中英版：護僧的基本認知（五）

 

護僧的基本認知（五）

開仁法師著

 

四丶適當的距離

 

 

出家人放下外緣過離欲的生活，是為了能斷除五欲五蓋，修證清淨的梵行，圓成正覺的目標。因此，異性之間的距離，在家眾不得不慎重注意。佛在很多戒律中的規定，即是為了防範破壞清淨梵行的因緣，因為有很多不幸的事情發生，都是由於忽略保持這一適當的距離。

 

一個還未真正離欲的修行者，五欲的蠢蠢欲動隨時都會現起，這是可以瞭解的。不過，卻不是絕對的，畢竟很多時候是因為點滴感覺的累積，而不去對治它，且放縱它，故才形成串習的煩惱生起。身為一位居士，要懂得預防這些令人惋惜的事發生，而且應該自動和出家者保持應有的距離，莫成為欲望的羔羊，千古的遺憾者。

 

除上述較嚴重的問題外，其他會讓人產生譏嫌的行為，也一併須作一提醒，諸如：異性不要私自一個人來找出家眾，有同伴是最保險的，且莫在外界看不到的地方，若在室內應將門打開；運載出家者時，若有異性在裏頭，則不能沒有第三者，為避嫌故。另外，由於現在電話方便，以它來作為溝通工具，是無有過失的，但若接觸的太過頻繁的話，則應提高警覺了，往往導火線就是在這不經意中燃起的。

 

 

The Fundamental Knowledge in Safeguarding the Sangha Members（五）

By Ven Kai Ren

 

4. Appropriate Distance

 

Members of the Sangha have let go off external factors and lead a monastic life. Their objective is to totally eliminate the 5 temptations, practice and realize a state of purity and gain enlightenment. Monastics therefore have to be careful about interaction between opposite sex. The Buddha set many precepts with to view to preventing impure acts from happening. Many unfortunate incidents happened because they have ignored the advice to keep an appropriate distance.     

 

A cultivator who has not eliminated cravings, it is understandable that the cravings can emerge any time. Accumulated over time without confronting it, bad habit will form. As a lay person, one has to know how to take precaution so that such unfortunate incident will not happen. There must be a proper distance between lay person and a monk / nun.  

 

Apart from the abovementioned serious problem, other impeachable acts have to be reminded as well. A lay person should not come alone to look for a monk / nun of the opposite sex. They should not meet at a hidden place, the door should be kept open. Ferrying a monk / nun out should take place in the presence of a third person. Having telephone conversation is convenient, but if such conversation takes place too frequently, one should be alert so that it will not lead to other things.