Introduction to Shiang Guang Shan 香光山簡介

1. The Origin 一、緣起

Since 1992, the mentor of the World Buddhist Ch'an Jing Center (WBCJC), Venerable Master Ch'an Yun, often traveled from Flushing, New York to upstate New York in order to search for a holy place for monks and nuns to practice, and for disciples to worship in. 自1992年起,世界佛教禪淨中心(WBCJC)的導師禪雲法師經常從紐約法拉盛前往紐約上州,尋找一個供僧尼修行和弟子禮拜的聖地。

On July 3rd, 2000, through Master Ch'an Yun's perseverance, he established the "Shiang Guang Shan Monastery" and "Shiang Guang Shan Ch'an Jing Temple". Endowed with compassion, Master Ch'an Yun vows to educate and cultivate Buddhist monks and nuns, thereby expanding and perpetuating the lifeline of Buddha's infinite wisdom. 2000年7月3日,通過禪雲法師的堅持,他建立了「香光山僧團」和「香光山禪淨寺」。憑藉慈悲心,禪雲法師發願教育和培養僧尼,從而續佛慧命。

2. The Sacred Place for Cultivation 二、修行聖地

Located in upstate New York, "Shiang Guang Shan Ch'an Jing Temple" is a tranquil place for cultivating the Ch'an Jing school of thought. The temple's surroundings are peaceful and serene. There is a crystal-clear pond called "Seven-Treasure Lake". 位於紐約上州的「香光山禪淨寺」是一個修行聖地。寺院環境寧靜祥和,有一個清澈的池塘,名為「七寶湖」。

In the distance, one can hear the sound of a flowing stream, just like the sound of Buddha preaching the Dharma. There are birds singing in the sky, reminding people to chant the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. There are beautiful trees moving in unison with the wind, producing sounds in perfect harmony, inspiring everyone to chant the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. 遠處可以聽到流水的聲音,又如佛陀說法的法音。天空中的鳥兒歌唱,提醒行者念佛、念法、念僧。樹木隨風搖曳,發出和諧的聲音,令人念佛、念法、念僧。

3. The Meaning of Shiang Guang Shan 三、香光山的意義

What is the reason for naming the primary monastery of WBCJC "Shiang Guang Shan" (SGS)? Venerable Master Ch'an Yun has compassionately explained the meaning of "Shiang Guang Shan" during a lecture: 為什麼本山道場取名為「香光山」?禪雲法師在一次講座中慈悲地解釋了「香光山」的含義:

By Shiang (Fragrance), we mean "Fragrance of Right Dharma" with which we can eliminate all our internal dirt and decay, and purify our inner self. 「香」指的是「正法之香」,通過它,我們可以消除內心的煩惱與污垢,淨化我們的身心。

By Guang (Radiance), we mean "Radiance of Prajna Wisdom" with which we can destroy the ignorance that we have been carrying through innumerable lifetimes. Thus, we can eliminate all delusions and attain enlightenment. 「光」指的是「般若智慧之光」,通過它,我們可以照破無明。因此,我們可以消除妄想雜念,明悟心性。

By Shan (Mountain), we mean "The Pure and Sacred Place" where Buddhist practitioners can reside peacefully and cultivate Buddhism to achieve Bodhi. 「山」指的是「清淨聖地」,行者可以在這裡安住,並修習佛法,成就菩提道。

On that special night, Prince Siddhartha observed the countless illuminating stars, then upon attaining Buddhahood (Supreme Enlightenment) he uttered: "Amazing! How amazing! Each and every being has the innate wisdom just like the Buddha. However, these qualities will not manifest in a person due to their fanciful desires and stubbornness." Therefore, if all beings rid themselves of their fanciful discriminatory nature, there wouldn't be any distinction amongst anything (a human, a swallow, a ground hog, a pond, a tree, etc.) in the world. In conclusion, all phenomena in this world are manifestations of our discriminatory nature. 在那個特殊的夜晚,悉達多太子目睹明星,成就無上正等正覺時,隨即說曰:「奇哉!奇哉!眾生皆具如來智慧德相,只因妄想執著,不能證得。」因此,如果所有的眾生,都能擺脫他們的妄想執著,就不會因為種種的分別(人、燕子、土撥鼠、池塘、樹木等)而彼此傷害。總之,這個世界上所有的痛苦現象,都是因為我們的分別心所引起。

According to Buddha's teachings, we come to realize that all sentient beings possess the innate Buddha nature. Therefore, to inspire everyone's compassionate nature, we should protect and respect all forms of life including animals. Moreover, if we could learn to understand and tolerate each other, then there wouldn't be any discrimination. Therefore, if every one values and respects life, and lives in harmony with one another, the world will become a Pure Land of Shiang Guang Zhuang Yan (Fragrance, Radiance, and Solemnity). 根據佛陀的教導,我們認識到所有眾生都具有本具的佛性。因此,為了啓發每個人的慈悲心,大家應該保護和尊重所有的生命,包括動物。此外,如果我們能夠學會理解和包容,那麼就不會有任何歧視。因此,如果每個人都珍惜和尊重生命,且和諧相處,將會感應一個香光莊嚴的淨土。

Furthermore, one who chants the Buddha's name wholeheartedly can be identified as someone who possesses "Fragrance, Radiance, and Solemnity". The Mahasthama Bodhisattva's 'Nian Fo Yuan Tong' Chapter of the Surangama Sutra states: "Whoever retains the pure thought of the Buddha, whether in the present or future, will be closer to the Buddha as time passes, and will attain Buddhahood without the need of any other expedient means. This will create the state known as "Fragrance, Radiance, and Solemnity". It will be as if the person's body is permeated with this fragrance." 此外,全心全意念佛的人可以名為「香光莊嚴」的人。大勢至菩薩在「念佛圓通章」中說:「若人憶佛念佛,現前當來必定見佛,去佛不遠,不假方便,自得心開。如染香人,身有香氣,此則名曰香光莊嚴。」

From the above explanation of Shiang and Guang, we can understand that through practicing and retaining "Fragrance of Right Dharma" and "Radiance of Prajna Wisdom", we will be able to attain "Fragrance, Radiance, and Solemnity" and be enlightened. 從上述對「香」和「光」的闡述中,我們可以領悟到,通過修學「正法之香」以及「般若智慧之光」,我們就能夠明悟心性並成為「香光莊嚴」的極樂人。

Thus, "Shiang Guang Shan" symbolizes a sacred place for guiding sentient beings into the "Ultimate Bliss Pure Land" of "Shiang Guang Zhuang Yan." 因此,「香光山」象徵著一處導引眾生,進入「香光莊嚴」的極樂淨土聖地。