The goodness in Dharma 佛法的善良

Robot Monk Xian'er

The goodness in Dharma

The word Goodness originates from Book of Rites: Notes of Learning, meaning talented and virtuous scholars, but now it means pure-hearted and good-natured. Man’s nature at birth is good. Due to our obsession and discrimination, all kinds of vexations pop up, covering our inherent goodness. The Buddha Dharma is for the eradication of all vexations and for the enlightenment of human’s intrinsic good nature. As a result, we can become better persons.

The Goodness upheld in the Buddha Dharma covers our body, speech and mind. The goodness of our body includes to free captive animals and to protect lives; never resent, injure, or even vex others;never take things from others without permission; never seek for trifling advantages. Instead, give those in need a helping hand ungrudgingly；shun away from superstition;observe regulations and keep guard of a pure mind. As for the goodness of speech, be honest and never lie. Often praise and appreciate others with caring words. Never gossip about right and wrong;never readily believe in rumors or spread them; never have a spiteful tongue;do not curse others or say anything flippant. As for the goodness of mind,neither be greedy, or be angry, nor be obsessed. In addition, all the following are the manifestation of the law of goodness, i.e. showing filial obedience to our parents; respecting our teachers; protect and uphold the Three Gems of the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha; take care of the ill and those in grief;listen to the Dharma and chant the Buddhist scriptures; participate in the work of charity and labor for the sake of all people, etc.

The Goodness advocated in the Buddha Dharma is a kind of power generated by wisdom, with which one clearly knows what one is doing and why so doing all along. With it, one believes in Karma, or the causal effect, and what one does or says is all for the sake of others, whichin turn benefits oneself. In all, acquiring goodness is a process of learning and practicing, which depends on the guidance and protection of a virtuous team. Once we’ve found the method and entered the path, we can cover thousands of miles by taking the first step.

佛法的善良

善良一词出自西汉的《礼记·学记》。古义为贤良之士，现义为心地纯净、纯真温厚。“诸恶莫作，众善奉行。自净其意，是诸佛教”，则是佛法的基本道理。人之初，性本善。但由于人的执著和分别，内心就产生种种的烦恼，覆盖了本有的善良。佛法就是去除烦恼，启发人本有的善良，让人变得越来越好。

佛法的善良，具体落实到身、语、意三方面。身善：放生，护生，不损恼伤害他人；不随便拿别人东西，不占小便宜，当别人有需要时慷慨帮助；不邪淫，守礼守心。语善：诚实，不说谎，常常说赞美他人、感谢他人、关怀他人的话，不说是非、不信谣传谣，不刻薄，不骂人，不口舌轻浮。意善：不贪、不嗔、不痴。另外，孝敬父母、尊重师长、护持三宝、照顾病苦；听经闻法、参与慈善、为众服劳等等，都是善法。

佛法的善良，是一种智慧摄持下的力量。始终清晰地知道自己在做什么，明白为什么做；信得过业果，所做的事、所说的话，都是为了自利利他。善良是一个学习、实践的过程，要依靠善法团队的引导和保护。找到了路径、方法，一步一步走，一步一步提升，渐渐便可致千里。