How can a beginner learn and practice Buddha Dharma？

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學生：初學佛者應該如何學修？

Students: How can a beginner learn and practice Buddha Dharma?

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上師開示：現在學佛人有幾種情況，要看自己屬於哪一種。有的人只想求世間的福報，那你就種一點善根，做一般的善事，積一點福報就可以了。有的人把佛法當成一種學問來研究，那你就看一看，聽一聽就可以了；但是這隻能增長知識，不能得到智慧。還有一種人想解脫，想成佛。

Teachings from the Guru: Nowadays, there are several situations about those who learn Buddha Dharma, and people should understand which situation they belong to. Some people just beg for worldly blessing, thus they should plant some good roots, do some good deeds, and accumulate some blessings. However, some people regard Buddha Dharma as knowledge to research, then they only need to read and listen to some teachings, but this way only increases relevant knowledge instead of wisdom. Others expect to attain liberation and become Buddha.

想解脫，想成佛，就要靠實修實證，按傳承，按儀軌，按次第，按上師、善知識的要求學修，最後才能達到目的。否則是不可能的，解脫成佛沒有那麼容易。

If people expect to attain liberation and become Buddha, they need sincere practice and real realization, according to lineage, rituals, sequence and the requirement from the Guru and spiritual friend, finally they can achieve their aim. Otherwise, it is impossible, because it is not so easy to attain liberation and become Buddha.

佛法的真實意義就是解脫、成佛。在任何情況下，永遠不起煩惱，沒有痛苦，這叫解脫。成佛是福慧圓滿——福報圓滿，智慧圓滿，生活圓滿，心靈圓滿。成佛是在解脫的基礎上，不但沒有煩惱痛苦，還一切圓滿。

The true meaning of Buddha Dharma is attaining liberation and becoming Buddha. Under any circumstances, there are never troubles and sufferings arising, which is called liberation. Becoming Buddha is the perfection both of merits and wisdom --- the perfection of merits, wisdom, lives and spirits. Based on the liberation, becoming Buddha means that there is no trouble and suffering existing, and everything is consummate.

修行強調次第，強調基礎。我們現在修凈土，也強調基礎。沒有前行的基礎，是不可能成就的。修凈土也要先修出離心，先發菩提心。有出離心的基礎，有菩提心的攝持，再念佛號，這樣才能成就。《阿彌陀經》、《無量壽經》，都講「發菩提心，一心念佛」。發菩提心是前提條件，然後再專心念佛。你沒有放下貪念，沒有放下自我，心怎麼能靜下來呢？清凈、平等、自在、隨緣、念佛，你能做到嗎？這是不可能做到的。

Practice emphasizes the sequence and basis. Nowadays, we practice the Pure Land, which also stresses the basis. Without the basis of the Preliminaries, we can hardly make the achievement. Practicing the Pure Land also needs to practice renunciation first and then arouse Bodhicitta. With the basis of renunciation and the infusion of Bodhicitta, then we chant the Buddha』s name, and finally we can make the achievement. Amitabha Sutra and Aparimitayur-sutra both state that arousing Bodhicitta and chanting the Buddha』s name wholeheartedly. Arousing Bodhicitta is the priority, and then we focus on chanting the Buddha』s name. If you do not put down the greed and selfishness, how can you possess calmness, and maintain a peaceful, equal and easeful mind, follow the karma and chant Buddha』s name? It is impossible.

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