恒雲法師 文 杜親誠 英譯 VBS 636 By Dharma Master Heng Yun English Translated by Cindy Wang
2023年5月19日下午一點多，彌陀聖寺一行人——三位僧眾、二位居士在雨中來到自強外役監獄。這座位於花蓮縣光復鄉的監獄，建築美觀，環境清靜優美，仿如世外桃源。
After one o’clock in the afternoon on May 19, 2023, a group of people from Amitabha Monastery, including three members of the Sangha and two laymen, went to the Zichiang (Self-improvement) Minimum-Security Prison in the rain. The prison is located in Guangfu Township Hualien County, Taiwan. The building has a very artistic structure and the environment is tranquil and beautiful. It has the appearance of a fictitious peaceful land.
「外役監獄」是一種較為開放、低度戒護的監獄類型，受刑人可以在低度戒護的情形下，在監獄外面工作。由於臺灣的外役監獄都設於偏僻之處，所以農牧外役監就成為它們的特色。
“Minimum-security prison” is a type of prison that offers more freedom and has a low guard to inmate ratio. Prisoners are also allowed to work outside of the prison with a lower security level. In Taiwan, all minimum-security prisons are located at remote places so the agricultural and animal husbandry service has become a distinguishing feature of them.
要進入外役監不容易，對於受刑人來說是很珍貴的機會。通常是在其他監獄表現優良、悔悟高、自律性格高的受刑人，才有機會申請轉監到外役監獄。在這兒受刑人比較自由，不僅可以工作，還可以回家探親。但是如果脫逃，還會再加上一條脫逃罪。
It is not easy to get into a minimum-security prison, and it is a very precious opportunity for inmates. Usually, only those inmates who demonstrated good performance, high repentance, and high self-discipline in other prisons would have the opportunity to apply for transfer to a minimum-security prison. The inmates in minimum-security prisons have more freedom and they are not only allowed to work but are also allowed home visitation rights. However, if they run away then there will be additional charges of escape added on to them.
此行，來到自強外役監獄，是為了要帶領受刑人（以下稱同學）浴佛。陳秀嬌居士是這兒的教誨師，每半個月不辭高齡、舟車勞頓來到這兒，用佛法的清涼水洗滌同學們的身心。因為這樣的人脈，彌陀聖寺開始了疫情後的監獄浴佛。
The purpose of this trip was to lead the inmates (hereinafter referred to as Fellow Students) to bathe the Buddha. The laywoman, Shiou-Jiao Chen works here as a counsel. Despite her old age and hardships in traveling to the prison, she comes here twice a month and uses the Dharma’s tranquil water to clean the fellow students’ bodies and minds. Because of this relationship, Amitabha Monastery started the ceremony of Bathing the Buddha in prison after the epidemic.
我們隨著陳居士及戒護人員，來到佛堂。雖然已經來過這兒幾次了，還是很難想像監獄有這麼一間莊嚴高聳的佛堂，讓人不得不感動獄方的用心，與當初成立佛堂的人！
Following with Ms. Chen and the guards, we came to the Buddha Hall. Although I have been here many times before, I still cannot imagine that there would be such a solemn and towering Buddha Hall in prison. I had no choice but to be touched by the thoughtfulness of the officials in prison and the people who set it up initially.
典獄長很有心，親自來參加浴佛，並勉勵同學藉浴佛清淨身心，早日脫離苦厄。這次來浴佛的同學有88位，其中不乏文質彬彬，受過高等教育的同學；放眼過去，還有一群年輕的同學。在近康師、近好師的帶領下，莊嚴的浴佛儀式開始了，同學們耐心的排隊浴佛，在浴佛中向佛陀道出多少期盼、多少希望。
浴佛後，有個短短的講座，首先近康師談到這是疫情後，當維那最歡喜的一次，為甚麼？疫情期間藉由網路直播的法會，就像唱獨角戲一樣，感受不到大眾的共鳴，而這次有大眾的聲音，特別喜歡。近康師還講了一個小偷的故事，鼓勵同學們回心向善。這位小偷想偷廟裡的東西，正好佛前燈快滅了，就把燈炷扶正。因而見佛的相好光明，肅然起敬，發心悔改。因此惡業漸滅，福報日增，乃至多生多劫後出家，證得阿羅漢果。
The Superintendent was very thoughtful and joined the ceremony personally. He also encouraged the fellow students to clean up their bodies and minds through bathing the Buddha and to leave suffering as soon as possible. There were eighty-eight fellow students that came to bathe the Buddha, many of them are gentle and have a high education background. I looked around and saw that there’s a group of young people also. Following Dharma Master Jin Kang and Jin How’s leading, the solemn ceremony of Bathing the Buddha started and the fellow students patiently waited in line as they expressed to Buddha their expectations and hope while performing the bathing.
After the ceremony, there was a short lecture. First, Dharma Master Jin Kang mentioned that this was the first time that she feels so joyful as a cantor after the epidemic. Why? Because during Covid, all the Dharma assemblies were broadcasted through the internet like a monologue and she could not feel the resonance from the public. But this time after having everybody chant together, she felt especially joyful. She also shared a story about a thief and encouraged the fellow students to turn towards wholesomeness. In the story, the thief was trying to steal items from a temple. Just as the light in front of the Buddha was going to be extinguished, he straightened the lampwick up. Because of this, he saw the Buddha’s characteristics and the light illuminating from the Buddha. Then he became very respectful and repentant. Therefore, his bad karma gradually was extinguished and his blessings increased daily. After many lifetimes and eons, he left home and eventually attained Arhatship.
筆者則講浴佛節的由來，略略解釋了浴佛讚偈、沐浴真言。希望同學們藉浴佛的儀式，掃除內心的塵垢，啓發本有的清淨光明，這才是浴佛的眞正意義。I then spoke about the origin of the ceremony of Bathing the Buddha and briefly explained the Praise for Bathing the Buddha and the Verse for Transferring the Merit from Bathing the Buddha. I hope the fellow students would sweep their inner defilements away and enlighten to their inherent and pure brightness. This is the genuine meaning of Bathing the Buddha.
雖然自強外役監獄環境優美，但畢竟是不自由的地方，同學們最大的期盼，就是離開這裡，重返社會。是甚麼原因身陷囹圄呢？就因為智慧不夠，一念偏差，做了糊塗事。而佛教就是智慧教，啟發我們本有的智慧，鼓勵同學們聆聽佛陀的教誨，從「心」開始，改造自己。「念」，非常重要！善念、惡念是兩條路，善念往上昇，惡念向地獄。監獄是從人心造成的，先有心獄，才有監獄。
闡述這些道理後，筆者講了一位戴同學的故事——
Although the environment of Zichiang Minimum-Security Prison is exquisite, it is still a place with no freedom. The fellow students’ greatest wish is to leave there and return to society. What was the reason for them to be in prison? Because they lacked wisdom, they started having one wrong thought and did the wrong thing. Buddhism, on the other hand, is a religion of wisdom. We enlighten to the wisdom that we originally have. Therefore we encourage the fellow students to listen to the Buddha’s teaching, because reforming starts from the “mind.” “Mindfulness” is very important, a wholesome thought or an unwholesome thought leads us in two different ways; wholesome thoughts bring a person up, and unwholesome thoughts take a person to hell. Prisons are made of the human mind, a prison of the mind comes first, then a real prison is formed. I then mentioned a story which is about a fellow student whose last name is Dai:
2004年法總僧眾在花蓮看守所舉行了一場皈依儀式，其中有兩名死囚，戴著沉重的腳鐐，在腳鐐碰撞的鏘鏘聲中，舉步維艱，請法師上座，舉行皈依大典，成為法總座下的皈依弟子。
這其中一位戴姓同學24歲殺人，被判處無期徒刑，關了13年後，首次獲准返鄉探親，在返回自強外役監獄途中，又犯了性侵及殺人罪—這是2002年。
In 2004, Sanghas from Dharma Realm Buddhist Association (DRBA) held a ceremony of Taking Refuge at Hualien Detention Center. There were two death row prisoners with heavy shackles. With the shackles’ clattering, they struggled as they walked and in inviting the Dharma Master to ascend to the seat for holding the ceremony of Taking Refuge. They then became disciples under Dharma Real Buddhist Association.
One of them, the student Dai, had killed somebody when he was twenty-four years old. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. After being in prison for thirteen years, he was granted a home visitation for the first time. While he was on the way back to Zihciang Minimum-Security Prison, he committed sexual assault and homicide. It happened in the year of 2002.
畢生幫助受刑人的榮譽教誨師—李志宏居士，是宣公上人的皈依弟子。那年，李居士希望我們和戴同學等兩位死囚談談話。第一次看到戴同學，那滿臉的殺氣、暴戾、頑強，讓人看了不寒而慄。爾後，有因緣到花蓮看守所時，李居士總要請我們和戴同學等談談話。一次一次，看著戴同學越來越平靜，與先前判若兩人。在佛法的熏陶下，認罪悔悟，誦經、打坐、畫佛像，修身養性，表現良好被視為「模範受刑人」。
戴同學寫道——
A layman, Mr. Zhi-Hong Li was an honorary counsel to the prison who spent his life helping inmates. He was a disciple of Venerable Master Hua. That year, Mr. Li wanted us to talk to the two prisoners who were on death row. When I first met student Dai, his face was full of murder, violence, and tenacity which would make people shudder. Afterward, every time we had a chance to come to Hualien Detention Center, Mr. Li always asked us to meet with Dai and others and talk to them. Gradually, I saw Dai becoming more and more peaceful, he was totally different from before. Under the influence of Buddhism, he confessed and repented, recited sutras, meditated, painted Buddha images, and self-cultivated, he performed very well and was considered a “model inmate.”
Below was written by student Dai:
今天的我，為何會迷信佛學？其實我並不迷信，而是明白了！我得到心所嚮往的寧靜。在這兒，我看到了那盞明燈；在這裡，我受到佛法的熏習。雖然這裡是監所，但此時我活得很自在、坦然。好感謝看守所裡的長官致力推廣佛法，讓我能在苦難中，得以接觸到佛學，藉此照亮自己，排除心中的迷惑。
Why do I believe in Buddhism today? In fact, I am not superstitious, but I understand! I have found tranquility that I am looking for. In Buddhism, I see the bright light; In Buddhism, I am nutured by the Dharma. Although the place I stay is a prison, right now I live at ease and calmly. I am truly grateful that the officers in the Detention Center have been dedicated to promoting the Buddhadharma so that I can encounter Buddhism in the midst of suffering, so as to illuminate myself and to get rid of the confusion in my mind.
學佛後，佛法的力量真不可思議！竟把內心的不平與怒怨制伏，對佛法產生濃厚的興趣。從前，我根本認為鬼神之說是無稽之談；如今我已皈依三寶，做佛弟子，大概是因緣吧！回想剛進入花蓮看守所服刑時，滿腹不平的情緒，始終無法平復，那時我心中好恨！但因緣際會，我來到花所，認識佛法，受到佛法的薰陶，平息心中怨氣，改變人生觀。
After learning about Buddhism, the power of Dharma is inconceivable! Unexpectedly, it has subdued my inner injustice, anger, and resentment. I have become passionate about the Dharma. In the past, I thought the theory of ghosts and spirits was ridiculous. Now I have taken refuge with the Triple Jewel and I have become a disciple of the Buddha, this should be related to cause and effect! I recall the day I came to Hualien Detention Center to serve my sentence. I was full of negative emotions which seemed never to be relieved, I had so much hatred at the time! However, due to the cause and effect, I entered Hualien Detention Center and encountered the Buddhadharma. I have been inspired and nurtured by it. The Buddhadharma has calmed down the resentment and grievances inside of me, and also changed my view of life.
2014年戴同學伏法，槍決後，獄方請我們到刑場灑淨迴向，空無人煙的刑場，留有尚未收拾的血跡。李居士提及一般死囚因為害怕恐懼，必須要拖拉才能走到刑場。而戴同學則表示：「我願認罪伏法。」以平常心走向刑場，平靜的走完最後一程。看來佛法已經入到他的心裡了，才能坦然的面對罪業、面對死亡。
同學們注目凝神的聽戴同學的故事，10年了，這個故事不因時間、空間褪色，多少會引發他們的省思。所以生命中週遭的一切，和我們皆息息相關，成就他人，也就是成就自己；圓滿他人，也就是圓滿自己。往好，就是光光相照，孔孔相通；往壞，就是互相牽累、墮落。
Student Dai was executed in 2014. After the execution, the prison invited us to purify the execution ground and transfer merit. The ground was empty, but left with uncleaned blood. Layman Li mentioned that most prisoners on death row had to be dragged to the execution grounds because of fear. Instead, student Dai expressed, “I am willing to confess my sin and to be executed.” He walked to the execution ground with a peaceful mind and finished his last journey peacefully. It seemed the Dharma had entered into his mind, so that he could face his karma and death calmly.
All fellow students listened to Dai’s story intently. Ten years have passed by, and yet this story does not fade in time or space. Furthermore, it forces the audience into reflection. Therefore, everything that happens in our life is closely related to us. Helping others succeed forges our own attainment; helping others fulfill themselves brings to completion our own fulfillment. If we go in a good direction, the lights shine on one another and interpenetrate at the interstices. But if we go in a bad direction, we become entangled with others and fall together.
我們帶來了大悲咒配、念珠、救世靈丹（書），發送給同學。同學們踴躍索取，特別是大悲咒配、念珠幾乎一掃光。這對他們來說都是心靈的寄託，有一種安全感、被保護感。
We have brought amulets with the Great Compassion Mantra written on them, rosaries, and books of “Panacea to Rescue the World” for fellow students. They asked for these actively especially for amulets with the Great Compassion Mantra written on them and rosaries, and almost exhausted our supply. These are one kind of sustenance for their spirit that brings them a sense of security and a feeling of being protected.
法會結束後，在廊道碰到典獄長，典獄長提及百分之四十的同學都是詐欺案入獄的，也就是詐騙集團，刑期是按多少件詐欺案來計。這麼說來，許多年輕的同學出監時恐怕已兩鬢斑白了。年輕人是社會的資源，是最好貢獻社會的時候，現在卻用社會的資源來維持他們的人生，豈不令人嘆息！因為錯誤的觀念而走錯誤的路，好逸惡勞、貪圖享受，就想不勞而獲，乃至不擇手段強取，害人害己。
After the assembly, I met the Superintendent in the corridor. He mentioned that 40% of the inmates were jailed for fraud, which means they were involved in a scam syndicate. Their sentences were counted on the basis of the number of cases of committed. Many young inmates will be very old when they step out of prison. The young generation is an asset to society. They are also at the best age to contribute to society. But now they are using scamming to support their lives. What a pity! A wrong concept will direct a person to a wrong path: prefering to be leisurely and lazy, greedy for enjoyment, merely wanting to get something for nothing, or even taking something unscrupulously. Eventually, they hurt themselves and others.
以前聽宣公上人講起現代的教育破產了，沒有深切的感受，現在事實擺在眼前，不能不敬佩上人的真知灼見。由衷的希望，國家社會從根本教育做起，教育的目的不是為名利，而是要明理，要教導學子正確的倫理道德，不要灌輸一些是是非非，違背陰陽的錯誤觀念，誤導他們、殘害他們！
In the past, when I heard Venerable Master Hua talking how modern education is broken, I did not have any deep feelings, now that the fact is shown in front of me how can I not help but admire Venerable Master’s insights. I sincerely hope that our country and society will focus on the fundamentals of education and that the purpose of education should not be seeking fame or fortune, but in being sensible. We should teach students correct ethics and morality, and not instill nonsense or misconceptions in them because any misleading is just as mutilating!♦