開設佛堂的好處 開設佛堂的好處

開設佛堂的好處

The Benefits of Opening A Temple

壹、    前言

在「設立佛堂的十個重要原因」中，恩師慈悲昭示了佛堂的殊勝角色：1.天堂的介紹所、2.三曹的事務所、3.學佛的改良所、4.成道的修練所、5.西方功德的加油站、6.眾生靈性的救濟站、7.培養品德的大學校、8.避劫的眾福地、9.仙佛的歡喜地、10捨念的清淨地。由此看來，在白陽弟子成長的過程裡，佛堂扮演著相當重要的地位。

I. Preface

In the explanation of our Enlightening Teacher about “the Ten Important Reasons of Opening A Temple”, He mercifully announced the remarkable and outstanding roles of a temple: 

1. It is a place where (we can) introduce Heaven.

2. It is an administration center of the Three Worlds.

3. A place where one can improve by learning Buddha’s teaching.

4. A place to cultivate for the attainment.

5. A station to input merits for returning to heaven.

6. A place for sentient beings’ souls to be saved.

7. A vast school to nourish virtue and character.

8. A blessed land to get away from the calamity of life.

9. A joyful land to saintly spirits and Buddhas.

10.       A pure and clean land where one can get rid false thoughts.

Therefore, in the growing process of the disciple of the Era of White Sun, a temple plays a remarkably important role.   

 

貳、先天佛堂的三大功能:

一、傳道的功能

佛堂像是一艘法船，在茫茫的人生大海中，承載著無數眾生，駛向光明清淨的彼岸。雖然我們道場中不是所有的佛堂都很華麗，但都是有「天命」的佛堂，每個佛堂同樣的莊嚴神聖與聖靈充滿。藉著先天佛堂，有緣眾生在師尊師母的佛光加被下，可以求道領受亙古不輕傳的三寶心法，如法修持可以體驗身心清淨的感受，並能了脫生死輪迴。

II. The three functions of the heavenly Temple:

1. It applies the function of transmitting Dao

A Dao Temple is like a boat of Dharma (Truth), which ferries numerous sentient beings to march forward to the other bright and tranquil shore. Although not every Temple has a significant outlook, but everyone is bestowed with “The Heavenly Decree”, each Temple is solemn, sacred and spiritually decreed.

  By using the heavenly Temple, under the providential shield of our Enlightening Teachers (Shi-Zun and Shi-Mu), the sentient being who has the fate with Dao can acquire Dao that wasn’t easily passed on to one another in ancient time; and to be initiated with the Three Treasures while one acquires Dao. By cultivating in accordance with these Three Treasures, one can experience the tranquility and cleanness of a body and mind, and transcends from the cycle of birth and death.      

二、教化的功能

在佛堂中，藉著師尊師母的大德敦化與前人輩的精神感召，我們得以開研究班，講道德說仁義，暢談人生真諦。讓無數的眾生脫胎換骨，找到生命的尊嚴，認清人生的方向，開啟智慧，創造幸福的家庭，也彰顯生命的價值與意義；進而效法諸佛菩薩，渡化眾生，共成佛道。

  2. It applies the function of Teaching

At the temple, urged and reformed by our Shi-Zun and Shi-Mu, touched by the spirit of our seniors, we are able to have all the study classes, in which we talk about mercy, justice and the vast discussion of the meaning of life.  So, numerous sentient beings are reformed as new who find the dignity and the direction of their life. Their wisdom hence flows out to lead them in a happy family life that also helps them to show the value and meaning of life； furthermore, follow up the example of saints and bodhisattvas to save sentient beings for the attainment of Buddhahood.     

三、修行的功能

佛堂更是道親一起共修的地方，將平日所學的道理落實在言談舉止之間，大家互相鼓勵成全、互相婉言相勸，勤修十善，以培養高尚的人格特質。由內而外，人人都能心誠、氣和、色溫、辭婉，使每一位道親都以樹立典範為職志，也都足以代表道的尊貴。另一方面，所謂「藉事煉心」，藉著在佛堂行功了愿的機會，培養耐心、愛心與恆心，加強磨練火候，使來自不同的地方的道親都能變化氣質、修正思想、觀念、習性與價值觀。大家目標一致、心念一致，一心向道，歡喜修行。

3. It applies the function of cultivation

At the temple, all Dao brothers and sisters get together to practice Dao, share what they have learned in daily life and implement them into their utterance and action. Encourage and strengthen each other in their faith; give each other advice to urge their practices of all goodness so they will have noble characters.  From inside out, everyone can be sincere, harmonious, and soft in tone and appearance.  Everyone can be a good model to all, and represents the preciousness of Dao.

On the other hand, the activity and events held at the Temple, provide good opportunities to the cultivators of Dao to accumulate merits and virtue.  The quality of patience, caring and perseverance can be nourished, tolerance naturally be broadened, so, the cultivator from different areas shall be better in temperament. Their thought, concept, habit and perception of value shall be righteous as well. All of them merge in the same goal; have the same heart and all are joyful in practicing their cultivation.       

參、開設佛堂的好處 

一. 是敬拜諸天仙佛的好場所

有佛堂才方便向老中、仙佛參辭駕或誠心敬拜，從禮拜中體會並學習仙佛大公無私、慈悲喜捨的精神，並培養謙卑禮讓的習慣；同時在虔誠叩拜過程中，也達到身、語、意三業清淨的效果，無形中也降伏了妄想紛飛之心，對於修心養性助益匪淺。

III . The advantages of opening a temple

1. A great place to worship all Buddhas, gods, immortals, and saints

With a temple, it is a convenient environment to worship or pay our respect for all Buddhas arrival and farewell. Upon worshipping we can experience the spirit of their unconditional mercy, compassion, joy and giving; and accumulate virtue of moderation and being humble; in the process of worshiping we can purify our body, utterance and mind, meanwhile, the false thought and disputed heart shall naturally be collected, one’s cultivation shall be much advanced.          

二、方便廣結善緣接引眾生

前賢云：「未修佛道，先結善緣。」開設佛堂後，壇主熱心的接待、送往迎來、舉辦聯誼活動，可增加不少為群眾服務的機會，也可以增進人與人間的互動、廣結善緣，然後俟機接引求道。佛門大大開，有緣人都進來，無論士農工商，都可以隨緣渡化，拜明師得真傳，這是三期大開普渡的殊勝因緣。

2. It provides a convenient place to embrace all sentient beings

     As the senior said: ”Before guiding others to learn the cultivation of Buddhahood, we can build up good relationship with people first.” After a Temple is set up, the Temple hosts will earnestly receive people and hold all kinds of activities and therefore create lots of opportunities to serve others. The interactions with people are frequent and give a lot of chances to encourage them to acquire Dao.         

三、可以造就人才  

道親求道後，除可以鼓勵開法會外，初一、十五，可以邀請道親回佛堂叩頭禮拜、學習禮節道義，以加深對道的體驗。另外，更可以利用佛堂開研究班，以期道親能夠明理，進而能認理實修。平日亦可逐步教導及演練道場有關的實務工作，如練習講道、佛規禮節、辦道操持等。總之，因材施教，引導其財施、法施、無畏施量力而為，以投入修辦道行列。故佛堂可以配合整體道場之規劃，依程度設立各種研究班成全道親，以培育成道場棟樑人才。

 3. It is a good training center

      New Dao members will be invited to join the Fa-Hui (Dao Seminar). On the semi month of the dates of 1st and 15^th of each month, they will also be invited to Temple for worshiping and practicing the etiquette or rite of Dao which will actually help them experiencing Dao. Meanwhile, use the Temple to hold study classes to help all Dao members to have better understanding about Dao so that they have true realization of Dao and strengthen their foundation of cultivation. Gradually accompany them in daily bases to practice and learn all the detail about the general affairs of the Temple, such as practice to give   preach, conducting the training of etiquette and Dao receiving ceremony, and so on.  However, teach the new comer in accordance with their ability, guide them to share their ability of finance, understanding of Dao and become volunteers and lead them to be part of the group who help spreading the truth.  Therefore, the Temple can be used to work along with Dao societies’ plan for all projects. Set study classes in accordance with new comers’ learning process, to enable Dao society locates the talented and useful helpers.          

四、便於承上啟下

大學云：「家齊而後國治」，佛堂是整體道場最基本的單位，如果道場要實現一道同風的彌勒家園理想，就要先從各佛堂開始做起。佛堂中有前賢、後學與同修，成員就像一家人，便於推展承上啟下的倫理教育。位居前賢者以身作則，時時提倡天恩師德與前人、前賢之苦心。凡事尊師重道、敬老尊賢、遵前導後、敬上愛下。如此上行下效，自能增進佛堂所有道親之向心，呈現長幼有序、團結和諧的溫馨氣氛。

4. A place as a role to respect/follow the seniors and guide the juniors

      The Great Learning said:” Wishing to order well their States, they first regulate their families”.  Temple is the basic unit to the entire Dao society, is also a start point to an ideal family of Maitreya (Land of peace, paradise). At the Temple, there are seniors, junior learners and members, who are like members of a family, where is very convenient to carry on the ethical education.  Those who are the seniors at the Temple shall be good models to others, and always emphasize about the grace of heaven and the virtue of our Enlightening Teachers, also show the spirit and hard works of our Qian Ren and Dao seniors.  Whatever we do, always remember to respect our Teachers and revere, emphasize Dao, respect the aged and obey the sage, follow the senior but guide the new comer, be respectful to the superior but love the inferior. All these will of course help Dao members at the Temple firm their faith, all generations shall be in order and unit together harmoniously.      

五、便於同修共辦

佛堂兼具「財、法、侶、地」四要素，在前賢的指導下，一起策劃道務、分工合作、同修共辦、相互提攜。不但能夠弘法利生，接引有緣佛子，更可培養火候與彼此之包容力。讓同修道親更有參與感、歸屬感與成就感，大家共同成長。

5. A Temple can be a benefit to Dao members to practice and spread Dao together.

      A temple shall contain the four elements of finance, truth, companions and location. With the guidance of seniors, all members will work as a team to plan about Dao affairs, share out the work and cooperate with one another, cultivate and help the Dao affair together. Each shall help one another to improve.  Together with the members of temple, one can help to spread the truth and be benefited by doing so, and help to receive and guide sentient beings. In the meantime, one can be more tolerant to all. All members will get involved in Dao spreading and can also feel much accomplished and fulfilled about oneself, so all will grow and progress together.   

  六、佛光普照、增長智慧、躲劫避難

在佛堂中，蒙佛光普照、祖師宏慈、師尊師母佛力加被之下，道親見仙佛法相莊嚴，觀己身渺小、卑微，自然會惕勵自己更加精進修辦。從參辦歷練中增長智慧，積功累德，福德日長，業力漸消，三災八難自然遠離。

  6. One can be shielded by the radiance of Buddhas, enrich wisdom and get away from calamities in Temple.

      At the Temple, with the radiance of Buddhas, mercy of Patriarchies and the shield of our Shi-Zun and Shi-Mu, Dao members witness the solemn forms of Saints and Buddhas, inwardly examine one for being so negligible, humble, and one spontaneously will strive for improving oneself.  By joining the practice and assisting Dao affairs, one will certainly be wiser and accumulate merit and virtue, blessing shall be upon him, the negative karmas shall gradually apart from him, the disasters and troubles shall naturally go far away.         

先賢常言：「自助必得天助」，在誠心學修講辦過程中，吾人已在廣行方便，利人利物，平日必得天神護持。若家中設有佛堂，將老中聖靈請至家中，經常接受佛光普照，並有三寶可以受持，平日自得安寧自在；遇有災難，自感神佛護佑，而得以逢凶化吉，躲劫避難。此例證處處皆有，不勝枚舉也。

”God helps those who help themselves.”  In the journey of sincere cultivation and assisting Truth spreading, we are already providing conveniences to all; surely we will be guarded and protected by heaven.  If you have a temple at home, invite God to be served at your home, often to be rinsed by the radiance of Buddhas and be benefited by the Three Treasures, you shall be free and peaceful in daily life; if encounter trouble, by a nature force, you shall be protected from trouble or disasters.  Numerous examples are more than can be listed in our Dao society.    

七、擔任壇主天職成就天上果位

要成就仙真菩薩果位，非關人間名位、學歷，但憑真功實善。仙佛云：「西方果位人間定、東方不捨西方不得」，又說：「人間一佛堂，天上一朵蓮。」足見設佛堂之功德不可思議，不但可擔當「壇主」的神聖天職，也更多一份為上天做事、了愿、行功的機會，可為上天當差、做上天慈音的轉播站。壇主若能以身作則內外兼修，時時任勞任怨真心付出，如此積功累德，持之以恆，自然能夠功圓果滿。台灣台中有一位魏慶龍壇主，一生犧牲奉獻盡心盡力，終於證得「清和真君」果位，能道成天上名留人間，真是最好的印證。

 7. The heavenly position is achieved by performing the job as Temple hosts.

      To reach the attainment of resulting saints or Bodhisattvas is not up to the fame, or the background of education but is up to how one cultivates.  Saints and Buddhas said: The position in heaven is decided on the contribution on earth, one can’t get the attainment in the heaven if he fails to make contribution on earth.” Also said, “A lotus will be planted in Heaven when a Dao Temple is set up on earth.”  The merit of setting up a Dao Temple is quite extraordinary, not only one can be a Temple host but also has opportunities help heaven, accomplish one’s vows and create chances for merits. One can also be a heavenly messenger and be a broadcast for heaven on earth. The Temple host shall be an example to others and cultivate internally and externally; serve others without complain and sincerely accumulate merits and virtue with perseverance, one certainly will reach the completion of cultivation. There was a gentleman name Chin Long Wei in Taichung, Taiwan, who made lifetime contributions and sacrifices in assisting Dao spreading, finally resulted in the heavenly position as “Qing-He-Zhen-Jun (which means True Divinity of Purity and Tranquility)”, who succeeded in resulting in Heaven and be memorized on the earth.  This is a very good testimony of cultivation.       

肆、結論

一、把握機會，種善因緣。

      仙佛早就慈悲過，設立佛堂即是將老中聖靈、諸天仙佛聖駕，請到家中來和我們為伍，伴著我們生活與修行，無比沾光。如果環境許可，大家廣設佛堂，福慧雙修，功德無量。

IV.  Conclusion

 1. Seize the opportunity to have good relation and affinities with others.

    Saints and Buddhas have already told us that opening up a Dao Temple is to invite Almighty God’s, all Saints and Buddhas’s spirits to be at our house, and to accompany us for our daily life and cultivation, we will surely share the honor greatly.  If the situation is allowed, we shall urge all to open up Dao Temples, so we can nourish our wisdom and be blessed. Merits and virtue shall be boundless.    

 

二. 設立佛堂讓自己與別人一起成長

     修菩薩道就是必須藉著幫助眾生來提昇自己，設立佛堂則是最簡單易行的方法，從承擔中讓自己快速成長，而從真心付出中又可成就無數有緣眾生，這真是「自利利人」。

    2.  One can improve himself along with others upon opening up a Dao Temple. 

       To reach enlightenment, one needs to help sentient beings to elevate himself, and opening up a Dao Temple is the easiest way, for one can speedily improve by shouldering responsibilities, truly offering oneself to others, one can benefit to others and oneself.