從前，有一次，佛從忉利天來下人間，人間的佛弟子，都歡喜的去見佛。依次序，比丘應在比丘尼之先，但蓮華色尼為了先得見佛，即化作轉輪王，走在最前面。他以為最先見佛了，但佛對他說：不是你先見，『須菩提先見我身』。原來，那一次，須菩提沒有參加迎佛的勝會。當眾人去見佛時，他想：佛曾說：見法即見佛，我何不正觀法相！於是他就觀察諸法的從緣生滅，從無常為門而悟入諸法無性空，徹見了如來法身。
—— 印順法師《般若經講記》 (Source)
其次，《增一阿含經》有一段記載：
一時佛至忉利天為母說法，三月之後返回閻浮提僧迦尸池水側，蓮華色比丘尼搶先來到，欲先見佛；爾時尊者須菩提在羅閱城耆闍崛山中，於一山側縫補衣裳，原亦欲往問訊禮拜如來，再一思維：一切諸法皆悉因緣和合，沒有常恆性（無常），沒有獨存性（無我），是謂「緣起」。見緣起即見法，見法即見佛。於是不起於座，默思諸法之無常、無我性。當蓮華色因先見佛而雀躍之時，佛告大眾：「須菩提先見我身。」
這就是後來《金剛經》所說「凡所有相，皆是虛妄，若見諸相非相，即見如來」的深意。
—— 昭慧法師 · 無常、無我，大悲、大願——佛指舍利的啟發 (Source)
Venerable Thubten Chodron shared some useful advice about how young Buddhist leaders can benefit others and themselves in a recent dialogue with youths.
Organised and compiled by Ow Yeong Wai Kit:
Once again, Christian evangelists have abused Buddhists and Muslims, this time by the National University of Singapore (NUS) Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC):
The small text circled in red above reads:
“In a country where much of the population is M, much prayer and work is needed in this place. As our first team to be sent to this place, you will be reaching an unreached people group. This is a pioneer work where you will get to help start movement on their campuses! … …”
Please make a stand and tell the insensitive religious zealots that enough is enough. Check out and LIKE the Facebook page Say Yes to Religious Harmony.
It’s ok to discuss and compare religions but it’s a no-no to abuse others’ religion no matter how “well-intentioned” you are or how much you “love” them. How can you love someone when you don’t even respect the person in the first place?
Please stop offensive evangelism and unethical proselytism now.
昭慧法師應台灣神學院莊信德教授之邀，到台灣神學院進行佛學專題演講。
以下僅引座談會中的兩則精彩對話：
Question:
鄭仰恩教授 (台灣神學院學術副院長) 回應道：
「聽了昭慧法師的演講，有一種清新的感覺。基督教也有出世與入世的傳統，也面臨出世與入世之間的相互質疑。就緣起論與創造論來對比，西方有人認為創造論講的是 being（存有），緣起論講的是 non being（非存有）；前者是講『有』的哲學，後者是論『無』的哲學。」
Answer:
昭慧法師回應道：
「佛家並不講 being 與 non being，佛家強調的是『離於有無二邊』的中道。《雜阿含》262經中，闡陀向阿難說到他畏懼「無我」與「空」的教說，阿難引《佛為迦旃延所說經》：『如是正觀世間集者，不生世間無見；如是正觀世間滅者，不生世間有見』，所以如來離於二邊，說於中道。」
「佛家的『空』不等於『無』，因為『無』見將陷於一邊，這就時闡陀原先之所以會畏懼『空』的原因——他把『空』視作『無』而生起了斷滅的恐慌。而佛陀的離於二邊，說於中道，正好破除了『無』之邊見。」
Question:
鄭教授又問：
「在一般分類中，佛家是屬於自力宗教。但這並不是一個很理想的分類法，因為基督宗教也並非完全不講自力，但是基督教的宗教經驗，一定會講到與『祂者』相遇的經驗，而且這個祂者是個『全然的祂者』（holy other），從這裡來認識自己。請問：佛教有沒有對於 holy other 這樣的宗驗？」
Answer:
昭慧法師回答：
「佛家無論解脫道還是菩薩道，都是要透過自己的力量。當然，也透過明師與善知識的教導，信眾的護持、社會的支持，這是因緣和合的因緣生法，因此成就也不純粹是來自『自力』，但還是以自力為主軸。」
「至於與『祂者』相遇的經驗，在解脫道與菩薩道的正常道，是比較沒有，但是菩薩道中的方便道──念佛法門，把心念全然地繫緣在佛陀，而不是在自己。這種心念的運作機制，與基督教與 holy other 相遇的經驗不完全相同。原因是，即使念佛念到於定中見到佛陀的影像現前，甚至聽到佛陀說話，都依然知道這是『唯心所現』、是『因緣生法』，並非真實的 holy other 現在面前。這就是所謂的『念佛三昧』，它基本上還是自力的。但為何要把佛陀當做念茲在茲的對象？其功用在於無形中的潛移默化，在專注地向佛認同的過程中，逐漸地提升自己；在敬仰佛陀，以佛陀為典範，向佛陀看齊的虔敬心中，以精進力趨向佛道。」
Download e-book @ http://conversion.buddhists.sg
It is important to Agree to Disagree.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong highlighted the importance of maintaining racial and religious harmony through tolerance and restraint, as well as preserving the common space that all Singaporeans share.
Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng observed that amid the increase in religious proselytisation activities, security concerns are thrown up when “overzealous and self-righteous” followers engage in aggressive and insensitive propagation of their faiths.
Find out how to support Buddhists who are facing proselytism in their workplace, school or even at home, so that they can maintain their stand with compassion and wisdom.
Say “No” compassionately to religious proselytism.
~ View e-book ~
Senior Pastor Rony Tan of Lighthouse Evangelism blasted Buddhism and Taoism at his church sessions, recorded them on video and posted them on the Lighthouse Evangelism’s website.
These offensive video clips were subsequently removed on the church’s website but they had already made their way onto YouTube.
The Government’s Internal Security Department (ISD) hauled up the Christian church leader and told him that what he did was wrong. ISD told him that in proselytising his religion, he must not run down other faiths, and must be mindful of the sensitivities of other religions.
Pastor Tan has apologised after being called up by the ISD.
References:
Pastor’s comments on Buddhism/Taoism inappropriate & unacceptable MHA | ChannelNewsAsia
Pastor called up by ISD | Straits Times
Pastor apologises personally to Buddhist & Taoist federations | ChannelNewsAsia
Call for restraint | Straits Times
DPM Wong says glad to note Pastor Tan realised his mistake | ChannelNewsAsia
Reason pastor not arrested | TODAYonline
Pastor’s apology accepted | Straits Times
What is your reaction to the insensitive remarks made by Pastor Rony Tan? | TODAYonline
S’poreans must not run down or trivialise others’ beliefs: SM Goh | ChannelNewsAsia
