当初九二一大地震后,师父指示要盖一个简易的大教室,让僧众有学习场地,所以就在凤山寺的东草地上盖了一个大教室。

盖完后,师父取名为“学戒堂”。大家特别做了一个庄严的匾额。一般做法，匾额都是安置在门外的门楣上,师父却说:“戒不是外表做给人看的,而是要向内调伏。把匾额挂在门内,大家看到就会警惕自己。”所以弟子们就依照师父的教诲,将匾额安置在学戒堂门内。

当我们看到学戒堂的庄严匾额时,应当忆念师父的心意,师父为我们揭示出戒律的宗风就是“向内调伏”,并带领僧团成为清净的持戒道场,令正法久住!

文/净远法师

Back then, after the Taiwan 921 earthquake, Master Venerable Jih-Chang instructed for a simple and large classroom to be built to facilitate the learning of the Sangha community. Thus, a large classroom was built on the field at the eastern section of Feng Shan Monastery.

After it was completed, Venerable Jih-Chang named it the “Precepts Hall”. An elegant-looking plaque was specially made. Usually, plaques are placed on the lintel at the doorway. However, Venerable Jih-Chang said: “Precepts are not outward appearances for show to others, it is meant to tame ourselves. By placing the plaque on the inside of the doorway, we will be vigilant towards ourselves whenever we see it.” Hence, abiding by his teachings, the plaque was placed on the inside of the door.

When we see the elegant plaque at the Precepts Hall, we should remember Venerable Jih-Chang’s intention. He had shown us that the purpose of the precepts is to “tame ourselves”. He had also led the Sangha community in maintaining a pure environment for the uphold of precepts, thereby enabling the Dharma to stay in this world for a long time!

By Venerable Jing Yuan