星雲大師點撥 《迷悟之間》：將心比心

 星雲大師點撥

《迷悟之間》：將心比心

人與人之間的關係，最重要的不是共享榮華富貴，不是同一思想同志，而是人與人之間要有一顆「將心比心」的互相體諒之心。

夫妻結婚之後，朝夕相處，如果不能「將心比心」，相互體諒，如何維持親愛？父母子女居家，老少代溝，不靠「將心比心」，相互體諒，怎麼能安居樂業？社會上，士農工商、軍人公教、政客庶民，不能「將心比心」，怎麼能和諧相處？所以，人與人之間有了「將心比心」，有了彼此體諒，就能相互包容，就能相互尊重，就能相互愛惜；如此，體諒不是比榮華富貴、不是比思想同志更加美好嗎？

在一個畜欄裏，養了豬仔、綿羊、乳牛。有一天，飼主打開畜欄，捉住了豬仔，豬仔奮力抵抗，大聲叫喊。一旁的綿羊、乳牛聽了很厭惡的斥責道：「主人也常常來捉我們，我們也沒有大呼小叫，我們都是柔順的服從主人，今天才捉你一次，為什麼就那麼抗拒、嚎叫呢？」

豬仔聽了以後回答道：「牛羊呀，主人捉我和捉你們是完全不同的兩回事呢！他捉你們，只是要你們的羊毛和乳汁，可是捉我，卻是要我的命呀！」

由於立場不同，情況不同，所處的環境不同，不同的人很難了解對方的感受，所以人際之間的相處，不能「將心比心」，沒有體諒的關懷，則人間不會和樂！

一個獵人，每日捕殺野獸，箭射刀殺，網捕茅刺，樂此不疲。後來有一天，他被山民所捉，火燒祭神，這時他才感受到面臨死亡的觳觫，才體會到死亡來臨的痛苦。

所以，吾人對別人的失意、挫折、苦難、傷痛，不但不能漠不關心，尤其不能有「幸災樂禍」的心。所謂「眼看他人死，我心急如焚；不是傷他人，看看輪到我。」吾人應該要能「將心比心」，要有體諒別人的心，這才是人間的修行。

有的子女年輕時不知道要孝順父母，及至自己做了父母，才感覺到需要兒女的孝順。所謂「不經一事，不長一智」；人不要凡事要到最後才懊悔不及，應該在平時就要「將心比心」的為別人設想。我們怕家禽飢餓，要餵牠飲食；我們怕花草乾枯，要給予澆水；我們對於動植物都能有此體諒的心，為什麼對於同胞、家人、朋友，不能「將心比心」給予體諒呢？

「將心比心」就是佛心；體諒的心就是佛心。佛心，就是慈悲，就是道德，就是善美；所謂「即心即佛，即佛即心」，不亦宜乎！

Empathy

Human relations are not built on sharing fame and fortune, nor are they built on having similar views and thinking. They are built on empathy and tolerance for each other.
After a couple is married, when they live together and see each other day in and day out, they need to have empathy for one another in order to appreciate each other and sustain the love between them. In a family, the generation gap between parents and children and seniors and youngsters also calls for empathy and tolerance so that everyone can get along. In society, those in different professions and those in the public and private sectors need empathy, or they will not be able to live in harmony. Therefore, when dealing with others, we need to have empathy. With a better understanding for each other, we can accept, respect, and cherish one another. Empathy is far more superior than fame and fortune or sharing similar views and thinking.

On a farm, pigs, sheep, and cows all live together. One day, the farmer went into the barn and grabbed hold of a pig. It struggled and squealed vigorously. The sheep and cows were annoyed by the racket and scolded, "The master always comes for us, but we never put up a fight or make any noise. We always go with him calmly. He is only coming for you for the first time. Why are you fighting so hard and making so much noise?"

Upon hearing this, the pig explained, "Cows and sheep, the master comes after you and me for completely different reasons! He only wants your wool and your milk. But when he comes for me, he is after my life!" Because they are in different situations, it is hard for them to understand each other's point of view.

Similarly, people are also in many different positions and circum-stances, and unfortunately, most fail to appreciate how others feel. Without empathy in human relations, without understanding and tolerance, there will never be harmony.

Once there was a hunter who killed animals daily. He shot and knifed them, or netted and speared them, and never seemed to tire of his way of life. But one day, he was caught by a native tribe and was about to be offered up as a sacrifice to their god. At that time, as he experienced the fear and pain of imminent death, he realized the suffering he must be inflicting on the animals he hunted. He understood what it was like to be in their position and felt empathy for them.

When we see others down in life, facing setbacks, or suffering in pain, we should not be indifferent, and especially never take pleasure in their misfortune. When we see others dying, we should feel anguished, not just because others are hurting, but because one day it will be our turn. Therefore, we should practice empathy and tolerance for others everyday, every moment, in our human world.

When children are young they do not know they should practice filial piety. But when they become parents themselves, then they feel the need for their children to respect them. Though we learn from our experiences and mistakes, we should not always wait until the end to be remorseful for our flaws. We should have empathy for others all the time and in anything we do. We feed our pets so that they do not starve. We water our plants so they do not wither. If we can treat our pets and plants with care and attention, why do we not treat our families, friends, and fellow citizens with empathy?

Empathy is the Buddha-mind. Tolerance is the Buddha-mind. The Buddha-mind is also compassion, morals, benevolence, and beauty. There is a Buddhist saying, "The mind is the Buddha, and the Buddha is the mind." Our Buddha-mind is the foundation for attaining Buddhahood; is it not so?