危難當前,只問蒼生 In face of the crisis, one should focus on the people

《大智度論》卷22:「佛如醫王,法如良藥,僧如瞻病人。」

The Treatis on the Great Perfection of Wisdom, Chap 22 says “Buddha is the best doctor

Dhamma is his prescription,Sangha is his medical Practitioner.”(CBETA 2019.14, T25, no.1509, p.224a22)

新冠病毒,可能中國與台灣基於彼此的民情習慣不同、政治背景也不太一樣,近來看見有的朋友(也有佛友)在FB或微信上為此與人發生了爭執,馬來西亞和美國也有人參與口水戰。各有各的理由,似乎都覺得自己「很有正義」,有的學佛人連惡口、詛咒都出來了,阿彌陀佛!

我靜靜在思察,這些口出惡言罵詈的人,他/她的「正義」背後還有什麼是一般人看不見的理由?有沒把「瞋害」包裝成了「正義」?不然,如此凜然的「正義」怎會叫人恐畏呢?呼籲大家停止口水戰,口水不抗毒,只會更傳染。

恭祝大家庚子年身心健康,道心堅固,元宵快樂!

Perhaps it is because Mainland China and Taiwan have different customs and practices, or because the two evolve under different political backgrounds, lately I have witnessed some disputes and controversies surrounding the novel coronavirus among friends (including some Buddhist friends) on social media such as Facebook or WeChat. Some people in Malaysia and the United States have also gotten involved in the verbal altercations. Everyone has their rationale, and each seems to think they have a “righteous” standpoint. Some Buddhist followers even express their opinions using malicious speech and
offensive languages. Amittaba!

I observe and contemplate, individuals who use malicious speech and vent in evil words, does s/he have a cause hidden from everyone else? Is it possible that s/he is hiding his/her “anger” under the disguise of “righteousness”? Otherwise, how can such “righteousness”, when being put forth, be so terrifying?

I urge everyone to stop engaging in verbal disputes. Words cannot stop, but spread viruses.

I wish everyone good health and strong faith in the year of
the Rat.

Happy Lantern Festival!