很多科学家认为这个世界上很多的事物都是他们创造发明的，比如电、微生物、细菌等。实际上科学家只是鉴定已经存在的东西，然后把一些已经存在的东西去告诉人家。所以他们认为这个世界上科学家能发现这些有形的科学物质和理念，然后按照自己所排列出来的理念去告知世人。实际上他们就是用自己的独见去看世界。他一定说，我今天发现了空气当中有什么什么细菌。你这个不是偏见吗？他以为自己发现了这点细菌， 但谁能知道在空气当中有多少细菌？你知道各种不同的细菌相互结合之后繁殖出另一种病菌吗？难道你发现了这几种病菌，那就是你的发明吗？这不就叫偏见吗？
Many scientists believe that much of what exists in this world—electricity, microorganisms, bacteria, and so on—are their creations or inventions. In reality, scientists are merely identifying things that already exist and then sharing this knowledge with others. They think they’ve discovered these tangible scientific phenomena and concepts, and by organising their findings, they inform the public. But isn’t this just viewing the world from their own limited perspective? For instance, a scientist might claim, “Today I’ve discovered certain bacteria in the air.” But isn’t this a kind of bias? They believe they’ve found a specific type of bacteria, but who can truly comprehend the vast number of bacteria present in the air? And do they realise that different bacteria can combine to produce entirely new pathogens? If you identify a few types of bacteria, does that mean you’ve invented them? Isn’t this way of thinking inherently biased?
就像很多人现在吃药一样。营养师跟他说，吃了这个东西补钙，牙齿好。而有人说吃了钙会伤胃。还有人说，是药三分毒。其实任何物质它是有一个平衡的，它一定要有一个平衡点。很多人不懂，以为吃药一定能把这个病看好。实际上你把这个药吃完了，你又生出另一种病。单单吃药哪个药能吃好啊？靠的是你人心的调节，靠的是你本身身体素质和能量的调节，靠的是你身体的机体和你的体能基础来维持你这个抗生素平衡。所以任何的偏见都会给人带来不利。师父为什么要跟你们讲这些？实际上师父给你们讲的这些，在佛法界来讲就是你们认为学一个法门我是对的，犹如以为吃这个药就能对症下药，我的病就好了。实际上你这就是偏见。而学佛要海纳百川，心胸要宽阔。学佛的人就是要能吃苦，能够容忍所有的污蔑、诬陷对你所造成的伤害。现在社会上有几个人说“我从小到现在没有被人家污蔑过？”又有几个人说“我活着从来没被人家污蔑过、诽谤过？”实际上这个就是叫容量。从物质上讲，容量就是一个 Container（容器）。再大的容量，再大的仓库，你能容纳多少啊？但是人的容量，师父可以告诉你们，不是一个仓库，它是包容宇宙万物的。所以人的气量可以大到什么程度。师父再在前面加一个字，叫“包容量”，包容它的量。在物质上，讲容量，而我们学做人、学做佛，讲的是包容量。一个人能够包容人家犯错误，能够包容人家对你的欺负、诽谤、恶意谩骂，这个人实际上就能包容一切。你们有几个人被人家骂了之后不生气的？被人家讲了、被人家挑拨之后能不生气吗？ 气量之小，小得像蚂蚁一样。现在的人，人家讲你一句话，马上脸红了，接下来不反击，那是不可能的。“我一定要报仇，一定要反击。你讲我一句，我要讲你三句。”这就叫畜生行为，因为动物的本能是受到攻击后一定会反击。因为人都有气量的，尤其是我们学佛的人。因为学佛的人本身就具有圣人的基础和圣人的素质。因为你有这些素质，你才能包容人家。
It’s similar to how many people approach medicine today. A nutritionist might say, “This supplement will provide calcium and improve your teeth,” while someone else claims, “Calcium can harm your stomach.” Then there’s the saying, “All medicine has its side effects.” The truth is, every substance needs balance; there’s always a point of equilibrium. Many people don’t understand this. They assume that taking medication will completely cure their illness. But after finishing one course of medicine, another problem often arises. Can simply taking medication truly cure everything? What’s crucial is regulating your mind, strengthening your body’s innate resilience, and balancing your internal energy. It’s your body’s natural mechanisms and vitality that sustain the balance of elements within you. Therefore, narrow-minded or biased thinking of any kind can lead to negative outcomes.
Why do I share these insights with you? In fact, what I’ve discussed also applies to Buddhist practice. Some people believe that practising one particular Dharma Door makes them correct—much like assuming a single medicine can cure all illnesses. This is, in fact, another form of bias. In Buddhist practice, one needs to keep an open mind and be accommodating, much like all rivers flowing into the sea. A true Buddhist cultivator learns to endure hardships and withstand all slander and harm. How many people can truly say, “I’ve never been slandered in my life”? Or, “I’ve lived without ever being falsely accused or criticised”? What’s at issue here is a person’s capacity for tolerance. In material terms, capacity refers to a container. No matter how large a container or warehouse, it has its limits. But the capacity of a human being, I can tell you, is not like a warehouse—it can encompass the entire universe. So, how vast can human tolerance become? I would add another dimension and call it “inclusive capacity.” In material terms, we speak of capacity, but in life and in Buddhism, we focus on inclusive capacity—the ability to accommodate and accept. If you can accept others’ mistakes and forgive those who harm, slander, or insult you, then you can truly accommodate everything.
你们坐在这里的人都能够包容人家吗？你们听了师父这么多的课，你们以为你们一个个都学好了？被人家讲了、被人家骂了，有些人的反应是马上要报复；有的人是记在心里，有机会就报复；还有的人呢，是用各种不同的语言来搪塞、来解释。这些都是属于气量太小。被人家讲了没有反应，那才叫有本事呢。脸部都没有表情，笑嘻嘻的，而且要在心里真正地原谅他，不把他这些不好的品行往心里去，那才叫圣人。有的人被人家讲了马上怒发冲冠，拍桌子，马上吵架；有的人被人家讲了之后脸红脖子粗，什么都讲不出来，心里气得不得了；有的人当时笑笑，马上冷言冷语就上去了；有的人当时回答不出，记在心里，等找到机会就报复你；还有人，被人家诽谤、被人家骂的时候没有办法，只有笑嘻嘻地：“我没有这么说”，拼命地解释。所有这一切都是因为心胸不够宽大。
Now, how many of you can endure being insulted without feeling angry? If someone criticises or provokes you, can you remain calm? Most people’s tolerance is as small as an ant’s. Nowadays, if someone says something unpleasant to you, your face immediately turns red. It’s almost impossible not to retaliate. “I have to get even. If you insult me once, I’ll insult you three times.” This is typical of animal behaviour because it stems from the instinct to retaliate when attacked.However, humans have the capacity for tolerance, especially those who practise Buddhism. Buddhists inherently possess the foundation and qualities of sages. These qualities enable you to forgive and accept others.
Can everyone here truly accept and forgive others? After attending so many of my Dharma Talks, do you believe you’ve mastered these teachings? When someone criticises or insults you, how do you react? Some people retaliate immediately; others hold a grudge and wait for the right moment to strike back. Then there are those who deflect with excuses or explanations. All these reactions reveal a lack of tolerance. True strength lies in remaining unaffected when criticised—showing no outward reaction, smiling calmly, and genuinely forgiving the other person in your heart. Not letting their poor behaviour disturb you is what makes someone a sage. But some people get furious instantly, pounding the table and starting an argument. Others turn red in the face, too angry to say anything, bottling up their frustration. Some smile on the surface but respond with cutting sarcasm. Others can’t think of a comeback right away but remember the insult, waiting for an opportunity to seek revenge. Then there are those who laugh it off but desperately try to explain themselves, saying, “I didn’t say that!” All these responses stem from a lack of inner breadth and tolerance.
你们讲菩萨，菩萨会理你们吗？心胸狭隘能够学好佛吗？师父不是要讲你们，要讲到你们不想来，连师父也不能包容，自己家里的人也不能够包容，你还能包容谁啊？还学什么佛啊？自己的母亲讲一点话不能包容， 自己的孩子讲错话也不能包容，你还能包容人家佛友吗？学佛真的是不容易。所以菩萨讲了一句话：我们学佛，忍辱精进比苦修行还要难，功德还要大。就算你做了很多功德，你还不如忍辱精进，因为忍辱是最难最难的。精进容易，忍辱难啊。你被人家讲了要能不发脾气。过去师父的徒弟当中，师父一看到他做错事情了， 考验他，马上把他负责的工作撤了，他马上就开始捣乱了，马上就开始不配合工作了。你们以为师父不知道啊？实际上这是对他的考验。如果你好好地精进修行， 师父很快会让你做更多的功德。当然有很多的人就是不能够控制自己。因为你把我这个职位撤了，你不让我去负责某一项工作了，我心里就难过，我就给你小鞋穿。那么对不起，最后小鞋都没有，让你光脚给我走出去。做人学佛哪有这么容易啊！如果这么容易的话，大家都上天了。这么容易的话，你们就不会做这么多的噩梦啦。这么容易的话，你们的祖宗、你们过世的亲人就不会来找你们了。你有本事就把自己修得干干净净的。有多少人做梦做到自己走的时候往天上飘，看到自己的身体飘不上去，他在意识当中非常清楚，他说“我身体太重了”。实际上他所指的这个身体是没有肉体的灵体，而这个灵体本身有分量。你的灵体当中孽障、灵性越多，缠得越多，你越升不上去。你们都看过阿波罗上月球吗？人在月球上走路不都是飘起来的吗？这就是为什么在天上越高人越失重。实际上在天上飘来飘去就是这种感觉。报纸登出来了，一架美国专机是专门为了世界末日时给美国总统在天上办公用的专机。就是说，美国科学家和很多科学家已经证实了这个地球一定会有大灾难。但是他们不能够讲。就像师父现在知道很多事情，师父不能讲，只能够着急一样。师父看着你们一个个就这样不精进，师父真的是难过啊！因为到时候吃苦的是你们，而不是师父。就像父母亲跟孩子讲话一样， 叫你们不要这样不要那样，孩子就是不听，到最后吃苦的时候就是他本人。自古以来有多少女孩子找男朋友的时候爸爸妈妈说不好，可这孩子非要嫁他。嫁他后最后的结果是什么，就是哭着回来，还带个孩子。你会看人，还是父母亲会看人？你的智商在谈恋爱的时候低到零点了，你知道什么叫未来？什么叫生活？你什么都不懂你就乱嫁，嫁到后来是害你自己，并不是说害了你的父母亲。这就是为什么现在全世界的离婚率都这么高了。想想看，现在人跟人真的是恶缘相报，冤冤相报。这种夫妻关系根本不是来结善缘的，实际上就是因为上辈子你欠我、我欠他，这辈子继续还债。
Encountering such criticism or treatment, would a Bodhisattva react this way? Can a narrow-minded person truly be a good Buddhist practitioner? I’m not here to criticise you, but if you can’t tolerate me as your Master, or can’t tolerate the people in your own household, how can you possibly accept anyone else? How can you truly practise Buddhism if you can’t even manage this? If you can’t bear a few words from your mother or forgive your child for saying something wrong, how will you tolerate your fellow Buddhist practitioners? Practising Buddhism is no easy task. The Bodhisattva once said: In practising Buddhism, forbearance and diligence are harder than austere practice—and they bring even greater merit and virtue. Even if you perform many meritorious deeds, they pale in comparison to the merit and virtue of patience and diligence. Patience is the hardest quality to master. It’s easier to be diligent than to be patient. When someone criticises you, can you resist getting angry?
I recall a former disciple who was given an important responsibility. When I found this disciple had made a mistake, I decided to test him by taking away that responsibility. Instead of accepting it calmly, he began to disrupt the work and stopped cooperating. Do you think I wasn’t aware of this behaviour? It was all part of the test. If he had continued practising Buddhism diligently, I would have entrusted him with even greater responsibilities so he could accumulate more merit and virtue. Unfortunately, many people cannot control themselves. If their position or responsibility is taken away, they feel upset and act out in retaliation. But let me tell you—if you try to make things difficult for others, you may end up losing everything.
Practising Buddhism in daily life is not easy! If it were, everyone would have already ascended to the Heavens. If it were that simple, you wouldn’t be having so many nightmares. If it were that easy, your ancestors and deceased loved ones wouldn’t still be appearing in your dreams. If you are truly skilful, then cultivate yourself to be pure and free of defilements. How many people dream of floating upwards when they leave this world, only to find they can’t ascend because their body feels too heavy? In their dreams, this sensation feels vividly real. What they’re referring to isn’t their physical body but their spiritual body, which also has weight. The more karmic debts you carry, or the more spirits entangling you, the more they weigh you down, preventing you from ascending. You’ve all seen how astronauts float on the moon in the Apollo missions, haven’t you? On the moon, gravity is weaker, so people appear to float. Similarly, the higher you ascend in the Heavens, the less “weight” you feel. That’s exactly what floating in the Heavens feels like.
There was even a report about a special aircraft designed for the US president to operate in the sky during a global catastrophe—a “doomsday plane.” This shows that scientists, including those in the US, have confirmed that Earth will face major disasters. They just don’t talk about it openly. It’s similar to how I know many things but can’t tell you everything, only feeling anxious for you. Watching you all fail to practise diligently makes me truly sad because when the time comes, it’s you who will suffer, not me. It’s like how parents warn their children: “Don’t do this, don’t do that.” But the children don’t listen, and when hardship comes, they’re the ones who suffer. How many times in history have daughters insisted on marrying someone their parents disapproved of, only to return later crying, often with a child in tow? Who can judge character better—you or your parents? When you’re in love, your rational thinking often drops to zero. Do you truly understand what the future entails? What running a household really involves? When you don’t understand these things and rush into marriage, you’re the one who gets hurt, not your parents. This is one reason why divorce rates worldwide are so high now. Think about it: today, relationships between people often feel like they’re rooted in negative karmic conflicts—an endless cycle of karmic debts being repaid. Many marriages aren’t about creating good karmic connections but instead about settling karmic debts from past lives. You owed me, I owed them, and now we’re here to repay each other.
我们要把偏见去掉，不能认为我们本身在这个世界上是从无到有的。因为这个世界本来就有我们人类所认知和拥有的一切，而我们只不过是发现它而已。在这个世界当中什么物质都有，只是你发现的早与晚。今天科学家发现了治疗糖尿病、癌症的药物，那么在六十年代还没有发现之前，它就没有了吗？有。因为没有发现， 就治疗不好你的病。今天有这么好的法门送到家门口了，你再不珍惜，你还说“我没有发现末法时期这么好的法门”，那不就跟有的科学家说“我没有发现的东西它就不存在”是一样的偏理吗？为什么科学家总是否定自己曾经发现的科学依据呢？他先说这个事情发现了， 怎样怎样好，过一阵子他又否定他的观点，做出另外一个假设呢？因为这个物质世界本身就是拥有平衡的。
We must let go of biased thinking. Don’t believe that our existence in this world came from nothing. Everything we know and have has always existed; we’re simply discovering it. All kinds of materials exist in the world—it’s just a matter of when we find them. For instance, scientists have now developed medicines to treat diabetes and cancer. But before these discoveries in the 1960s, did those medicines not exist? They did. They just hadn’t been found yet, so those diseases couldn’t be treated. Now, such a wonderful Dharma Door has been delivered to your doorstep. If you still fail to cherish it and say, “I didn’t know such a great Dharma Door existed during this Age of Dharma Decline,” isn’t that the same flawed reasoning as certain scientists saying, “If I haven’t discovered it, it doesn’t exist”? Why do scientists often deny their own previous findings? One moment, they make a groundbreaking discovery and call it revolutionary, and later they reject their earlier conclusions and propose a new hypothesis. This happens because the material world inherently operates on balance.