大悲咒能消灾难

　　The Great Compassion Mantra Can Dispel Calamities

　　真正的好处，是说不出来的，如人饮水，冷暖自知。

　　One cannot speak of true advantages. It is just as someone will know

　　the warmth or coolness of a glass of water only after drinking from it.

　　在天气炎热中，大家能不畏热，也不怕山高路远地赶来参加打七，究竟有什么好处？真正的好处，是说不出来的，如人饮水，冷暖自知，唯有真心的人，才能自然而然地领会到其中的妙处。

　　Despite the hot weather, people have not been put off and have rushed here to attend the session, undaunted by the long journey and arduous climb. Ultimately, what advantages does this have

　　 One cannot speak of true advantages. Just as someone will know the warmth or coolness of a glass of water only after drinking from it, true-hearted people will naturally understand the wonder in this.

　　怎么样才能获得好处呢？没有其他，正如方才所说，只要真心地念菩萨的名号。真心，换句话来说就是专心；所谓「专一则灵，分歧则弊」，能够专一，就自然能够感应道交，这种感应道交的力量，是不可思议的，可是这却要自己用功，旁人无法代替你，更不是可以侥幸得到的。

　　How can one obtain the advantages

　　 There”s no way aside from what I just said─you must recite the Bodhisattva”s name with a true heart. A true heart is just a concentrated mind. It is said, "When one is concentrated, it is efficacious. When one is scattered, there is nothing." If you can be single-minded, you will obtain a spontaneous response in the Way. The power of the response in the Way is inconceivable. However, you must apply the effort yourself; no one can do it for you, and even less can you attain it by chance.

　　就拿「说食数宝」作一个譬喻，譬如一个人，光是说吃饭怎么样有营养，可是始终都不去吃，那么，饭纵使真有营养，而说的人能得到它的营养吗？所谓：

　　终日数他宝，自无半钱分；

　　于法不修行，其过亦如是。

　　Consider the example of “talking about food and counting others” wealth.” If someone talks about how nutritious the food is, but doesn”t eat it, then even if it really is nutritious, how can the person get the nutrition

　　 It is said:

　　All day long you count the money of others,

　　But you don”t own half a cent yourself.

　　If you don”t cultivate the Dharma,

　　You make the same mistake.

　　我们念菩萨，也是这个样子，不能只是知道，或谈论念菩萨的功德就算了，我们要能真正地念到一心不乱，甚至于，更进一步地连水流、风动，在我们的耳中听来，也无不是称诵菩萨洪名的声音，所谓：

　　有情无情，

　　同演摩诃妙法。

　　It is also the same when we recite the Bodhisattva”s name. If we just know and talk about the merit and virtue of reciting the Bodhisattva”s name, it doesn”t count. We have to truly recite until we are single-minded and unconfused, and even further, until the sounds of the water and wind in our ears are just the recitation of the Bodhisattva”s vast name. It is said,

　　Sentient creatures and insentient things,

　　All proclaim the wonderful Dharma

　　of the Mahayana.

　　如果不能做到这一地步，不能一心不乱的话，那么，各相杂陈，风吹就是呼呼声，水流就是淙淙声，就不能领略其中的妙处了。所以，我们应真实地念，而且在念的时候，不要掺入其他的妄念，这样才能够获得其中的法益。

　　If you have not reached that level of being single-minded and unconfused, then everything will be jumbled together. When the wind blows, you just hear a whooshing sound; when the water flows, you just hear the roaring sound. You cannot perceive the wonder in it. So we should honestly recite and not let any idle thoughts mingle in our recitation. Only then can we derive the benefits of the Dharma.

　　其次，在打七时，应该重视打七的规矩，所谓「无规矩不能成方圆」。至于西乐园一向的规矩，就是不得喧哗吵闹，以免障碍他人的修行。

　　This time when we hold the session, we should pay attention to the rules for the session. As it is said, without a compass and a ruler, you can”t draw circles and squares. The traditional rule of this temple is to avoid causing a disturbance, so that you won”t hinder others from cultivating.

　　在这七天的期间，我们又念〈大悲咒〉。这个〈大悲咒〉的功德，是不可思议的，如果没有相当善根，就连「大悲咒」这三个字，也不能轻易听到，现在大家不但能闻其名，而且更能受持读诵，足见各位具大善根，曾于诸佛所种诸善根了，既然有大善根，那么大家便不可轻易空过此生。

　　During these seven days, we will also recite the Great Compassion Mantra. The merit and virtue of the Great Compassion Mantra is inconceivable. Without considerable good roots, it”s not easy to even hear the three words “Great Compassion Mantra.” Now everyone can not only hear the name, but also uphold and recite it. That proves that you all have tremendous good roots, which you planted when the…

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