5月1日

說喻之二
佛光星雲 ( 1927~ )

唐太宗李世民曾對玄奘大師說：「我很想供養
僧眾，但是聽說現在的出家人，大多數沒有修
行，應該怎麼辦呢？」

玄奘大師：「崑山雖產玉，但都含有泥沙；
麗水雖然產金，也都摻有瓦礫；泥塑木雕的羅漢，
對它恭敬就有福報；銅鐵鑄成的佛像金容，破
壞它就會遭受懲罰；用泥土塑成的龍雖不能降
雨，但是祈雨還是需要泥龍。僧眾不一定能降
福給人，但是修福還是需要禮敬僧眾。重要的
是供養的人，能因塑像而引發出來的一顆慈善
尊貴之心。」

唐太宗恍然大悟：「今後無論碰到什麼樣的僧
眾，一定用禮敬佛的態度來禮敬他們。」

──選自《星雲日記》

May 1

Parables II
Venerable Master Hsing Yun (1927 - , Fo Guang Shan) English translation: Zhi Yue

Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, also known as
Li Shimin, once asked Master Xuanzang, "I would like to make
offerings to the Sangha, but I hear that most monastics are not
spiritually cultivated. What should I do?"

Master Xuanzang answered, "Although the city of Kunshan
produces jade, all of them contain silt. Although the city of Lishui
produces gold, all are mixed with debris. Though an arhat statue
is molded out of clay and carved out of wood, being respectful
will result in merits. Though Buddha statues are cast from copper
and iron, destroying them will result in retributions. Though clay
dragons cannot bring rain, they are still essential in rain prayer
ceremonies. The Sangha may not bring blessings to others, but the
cultivation of merits still requires venerating the Sangha. What
is important is the person making the offering, and whether these
images can evoke a heart of charity and respect."

Emperor Taizong suddenly understood and said, "From this
day onwards, regardless of what kind of monastics I meet, I must
venerate them with the same respect I give to the Buddha."

── from Hsing Yun Riji (Venerable Master Hsing Yun's Diaries)