弘法

　　Spreading Dharma

　　在當今時代，能夠弘揚佛法並具有實修實證的高僧大德十分匮乏，一些沒有弘法能力的人卻摩拳擦掌、躍躍欲試，希望自己能投入到弘法利生的事業中去。其實，弘法也並非像自己所想象的那樣簡單，必須在具有前世的發願、自己的修證已經獲得成就等種種因緣具足的條件下，方可利益衆生。

　　These days there is a shortage of highly realized and learned teachers who can assume the load of turning the Dharma wheel. On the other hand, some people lacking the ability to spread the Dharma are itching to give it a try, hoping to devote themselves to Dharma activities and benefit beings. Actually, spreading the Dharma is not as easy as one may imagine. It requires the pulling together of many supporting factors––having made aspirations in previous lives, having attained unmistakable signs of accomplishment, and so on––before one can truly benefit other beings.

　　最近聽一法師說，在他所住持的寺廟，很多修行人都因別人的挑撥而離去，心裏十分傷心。聽了他惋惜的感歎，我多想告訴他，弘法也要隨緣。如果具備能力，擁有道場及所化衆生，在外因內緣具足的情況下，當然應該盡心盡力以智慧明燈驅散無明黑暗，延續佛陀慧命，宣講如來教法。如果因緣暫時不具備，則獨善其身，向內觀極其重要，不一定要強求什麼表面上的弘法利生。

　　The head monk of a monastery told me recently that he is feeling quite sad because he has lost followers due to the discord sowed by others. When I heard his lamentation, I really wanted to tell him that while carrying out Dharma activities, one should go easy and follow the flow of how things evolve. Should the inner and outer necessary conditions––your own ability, a Dharma center, and those who would come to you––have come together, then try your best in raising the torch of wisdom to dispel the darkness of ignorance, to expound the Tathagata”s teachings, and carry on the Buddha”s wisdom lineage. On the other hand, should some factors be missing, there is no need to insist on Dharma activities superficially; it is more important to reflect inward and cultivate one”s own quality.

　　當然，在這物欲橫流、正法凋零的時代，作爲荷擔如來家業的佛弟子，敷演大乘佛法是我們義不容辭的責任。有人認爲需有一定成就的人才能弘法，薄地凡夫是沒有資格弘法的。其實不然，只要對某種傳承或某部經論，比如《俱舍論》很精通，有一定感悟，契合佛意，即使在其他方面沒有修證，在斷除自利心的前提下，也可以爲別人將自己所知所解的顯宗教言灌輸于人。而且，大成就者也不一定顯現成就相，也許，在你我的周圍，一些看似平凡的衆生，正是大菩薩乘願而來。在善財童子參訪的善知識中，不是也有示現爲下劣種姓的嗎？

　　In the current degenerate time when materialistic pursuit runs rampant and the Doctrine is decaying, it is particularly urgent to spread the Mahayana teachings. This is an unshakable duty for all Buddhists who are responsible for carrying on the Buddha”s legacy. Many people think spreading the Dharma is reserved for someone with realization while ordinary people are not qualified. But this is not the case. If one has become adept in a certain lineage or a particular scripture in Sutrayana, for instance, knowing Abhidharma-kosa Shastra very well and having obtained signs of accomplishment as specified by the Buddha, then even without realization in other areas, one can teach what he has understood to others, as long as he has cut off self-interest. Moreover, many great siddhas do not necessarily display their accomplishment. Some seemingly ordinary folks around us could be the intentional emanations of great Bodhisattvas. Don”t we know that among the teachers sought after by the Sudhana Kumāra, there were those who appeared as members of the lowest caste

　　“未成菩提先度人，此乃菩薩初發心。”弘揚佛法也不一定要建道場，並坐在高高的法座上。在日常生活中，用自己的一言一行，去感化有緣的人，令其相續中對佛法生起哪怕一絲一毫的信心，其利益也是無量的。

　　“Once having aroused bodhichitta, practitioners on the path will start to help sentient beings even before attaining enlightenment.” Spreading the Dharma does not necessarily involve erecting a Dharma center or sitting on a high throne. Rather, it is to use our every word and every conduct to influence those having connections with us in daily life. If we can make one person generate even the tiniest bit of faith toward the Dharma, we are already creating immense benefit.

　　壬午年四月二十二日　

　　2002年6月2日

　　22nd of April, Year of RenWu

　　June 2, 2002