釋四願 TY Third Vow
辛未年三月二十七日正統科
濟佛訓曰：
今日續說四願之第三願。為願得真諦。這與上次壇訓中有一精進條。則有其連帶性。蓋真諦應先注意﹁得﹂字。人性之缺點。不論任何事都想得到些。這在神佛來看。得了什麼。可能就丟了什麼。因人的欲望是無止境的。所以說能有開明之想者。則以知足常樂。以勉生活上之必要。而引說者。是君子常蕩蕩。小人常戚戚也。再說真諦。真之義就是真誠無虛。真實無偽。而諦是用以審慎仔細的來評察事物。所以修人對道慈各務。必須要真心誠意的來評察。故修人要有兩點目的。一是修道要求真旨。二是行慈要求真義。以此二者真旨真義。才可說是修人在修程上必應謹守的原則和目的。而今行宗院之建立。為奉老祖在策議復本大計上。必需之措施。各各乾坤佳修。特別要明白此一設立。是導引吾道之院會今後應進行之方向。此中一是人性的復本。一是院會的復本。所以立出此願得真諦者。是要修人先認清自己。所謂慮而後能得者。這要看你自心想的些什麼。你仔細的思慮了沒有。所思所想者是正或是偏。正則為正心誠意。而偏者是私心作祟。都是私騙欺詐的不分好壞。亦不論是非。以致無法以正顏看人。更加無顏以面覲老祖之聖殿聖堂也。然大道及慈濟大業。必須有其前瞻性。絕非遇事推諉。或者逃之夭夭也。所以說率性謂之道。道也者。不可須臾離也。道就是人的精氣神。如果人無此。還能生存嗎。故修人既然是人。就應有智慧有遠見。以仁愛為每一修人之所持人性的出發點。是以度己度人的心態。來服務人群。就是以院會為起跑點。群策群力為興道展慈而奮勉也。因此衲特別勸各修。站在公正明潔的一面。不可集湊在私利私心。尋求毀棄之上。則永無走向妙山之境也。人生不過百年。今者七、八、九十之耆齡。想要得什麼。得道之士必定是求真求誠。乃是求得真諦之歸宿耶。
On the twenty-seventh day of the third month in the year of Xinwei, Buddha Ji delivered a discourse focusing on the third of the four vows: the vow to attain true understanding of the ultimate Truth. This concept builds upon the previously discussed importance of diligence in spiritual practice.
The essence of this vow lies in the word “attain.” Unlike our human tendency to chase possessions and gains, true happiness arises from appreciating what we already have and gaining something often comes at a cost. This enlightened perspective recognizes the fleeting nature of earthly desires and the burdens they create. This frees us from unnecessary burdens on our life’s journey. Endless desires create a cycle of wanting more, leading to unhappiness.
Buddha Ji distinguishes between “gentlemen” (noble minded persons) who are open and generous, and “petty people” (small minded individuals) consumed by worry and anxiety.
True understanding, devoid of pretence, is characterized by sincerity and authenticity, free of deceit and requires sincere introspection. Cultivators must examine situations with discernment, approaching their spiritual journey with genuine intent. Their cultivation journey comprises two key objectives: seeking the true essence of the Way (Dao) and acting with genuine compassion. These principles of “true essence” and “true righteousness” form the foundation for a dedicated cultivator’s journey to guide them on their path.
The establishment of monastic institutions Xing Zong Yuan (行宗院) honours ancestral teachings while implementing necessary measures aimed at revitalizing spiritual practices. It aims to restore human nature and revitalize Tao Yuan and The World Red Swastika Society. The vow to attain true understanding of the ultimate Truth begins with self-reflection. The saying “consider before you attain” emphasizes examining one’s thoughts and intentions. Are they aligned with righteousness or driven by self-interest? If the thoughts and intents are impure, it makes one difficult to look people squarely in the eye; and even more ashamed to face Lao Tzu (老祖) in Tao Yuan. True understanding necessitates moral clarity, distinguishing sincere thoughts from those fuelled by deceit.
When pursuing noble goals and charitable endeavours, one must maintain foresight and not shy away from challenges or responsibilities. The Dao embodies human spirit and vitality. Abandoning the Dao, the source of our vitality, hinders our very existence. Without this essence, can one truly exist? As cultivators, we must use our wisdom and vision, and lead with love and compassion as the basic starting point. The approach is to cultivate oneself to deliver others, a balance between self-care and caring for others, ultimately serving society as a whole. Tao Yuan and the World Red Swastika Society then become a platform for the collective efforts aimed at promoting spiritual growth and compassion. Ultimately, the vow encourages cultivators to embrace ethical conduct and discourages destructive selfishness. clarity over selfish motives that lead to destruction. Life is fleeting, often a mere century. As one reaches advanced age, it’s vital to reflect on what truly matters. Attaining enlightenment requires a genuine pursuit of truth and sincerity, ultimately leading to the realization of true understanding.