求道修道的好處
Benefits of Receiving and Cultivating Dao
壹、前言
1. Preface
道
者路也,乃是要回極樂天堂之正路,並不是凡塵之世間路,亦不是顛入苦海之迷路,更不是墮入輪迴之末路也。吾人的本性中來自理天,在理天謂之「無極真理」,
賦在人身中乃謂之「性」,故曰:「性理」。來時既由如是處來的,去時亦應向如是處去的,這就是人人生來死去必由的真經正路。求道後,在學道、修道、辦道過
程中,所親近者不外是莊嚴佛堂以及良師益友;所研習者不外是佛規禮節以及經典善書。更因有天命護持,祖師佛力加被,故凡得道者只要誠心抱道,不忘修持,自
然會有奧妙的效果證驗。
Dao
is the path. It is the correct path to return to Heaven. It is not the
path for mortal world nor it is the path for falling into miserable life
of human beings. Neither is it the path to fall into the reincarnation.
Our True-Nature comes from Heaven and it is called the “Heavenly
Truth”. When it is given to human beings, it is called natural true
self. When we were born we came from paradise heaven; when we pass away,
Heaven is also the place for us to go. This is the right path for
human beings, birth and death. After receiving Dao, during learning,
practicing, cultivating and managing Dao affair what you will come
across solemn Temples , beneficial teachers and worthy friends. What
we studying are religious scriptures, Chinese classics, virtuous books,
temple rules and manners. Especially we have the Protection from
heavenly mandate, blessing from our Patriarch (Master): Mi-Le Buddha
(Maitreya Buddha). For those who have received Dao, as long as you keep
practicing and cultivating Dao, there will be a lot of wonderful
testimonies in your life.
貳、求道修道的好處
2. Benefits of receiving and cultivation Tao
一、可以變化氣質、可以改惡向善
修
道之人時時以效聖法賢為職志,經常研究人生真諦,而瞭解人生之意義與使命。求道後在道中修煉受到正氣薰陶,改變一切氣質,正氣凜然,成為一位善良的人。加
上學習禮儀規範,則待人接物謙恭有禮、進退有度。同時修持身心改毛病,去脾氣,在潛移默化中,自然會誠於中形於外而變化氣質。
(1) To change our temperament and get rid of bad habits, behaviors
As
Dao cultivators always follow the aspiration of Buddha’s, saints and
virtuous persons, and always study the true meaning of life and then
understand the real meaning and mission of human life. After we
received Dao, we receive influence from the spiritual strength during
our cultivation process, naturally we’ll change our temperament and
become awe-inspiring, righteous and become a benevolent person. In
addition, we learn the temple rules and manners, we always treat people
with modest and good nature and we understand how to do things in a
proper way. At the same time, we cultivate our inner self, we mend our
shortcomings, control our temper. Step by step, our inner sincerity
will be put into actions. Thus, the temperament is changed.
二、可以開啟智慧
我們幸得明師指點,傳授三寶心法,開啟通天智慧眼,「一竅通,百竅皆通。」只要依法修持,恢復本性之清靜光明,吾人之先天妙智自然流露。另外,佛堂教育以「聖賢經典」為經,「宇宙真理」為緯,在良師益友薰陶教誨下,必然知識日增、學問日長而智慧大開。
(2) Open our wisdom
We
are very fortunate to receive Dao and have our Gate/Heavenly Portal
unlocked by our Enlightening Teacher. We also have received Three
Treasures in the Dao receiving ceremony and our “Eye of Wisdom” was
hence opened. When the Heavenly Portal is unlocked, the mysteries have
the answers. As long as we cultivate ourselves by following the Dharma
to restore our true self as pure and glorious as ever, our wisdom will
be naturally revealed. Furthermore, educations in temples are based on
religious scriptures; Chinese classics and universal truth, our wisdom
and knowledge will increase day by day from association with beneficial
teachers and beneficial friends.
三、可以改造命運
在學道、修道、辦道的日常生活中,吾人已默默地克盡本份,善盡職守,並實踐人生之真理。無形中涵養了慈悲之胸懷、大愛無限,樂於助人——利人濟物,廣行方便——幫辦佛事渡化眾生,使得福報日增,命運則因仁心義行而日漸改善,誠所謂:「心好命就好」。俗語說:「智者左右命運」,吾人積極修辦、行功立德,自然由苦命的人生轉向平順的命運,再轉而走向光明的命運。
(3) Change one’s fate
During
the daily life of learning, practicing and cultivating Dao, we have put
in our best effort and doing what we have to do. We also put the true
meaning of life in practice. Imperceptibly we develop endless love,
merciful heart and become happy and sincere in helping others. We’ll
increase our good fortune while we take responsibility in the Dao
affairs and help more people to receive Dao. Your fate will have a
positive change because of your love and justice to others. That is: 「When you are kind-hearted, you will have good fate」.
Wise people manage their fate well. We are actively cultivating and
propagating Dao and become a man with merits and virtues, naturally, our
fate will change from miserable to smooth and bright.
四、可讓玄祖沾恩
道
書云:「一子得道,玄祖沾光。」人間一子孫進入道門學道,其地府中之祖先亡靈得以領受一朵白蓮花,接受地藏古佛之教化,以期超脫輪迴苦海。又依佛規,凡道
中有大功德者,可直接超拔父母亡靈出苦,此非祖先沾光而何?實因吾人與祖先血脈相連,我們積德行善,祖先自然同沾光彩。而修道辦道本是成就聖賢仙佛之偉
業,將來道成天上與祖先重聚永享極樂,豈不是大大之孝行嗎?
(4) Ancestors and descendants can also benefit from the heavenly mercy.
Scripture says: 「When one receives Dao, his descendants and ancestors will be benefited and glorified.」. When one in mortal world receives Dao and starts to learn and practice Dao, his/her ancestors’ souls
in underworld will get a white lotus flower and they are allowed to
receive the enlightening teaching of Di-Zang Buddha (Ksitigarbha
Buddha), then cultivate there in order to transcend the cycle of
reincarnation. Per the Dao Temple regulations, those who have enough
merits and virtues can directly help their passed away parents’ souls to
receive Dao. Isn’t this beneficial for your ancestors who can share
the benefits and glory of Dao? This is because you and your ancestors’
blood are related. Furthermore, cultivating and propagating Dao is a
monumental accomplishment for becoming sages or even Buddha’s and
eventually we can return to the heaven staying with our ancestors for
long lasting joyful time, isn’t this the highest level of duty and honor
to any parent?
五、可以躲劫避難
禍
劫冤孽本由人自造,因為放失本心,血心用事違背良心,不合天理正道,才會結下多少孽根,造成今生必須承受因果禍殃。聖人曰:「自助助人,必得天助。」吾人
求道後,知道以良心本性當家作主,時時誠心懺悔既往之過失,改過自新。同時,在學、修、辦道過程中,吾人已習以為常的廣行方便利人濟物——福慧雙修,平日必得諸天神聖護持。加以求道後,經常與仙佛親近接受佛光普照,並有三寶可以受持,遇有災難自能感加神佛護佑,而得以逢凶化吉、躲劫避難,處處有例證不勝枚舉。
(5) Avoid disaster and escape calamity
We
created our own disasters, calamity and misfortune because we have
neglected our true self or original nature. We disobey our conscience
and not following the law of nature and Dao. All these made our selves
take the karma in this lifetime. A Saint said: 「When you help yourself and others, you will get help from God.」
After we received Dao, we understand we have to take control from our
true self or conscience. We also repent our sins and mistakes all the
time and to turn over a new leaf of yourself. At the same time, during
the process of learning, cultivating, propagating Dao, we have developed
a habit of helping and benefiting others. We are cultivating good
fortunes and wisdom at the same time. Because of our cultivation we will
get protection of the immortals, divines and saints. In addition, after
we received Dao, we are close to Buddha’s and receive the light from
their halos/ aureoles. We also have the Three Treasures to cultivate.
When we are in an emergency situation or disaster, we’ll get Buddha’s’
help. So we can turn bad luck to good fortunes, and avoid disaster and
escape calamity. Though, every one needs to be responsible for his/her
own karma, God and Buddha’s are minimizing disaster, calamity to the
least.
六、可以超生了死
當
年釋迦捨棄皇太子之榮華富貴,是為了脫生死一大事因緣而出家。今生我們幸受明師直指大道,得受「性理真傳」,天榜掛號,地府抽丁,脫離 閻
君掌管。若能不斷修持,積德感天,自得天命護持、祖師加被,死後肉身會有顏色如生、面帶笑容、冬不挺屍、夏不腐臭之證驗,而靈性脫離生死輪迴、超生了死、
達本還源矣!
(6) Transcend the life and death reincarnation
Sakyamuni
Buddha gave up all his wealth & position being a prince of the
country, only because he knew that he had to find an enlightened teacher
to receive Dao and transcend birth & death reincarnation. Today we
are so fortunate to have the Enlightening Teacher to pass this true Dao
to us, our names are now registered in Heaven and deleted from life
& death book in underworld and no longer in the control of the king
of Hades(the underworld). If we can keep cultivating our morality and
virtues, we’ll get protection and blessing from and heaven and Mi-Le
Patriarch (Master). Eventually one day when we pass away, our physical
body will be soft and look alive and having a smile on our face; the
body will not easily rotten in summer and harden in winter. These are
evidence of your soul has returned to heaven and avoided the
reincarnation.
七、是最殊勝的法門易證易成
世上修行法門有千門萬教,可概略分為上、中、下三乘。乘者,運載之義,即運載眾生離苦得樂、解脫生死、究竟涅槃也。古德云:「摸著根的成佛祖,摸不著根的瞎修行。」故修行者當修最上乘的究竟法門,何謂上乘大法?與其它法門有何不同?
(7) Most extraordinary Dharma because it is easy to reach enlightenment
There
are many different religions and different ways for cultivation in this
mortal world, which could be split into Small Vehicle Doctrine, Medium
Vehicle Doctrine and Great Vehicle Doctrine. Vehicle is to transport
human beings from miserable to happiness, free them from reincarnation
and finally achieve nirvana. Ancient saying: ”If you can find the
Correct Way for cultivation you’ll become a Buddha, or you are just
doing blind cultivation”. Therefore, the Great Vehicle is the best way
for all cultivators. What is the Great Vehicle? What are the
differences from other ways of cultivation?
(一) 下乘法 - 若執形著象,敲打念唱,計較得失,貪圖現世利益或來世福報,不知「凡所有相,皆是虛妄。」以如此有為之心,雖修種種善行,名為下乘。今世修善,來世享福,福盡善盡,仍墜輪迴,此乃循環之理,行此法可成為善人享人天福報。
1.
Small Vehicle: Attached to forms, making efforts on chanting scriptures
only, without put it in daily life. Always calculate gains and losses,
strong desires for benefits in this lifetime or good fortunes in next
life. They fail to realize that “everything that has physical form is
unreal and fake”. This type of cultivation belongs to Small Vehicle
even though they are doing many good deeds. These goods bring good
blessings and fortunes in their next life. However, the end of next life
still results in reincarnation. This is the law of circulation. People
who cultivate this Vehicle could become virtuous and enjoy the good
fortunes.
(二) 中乘法 - 若執著氣數,沈迷陰陽五行,企圖藉著抽填燒煉、數息吐納,以轉法輪、運週天,雖達到一定效驗,仍難脫生死輪迴,此為中乘法。
2.
Medium Vehicle: Attached to the knowledge and practice of Qi – Yin and
Yang energy in human body, and the five primary elements (wood, fire,
earth, metal and water). This way of cultivation does bring certain
effects though it still cannot avoid the reincarnation.
(三) 上乘法 - 若明萬法不離本心,一切不離自性,但得大善知識直示本來,通達性理真傳,當下一了百了,更無言說,亦無少法可得,是一指直超的上乘法。吾道祖祖相傳師師相授,口傳心印,直指良心,見性成佛,脫氣還理,成道後歸無極理天。
3.
Great Vehicle: If you understand all dharma never apart from original
heart and everything stays with true nature/true self. When initiated
by Enlightening Teacher, you will have clear understanding of true
transmission of the principle of self-nature. This true nature is within
you, not from external. Dao is passed at one to one basis by all
Patriarchs (Masters), directly point out the Gate, passing us the divine
Mantra, everyone is potential Buddha since we have the same nature as
Buddha’s. We can return to Heaven when the Buddhahood is being reached.
參、結論
3. Conclusion
一、 求道修道的好處無窮盡,只怕你不做,不怕沒有好處,要掘多少寶貝就有多少寶貝,這就是入寶山,不要空手而回,其福德不能用語言可以說盡的。
(1)
The benefits of receiving & cultivating Dao are countless, you do
it & to be benefited, there is no limit. It is like you found a
mountain full of treasures and do not leave with empty handed. All the
benefits & blessings are beyond words.
二、中下乘修人天福報,享千百年氣天福,福份享盡再墜輪迴,非永生之計。唯有求修上乘法,一指頓悟,認理實修,道成天上名留人間,九玄七祖同超上界,是故勤修上乘法方為究竟。
(2)
People who cultivate Medium and Small Vehicles only benefit from short
period of good fortunes in lower levels of heaven or in the next life.
They will fall into reincarnation after that, this is not the way once
for all. Cultivate the Great Vehicle by the initiation from the
Heavenly mandated Enlightening Teacher and cultivate truly. Eventually
you will reach the Buddhahood in Heaven and leave good fame in this
mortal world as a good example. Your seven generations of ancestors and
nine generations of descendants can also benefit to return to Heaven.
Diligently cultivate the Great Vehicle is the Way of best choice after
all.