- 文：編輯部出處：解惑篇期數：332期2018年5月
客問：請問對虛雲老和尚的看法如何？
解惑篇──生活漫談 ／雲老禪師主答 英譯．陳曌
1、客問：請問師父應如何化解人與人之間的誤會？
Q: Master, how do we resolve misunderstandings between people?
師答：解釋誤會，往往越解釋越糟糕，就像一塊白布沾了一點墨汁，如果馬上去擦，就會愈擦愈髒，如果等乾了再拿去洗，便可以洗得乾淨，這說明了想、行之間要有空間。人最容易犯的毛病，就是即說即做，如果以道為前提，即說即做是好的現象，但如果是自我意識的話，最好不要即說即做；因為，人難免會表現出感性或理性，不管感性或理性，都會造成或多或少的傷害。
A: With any misunderstanding, often the more we try to explain it, the worse it gets. Just like a blob of ink on a piece of white cloth, if you try to wipe it off immediately, the worse it will get. However, if you wait for it to dry, the stain can be washed off easily. This goes to show the importance of allowing a time gap between thought and action. The problem is, we humans often rush into putting our thought into action. If instant action is based on wisdom, there is little problem. But if such action is the result of one’s ego, it is best holding back a little longer. We make decisions based either on our emotion or reasoning. Either way, it is hard to avoid causing hurt to either oneself or others.
2、客問：請問對虛雲老和尚的看法如何？
Q: What do you think of Venerable Xu Yun?
師答：虛雲老和尚在南華寺開戒時，我曾去親近他一些日子。虛雲老和尚是個善知識，尤其他有三個特色，一、不管到那裡，身旁僅帶一水瓶、背架子和一個包袱。二、他從不建新的寺院，但對過去已敗壞的寺院，幫忙修葺，把寺院恢復起來。三、講求苦行，比如朝禮五臺山，就是苦行作法，是一種修行方式。虛雲老和尚另有一奇特事，在人眾中，不管是站或坐，總是高過人一個頭，這是當時親近他的人未注意到的，四十八奇也未提到。
A: I had the opportunity to spend some time with Venerable Xu Yun at the Grand Ordination Ceremony at Nan Hua Temple. Venerable Xu Yun was a very knowledgeable monk. He was known for his three unique features: First, wherever he went, he only took with him three items – a water bottle, a bamboo backpack and a knapsack. Second, he never built new temples but repaired and rebuilt old, derelict ones. Lastly, he was an ascetic practitioner. For instance, he made the arduous ‘three-step-one-bow’ journey all the way to Wu Tai Mountains as part of his practice. There was something unusual about him that few had noticed – in a group situation, whether standing or sitting, he was always a whole head above others, a phenomenon that failed to be mentioned in ‘The Collection of the 48 Mysteries’.
3、客問：在家居士，在家裡誦經的時候，是不是可以使用法器？
Q: Are lay Buddhists allowed to use instruments when chanting at home?
師答：先介紹一下法器的作用，法器是於佛事唱誦時，為了統整大眾，使大眾在唱誦的時候，有所依循，節奏一致而使用的，因此，私人在家裡，並沒有使用法器的需要，除非是二、三個人以上，為了統整節奏才使用。
另外，法器的使用，也代表著一場佛事進行。例如：上香，敲磬三聲，是告知冥陽兩眾，此處有佛事即將開始，可前往來此聞經聽法，領受功德，所以，私人在家裡比較不宜使用法器，以避免功德力的問題，相信這樣的介紹，有助於你對法器的瞭解。
A: First, let me explain the function of the instruments. They are used to ensure unison in chanting, to set the rhythm and pace for the congregation. For this reason, there is no need for the use of instruments when chanting in private unless there are two or more people involved.
Instruments are also used to announce the staging of a dharma ceremony. For instance, offering of the incense is always done with three sounds of the ‘bowl’ known as the ‘qing’. This is to announce to all beings in the realms of the living as well as the dead that a ceremony is about to take place and that they are invited to join in to share the merits. Therefore, it is neither appropriate nor necessary to engage the instruments when chanting alone. I hope this helps you to understand the purpose of the dharma instruments better.
