VBS 618
在家修行的居士，雖然不一定能像出家人那樣全面從事佛事，但至少應以不再造作新的惡業為根本。平時可以默默發願：「菩薩居家，當願眾生，知家性空，免其逼迫。」
When living at home, a practitioner may not be able to follow all practices perfectly, but should at least strive to avoid creating new negative karma. One may silently recite the following verse:
When a bodhisattva dwells at home,
He vows that all living beings
Understand the emptiness of home life
And are freed from its burdens.
教導家人時，可以循序漸進。對家人，先從因果的道理談起，再慢慢引導他們了解佛法的廣大與深遠，進而介紹淨土的安樂境界，讓他們心生嚮往。平時也可以在心中默念：「妻子集會，當願眾生，怨親平等，永離貪瞋。」若家人逐漸生起信心，便可以進一步引導他們受持五戒。
When guiding one’s spouse and children, one should begin by explaining the law of cause and effect. Then, gradually introduce the vast and profound teachings of the Buddhadharma, and finally present the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. One may also silently recite:
When together with my family,
I vow that all living beings
Regard friend and foe with equal mind
And are forever free from greed and anger. As a spouse develops faith in the Dharma, one may gently encourage them to receive the Five Precepts.
家中的孩子最容易教化，應讓他們閱讀淺顯易懂的佛書，並時常加以講解，使這些善法深植於心中。家中可在清淨之處，或樓上設置一間簡潔莊嚴的經堂，方便每日早晚禮拜與誦經。孩子、鄰里與親友見到這樣的環境，也容易生起善信之心。每次走上樓時，也可以默默發願：「上昇樓閣，當願眾生，昇正法樓，徹見一切。」
Children, in particular, are often the most receptive to guidance. They should be introduced to simple, age-appropriate Buddhist books, along with regular explanation, so that the seeds of the Dharma may take root deeply in their consciousness. It is also beneficial to set aside a clean and quiet space in the home—such as an upstairs room—as a small shrine or personal Buddha hall. This space should be kept simple, dignified, and clean, serving as a place for daily bowing and morning and evening recitations. When children, relatives, or neighbors see such a space, they may naturally develop wholesome faith. Whenever entering this space, one may silently recite:
As I ascend this space,
I vow that all living beings
Ascend the tower of right Dharma
And gain clear understanding.
若家中雇用工人，應事先說明要持素、念佛、戒殺、戒酒，也不可有淫詞豔語或歌唱嬉鬧。而作為居士本身，更應時常保持威儀端正，態度清淨，不發怒、不辱罵，不飲酒、不妄言，不輕佻戲笑，不沉迷娛樂與賭博，也不親近不正當的關係。若家人有不當行為，也不應動輒責罵，而應在適當時機加以勸導。
When hiring workers, one should explain in advance that the environment observes principles such as non-harming, refraining from intoxicants, and avoiding inappropriate speech or entertainment. Workers may also be encouraged to recite the Buddha’s name. As a householder, one should maintain proper conduct—remaining upright, composed, and dignified. One should refrain from anger, harsh speech, drinking alcohol, breaking one’s word, or engaging in frivolous behavior. Gambling, excessive entertainment, and improper relationships should also be avoided. When family members act improperly, one should not react with anger or harsh scolding, but instead wait for the right time and conditions to offer guidance with patience and care.
遇到喜慶之事，應將原本用於鋪張的財物轉為布施，幫助貧困之人。布施時，可以默念：「若有布施，當願眾生，一切能捨，心無愛著。」同時也可以邀請他人，或親自為人講說淺顯的佛法與因果道理。
Whenever celebrating a special occasion, one should practice generosity by giving money or other forms of support to those in need. While giving, one may silently recite:
When practicing generosity,
I vow that all living beings
Can let go of everything
Without attachment.
One may also share a short Dharma talk or invite others to speak, especially on simple teachings such as the law of cause and effect.
嫁女兒時不必準備過於豐厚的嫁妝，可以將一部分財物交由夫家保管，並事先說明或立下約定，例如每年將利息的一部分供女兒使用，另一部分用於印送佛經或從事慈善事業。娶媳婦時，也不應過度要求嫁妝。婚禮之日，可以邀請親友相聚，以素食款待，並藉此機會講說佛法、布施貧者、贈送善書。
When a daughter is getting married, there is no need to provide an excessive dowry. Instead, one may entrust a sum of money to the in-laws and agree in advance that the interest be divided—part for the daughter’s personal use, and part for printing sutras or supporting charitable work. Likewise, when arranging a son’s marriage, one should not demand a large dowry. On the wedding day, relatives and neighbors may be invited to a vegetarian meal, accompanied by Dharma sharing, charitable giving, and the distribution of Buddhist texts.
如果家庭富足有餘，日常生活仍應保持節儉，其餘財物則可用於慈善公益、弘揚佛法、莊嚴寺院。若財力十分充足，更可以與志同道合的人共同創建修行道場、學院，或長期從事救濟貧困、扶助孤老、修橋補路等善行，同時推廣佛法。
If one is financially comfortable, one should live simply, like an ordinary person, and use any surplus wealth for charitable causes, social benefit, the propagation of the Dharma, or the maintenance and renovation of monasteries. If one is especially wealthy, one may entrust virtuous and capable individuals with funds to establish lay Buddhist communities, retreat centers, academies, orphanages, senior care homes, or long-term relief efforts—such as famine aid, infrastructure repair, and Dharma outreach.
在幫助他人時，也要審慎衡量，避免讓人因依賴而變得懶惰。過去曾有一戶富有人家，將大量財產捐給宗族，使族人每年都能分得糧食。久而久之，族人不再努力工作，反而變得驕慢，最終連謀生的能力都喪失，甚至有人走上歧途。這正是好心卻帶來不良後果的例子。因此，在布施時，應以不助長惡習為原則；否則，不如將資源用於弘揚佛法，教化人心，使社會安定，這樣的功德更為深遠。
When offering aid, however, one must exercise discernment. Assistance should be given within one’s means and in ways that do not encourage dependency or laziness. In my hometown, there was once a wealthy family that donated a large endowment to their ancestral clan. Each year, clan members received a share of grain. Over time, however, they came to rely entirely on this support and ceased working. They grew idle and arrogant, eventually losing the ability to sustain themselves. Disorder followed, and many turned to theft; in the end, the entire clan fell into decline. This illustrates the old saying: “Good intentions can lead to harmful results.” Therefore, when giving, it is essential to ensure that recipients are not led into unwholesome behavior. Otherwise, it would be better to direct one’s resources toward spreading the Buddhadharma, uplifting people’s hearts, and contributing to peace in the world—thus generating far greater merit.
家中不應存放刀槍、火器或各種傷害生命的器具。與親友之間互相贈禮時，也應事先說明，將葷食改為布料或其他適當的物品，以符合清淨與慈悲的原則。
One should not keep or store weapons—such as knives, swords, firearms, hooks, or nets—that are used to harm or kill living beings. When exchanging gifts with relatives or friends, one should kindly explain one’s commitment to non-harming and avoid items derived from killing. Likewise, any gifts one offers should follow the same principle. ♦