淨觀

　　Pure View

　　很多佛教徒，常常有自己超勝于其他衆生之念。尤其是見到那些行爲顛倒、見解錯亂、煩惱增盛、種姓低劣的衆生，就更容易生起此念。

　　It is not uncommon for many Buddhists to feel a sense of superiority over other beings. Such a notion tends to crop up when they see people who engage in unethical conduct, have perverted views or disturbing emotions, or are of a lower social standing.

　　很多獨自修行的人，在稍微生起一些覺受，或是根本連覺受也沒有，只是像雪豬一樣獨自呆了一段時間，就生起強烈的我慢，以爲自己已是當代的米拉日巴了。對周圍的人不屑一顧，認爲他們都是追求世間八法的愚人，或是修顯宗的鈍根，唯有自己才是修金剛乘的利根。殊不知，這種想法已讓他陷入了罪惡的深淵。

　　People who practice by themselves easily become quite conceited as soon as they obtain any sign of accomplishment. Worse, even without signs of accomplishment, they claim themselves as a contemporary Milarepa just because they have done a little solitary retreat like a hibernating marmot. They turn their noses up, thinking others are either fools chasing the eight worldly preoccupations or having a lower acumen suitable only to Sutrayana. They believe they alone have the sharp faculties to command the secret Vajrayana. Unbeknownst to them, holding such an attitude has already cast them into the pit of evils.

　　諸部經論中都曾宣說過，諸佛菩薩爲度化衆生，而顯現各種形象。《涅槃經》等諸契經中記載：“佛在地獄以地獄形象利衆；在餓鬼界以餓鬼形象度生；在傍生道以人熊、鴿子、蛇、牦牛、龍、大鵬、烏龜等形象行菩薩道；佛在人間以屠夫、殺狗宰雞者、漁夫、魔法師、外道、令人增上貪、嗔、癡之對境，不信因果、不孝父母、不敬長老、嫉妒、吝啬等煩惱深重者等各種形象度化有情。”看到這些，實在令我們這些薄地凡夫難以置信。在《白蓮花論》中也記載了很多佛陀在因地時，以這些形象利益衆生的事迹。《富樓那請問經》也雲：我變仆人爲人端屎、到尿、掃地、割草。所以，即使見到掃地的，也不可輕慢，而應生尊敬之心。

　　It has been said in the scriptures that Buddhas and Bodhisattvas manifest in various bodies in order to benefit beings. The Nirvana Sutra says: “In the hell realm, the Buddha appears as hell beings to benefit beings there; in the preta realm, the Buddha assumes the form of a hungry ghost to benefit beings; in the animal realm, the Buddha takes the body of a bear, pigeon, snake, yak, naga, guruda, or tortoise, to carry out Bodhisattva deeds. In the human realm, the Buddha appears as a butcher, slaughterer of dogs and fowl; fisherman; magician; heretic; or as a person to arouse avarice, aversion, or ignorance; or as someone having no faith in the karmic law, undutiful to parents, disrespectful to the elderly, or as one filled with jealousy, stinginess or other negative emotions. In all these various forms, the Buddha tames beings accordingly.” These accounts just seem inconceivable for us ordinary beings. In White Lotus there are many stories describing how the Buddha in his previous lives benefited beings in these various manifestations. The Sutra Requested by Purna says: “I manifested as servants serving people by carrying urine, removing feces, sweeping the floors, and cutting the grass.” Therefore, if we see someone sweeping and cleaning, we should not look down on him or her, but instead we should be respectful.

　　《妙法蓮華經·常不輕菩薩品》中也寫道：“爾時有一菩薩比丘，名常不輕。是比丘凡有所見，皆悉禮拜贊歎，而作是言。我深敬汝等，不敢輕慢。而是比丘，不專讀誦經典，但行禮拜。如此經曆多年，常被罵詈，不生嗔恚。常作是言，汝當作佛，說是語時，衆人或以杖木瓦石而打擲之。避走遠住，猶高聲唱言，我不敢輕于汝等，汝等皆當作佛。”

　　In The Lotus Sutra, the “Chapter of Bodhisattva Never Disparaging” describes: “At this time there was a Bodhisattva monk named Never Disparaging. This monk, whomever he happened to meet, would bow in obeisance to them and speak words of praise, saying, “I have profound reverence for you; I would never dare treat you disparagingly or with arrogance.” This monk did not devote his time to reading or reciting the scriptures, but simply went about bowing to people. Many years passed in this way, during which this monk was constantly subjected to curses and abuse. He did not give way to anger, however, but each time spoke the same words, “You are certain to attain Buddhahood.” When he spoke in this manner, some among the group would take sticks of wood or tiles and stones to beat and pelt him. But even as he ran away and took up a stance at a distance, he continued to call out in a loud voice, “I would never dare disparage you, for you are all certain to attain Buddhahood!””

　　《發起菩薩殊勝志樂經》中也說：“不應見人過，自謂最尊勝，驕恣放逸本，莫輕下劣人。”

　　In the Sutra of Arousing the Supreme Motivation of the Bodhisattvas, it says:

　　Do not regard yourself as the grandest and find fault with others.

　　Arrogance causes one to slack, never look down on inferior beings.

　　因此，即使我們不能做到見誰都禮拜贊歎，但如果在見到他人造作惡業而無法製止之時，應生起也許是佛菩薩化現的念頭，繼而內觀自心，則絕對于己有利無損。

　　Therefore, we should train ourselves to see whatever persons we happen to meet as worthy of our praise and respect. Before reaching that stage, however, if we witness someone committing non-virtues and are powerless to stop them, we should think that person is probably the manifestation of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. We then remain watchful of our own minds. This way, it can do nothing but good to others and ourselves.

　　壬午年二月二十二日　

　　2002年4月4日

　　22nd of February, Year of RenWu

　　April 4, 2002

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