《護僧》（中英版本，12之一）

 

 

前言

 

佛法中，非常重視三寶──佛法僧，可以說沒有了三寶，就等於沒有正法。所以，佛弟子若不了解三寶之真義，亦不稱其為真正的佛弟子。

 

　　佛是法的體現者，法是普遍的理則，僧是追隨佛之足跡欲體証法的修行者。此文欲探討之課題，以僧為主要對象，然而此僧的定義非囿限於賢聖僧，廣義的說，凡剃除鬚髮、捨俗出家者，皆應可稱其為僧之一員。就因為有這一層面的意義，所以身為佛弟子的我們，不得不知道如何護持僧眾，才能真正實現僧在法在之目的，使僧團真正的發揮住持正法、續佛慧命之功效。

 

　　本文將分成十項要點來討論：一、觀德莫觀失；二、四事之供養；三、遠離於戲論；四、適當的距離；五、如法之建議；六、僧俗倫理觀；七、多求法滋潤；八、依法不依人；九、同續佛慧命；十、共正覺菩提。

 

 

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Fundamentals of supporting and maintaining the Sangha

/By Ven Kai Ren

 

 

Forward

 

The Three Refuges (or Triple Gem, Three Jewels) – Buddha, Dharma and Sangha are the most important values in Buddhism. Should there be not the Three Refuges, the Buddha’s true teaching would not remain existed today. Accordingly, a Buddhist would not be considered a genuine Buddhist if one does not understand the meaning of the Three Refuges.

 

Buddha is the physical reflection/expression of Dharma; Dharma refers to the universal principle of life and the universe; and Sangha is the community of practitioners who follow the footpath of the Buddha. Sangha, the main subject of this essay, includes noble monks and ordinary monks- all those who have shaved their heads bald, abandoned the mundane life and taken refuge in the Three Refuges. The Sangha bear holy responsibility for spreading Dharma and maintaining Buddha’s true teaching, and lay Buddhists’ support is the crucial foundation for the mission.  Therefore, lay disciples must learn how to properly support Sangha members, especially the ordinary monks/nuns, so that the Sangha may effectively keep the true teachings alive in the world.

 

The essay discusses 10 principles for maintenance of the Sangha and the proper interaction in the perspective of laypeople: 1. Observe merits, not shortcomings; 2. Make four kinds of offerings; 3. Refrain from meaningless speech; 4. Keep appropriate distance; 5. Provide righteous suggestions; 6. Observe ethics of Buddhism; 7. Seek the Dharma; 8. Rely on the teachings and not on the person; 9. Continue the Buddha’s teaching; 10. Practice diligently to attain enlightenment.