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為往聖繼絕學 為萬世開太平——澳洲淨宗學院漢學先修班開學典禮講話　　（共一集）　　2017/8/2　　澳洲淨宗學院　　檔名：32-237-0001
For the Past Saints and Sages, We Vow to Ceaselessly Carry On Their Eternal Teachings, For the Countless Generation to Come, We Vow to Bring Lasting Peace and Harmony ———— Talk at the Opening Ceremony for the Preparatory Class of Sinology Studies of the Pure Land Learning College Association

　　尊敬的悟行法師、諸位法師、諸位老師們、同學們：
       Respected Venerable Wu Shin, Venerables, teachers, and students,

　　大家好！今天大家能夠在澳洲淨宗學院舉辦「漢學先修班」，真是非常難得！我們在這裡舉辦漢學先修班，弘揚漢學，目的就是「為往聖繼絕學、為萬世開太平」。年輕人要有這樣的使命感，把儒、釋、道傳下來，把中國優秀的傳統文化延續下去，這是個偉大的事業、神聖的事業！所以希望同學們能發大心，五千年傳統文化因為有你們來承傳，世界會變得更幸福、更美好。
　　It is indeed very precious that we can be here today, at the Pure Land Learning College Association in Australia, to start the preparatory class of Sinology Studies. The purpose for opening this class and promoting Sinology is to pass on the teachings of past saints and sages, teachings that have almost ceased, and to bring everlasting peace for future generations. Young people need to have such a sense of mission, vowing to carry on and pass down the teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Let this outstanding traditional Chinese culture continue. This is a great cause, a divine cause! So I hope the students can engender a big heart. The world will become more happy and beautiful due to your success in carrying on the five-thousand-year old traditional culture. 

　　發心要緊 It is Essential to Give Rise to this Sense of Mission 

　　現在社會亂了，世界普遍面臨危機。圖文巴希望能夠建立當今全球第一個和諧示範城，就是要把好的榜樣做出來，幫助化解危機。怎麼做？只有一個方法：教學為先。危機的根源是教育不當，現在學校教授知識，不教做人，人們把不善當作善事，把自私自利當作自己的權利。所以，對治的方法還是教育，用聖賢教育把人民都教成好人，都變成聖賢君子。
　　Today, society is becoming chaotic, and people are facing impending crises across the world. People of Toowoomba hope to build the world's first model city of peace and harmony. Setting this good example will help resolve the crises. How to do this? There is only one way: education. The root cause of the crises is improper education. Today, instead of teaching students to be decent people, most schools emphasize teaching knowledge. Therefore, many people mistake evil for good and view self-gratification as their right. Therefore, the method to solve this still lies in education —— to educate people to be good persons through the teachigns of saints and sages. People will become decent people and even become sages and saints. 

　　中國傳統文化的教育是培養聖賢君子的教育。聖人、賢人、君子都是學位的名稱，聖人是最高的學位，賢人是第二個學位，君子是第三個學位，都不是普通人。幾千年來，中國都以聖賢君子為主導，所以才能社會長治久安，人民安居樂業。有了聖賢教育，人民才有真實利益，這是真實不虛。
　　The teaching of traditional Chinese culture is the education to nurture decent persons, sages, and saints. Saint, sage, and decent person are like the names of academic degrees. Saint is the highest degree; sage is the second degree; decent person is the third degree. They are not ordinary people. For thousands of years, saints, sages, and decent people have led China. Hence, society was orderly and maintained long-term stability; people lived in peace and worked in happiness. With the teachings of saints and sages, people will gain true benefits. This is true.

　　可是現在，中國傳統文化處在存亡繼絕的邊緣上，再不能認真認識傳統文化，好好學習它，聖賢教育就從這裡斷絕了。傳統文化如果失傳，那是全世界人類重大的損失！最近這十年是關鍵，不容錯過，真正深入漢學的老教授都已經七八十歲了，要趁現在承傳他們的學問；如果錯過了這十年，再想繼承也來不及了。所以，同學們要發大心：「我來繼承傳統文化，我來把傳統文化發揚光大」，發這個大心就是發大菩提心。
　　But today, traditional Chinese culture is hovering on the brink of extinction. If we don't start learning traditional culture diligently, it would be lost from our generation. Losing this traditional culture would be one of humankind's major losses! The last decade is the key and must not be missed. Those really deep into the Sinology of the old professors now have seventy or eighty years to take advantage of the opportunity to carry on their knowledge. If you miss this decade, it will be too late to inherit! So, the students must have a big heart: 'I come to inherit the traditional culture! I come to carry forward the traditional culture!' Giving rise to this big heart is giving rise to a big bodhi heart.

　　學做聖賢 Learn to be Saints and Sages

　　中國古人讀書志在聖賢。我們今天在這裡創造學習的環境，培養真正的讀書人，繼絕學、開太平，鼓勵每一位同學志在聖賢，大聖大賢。只要有真誠心，發真心學習傳統文化、弘揚聖賢教育，好好深入經典，一生不改變，捨自己的性命也在所不惜，堅持這樣的弘願、大志，就能做出一番貢獻。
　　Ancient Chinese people stuided to aspire to be sages. We are here to create a learning environment to nurture real scholars. They will carry on the fading teachings of saints and sages, and bring lasting peace to the world. We encourage every student to be a sage —— a great sage. As long as they uphold sincere hearts to learn traditional culture and promote the teachings of saints and sages, they will study sacred texts and classics in-depth throughout their lives without changing. They will persist in doing this, even sacrificing their own lives. If they can persevere in this great vow and aspiration, they will undoubtedly contribute to humanity. 

　　學習傳統文化、學做聖賢，要知道它的目的，明白它的效果。我在二十六歲的時候，跟方東美先生學哲學，老師給我講了一部《哲學概論》，最後一個單元「佛經哲學」。我感到很驚訝，我說佛教是宗教、是迷信，怎麼會有哲學？老師告訴我，他說你還年輕，你不知道，「釋迦牟尼是世界上最偉大的哲學家，佛經哲學是全世界哲學的最高峰，學佛是人生最高的享受」。老師囑咐我，學佛要我從經教下手。我學佛，是方老師帶我入佛門的，是為了得到人生最高的享受。方老師真幹，他的書桌上一定會有佛經。我也學習老師，從經典入手，深入經藏，依教奉行。學佛到現在六十六年了，我的生活確實像方東美先生所說的，「人生最高的享受」。
　　We need to know the purpose and understand the effect in learning traditional culture and learning to be saints and sages. When I was twenty-six years old, I learned philosophy from Professor Fang Dongmei. He taught me Introduction to Philosophy. The last unit was Buddhist philosophy. I was surprised. I said that Buddhism is a religion, a superstition, how could it be philosophy? Professor Fang said, 'You are young. You do not know that Sakyamuni is the world's greatest philosopher, Buddhist philosophy is the preeminent philosophy in the world, and learning Buddhism the ultimate enjoyment of life'. Professor Fang told me that learning Buddhism needed to start with the teachings in the sutras. It was Professor Fang who inspired me to begin learning Buddhism in order to obtain the ultimate enjoyment of life. Professor Fang truly practiced. There were always Buddhist sutras on his desk. From his example, I learned to start with Buddhist sutras, studying them in-depth and practicing the teachings. I have now been learning Buddhism for sixty six years. My life has exemplified what Professor Fang Dongmei said: 'Buddhism is the ultimate enjoyment of life.' 

　　儒家的學習也是一樣的，《論語》一開篇孔子就說：「學而時習之，不亦說乎」。「學」包括博學、審問、慎思、明辨；「習」就是篤行。學了之後要不斷的在生活當中落實，就會常生歡喜心，不亦悅乎，這是孔顏之樂。真正的快樂不是地位高，不是財富多，你看孔子很快樂、顏回很快樂，古聖先賢沒有一個不快樂的，我們認真學習古聖先賢的教誨，也能得到這種快樂。我們的智慧、德能、福報都比不上古人，但是我們真發心走這條路，不斷的努力，鍥而不捨，就有祖宗保佑、三寶加持，一定能成功，要有這個信心。
　　Confucianism is the same in learning and practice. In the opening chapter of the Analects of Confucius, Confucius said: 'It is a joy to learn and practice the teachings constantly.' Learning includes extensive knowledge, interrogation, deliberation, and discernment. 'Practicing' is to carry out diligently. After learning, we need to put what we have learned into practice constanty in our daily life. Then we will often be filled with joy. 'It is a joy' refers to the joyfulness of Confucius and Yan Hui. Real happiness does not come from high status or wealth. You see Confucius was very happy. Yan Hui was very happy. None of ancient sages were unhappy. We can learn the teachings of ancient sages diligently, and also gain their happiness. Our wisdom, virtues, abilities, and good fortune are less than the ancients. But if we really give rise to the heart to follow this path, then with persistent efforts and perseverance, we will receive the blessing from the ancestors. Buddhas, Dharma, and Sangha will also support us. We must believe that we can definitely succeed in our study and practice. 

　　愛的教育 Teaching of Love

　　中國古人將教育的使命交給父母來承擔，國家只負責選拔人才，為什麼？父母最愛小孩，最希望孩子成就的是父母。愛的教育，是要愛來成就，就是這個道理。
　　Ancient Chinese people handed over the mission of education to parents. The national government was only responsible for the selection of talented individuals. Why? Parents dearly love their children. They earnestly hope that their children will obtain achievement. The teachings on love need to be accomplished through love. This is very true. 

　　這個教育是一個終身學習的過程，所謂「活到老，學到老」。它的開端，是從懷孕就開始扎根，這是胎教。母親懷孕就要遵守倫理道德，沒有雜念、沒有妄想，讓小孩思想端正，言語柔和，舉止緩慢，穩穩當當；小孩生下來之後還是要這麼做，表演給孩子看。
　　This education is a lifelong learning process. It is said that 'one is never too old to learn'. Learning starts at the beginning of pregnancy in laying the foundation of education. This is prenatal education. Mothers need to comply with ethics and moral codes, and maintain purity of mind with neither distractions nor education. In this way, children's thoughts will be proper and correct, their words gentle and amiable. Their comportment will be peaceful and reliable. 

　　 小孩生下來，雖然還不會說話，他睜開小眼睛、豎起小耳朵，就已經在學習了。父母就是老師，他們孝敬祖父母，非禮勿視、非禮勿聽、非禮勿言、非禮勿動，小孩在旁邊全學會了——這是身教。這樣學到三歲，一千天的扎根教育，一生都不會改變。母親可以說是孩子的「太保」、「太傅」，不但要做好榜樣，還要好好保護他的清淨心，三年不離懷抱，不能看的，不讓他看見；不能聽的，不能讓他聽到；不能接觸的，不讓他接觸到。小孩接受到的完全是正面的，這就是養正教育，傳統文化教育的根是從這裡扎的。
　　After the child is born, parents continue settng a good example for the child to emulate. When born, babies cannot speak, but as their eyes open and their ears begin to hear, the babies are learning. Parents are their teachers. Parents honor and care for the grandparents. And parents practice to see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil, and do no evil. Accompanying their parents, they learn everything through observation. This is teaching by example. These teachings are given until children are three years old.

　　三歲以後，小孩上學了，家裡有私塾，學校教育和家庭教育融合在一起，父母和老師一起成就這個小孩。在私塾，老師、同學都是他的榜樣；老師守規矩，學生個個都守規矩。小孩在這樣的環境之下學習，德行就有了基礎。

　　After the age of three, children attended a private school that was at home. There, academic education and family education merged. Parents and teachers worked together to help children attain achievement. In the private school, teachers and classmates were their good examples: the teachers observed the rules and other students followed the rules. Children learning in such an environment will establish a solid foundation of virtues. 

　　小孩記憶力最好，三歲就開始識字，教他讀書。讀書是讀遍數，這是修定、修清淨心，讓他不會胡思亂想。遍數愈多愈好，一生都不會忘記，到了八九十歲，還能引經據典，隨口拈來，沒有記錯，這是熟透了。小孩長大待人處事，起心動念就會想到古聖先賢的教誨，不如理如法的趕快就能修正，從念頭上就端正過來。這個教育真正有效，它成就一個人的清淨心，保持這個清淨的愛心，一生都不會改變。

　　Children have the best memory. When they were three years old, they began to learn to read and were taught to read books. The method was to read something many times. They would not have wandering thoughts. The more they read, the better the effect would be. They would never forget what they had read throughout their lives. When in their eighties or nineties, they could cite the Chinese classics, easily reciting them without any mistakes. This was because they remembered the texts of Chinese classics so well. When these children grew up and interacted with people, their every rising though accorded with the teachings of ancient saints and sages. Their improper thoughts would soon be amended. Their initial thoughts were correct. Their education is really effective. It helps children to attain purity of mind and to keep purity of love throughout their lives without ever changing.  

　　中國人的教育，不僅是父母、老師成就的，還有大家庭的支持。普世的倫理教育、道德教育、因果教育，很多是在大家庭的環境裡耳濡目染就學到了。中國傳統的大家庭，上上下下總有三百人左右，衰的也有一二百人。一個家興旺幾百年，甚至綿延幾千年，靠的就是教育。孩子在大家庭中長成，念念不能為自己，念念要為大家，為榮宗耀祖、光大門楣。小孩從小就知道要奉獻，懂得與別人和睦相處。家風、家規、家學，是子孫世世代代都必須要遵守的，這樣的家業才能持久，家道才能綿延千秋萬代。成就一個家、一個國都是一個道理，所以古人能夠持家，就能夠治國。這個教育，真正成就聖賢君子。

　　Chinese education was successful not just because of the parents and teachers, but was also due to the support of the entire family. Ethics, morality and causality are universal teachings. Many children learn these teachings in big family environment by being imperceptibly influenced by what they constantly see and hear. The traditional Chinese family, from senior to junior, always had about three hundred people. Even in decline, the family would have one or two hundred people. A family that had been flourishing for hundreds of years, or ever a thousand years, relied on education. Children who grew up in this big family would not think of themselves, but would instead think of everyone else in this family. They would think of honoring their family and ancestors. From childhood, the children learned to dedicate themselves to the family and know how to live in harmony with others. The family traditions and rules were observed by the descendants and passed down through the generations. Thus, the family could last and extend toa thousands of generations. A well-run family and a well-governed country adhere to the same principles. Hence the ancient people were able to run family and rule a country. This education can help people attain the real achievement to be decent people and sages.  

　　扎好根本 Establish a solid foundation

　　現在我們很多人都是半路出家，沒有像古人那樣從小扎根，所以必須補課。學習傳統文化從哪裡開始？就是孝、敬。中國五千年的文化就是從孝敬流出來的，這是源頭，是承傳聖賢教育的大根大本；如果不從孝敬上下功夫，學習就沒有根基。所以，我們今天在先修班學習，要扎孝敬的根。同學們來自各個地方，在這裡看到年齡跟父母差不多的，就想到要對他們盡孝；看到年齡跟老師差不多的，也是從事教育工作的，就用對待老師的禮來恭敬他。大家在一起生活，把傳統文化大家庭的和、敬做出來，這樣學習，真正得利益。

　　要把孝敬找回來，古人從《三字經》《百家姓》《千字文》開始，我們也要從這裡開始。傳統私塾的小學教材，已經編輯成《聖學根之根》，二十多種儒釋道的基礎教材都在這套書裡頭。我們把這個課補上，不但要熟、要背，還要求做到，在這個基礎上再學儒釋道的典籍，任何一門你都有成功的機會，能夠成為聖賢教育的傳人，把聖教傳下去。

　　傳承學問

　　中國傳統的學問，完全是啟發心性的聖賢教育，這個教育，儒釋道三家實際就是一家，彼此互通。學佛從孝道開始，這就是向地藏菩薩學習，然後再學文殊菩薩的智慧，學習觀世音菩薩大慈大悲，學習普賢菩薩的大願大行。所以，佛法傳到中國，帶來了戒、定、慧三學，儒接受了，道也接受了。古代聖哲的成就，都是從戒定慧中悟出來的，我們今天遵守這個原則，也能夠成就。

　　聖賢的學問是在求智慧，不是求知識。智慧跟知識是兩樁事情，知識離不開思想，思想是第六意識，是妄心；智慧要用真心，真心從哪裡來？真心從定來。所以，學習傳統文化，方法就是「一門深入，長時薰修；讀書千遍，其義自見」。一門深入容易得定，得定就能開智慧，無量無邊的智慧都是我們自性本具的。「一門深入」、「讀書千遍」是持戒，「其義自見」是開智慧。佛家有「五戒十善」，儒家講「格物、致知、誠意、正心」，道理都是因戒生定、因定開慧。要把貪瞋痴慢煩惱打敗，這個就是「格物」；果然能夠這麼做，智慧就生起來了，這就是「致知」，就是惠能大師講的「何期自性，本自具足」。為什麼本自具足的智慧能夠透出來？因為障礙沒有了，這個時候你的心正，心裡沒有障礙、沒有憂喜，什麼也沒有，這是心正；意誠、心正，本性本具的智慧就開顯了。

　　讀聖賢書，深入經教，就是學習古聖先賢的智慧、理念、方法、經驗、效果，這些全部記錄在《四庫全書》裡面，這是屬於全世界人類的無價瑰寶。打開寶庫的鑰匙就是漢字、文言文，這個工具永遠不會變，超越時間、超越空間。將來，各個文明中的傳世經典，希望永遠保存下去的，都可以翻譯成文言文。所以，承傳漢學、真正做學問，就要打好漢字文言文的基礎。

　　漢學要能學以致用，解決當今的社會問題，《群書治要》這部書就很重要。《四庫全書》太大，《群書治要》是唐太宗時代結集的治世寶典、文獻精粹，可以說是《四庫全書》精華的精華。它的分量不多，現代人也有能力學習。真正把《群書治要》搞通了、搞明白了，講清楚、講透徹，身行言教，讓世人看到幾千年前寫的東西現在還管用，讓人們生起信心，都來學習；讓幾千年後的人們也能得到這個智慧的利益，這是我們今後努力的方向。

　　同學們在先修班做學問，最重要的是學做人。怎麼學？我提出：內，要學釋迦牟尼佛，放下五種根本煩惱，貪瞋痴慢疑，日常生活當中真正放得下；外，要學孔老夫子，溫良恭儉讓，溫和、善良、恭敬，對人、對事、對物一切恭敬、節儉，一切忍讓。儒家講的善良，就是從忍讓修起來的，一生沒有一個我怨恨的人，什麼都能忍，什麼都能讓，一切恭敬、一切感恩。從忍讓提升到謙讓，再提升到禮讓。今天特別需要提倡的，老祖宗忍讓、謙讓、禮讓的美德，放下爭。放下競爭、放下鬥爭、放下戰爭，人類將有享不盡的福報；如果選擇競爭、鬥爭、戰爭，人類將有受不完的苦難，全在一念之間。學習漢學的同學們，要真正做出好樣子來，大家才肯相信。

　　我們非常稀有難逢，生在這個時代，遇到這個殊勝的因緣，可以拯救中國傳統文化；這個因緣過去沒有，未來也不會再有。我們今天能發這個心，功德無量無邊！同學們真正發心、堅持不懈、捨己為人，這一生真正幸福自在，真正有成就，還要成就他人。希望一切眾生都能受到這麼美好的教育，學習普賢菩薩，推廣普世教育，無條件幫助一切眾生，和諧世界、太平盛世就從這裡開始，從我心開始。

　　幾千年來，中國每一個朝代都有一段盛世，這盛世是怎麼來的？我們一想到這裡，就會對古人講的「窮秀才」佩服得五體投地！他們讀書解行相應，言談舉止都是好樣子，無論走到哪裡，無論遇到什麼樣的境遇，順境也好、逆境也好，他們都能守禮，都是社會大眾的榜樣。他們不是言教，而是身教、是行教，人們看到了會感動、生慚愧心，願意回頭。大家佩服讀書人，願意向他們學習，好的社會風氣是這樣形成的，這就是古人常說的「文而化之」。現在我們學習傳統文化，要把行擺在第一，解擺在第二，一面行一面求解。先修班的同學要把傳統文化做出來，自自然然就能給圖文巴建設和諧示範城奠定扎實的基礎。

　　希望大家要發心、要真幹，不要怕難，實在講：天下無難事，只怕有心人！這一條大道，是給全世界帶來千年盛世的光明大道，我們真正走出來，成就自身的幸福美滿、快樂人生；大家看到覺得羨慕、覺得嚮往，喜歡接受傳統文化的教育，就能成就更多的聖賢君子；聖賢君子多了，這個世界自然就是大同盛世。

　　祝福漢學先修班順利進展、功德圓滿！祝福大家福慧增長、光壽無量！謝謝大家！