Lecture No. 0188
Global Lamrim II
Lecture No. 0188
Tape: New Version 02 50:38 ~ 52:10
Date: 2020-01-16 ~ 2020-01-19
Topic: Do whatever the Dharma and sentient beings need of your service.
English Lamrim Volume 1, page 34
Master’s discourse FengShanSi Version Vol 1 P56-L5 ~ P56-LL1
Having learned this short paragraph [in Global Lamrim 2 discourse #187], are you reflecting on your own state? Because when I reverently read Master’s diary, and I have often shared this with everyone that within Master’s diary, Master always addressed himself as a disciple, recording how such and such happened. It seemed that Master’s entries were all meant for his Guru and the main intended Buddha/Bodhisattva. Also, he would write the word “disciple” in a very small font. During every arising condition, he would always introspect very earnestly, be it teaching the venerables of Feng-shan monastery, guiding lay disciples who served in the Dharma enterprise on what to do, presiding all sorts of meetings, giving out reminders, he was always examining himself to observe whether he was upholding a pure intention of benefiting others, or was it for the sake of pointing out the faults of others. [00:46]
Hence, toward large or small matters, Master very seriously and earnestly upheld high standards for himself. For example, it was not required of Master to take care of chores like sweeping the floor or gathering the trash, yet I saw him sweeping the floor, a Master of over 70 years of age went to gather the trash. And even for the places that people had cleaned before, Master would double check to ensure nothing was dumped by mistake. Also when I was with Master at the airport and when venerables were busy, Master would stand there reminding us, “Aiya! Please move that luggage closer inwards, do not block people from passing through.” On one hand, Master was mindful not to obstruct the path of others, on another hand, keeping an eye on venerables’ belongings so none of the luggage would be lost or left behind. Master safekeeping everyone’s luggage – an eminent monk ah! [01:44]
Master was very punctilious about guiding the monastics and lay disciples in every aspect of life, like how to dress appropriately based on the weather, the proper way to drink water or consume food, so on and so forth. All these matters, there was none where Master felt it wasn’t his responsibility. He was an eminent figure, yet he cared for everyone even over minute details. [Why?] This is because through every little thing we did, Master could see the karma each of us create. Master hoped that through every task we undertake, it would allow us to purify our karmic obstacles and accumulate merits! Master adopted this way of life, what he guided his disciples to do was also the same. [02:28]
Hence, upon reading these statements, I am deeply touched and I miss Master very much! I miss the times when I could meet with him. In fact, what he shared here [in his diary] was only a very small portion of his achievements. What he had done were truly a lot, too many! Therefore, every time I read Master’s diary, I am always very touched; from what I read, I see an extremely earnest and pious practitioner! He devoted his life to transforming himself, serving the needs of the masses; there was never any thought of personal enjoyment, not even a speck of it! Thus he said, “I just offer my share to help out. What exactly can I contribute? It is not necessary that I have to do any particular tasks; that is, whatever is needed, I will do it, anything that will benefit the entire learning of the Buddha Dharma, and anything that will bring about the best possible result. I see it from this perspective.” [03:36]
I have heard Master say this many times. For instance, some people would often feel, “This is not my job scope. Why should I be responsible for it? You should take care of it.” Sometimes when everyone works together, this type of situation may arise. However, Master would always fill in wherever the need arose! He said, “whatever is needed, I will do it.” It does not necessarily mean that I am assigned to any specific task. Instead, the overall guideline is to do things that is the most effective towards our studying of Buddha Dharma. Then, the most effective benefit is to preserve Buddha Dharma, which is “properly abiding by the teaching” – the virtuous teacher gives the teaching in abidance, the recipient listens with proper accordance; thus the pure lineage of the Dharma teaching can be preserved [v.1 chapter 3]. Master devoted his entire life to this sole purpose. Hence, not only could he perceive the most crucial matter of life, he could also consistently implement the aim and embed it into the daily matters, major or minor! When I was learning from Master, this was what inspired me the deepest. [04:33]
Also there was once while I was discussing with Master, I often said, “I don't necessarily have to lead the monastics, this is too stressful for me! I can lead the lay practitioners and study Lamrim together; which is already a luxury. I can’t do much, it is good enough to be a facilitator of a big class!” Master’s reply at that time was exactly what he said here, “Do you have to do something specific so it can be counted as meditation practice? Whatever it takes to preserve Buddha Dharma, you should go for it. It is not that you have to do any specific task but whatever is needed, you just do that.” That was the perspective Master conveyed to me at the time. So now when I come across this statement again in this newer version of Lamrim commentary, it seemed as if Master is beside me again, repeating this important ideology in my ears. Be it his ideology or code of conduct, he did whatever was needed; whatever that could benefit all sentient beings and preserve the Buddha Dharma, he would do it. Whatever is in need of, he would fill in the gap and do it. He did not insist on doing any specific task. Hence, I am always deeply moved by such attitude of Master. [05:36]
As for us, we can take this to examine ourselves: often responsibilities are divided up for with individuals in charge of different assignments in a group. There are different sorts of meetings, such as meetings at the dharma enterprises, at the educational park, as well as within the sangha communities; each unit has its own meetings. During the meetings, we usually show our dissatisfaction towards those who failed to perform up to task for matters that were assigned to them. However, did we think of this, “He/she did not do it well, have I provided my share of support to them?” Then, comes another issue: everyone has his own share of work. Since this is not my assigned responsibility, why should I help him? It seems that I would overstep the management boundaries in place. However, the nature of our Mahayana aspiration transcends all boundaries; our mental capacities is to embrace all beings in all Dharma realms, to help all beings eliminate suffering and attain happiness. We would not claim that certain area belongs to Bodhisattva Manjusri’s domain, and Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha is in charge of another area, and the next area is assigned to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara; then, what is our share of responsibility? Now that Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are inspired to help all beings in the Dharma realm, there is nothing left for us to assume the responsibility! When our aspiration encompasses all living beings, we cannot limit ourselves by such way of thinking – dividing up the responsibilities means holding us back from helping others or from supporting others. I hope this provides a point of reference for us to reflect on. [06:47]
Master was referring to those endowed with virtuous roots in this paragraph [in #187], teaching us how we can deepen our virtuous roots when they are lacking or shallow. The approach is to cultivate good fortune, accumulate merits, and purify our wrongdoings by repenting. Therefore, in whatever we do, we need to be able to humble ourselves and help others to accomplish whatever virtuous deeds they set out to do, and strive to help others. Why do we do this for? It is all because our merits are insufficient! That is why we need to accumulate virtuous roots as well as blissful merits. [07:20]
In this regard, Master made his viewpoint very precise and clear. That is why I invited everyone to listen to this “fortunate beings are led to buddhahood by way of the stages of the path to enlightenment.” For the fortunate beings, if they sense that they are short on virtuous roots, what should they do? In this passage, Master clearly specified the immediate step we should take! [07:38]
【全球广论 II 讲次: 0188】
讲次 0188
标题 佛法、众生缺你做什么，就做什么
音档 新版 02 50:38 ~ 52:10
日期 2020-01-16 ~ 2020-01-19
广论段落 P2-L3 ~ P2-L5 此中总摄一切佛语扼要......是谓此中所诠诸法。
手抄页/行 凤山寺版：第1册 P56-L5 ~ P56-LL1
手抄段落 现在关于这一个部分......从这个上面来讲。
听到这一小段，大家有没有反思一下自己的状况？因为我在拜读师父的日记，常常跟大家说，在师父的日记里师父都是写弟子怎样怎样，好像他所有的日记都是写给上师和本尊的，而且弟子两个字都写得很小。在每一件事发生的时候，他都非常非常认真地检讨自己，即使在教凤山寺的法师、教法人的一些同学做什么、做什么的，大大小小的会议、大大小小的提醒，都是在检查自己是不是有一个清净的饶益他人的心，还是看对方不对才说对方的？ [00:46]
所以大事、小事情，他对自我的要求是非常非常认真而又严谨的。比如说有的时候，像扫地这种事情是不需要师父做的，像收垃圾这种事情也是不需要师父做的，但是我就看过师父去扫地，七十多岁了去收垃圾。而且师父在大家扫过的地方，还会检查那个垃圾里有没有什么被无意丢掉的东西。还有像有的时候跟师父去机场，法师们在忙的时候，师父就站在那个地方，会说：“哎呀！那个行李往里边拿一拿，不要妨碍走路的人。”他一方面怕妨碍要走路的人，一方面看法师的东西不要丢了、自己忘了没有拉到，师父还给大家看包──高僧呀！ [01:44]
大大小小的事情，包括该穿什么样的衣服适合外面的天气，怎么喝水，吃饭的时候要怎么样，师父大大小小的事情都是非常仔细地教导法师们，教导他的弟子们。这些所有的事情，没有一件事师父会觉得他是不应该做的、他是一个高高在上的人，他什么小事情都是去关注大家。因为在小事上会看到我们每个人造的那一分业，师父希望透过每一件事情，让我们能够净化我们的业障、能够集聚到资粮！他是自己这样做的，他引导弟子们也是这样做的。 [02:28]
所以看到这几句话的时候我尤为感动，会想念师父啊！想念看到师父的时光。觉得他这里边讲的，其实把他做到的部分只讲了一点点而已，他做的实在是太多、太多了！所以每次拜读师父的日记的时候都非常非常地感动，在其中看到的就是一个非常非常认真修行的修行者，非常非常地虔诚！他的生命就是用来改变自己、用来奉献给大众的，完全没有一点点享乐的念头，没有一点点！所以他说：“我能做的地方就我该我做。到底做什么？我不一定一定是要我做什么才算，那里欠缺什么我就做什么，这样。总是对整个的学习、对佛法，能够产生最有效的这个最好。”[03:36]
这个观点我也是听师父讲过很多次。比如说大家常常会觉得：“这不是我该负责的，为什么我要负责这个？应该是你负责。”有的时候大家在一起合作的时候，就会出现这个问题。但是师父会看哪里欠缺他就去补！说：“哪里欠缺什么我就做什么。”没有一定是我要做什么的，但是总体是必须对整个学习教法能够产生最有效的，就做那个事情。那么对整个的学习最有效的，就是把法留下来，就是如法──说的人如法地说、听的人如法地听，能把这个清净的传承留下来，师父所有的生命都致力于此。所以既能看到生命中最关键的问题是什么，又在大事、小事中贯彻始终如一的宗旨！这是跟师父学习的时候，感触最深的地方。 [04:33]
比如说以前跟师父讨论，就常常会说：“我不一定要去带僧团呀，这个对我压力太大了！我可能带居士们，大家一起研讨《广论》，就觉得已经是很奢侈了，也不能做什么，当个大班长就不错了！”师父那时候就像这原话一样，说：“你一定要做什么才能修行吗？佛法需要你做什么你就做什么，不一定你一定要做什么，缺你做什么就做什么。”那个时候就是这样的观点。所以我在这个新版《广论》又看到这句话的时候，就好像又听到师父在我耳边再重复地讲这个他一生奉行的很重要的──说思想也好，说他的行为准则也好，就是需要做什么就做什么，什么对众生有利、对佛法最有利，就做那件事，哪里缺什么就去做什么，自己不一定是一定要做哪个。所以每每为师父这样的心所感动。 [05:36]
对我们来说，检查到自己，平常根据分工不同啊，你负责这个、我们负责那个。我们开会的时候，大家可以想想，法人有会呀、园区有会呀，僧团也有会呀，各个部门都有会。在开会的时候，我们对于那种他在负责他的事情上没负责好的那个人，我们通常都会不太高兴，但是有没有想：“他没有负责好，我有没有给他一定的援助呢？”然后这就又涉及到：各人在各人的本分内负责自己的事情，这不是我的本分，我为什么要去帮他？好像会跨越某种管理制度一样。但是我们的发心本身就是跨越一切管理制度，我们的心要遍及一切法界有情，要帮忙一切有情离苦得乐，不能说那块儿归文殊菩萨管、这块儿归地藏菩萨管、这块儿归观世音菩萨管，那我们管什么呢？现在佛菩萨都已经遍及法界有情的发心，那我们什么都不用管了！所以当我们的发心要遍及一切有情的时候，是不能受限于这些──分工、分工，受限之后就觉得不能去援助那个人，没有援助他的心。这一点希望在这一段供诸位参考，反思一下自己。 [06:47]
因为师父在这一段讲的是具足善根的人，说我们善根不具足的状态下，怎么样让这个浅的善根变得很深呢？就是要培福，要集资、净忏。所以在一切事情上，能够低下心来帮忙大家成办他要成办的善业，努力地去帮忙别人。做这个是为了什么？因为资粮不够啊！就是要积累善根、要积累福报。 [07:20]
在这一点上，师父的观点是非常明确的。所以我会想要请大家听一下，“导具善者趣佛地理”这具善者，如果感觉到自己善根不够，应该怎么做？师父在这里讲的下脚处是非常明晰的！ [07:38]