護法

　　Dharma Protectors

　　今天是五明佛學院一年一度供護法的日子。據說，一百多年前，一世敦珠法王與西山的土地護法木天女護法神産生了糾葛，並將護法女神趕到了爐霍，最後經當地大成就者從中調解，雙方最終達成協議：敦珠法王的傳承弟子于每年藏曆六月二十六日(也即雙方和解後，天女返回喇榮的日子)供養以天女爲主的護法，天女也不得再興風作浪。此風近20年來一直未曾間斷。

　　Today marks the annual Protector”s Day at Larung Gar Five Sciences Buddhist Academy. According to the legend, H.H. the 1st Dudjom Rinpoche once had a dispute with the local guardian of the western mountain, Goddess Mutian, and drove her out to Luhuo area. Through the mediation of a great master in the area, the two parties reached an agreement: Every year, on June 26 of the Tibetan calendar (i.e., the day Goddess Mutian returns to Larung after the settlement), the disciples of H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche”s lineage are to make an offering ceremony to the protectors. The Goddess is to be placed at the head of the protectors and no more troublemaking is allowed from her. This tradition has thus been carried on without interruption for nearly 20 years.

　　早上八點，幾千僧衆手持各色旌旗，根據自己房屋所在區域，分別登上了學院的五臺山。學院的五臺山，是幾年前法王以特殊因緣迎請藏地的五大神山、漢地的五臺山諸佛菩薩降臨的聖地，具有不可思議的加持力，被人們稱爲藏地的五臺山。

　　At eight in the morning, thousands of Sangha members holding colorful banners climbed Larung Gar”s Wutai Mountain in each area corresponding to the location of inpidual residence. H.H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche consecrated Larung”s Wutai Mountain when he invoked the presence of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of Tibet”s five sacred mountains and those of Han China”s Wutai Mountain, and is thus endowed with inconceivable power of blessing. The place has been called the Wutai Mountain of Tibet.

　　我所屬的摩尼寶洲是以東臺爲供養對境，我向來對供護法興趣濃厚，今天也同樣不顧背痛，興致勃勃地登上了山頂。

　　The eastern region, Dongtai, was the offering area designated by my residence Mani Jewel Land. As I have always been interested in offering to the protectors, I made the trip today to the mountaintop in high spirits, despite my lingering back pain.

　　九點，五個臺的僧衆們開始分別念誦儀軌，熏燒柏枝，五條哈達般的桑煙在空中彙聚，如同一朵美麗的白雲漂浮在廣袤無垠的藍天，爲虛空美女的臉上嵌上了絢麗的妝飾。紅色的僧衣在綠草中遊動，仿佛飄動的紅色珊瑚；各色風馬在空中飛旋，宛如天女散出的花雨；遠處四周的雪峰，發出寶石般的光芒……我恍若置身于巨大的曼茶盤上，與僧衆一起以身語意供養十方聖尊。以此方法可消除一切惡緣，成就世出世間之一切功德事業。

　　At nine O”clock, Sangha members on five peaks started their inpidual sadhana recitation and the burning of pine branches. Five streams of smoke like five khatas spiraled upward and joined in the sky to form a beautiful white cloud sailing in the vast blue sky. The expansive space, like the face of a beauty, was now made even prettier by gorgeous adornments. The flowing red robes of the Sangha looked like red coral floating among the green fields; prayer flags fluttering in the wind appeared like flower petals scattered by heavenly maidens, and the snow peaks of the surrounding mountains sparkled like jewels. I felt like I had been transported onto a huge mandala, and I made offerings in unison with the Sangha members of our body, speech, and mind to the sacred deities in 10 directions. This practice will help to pacify unfavorable forces and accomplish all positive qualities and activities, both worldly and spiritual.

　　今天也成了僧衆們難得輕松的日子，下午，大家叁叁兩兩聚集在草地上，感受和煦的陽光，迎接柔風的吹拂，親近花草的芬芳，傾聽小蟲的呢喃，人人臉上都挂著燦爛的笑。我想，此時的護法神也一定很開心吧！

　　Today turned out to be a rare occasion for the Sangha members to relax and take a break. In the afternoon they sat in small groups on the lawn and enjoyed the warm sunshine. While the breeze gently caressed them, they took in fully the fragrance of flowers and listened to the whispers of worms. Everyone”s face beamed with a radiant smile. The entire troop of Protectors, I think, must also be very pleased at this moment!

　　壬午年六月二十六日　

　　2002年8月4日　

　　26th of June, Year of RenWu

　　August 4, 2002