護僧的基本認知（十一）
開仁法師著
十丶共正覺菩提
佛法的內容，就是正覺的內容。佛陀曾經說過：假如你在白晝可以真實的去實踐佛法的話，日中即可印證佛法之真實不虛；乃至特別說明佛法是不待時節的，隨時隨地皆能自知自覺自作證。佛陀非常歡喜有眾生來學法修行，凡到來懇求出家者，佛都會說：善來比丘！至於 白衣 居士，佛一樣無私的作法佈施，因為經中有記載：諸佛出世，皆為了令眾生離苦得樂。佛之大慈大悲即可見一斑。
然而，眾生無量無邊，佛自己也沒辦法一一度盡，但卻可以種下得度因緣。因為若要讓正法像薪火相傳般的綿綿無盡，唯一的辦法就是將此清淨法傳遞給弟子，再由弟子一代一代的延續下去，直到因緣盡為止。佛之弟子本不須分在家出家，因為大家在眾生平等的本位上，只要誰能契悟正法，誰就是聖人。不過，現實中大家也該知道，眾生根性千差萬別，有人喜歡修苦行，也有人鍾情習樂行，這是無可厚非的。故為了不要破壞眾生的善根，只好由眾生自由選擇。另外，也由於釋迦佛陀觀察過去六佛，三佛因無制戒及廣為說法，當佛及弟子涅盤了，梵行很快的隨著就消失人間了。綜合這種種原因，佛陀才毅然決然的建立起六和敬的僧團，以負擔如來家業的長久住世。
在家學佛的居士要知道，我們用錢丶用力丶用心護持僧團，不是只有這樣就算完成任務，可以功成身退了，而更應該在護持之餘，精進不懈的用功修行，所謂一切供養中法供養為最，意義就在此。
佛法的延續，每位佛的弟子都有責任。但是，因為出家的僧眾付出的比較多，責任也比較重，所以身為白衣的，要主動極積的擁護僧眾，讓佛教及一切的眾生，獲得清涼的滋潤與無量的福祉。
結論
「護僧」所可以涉獵的範圍，非常廣泛難測，所要注意的角度，更不可能完全網羅。
護僧，在此文中主要是以居士對出家人的立場為本，至於僧團本身如何僧護僧，希望往後有機緣再作一全面處理。
護僧，真的很有意義。在經論中有這麽一個譬喻：佛陀如大醫王，法如良藥，僧如瞻護者。僧伽確實可以作為眾生的瞻護者，當發覺眾生有生老病死之苦時，都自然會伸出那雙富裕慈悲與哀湣的援手，撫慰眾生徬徨的心靈。這是僧伽的使命！
就因為僧伽有著這項使命，所以身為居家者應該要全力以赴地幫助丶支持及護持僧眾，讓其如法的修行，如法的弘化，如法的舍報！（完）
The Fundamental Knowledge in Safeguarding the Sangha Members（十一）
By Ven Kai Ren
10. To get enlightened together
Dharma is about enlightenment. Buddha did say: If you could really carry out/practice the Dharma in the day time then you could substantiate the authenticity of the Dharma by mid day. It needs to specify that get enlightened from the Dharma any day and any time. Buddha like very much when sentient beings approached Him for Dharma practice. He would tell those who came and begged to renounce the household: I will impart the Dharma to all Bhikkhus and lay men alike impartially. As recorded in the Sutra, the birth of Buddha was to save the sentient beings from sufferings.
Nevertheless, sentient beings are like boundless seas and it’s impossible for Him to save all. But at least a good condition has been planted. The only way to let the genuine Dharma to pass on endlessly is to let this pure Dharma be passed on by the Sangha from one generation to another generation. As far as Buddha’s followers are concerned, it’s not necessary to distinguish whether you are a monk or lay Buddhist because everyone is equal. Whoever attains enlightenment, who will be the Holy one. Nevertheless, we all aware that, in real life, the nature and character of every sentient being are different. Some prefer ascetic, some prefer otherwise. So one could practice the way according to one’s wish. Besides, Buddha observed the past six Buddhas, the pure living and noble actions vanished when the three of the Buddhas and His followers went into Nirvana because they did not introduce Vinaya and propagate widely what they had attained. Comparing all these factors, the Buddha decided to establish the so-called Sangha based on the six points of harmony or unity in a monastery.
Lay Buddhists need to know that they have not accomplished their tasks by just safeguarding the Sangha in terms of money, effort both physically and mentally but they need to practice hard of the Dharma.
Every Buddha follower is obliged or responsible for the continuity of the Dharma. As Sangha contributed more and with heavier responsibility, therefore, lay Buddhists should take the initiative to safeguard and support the Sangha.
Conclusion
The word “safeguarding the Sangha” covers wide aspect and quite difficult to elaborate in detail. This article mainly base on the point of view from lay Buddhists on Sangha and if I have time in future, I shall write about how Sangha are going to safeguard the Sangha.
Safeguarding the Sangha carries a great significance. There is a simile in the Sutra: Buddha is a medicine king, Dharma is the panacea, Sangha is the nurse. Sangha, in fact, can be considered as the nurse of the sentient beings. They will render their compassionate hands to the sentient beings are afflicted by the suffering of birth, age, sickness and death. This is the mission of the Sangha.
It’s because of this mission of the Sangha that the lay Buddhist should go all out to help, support and safeguard/protect the Sangha. (End)
