宣化上人開示錄(一) Venerable Master Hua's Talks on Dharma Volume One　上宣下化老和尚開示 Lectures by the Venerable Master Hsuan Hua │目錄│下一頁│ 佛法在行不在說 The Buddhadharma Is in Practice, Not in Talking 道德是為人的根本，有了道德，我們才能立得住腳。 It's because the Way and virtue are a person's foundation. Once we have the Way and virtue, we can stand on our own feet. 光陰似箭，日月如梭，江河之水後浪推前浪，韶華易逝，世上青年逐老年，這樣隨之逐之，漸漸又歸於老死朽滅，無蹤無影，足見一切無常。 Time is like an arrow; the days and months fly by like a shuttlecock. The waves in the river follow one after another. Glory fades quickly. In the world, youth is followed by old age. In this way, we gradually return to the decay and extinction of old age and death, leaving no trace or shadow. Clearly, everything is impermanent. 正因為一切都是無常，所以我們應該趕快找一個歸宿。在座各位，總算幸運，找來找去，終於信佛了。信佛，能令我們得「常樂我淨」──究竟之樂；所以我們應信佛。可是，也並不是說只是「信」便可以了，也要依法修行，若是只信而不修行，有如說食數寶，於自己本身了無益處。所以古人說：
不行則要道何用？
所以，我們應該躬行實踐，常把「生死」二字掛在眉梢，把「道德」二字放在腳下。這一句話看起來很難懂，為什麼說應該把「道德」二字放在腳下呢？因為，道德二字是為人的根本，好像樹在眉梢，把「道德」二字放在腳下。這一句話看起來很難懂，為什麼說應該把「道德」二字放在腳下呢？因為，道德二字是為人的根本，好像樹木的根一樣，所以有了道德，我們才能立得住腳；反之，腳下無根，那麼則無處可立，進退維谷，不能有所作為了。若是我們能把這二字實踐了，那麼，人格更可以立得住，而一切亦自然可以成功了，所以說：「道德二字，是做人的根本。」《論語》上說：「君子務本，本立而道生。」務本才能生出道，這是古有明訓的。 We should personally practice, always hanging the words “birth” and “death” on our brows, and putting the words “Way” and “virtue” beneath our feet. Maybe that's hard to understand─ why should we put the words “Way” and “virtue” under our feet? Because the Way and virtue are a person's foundation. They are to us what roots are to a tree. Once we have the Way and virtue, we can stand on our own feet. But with no base under our feet, we have no place to stand. We are in a fix, unable to advance or retreat, and we cannot accomplish anything. If we can actually practice these two things, then we can establish a good character and naturally be successful in whatever we do. So it's said, “The Way and virtue are the foundation of being a person.” The Analects of Confucius also say, “The superior person attends to the root. When the root is established, the Way comes forth.” Only when the fundamentals are tended to can the Way come forth. This is wise advice from the ancients. 正如剛才所說，日子是似箭般在不知不覺間過去了，過去的且讓它過去，可是來者可追，對於未來，我們應立下宗旨，不讓它糊里糊塗地度過。
We should be mindful of the Bodhisattva; it's not that the Bodhisattva should be mindful of us. Why don't we want the Bodhisattva to be mindful of us? If you are nominally participating in this session, but in fact a lot of idle thoughts are keeping you from being diligent in reciting the Bodhisattva's vast name, the Bodhisattva of Great Kindness and Compassion will certainly take pity on you, this poor living being, and be worried because you are not sincerely participating in the session. Therefore, everyone should earnestly and sincerely recite, and go a step further by nurturing kindness, compassion, joy, and renunciation in your mind. If you can do that, then I guarantee that the Bodhisattva will aid and support you. 同時，西樂園從來沒有用帖子請過任何一個，大家都是自動發心來參加打七，這點可見大家並不是沒有誠心，而這種自動發心的精神，也很值得嘉許。既然這樣，我們更不要讓這分真誠白費了，我們都要發願念個「水落石出」，念至菩薩現身說法，才不枉這次參加打七一場。
今天是打七的第一天，在這開始打七的今天，我預祝各位今年能有所成就，否則，我要和大家算帳，要是帳算不清，可別後悔！閒話不多講了，還是多念幾句菩薩的洪名吧！