迈向幸福和智慧的旅程
Journey towards Happiness and Wisdom

文／菲律宾海天禅寺护法会会长　传返

　　首次踏入海天禅寺，墙上的中台四箴行深深触动了我。学习佛法，彻底改变我的人生观，我学到了恭敬、慈悲、和睦、真诚等做人处事的道理。这对我们的人格及社会、国家、整个世界的发展，都能产生正面的影响。

　　记得第一次回到中台朝圣时，遇到一位台湾精舍的师兄，她非常恭敬、慈悲、真诚，而且与我们相处融洽。我注意到，她无时无刻都把我们照顾得很好，也对三宝非常恭敬，总是那么友善、平静、柔软、无私与谦卑。我顿时感到非常羞愧、汗颜且内疚。从那天起，我发了一个愿，要以恭敬、慈悲、真诚的心去照顾、对待每一个人，也要和每一个人和睦相处。由于那次经验，以及师父们长期教导的佛法智慧，让我提起正念开始修习中台四箴行。

　　再简单的小事，只要能利益他人，我都会毫不迟疑地去做，以此化除我的慢心。也不断地努力提升自觉，察觉自己的优点和缺点，以此克服瞋心。同时，学习与身边的人和睦共处，磨去我的粗暴心。再者，持续真诚地修习正法，不只日复一日，更发愿生生世世努力，以去除虚伪不实。因此发现，中台四箴行已成为我的一种生活方式，落实修行带来内心深处的平静，让我感到更快乐与满足。

　　从踏入海天禅寺的第一天起，佛法让我产生巨大的改变。随着师父们的循循善诱与劝勉鼓励，自己对于「敬、慈、和、真」的观照与体会，已有所进步；然而我清楚地知道，还有许多值得学习与改进的地方。我会继续鼓励身边的人一起修行，发菩提心，永不退转。

　　无论我们身在何处，只要以「敬、慈、和、真」作为指导方针，就会踏上通往无量幸福和智慧的旅程。

　　（The Four Tenets written on the wall in my first visit to Ocean Sky struck me most. Studying Buddhism played a significant role in changing my understanding of life. I was introduced to moral values of respect, kindness, harmony, and truthfulness. They provide us with compelling contributions to the development of our personality, our society, our country, and the whole world.

　　I met a disciple from another Zen center on my first pilgrimage trip to Taiwan. She was very respectful, kind, truthful, and worked with us harmoniously. I noticed that she took good care of us and respected the Three Jewels at all times. She was always friendly, calm, soft spoken, selfless, and humble. I felt ashamed, embarrassed, and guilty. So from that day on, I made a personal commitment to take care of and treat everyone as much as possible with respect, kindness, and truthfulness, as well as build a harmonious relationship with everyone. This experience, together with Shifus’ continuous teachings and wisdom, helped me practice to be mindful of the Four Tenets.

　　I have become decisive to value simple and subtle things that are beneficial to others, in order to banish my arrogance. I continue to navigate and boost my self-esteem and self-awareness to find my strengths and weaknesses, so as to overcome my anger. I continue to constantly work harmoniously with people around me as a means to deplete my rudeness. I unceasingly practice and cultivate the Buddha’s true teachings every day, and vow to do it life after life sincerely to eliminate deceit. I observe that these cultivations become a way of life, giving me so much happiness and contentment since they come from a deep equanimity from within.

　　Since the first day that I set foot in Ocean Sky, I have changed immensely through the Buddha’s teachings. Through the help from and wisdom shared by Shifus, I have improved my mindfulness of respect, kindness, harmony, and truthfulness. But, I am fully aware that there are still a lot of things to learn and to improve on. I will continue to encourage the people around me to cultivate and practice together, never regressing and bringing forth our Bodhi mind.

　　Wherever we are, if we let respect, kindness, harmony, and truthfulness be our guide, we will be on our journey towards immeasurable happiness and wisdom.）