李貞姬2024年12月21日(星期六)晚間講於萬佛聖城大殿

All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, Venerable Master, Dharma Masters and Dharma friends, Amitofo !

諸佛菩薩，宣公上人，各位法師和佛友們，阿彌陀佛！

My name is Zhenzi Lee. I was born in Korea. And I am living in L.A. I regularly participate in the Dharma assembly at Gold Wheel Monastery in Los Angeles. I am very glad to share my experience at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas (CTTB) with everyone.

我的名字是李貞姫。我出生在韓國，現住在洛杉磯。我經常參加洛杉磯金輪寺的法會。很高興能與大家分享我在萬佛聖城的經歷。   

People might wonder how a Korean who doesn’t know how to speak Chinese comes to the CTTB to cultivate together. (However, over the years, I have learned basic Chinese conversation at CTTB.) I would like to share my short story to everyone. When I went to traditional Chinese medicine school, I met a Dharma master from Taiwan. She told me if I really want to end this life of suffering, I must recite Amitabha’s name. She told me before she goes back to Taiwan, she will visit the great way place in Ukiah, Northern California. She said people up there are diligently cultivating day and night, especially during the Chan session, when they do not lay down to sleep. 

大家可能會奇怪，一個不會說中文的韓國人（不過，這些年來，我在萬佛聖城學會了簡單的中文會話），是如何來到萬佛聖城一起修行的。我想和大家分享我的小故事。當我在中醫學院上課時，我遇到了一位來自台灣的法師。她告訴我，如果我真想消除此生的痛苦，我必須念阿彌陀佛名號。她告訴我，在她回台灣之前，她要去位於北加州瑜伽市的大型道場。她說那座道場的修行人日夜精進辦道，尤其在禪七期間，他們不倒單。  

Ever since the Dharma master told me, I started sincerely to recite Amitabha Buddha’s name trying to end my suffering. And I always thought I would like to visit one day the way place in Ukiah as well.

自從法師告訴我這些，我便開始誠心念誦阿彌陀佛的名號，想要了苦。我也一直想著，有一天我要去瑜伽市的大型道場參訪。

In 2000 I tied affinity with Venerable Master’s branch temple in L. A. And I was able to visit CTTB two years later. When I participated in the Amitabha session for the first time, I was amazed by the peaceful chanting with so many people chanting together in the Buddha Hall. The sounds were very quiet and harmonious. I felt I was already in the Pure Land with Amitabha Buddha. I thought “Aha, this is the way place that I was looking for. I must come to Amitabha and Chan sessions here often.” And then 15years passed so quickly. I was participating in the Amitabha session almost every year at CTTB.

2000年，我和上人在洛杉磯的分支道場（金輪寺）結下了法緣。兩年後，我有機會來到萬佛聖城。當我第一次參加佛七時，我被佛殿中那麼多人一起平和的念誦所震撼。這些聲音非常寧靜和諧。我感覺自己已經在阿彌陀佛的淨土中。我想：「啊！這就是我一直尋找的大道場。我一定要經常來這裡參加佛七和禪七。」然後15年過得飛快。我幾乎每年都參加萬佛聖城的佛七。

Then in 2019 a big disaster came to mankind. Everyone will remember Covid-19. During that time the clinic where I work closed down. CTTB and all the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association branch temples were locked down as well. I remember clearly during the pandemic in L.A. between Dharma friends, our main topic was when will CTTB open again?

2019年，人類的大災難來襲。每個人都會記住新冠肺炎（Covid-19）。在那段時間，我工作的診所關閉了。萬佛聖城和所有法界佛教總會的分支道場也都關閉了。我清楚地記得，在疫情期間，洛杉磯佛友們之間的主要話題是：萬佛聖城何時會重新開放？ 

I was missing Amitabha and Chan sessions so much. One day I had a dream about a Dharma master from CTTB. She told me that I could come to CTTB. I was so happy and I thought no matter how much I had to pay I better call a helicopter before CTTB changes their decision. I better fly to get there quickly. While I was going to ride in the helicopter, I woke up. And I saw people were still wearing masks in the street. I was very disappointed. We were still in the pandemic. This was nothing but a dream. CTTB would not allow me to come during this time.

我非常想念佛七和禪七。有一天，我夢見了一位來自萬佛聖城的法師。她告訴我，我可以來萬佛聖城。我非常高興，心想無論要付出多少代價，我最好在萬佛聖城改變決定之前，叫一架直升機，我最好飛快地趕到那裡。就在要搭乘直升機時，我從夢中醒來。看到街上人們仍戴著口罩，我非常失望。我們仍處於疫情之中。這只是一場夢。萬佛聖城在這段時間內不會允許我來。

But surprisingly a couple of months later my dream came true. One of my friends, who had been doing volunteer for a long time at CTTB, texted me one day “Hi! Zhen Zi, how have you been during this pandemic?” I answered, “I am very bored, nervous breakdown every day!“ She replied, “Why don’t you apply to the volunteer program and stay a whole month here?”

但令人驚訝的是，幾個月後我的夢想成真了。我的一位朋友，她在萬佛聖城做了很長時間的義工，有一天給我發短信：「嗨！貞姬，疫情期間妳過得怎麼樣？」我回答：「我很無聊，每天都感覺神經衰弱！」她回覆：「為什麼不申請義工計劃，在這裡住一整個月呢？」

I quickly applied and after one week of quarantine at Dragon House, I was able to come to this Buddha Hall again after more than a year. It was an impressive encounter and I spent a very meaningful time at CTTB. Since then, every year during the Amitabha and Chan sessions at CTTB, I have come to volunteer.

我迅速申請了，並在龍樹精舍隔離了一週，一年多後我又能來到這座佛殿了。這個機緣令人印象深刻，我在萬佛聖城度過了非常有意義的時光。從此，每年萬佛聖城佛七和禪七期間，我都來擔任義工。

I heard the Venerable Master often quoted this phrase from the Dao De Jing ––“When the country is in chaos, there are loyal officers.” Why? I think the reason is that when country is in peace, no one really appreciates the country’s existence. Similarly, when CTTB completely locked down during the pandemic for three years, we all realized the importance of the Triple Jewel and how much CTTB has given spiritual sweet nectar to us. During this calamity, I wish I had become one of the loyal officers who would protect the way place.  How can I do that? 

我聽說上人經常引用《道德經》中的這句話——「國家昏亂有忠臣。」為什麼？我認為原因是當國家安定時，沒有人真正感謝國家的存在。同樣，在疫情期間，萬佛聖城封城的三年裡，我們都意識到了三寶的重要性，以及萬佛聖城給我們的精神甘露。在這場疫情災難中，我希望自己能成為一名保護道場的忠臣。我該怎麼做呢？

First, whenever there is an online lecture or ceremony at CTTB or a branch temple, I would like to join, learn and put into practice.

首先，無論萬佛聖城或分支道場有任何線上講座或法會，我都會參加、學習並付諸實踐。

Second, whenever there is an opportunity to participate in the ceremony in person or do volunteer work, I will join as much as I can.

其次，無論何時有機會親自參加法會或做義工，我都會盡量參加。

This winter, I asked a couple of Dharma friends, “Do you want to go with me for the Amitabha session?” Their answer was “No, not this year, now there is Zoom. It is easier to adjust my work schedule or family event……”

今年冬天，我問了幾位佛友：「你們想和我一起參加佛七嗎？」他們的回答是「不，今年不去了。現在有Zoom，可以更輕鬆地調整工作時間或家庭活動……」

But my opinion is different. For instance, if your old parents are out of the country, and you call on your cellphone: “Hi! Mom and Daddy, how are you doing this winter? I am a little bit busy here. I hope you doing well.” Or you actually visit them, grab their old hands and check what they need. Everyone think about it, which is more valuable?  Probably the intention is same but the flavor will be different. I think experiencing Amitabha Buddha in a Dharma assembly in a way place is more delightful.  In this way I believe we can accomplish our sincere wishes easier as well. 

但我的看法不同。比如，如果你的父母在國外，而你用手機打電話：「嗨！爸爸媽媽，你們這個冬天過得怎麼樣？我這裡比較忙。希望你們一切都好。」或者你親自去看他們，握住他們的手，看看他們需要什麼。大家想一想，哪種方式更有價值？或許心意是相同的，但感受可不一樣。我認為在道場中參加法會體驗阿彌陀佛更法喜。這樣我相信我們可以更容易實現我們真誠的願望。

In conclusion, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to CTTB. It has been a wonderful spiritual teacher to me for so many years. Amitofo!

總之，我想向萬佛聖城致上我最深的感恩。這麼多年來，萬佛聖城一直是我很棒的精神導師。阿彌陀佛！