How many cars do you have?”He replied, “There are seven days in a week. I drive a different car every day.”“So, you have to polish seven cars in one day?”
He said “I enjoy polishing the cars”“How much is a car worth?”“Almost NT$7 million.”“That is one of the cheaper ones. If almost NT$7 million is one of cheaper ones, what about the most expensive?”“Over NT$ 20 million.”
“Doesn’t this take a lot of work?”After a while, he told me, “Master, now I understand what you were telling me. I’m going to sell all my cars. I’ll just keep one.”
One day I asked him, “What are you going to do with the money?”“I will donate to international relief or some of our other missions.”I said, “This creates countless merits.”
There is another Tzu Chi volunteer like him.He greatly enjoys fine cuisine.He said that I can name any creature that flies, swims or runs, and he would have already eaten it and he would have already eaten it.
One time, upon hearing about a famous dish somewhere, he got on a plane to go there and eat it.After living that way, now he is a vegetarian and often shares his story with other people his life changed.
Why did it change?Because he understood the principles, that the form of birth we experience depends on our causes and conditions.We cannot simply choose for ourselves.It depends on the thoughts that arise in our minds and the positive and negative karmic conditions which we create.After letting go of this body where will we be born in our next life?Will we be womb-born?Will we be egg-born?Will we be moisture-born, transformation-born?
We do not know, and it is beyond our control.All we can do is take good care of our minds.
When thoughts arise in our minds, will we do good deeds, or will we benefit others?We may do good deeds and create blessed karmic conditions.But what if we commit evil deeds?That creates negative karmic conditions.In the unwholesome environment thus created, if we commit evils, then with those negative karmic conditions, the power of this karma will naturally drag us into the evil realms.
We can end up in this world, in the animal realm.We can see all kinds of animals in our world.What if we want to see hungry ghosts?Nowadays, information is easily accessible.So many sentient beings are starving, starving to the point of beings skin and bones.They have no muscles.On Da Ai TV, we often see images of sentient beings who suffer from starvation.
In the hell realm, there is the hell of iron beds.If we are financially stable and have good karmic conditions, when we are sick we can go to the hospital so that people can take care of us.But some illness, no matter how much care we receive, are still impossible to diagnose, and even if a cause is found, there may be no way to treat it.The patients feel like they are on an iron bed.
“My suffering is the worst. I have no sense of the suffering experienced by the patient next to me.”It is as if they are in the hell of iron beds.
In particular, people who have had their feet or hands amputated, or tongues removed, or were burnt by fire and so on, don’t they feel like they are in hell on earth?This is a result of bad karma.We follow our karmic conditions; it is beyond our control.
See, in this world there are people who are so wealthy they are like heavenly beings.In this world, there are people so tormented by suffering it is as if they are in hell.
With these good and evil realms, we do not need to talk about evil realms beyond this world; we can already see them in this world.So, we must understand the principles.
When we are born, “Uncontrollably we bring seeds of karma with us.”
When we see people living in luxury, we may think, “If I’d known, I would have been born in that family.”Is that possible?Even if we knew, it is still impossible, because even if we knew, we would have had to create good karma in our past lives and not evil. This had to be done in our past lives.
“Uncontrollably we bring seeds of karma with us”. We bring good and bad karma with us; we have no choice about this. We have already brought it with us to this life. Since we have brought karma with us already now that we have the chance to hear the Dharma, we must change our life. When will we change our life? If we change now, we will reap the results in our future life. If we do not find this life ideal, we should be motivated to change it. If we enjoy this life. We should remain vigilant and not deplete our blessings. No matter how much money we have in the bank, eventually we will spend it all. So, we must create blessings for our future lifetimes right now.
What happens in this life is beyond our control. Since we are born human, we are still very blessed, so we should always be grateful. Born human in this lifetime, we are able to hear the Buddha-Dharma and live in Taiwan, which is a great place. We should feel grateful every day.
For ordinary people like us, “Ignorance, volition and consciousness give rise to birth and death”. We have talked about how the Buddha came to this world to share with everyone that they have the potential to attain Buddhahood. But to achieve this state of mind, we must fulfill certain conditions like purifying our minds. Our minds can be purified if we mindfully engage in spiritual practice. Sakyamuni Buddha was not born enlightened. It took Him five years of traveling and six years of ascetic practice in order to realize the truths of the universe.
So, this was the process of spiritual practice that He underwent and the life that He lived. He manifested an example for us, teaching us how to engage in spiritual practice. But actually, He had spent lifetimes over countless kalpas engaging in spiritual practice. He had already attained enlightenment and His state of mind is as clear as crystal, very pure, tranquil and clear. It is one with the universe. But there was no way for Him to share this state of mind with everyone. So, He had to devise various skillful means according to sentient beings’ capabilities. Thus He taught the Four Noble Truths and the Twelve Links of Existence.
The previous sutra passage states, “The father knew his children, that each had his or her own preferences for all kinds of precious toys or unusual objects, which would surely bring them joy.”
He had already understood, so He gave them suitable teachings. Only people who willingly draw near the Dharma and listen to it can realize the Buddha’s teachings.
The next passage in the sutra states, “So, he told them, These toys for you to play with are rare and difficult to obtain. If you do not come take them, you will regret it later.”
Knowing what these children needed and what would bring them joy, the elder called to them loudly. These children were still inside the burning house, not realizing they had to get out. No matter how he yelled, they merely watched him, not realizing they had to get out. The elder had to devise other skillful means. Knowing what these children liked and what made them happy, he called out to them, “Come here. Let me tell you something. These toys for you to play with are rare and difficult to obtain. If you do not come take them, you will regret it late.” He said, “Come quickly, because out here, there many more fun things than there are inside. If you do not quickly leave the house, you will miss out on getting your hands on these very rare and precious things. Then you will regret it.” This was how he called out to his children. He yelled to them loudly in hopes that they could quickly escape the place that was catching fire. This is why he yelled. This is like how “[The Buddha] urged them to practice and uphold the teachings of the Four Noble Truths”
“What the Buddha told them: He urged them to practice and uphold the teachings of the Four Noble Truths, stating; This is suffering: you should recognize it. This is causation: you should eradicate it. This is cessation: you should attain it. This is the Path: you should practice it”.
The Buddha teaches the Four Noble Truths, the truth of suffering, causation, cessation and the Path. From the beginning, the Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths. Do you know about the different kinds of suffering sentient beings experience in this world? “This is suffering: you should recognize it”. This world is a place full of suffering. Everyone in the human realm faces suffering. How much suffering is there? Everyone experiences some sufferings equally, such as birth, aging, illness and death. After we are born, we slowly grow up and mature. Then we become old. As we age from adolescence, young adulthood to middle-age, we each live in different environments.
Some suffering because of their living situation. Some suffering because of their ignorance. Children who are spoiled grow up to be playboys; they do not understand the principles of the world so they think others always treat them wrongly. People like this crave many things. If they cannot attain those things, they give rise to afflictions, hate and so on. This is also suffering.
What happens when it comes to relationships? If a man loves a woman, he will keep pursuing her by any means possible. During that process, he suffers from not getting what he wants or not being loved by the person he loves. So, [we suffer from] not getting what we want, from parting with those we love and even from meeting those we hate.
Therefore, Buddha said “This is suffering; you should recognize it.” Everyone should know that life is suffering. Contemplate this meticulously, think about this calmly. Is there anything that can make us happy forever? There is not one thing that can make us happy forever. Things are impermanent and constantly changing, moreover, there are many sudden accidents and unexpected disasters. These cause unbearable suffering. We must understand this.
The Buddha said “This is suffering; you should recognize it. “This is causation; you should eradicate it.” Suffering arises due to our attachments. It is because we have attachments that, when in these situations, we take issue over things and. When we see something good, we fight for it and want to take it.
Oftentimes, when people see jewelry they want to steal and snatch it. How much damage has acquiring these treasures caused our natural environment? We know that to find these gems people blow up mountains and caves. That is how they discover these precious stones. This is “causation.”
Accumulating these causes in the world has led to an imbalance of the four elements. The destruction caused to the earth happens because of people’s minds. This leads to the creation and accumulation of karma. We must put an end to this causation, otherwise, if we keep accumulation karma, we will create endless suffering for people in the future.
Who knows where we will end up in our next life? We have no idea.So, “This is causation; you should eradicate it.” We must not only eradicate them, we must reach a state of “cessation.” In this life, we cannot be greedy any more. At the same time, we cultivate purifying practices in order to understand these principles. This is the state of cessation; our greed and desire must cease. Not only must we refrain from acting on them, even our minds must be cleansed of them.
So, “This is cessation; you should attain it. This is the Path; you should practice it.” This is the Path; we must earnestly practice it. The Buddha told us about these principles and paved a road for us to walk on. The Four Noble Truths help us understand how we came to this world. In coming, what factors did we accumulate that led us to be born human? This teaching was followed by the Twelve Links of Cyclic Existence. The Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths so that everyone can hear and understand the law of karma, etc. He used skillful means and analogies in order to teach the Four Noble Truths. Many principles and many truths about the law of karma can be found in the teachings of the Four Noble Truths.
But to realize how we came to be human, we need to understand. Everyone, the Four Noble Truths can help us understand many things. Explaining the Twelve Links of Cyclic Existence. So, I ask all of you to, at this time, understand the Four Noble Truths first. Then I will explain the sequence of the Twelve Links. So everyone, please always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV – Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
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