Tergar Asia 8 Days Retreat in Thailand (2018) - 4

【2018泰國八日禪・第四日開示摘要】

■這四項到齊，就真的「傷害眾生」了！

皈依三寶之後，有兩件重要的事要做：一件是「該做的」，一件是「不該做的」。

「不該做」的部分，就是不要再傷害眾生，為什麼？

我們之所以要皈依，是要出離痛苦，傷害別人就會帶來痛苦，這和皈依的核心價值相違。

不傷害的定義是什麼？

我們多少還是會看某些人不順眼，會和同事、同修或家人不和，甚至吵架，但這些還不算傷害眾生，我們都還是凡夫，多少還是有煩惱，還是會隨順煩惱做些造業的事，但具足「傷害」的定義，要有以下這四條：
1.動機：有傷害他人的心；
2.身語：不只這樣想，你也真的這麼去說、真的這麼去做了；
3.結果：對方也真的受傷害了。
4.隨喜：你不但這麼想、這麼說、這麼做，做了還很開心，很隨喜自己幹得好，傷害別人還覺得高興。

如果這四個都到齊了，那就算「傷害」，你就犯了皈依戒。

我們有時會有傷害他人的心生起，這時要以皈依戒來提醒自己，第一時間踩剎車；即使錯過第一次機會，到了第二步、第三步，你都付出行動了，傷害也造成了，也要用皈依戒來中止自己最後的「隨喜惡行」。

傷害眾生的事，當你真的想了也做了，煩惱會稍微平息下來，心會處於相對平靜，這時要把握住最後的機會，至少生起後悔之心，去向「被害人」懺悔和道歉，就不算破了皈依戒，罪業也會因此得到淨化。能這樣做，才算真正了解皈依的精神。

坦白說，我們人生中要真的去向誰道歉懺悔，其實不容易，但說抱歉其實不代表你低人一等，能低頭認錯反而是勇敢的。如果能在第一時間阻斷惡念是最好的，要不然第二時間阻斷害行也好，至少最後也要生起後悔之心，要去道歉和懺悔。

（2018年「泰國八日禪」第四日堪布貢噶開示摘要）

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■ If these four conditions are met, you would have done "real harm" to others

After you have taken refuge, there are two important things that you must bear in mind. 

The first thing is "What you should do", and the second thing is "What you should not do".

Regarding “What you should not do", it means you should do no harm to all other sentient beings.

Why? The reason we take refuge is we want to be free from suffering. Harming others will surely cause suffering and as such, it contradicts the core value of taking refuge.

So what is the definition of "do no harm"? 

Sometimes, we may have ill-feelings towards others and may have arguments or even quarrel with our colleagues, dharma friends or family members. However, this does not count as "harming" other sentient beings. We are not yet enlightened and thus all have afflictions to different degrees. Occasionally, we may even give in to our afflictions and commit misdeeds.

On the other hand, if you meet all these four conditions, that means you have really violated the "do no harm" principle:

1 Intention. You want to harm someone.
2 Action. Not only do you have the intention, you take action through your body and/or speech to harm someone.
3 Result. Someone is harmed by you.
4 Rejoice. Not only do you have the intention, you take action, somebody is harmed, but you also rejoice at how well you have done in causing such harm. Perhaps you are even happy for your "accomplishment"!

If you meet all these four conditions, you have done "real harm" to others and you have broken your refuge vow.

Sometimes, the feeling of wanting to hurt others may cross our mind. At that time, we must remind ourselves of our refuge vow and "step on the brake" immediately before passing through step one.

If you have trespassed step one, and even step two and three - you have taken action and the harm is done - you can still remember the refuge vow and stop yourself from rejoicing in your bad deeds.

If you intend to harm others and action is taken, usually soon after the act, you will be somewhat pacified and your mind may be more at peace. This is the moment you must seize your last chance. 

Let your heart be filled with remorse, then go confess and apologize to the "victim" for what you have done. 

When you do this, then it still does not count as breaking the refuge vow and your misdeeds will be purified. If you can do this, it means you truly understand the essence of taking refuge.

Honestly speaking, it is not easy for us to confess and apologize to another person. To apologize doesn't mean you are lower than others. On the other hand, to be able to admit your mistake and offer an apology is a brave act. 

Of course, to be able to cut the bad intention first-hand is the best.

Otherwise, stop the harmful action is second best. 

The minimum is to feel remorse, then confess and apologize for your misdeeds.

(Excerpt from Khenpo Kunga's teachings on 12 Sep 2018 during day 4 of the Tergar Asia 8-Days Retreat)

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