Illuminations:words of insight from Dharma Master Cheng Yen. Vol. 1 : On living and dying

Book excerpt: 本叢書收錄證嚴法師針對各類疑問的解惑及開示數千則，年代最早是一九八〇年蔣經國總統至花蓮靜思精舍拜訪，法師說明慈濟功德會救濟的對象、範圍和運作；最近是今年二〇二一年四月，臺鐵太魯閣號在花蓮發生出軌重大傷亡事故，法師對在第一時間投入現場關懷服務的慈濟志工，表達人傷我痛的悲憫。史料前後長達四十一年，跨越了兩個世紀。 第一冊為生老病死篇。生死是很自然的現象，要看得開、放得下，不要掛礙，也不要執著。雖然生命有限，慧命卻是永恆。學佛要看淡生死，滋養慧命；要去除心中的雜質污染，回歸天真的清淨本性。 This book series contains thousands of Master Cheng Yen’s teachings or responses to questions on all sorts of matters. The earliest teaching documented in this series was given in 1980, when then president, Mr. Chiang Ching-kuo, visited the Jing Si Abode in Hualien. During this visit, Master Cheng Yen shared about the groups Tzu Chi Merit Association helped, the kinds of help provided, and its operating process. The most recent teaching was given in April 2021, after a Taroko Express train operated by the Taiwan Railways Administration derailed in and caused serious casualties. Master Cheng Yen expressed her empathy and compassion to the volunteers who went to the accident site right after the incident to provide help. The historical materials span as long as forty-one years and across two centuries. Volume One covers topics on living and dying. Life and death are natural phenomena. When we look at them with a broader perspective, we will be able to let them go. As such, we can be unhindered and unattached. Though life is limited, wisdom life lasts forever. Thus, for Buddhist practitioners, life and death can be taken more lightly; it is more important to nourish our wisdom life. We must eradicate the defilements in our minds and return to our innocent, pure, intrinsic nature.