逆境是智慧的生處──1090209開春法會 Adversities Are Where Wisdom Arising---Dharma Assembly at the Beginning of Spring on February 9, 2020 @ 中華清淨學佛協會

本次開春法會，老師在帶領我們誦經前，特別囑咐我們看看這次法會壇城上，因為新冠狀病毒疫情，暫時不開放眾人擺放飲食供養，我們應該從來沒料想過，有一天竟然會沒有做供養的機會，藉此思惟世間法的因緣無常，而發起珍重心來參加此日的法會。

In this Dharma Assembly at the Beginning of Spring, the Teacher, Susan Duan, specially guided us to take a look at the Mandala before leading us to chant the Sutra; due to the epidemic of 2019-nCov, the Association temporarily closed the setting up of food offering by the audience. Before this, we should never have expected that one day there would be no chance for making offerings, by this chance, we should reflect on the impermanence of things in the world originated from the karma and then initiate the mentality of treasuring to attend this Dharma Assembly.

在持誦《般若波羅蜜多心經》、《千手千眼無礙大悲心陀羅尼》、觀世音菩薩聖號的過程中，大家都深深感受到三寶的加持。

When chanting “ The Heart Sutra”, “The Great Compassion Mantra” and the holy name of the Guanyin Bodhisattva, everyone deeply felt the wonderful blessings of the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

誦經法會後，老師應我們的請求做了一段開示。老師教導我們，一切學習都從「信」開始，「信為道源功德母，長養一切諸善根」。會中，有同學請問老師，要如何增長「信」，老師以信解行證的次第來說明，唯有真的把學到的佛法正見運用在生活中去解決問題，當得到了實修印証，才會正向循環地累積出信的力量，進而使信在心中逐漸生根。由於同學們都求法若渴，老師也願意深入淺出地為我們解答，過程中，大家都因此獲得滿滿法益。

After the chanting of Sutra, the Teacher gave us instruction at our request. The Teacher taught us that all learnings begin with "belief (faith)," "Belief (faith) is the source of the Dharma practice and the mother of merits. It nurtures the roots of goodness." In the Assembly, some students asked the Teacher how to cultivate "belief (faith)". The Teacher explained from the order of the Belief, Understanding, Practice and Attainment (Realization). Only when one applies the Dharma he/she learned to solve his/her problems in daily life and gains the attainment (realization) from the Dharma practice could one accumulate the power of “belief (faith)” in a positive and cyclical manner, and then the “belief (faith)” would gradually take root in his/her mind. Since the students were all eager to learn the Dharma, the Teacher was also willing to teach us by explaining the profound dharma with simple language. During the process, everyone gained abundant Dharma benefits.

因應同學的提問「作為佛子，到底該以甚麼樣心態來面對目前外境疫情嚴峻？」老師引領我們以正面態度，去思惟這樣的外境是要我們學會什麼，如果能思惟或學會些什麼，例如尊重生命、少貪知足，那麼，這樣的逆境本身便成了智慧的生處。頓時大家也因此從疫情的愁憂中，心生轉念，感受到一股正面的力量。最後，老師在進行祈請三寶加持的儀式後，代表本協會以福慧米與大眾結緣，祈願並迴向世間災疫能早日止息，眾生都能得到世間法及出世法的安樂。

In response to the question from the students--- "As a son of the Buddhas, what kind of mentality should we have to face the severe epidemic situation in the external environment?" The Teacher guided us to take a positive attitude to reflect about what the surroundings force us to learn, if we can reflect or learn something, e.g. respect for life, reduce greed and be content, then such adversity itself becomes a place which wisdom arise from. Suddenly, with transforming the mindset, everyone felt the positive power from the sorrow of the epidemic. Finally, after conducting the ritual of praying for the blessings of Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, the Teacher, on behalf of the Association, formed good affinities with the public with the Rice of Merit and Wisdom, praying and dedicating that the epidemic in the world can be stopped soon, and all sentient beings can gain the peace and joy of the inner and external world.

參加者感言：

Reflection of the Attendants:

*深深感恩老師、三寶，在這不安動盪的時刻給我們安定的力量，也讓我們檢視自己「信」的動力，進而幫助自己更受法益而自在，並從中再長出「信」的力量。

*Thank the Teacher, the Budda, Dharma and Sangha very much for giving us the power of stability in the time of turbulence and intranquility and making us examine the motivation of our "belief" which helps ourselves benefit more from the Dharma and more at ease, then the power of "belief" grows in it.

*祈願自己深信不移，老實照做，為自己瞄準朝著解脫道前進。

*I hope I can strengthen my belief and have no doubts, practice exactly what I learned in order to move toward and target the way of liberation.