人身的可貴

　　美佛慧訊, 第一四六期

　　明光法師

　　很久很久以前，在威音王的像法時期，有一位常不輕比丘菩薩，凡是有所見，無論出家在家，他都很有禮貌地向所見者合掌禮敬，然後說：我不敢輕于汝等，汝若廣行菩薩道，將來必定會成佛。

　　常不輕菩薩，在行此禮敬贊勉的法門中，有時會遭到對方輕慢辱罵的響應，甚至被對方丟石頭或杖打。而常不輕菩薩，皆能保持平和的心境以對。只希望對方能聽聞到他所傳達的信息－衆生都是未來佛。這位常不輕菩薩，就是釋迦牟尼佛的前身。

　　佛教看衆生有四聖六凡，合稱爲十法界。四聖爲佛、菩薩、聲聞、緣覺；六凡爲天、人、阿修羅、畜生、餓鬼、地獄。凡夫衆生，如何背塵向覺，轉凡入聖，當以人道最爲殊勝。佛陀誕生于人間，修行、成道、弘法，皆在人間。

　　人身難得今已得，佛法難聞今已聞，我們應當珍惜此人身，仰敬效學佛陀，勤修戒定慧，息滅貪瞋癡，開展慈悲喜舍四無量心，建立福慧雙修的美好人生！

　　Words from Ven. Ming-Kuang

　　Priceless of Human Being

　　In the past there was a Buddha named Awesome Sound King, of immeasurable supernatural powers and wisdom, leading and guiding one and all. Heavenly and human beings, dragons, spirits joined in offering him alms. After this Buddha had entered extinction, when his Law was about to expire, there was a Bodhisattva named Never Disparaging.

　　The four kinds of believers at that time scrutinized and adhered to the Law. The Bodhisattva Never Disparaging would go to where they were and speak to them, saying, “I would never disparage you, for you are practicing the way and all of you will become Buddhas!” When the people heard this, they gibed at him, cursed and reviled him, and even stoned and caned him, but the Bodhisattva Never Disparaging bore all this silently with calm.

　　This Bodhisattva Never Disparaging is former life of the Buddha Shakyamuni. Buddhism sees all living being as four saints and six realms. Together they are Ten Dharma Realms. Four saints are the Buddha, Bodhisattva Vehicle, Disciple Vehicle and the Vehicle of the Enlightened of Self. The six realms are vehicle for Gods, vehicle for human being, hungry ghosts, hell, jealous gods and animals.

　　For all living being, the best way to steer away from dust towards light and from human being to saint is through vehicle of human being. Buddha was born in this world and cultivated, achieved Dharma, propagated Buddhist teachings in this world as well. It is precious to be a human being. Though it is hard to hear Dharma, you already did. You need to treasure this human life; respect and learn from Buddha, work diligently to cultivate precepts, samadhi and wisdom; and extinguish greed, hatred and stupidity. You need to explore the Four Divine States of Mind: love-kindness, compassion, empathy and equanimity; and establish a beautiful life by cultivating both meritorious deeds and wisdom.