【解開人生謎題的寶書】(English writing below)

「師姐，簽書號已經發完了耶！」

地點：台灣雷藏寺的大燈文化攤位。

我一手抓著根本上師聖尊蓮生活佛的新書《我所知道的佛陀：如是我聞》，一手拿著錢要付款。

「沒關係，師兄，沒有師尊的簽名，我還是想買這本書。」我微笑著回答，感謝他的熱心提醒。

我喜歡紙本書。家裡整堵牆的書架，都是師尊的書。

我甚少在雷藏寺買師尊的書。一般來說，師尊推出新書時，我都會在新加坡的紀伊國屋書店購買，希望藉此能推廣師尊的文集在寺廟以外的地方。用錢買書，也是我出點微薄之力，代表我對作者付出的支持。

有師尊簽書固然是錦上添花，但能不能開悟，還是需要自己的努力。

初聽師尊宣布這書名《我所知道的佛陀：如是我聞》時，我頓時倍感親切。

每個人信佛的起點都不一樣。有的人是因爲篤信觀世音菩薩，而皈依佛門，我則是因爲「南無本師釋迦牟尼佛」。

在大學佛學會時，我常去本地的一間斯里蘭卡佛寺參拜佛陀，繞菩提樹。好幾年的時間，我在那兒，向佛陀述說了很多、很多我的苦楚，我的煩惱，有時候邊說，邊繞菩提樹，繞了無數圈，就連第一次失戀，也在臥佛前哭了兩個小時。

那時，我不明白為什麼人家做人，我也做人，但我無論怎麼努力，卻特別的苦。我一直求佛陀告訴我：我爲什麼要活著？我爲什麼要來到人間？我要怎麼改命？

當然，在壇城上的佛陀怎麼會開口跟這「怨女」說話呢？

我把打工的錢存起來，買一尊佛像，拿去開光，安在書房內。後來媽媽因爲某事生我氣，趁我不在時，把佛像仍掉。我畢業就職後，又請了一尊。傻傻的我以為那兩尊都是釋迦牟尼佛，其實祂們都是「大日如來」。

我想，這應該是我五年後皈依師尊的因緣之一。

.

2013年，西雅圖雷藏寺開創一個新聞單元《如是我聞》，報導師尊的日常法教。小女子我自告奮勇拉著我師兄一起爲官網，把幾篇《如是我聞》翻譯成英文，回饋師尊的無私奉獻與教導。

從台灣飛回新加坡的航班上，我閱讀了師尊新書《我所知道的佛陀：如是我聞》兩個小時。

我忽然恍然大悟，十九年前，常跑到釋迦牟尼佛跟前訴苦的那個少女，原來佛陀真的聽到了她的哀求，沒有讓它落空。

理科班的我，從小就對這世界很好奇。家裡的百科全書，十年來，我從頭到尾都讀了至少百遍，但總覺得人要懂的知識，不該只有這些。

皈依師尊前，我曾讀過、聽過很多有名出家人的法語開示，無論是講中文或英文的。他們都講得很好，但是，唯有蓮生活佛的開示和文集，徹底的解除我自幼對於人生和宇宙的迷惑。

尤其是這本書。

原來在科學之外，還有這樣一個空間、一種能量和宇宙能力場存在著。

皈依學佛，就是學佛陀的教義，目的就是要成佛。

可怎樣的佛弟子，才是釋迦牟尼佛認可的弟子？

我們人要如何離苦得樂？如何去馴服自己狂野的心？如何從凡夫身回歸本來的面目？什麼又是原本的自己？

那天，師父問一位少女：「妳想學佛，那妳知道佛教教主是誰嗎？」

她已閱讀完師父在臉書2013年至2019年的文章，卻一個字都說不出。

切勿把佛法當成普通的人間知識來看待，更不要以學佛爲名，利用其知識賺錢做生意爲實。販賣如來，可是下地獄吞熾熱鐵丸、喝滾燙鐵汁之罪啊！

.

我去台灣前，師父交代過要我到台北101拍照，於是我就抱著師尊的書去。

玳瑚師父教過，台北101是現代版的文昌塔。

古時候，文昌已甚被重視，因爲利於讀書、功名和事業。在沒有某種形式的山脈時，就會建文昌塔（又稱文峰塔）來催旺文人輩出。

古代有文昌塔，現代有台北101。

古代有佛陀初傳四聖諦，現代有蓮生法王繼續的轉法輪。

而人呢？從古至今，仍然在醉生夢死中。

一般人要文昌，因爲追求功名。但我對人間的智慧，已意興闌珊。我要文昌，因爲希望早日開竅，拜託，不要那麽笨 ～～

無論你是剛接觸佛法，還是皈依許久的老弟子，如果你和我一樣追求生命的實相，這本書裡的般若智慧必會讓你大開眼界、讚歎連連。

你到底有多認識佛陀呢？

.

我大力推薦此書，可到以下書局網購，或到真佛般若藏免費閱讀電子書或聆聽有聲書：

1) 新加坡紀伊書店 - https://singapore.kinokuniya.com/bw/9789573052654

2) 台灣金石堂 - https://www.kingstone.com.tw/basics/basics.asp?kmcode=2012000022409&lid=common-index-billboard-all&actid=bookindex

3) 真佛般若藏 - https://www.tbboyeh.org/cht#/store

.....................

"Dharma Sister, the numbers for book signing have all been given out!"

Venue: Daden Culture book stall at Taiwan Lei Tsang Temple

I was holding on to "The Buddha I Know: Thus Have I Heard", the latest book by my Root Guru, His Holiness Living Buddha Lian Sheng, with my other hand grasping onto the cash, wanting to pay for the book.

"No problem, Dharma Brother. Without the autograph of Grandmaster, I would still wish to buy this book." I smiled in reply, thanking him for his friendly reminder.

I prefer reading from an actual book over an ebook. Back at home, I have one full wall of my Grandmaster's books on my bookshelves.

I rarely buy my Grandmaster's books from Lei Tsang temples. Usually, for His latest release, I would buy from Singapore Kinokuniya book store. It is my hope that this little gesture would help to boost sales at external bookstores, so that my Grandmaster's books can continue to be sold beyond the temples. To pay for it is my small token of appreciation and support for the author's effort.

To have my Grandmaster's autograph on the book is, of course, covetable, but whether the I can attain enlightenment is still dependant on my hard work.

When I first heard my Grandmaster announcing the book title "The Buddha I Know: Thus Have I Heard", I immediately felt a sense of closeness.

Everybody has a different starting point for believing in the Buddha. There are some people who are devoted to Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva, and hence take refuge. For me, it was because of Shakyamuni Buddha.

During my NUS Buddhist Society days, I often visited a Sri Lanka Buddhist temple in Singapore. I would pay homage to Buddha and circumambulate the Bodhi tree. For many years, I would be at the temple regurgitating my troubles and sufferings to Buddha. Sometimes, I would circumambulate endless rounds around the Bodhi tree while being troubled. When my first relationship failed, I cried in front of the Sleeping Buddha for 2 hours.

At that time, I didn't understand why my life was tougher than other people, no matter how much effort I poured in. I kept pleading to Buddha for an answer. For what am I alive for? Why do I have to come to this mortal world? What can I do to improve my life?

Naturally, how could the Buddha that sat on the altar literally speak to this resentful girl?

With the money I scrimped and saved working part-time during my uni days, I bought a Buddha statue and after having it consecrated, I enshrined the statue in my study room. Once, when my mum was angry with me over some issue, she threw away the Buddha statue while I was out.

Upon graduation, I bought another Buddha statue. The silly me assumed that both statues are of Shakyamuni Buddha when in fact, they were of Mahāvairocana Buddha.

I guess this must be one affinity why I took refuge in my Grandmaster 5 years later.

In 2013, Seattle Lei Tsang Temple started a new column "Thus Have I Heard", reporting on the daily Dharma teachings of Grandmaster. Dragging the husband along, we volunteered to translate a few of the reports into English for the official website. It was our little way to repay Grandmaster for his selfless contributions and teachings.

Now you know why I took a liking to the book title almost immediately.

.

On the flight back from Taiwan, I read the book for about 2 hours.

I suddenly had a realisation. The young lady that cried and bemoaned her fate in front of Shakyamuni Buddha 19 years ago had her prayers answered after all. Buddha did hear her pleas and did not let her prayers go unfulfilled.

I was a Science student and since young, I was full of curiosity for this world. The encyclopaedia I had at home had been read at least 100 times over 10 years. But I had always felt that the knowledge humans need to know should be more than that.

Before taking refuge in Grandmaster, I had read, watched and listened to many Dharma discourses expounded by many famous Venerables, both in English and Chinese. They all explained the teachings of Buddha very well.

However, only Living Buddha Lian-Sheng could thoroughly answer my conundrums about life and this universe, through His Dharma discourses and books.
Dictionary

Especially in this book.

Apart from the science that we know, there is indeed another dimension of existence, another field of energy from the Universe.

When we take refuge to learn the Dharma, we are essentially learning what the Buddha had taught. The sole purpose is to eventually attain Buddhahood.

But do you know, just what kind of Buddhists are recognised by Shakyamuni Buddha as true disciples?

And how can we humans break free from sufferings and achieve bliss? How can we tame the wild minds in us? How do we return to our true self from this mortal body?

Just what actually is our true nature?

That day, Shifu asked a young lady, "You say you wish to learn the Dharma. Then do you know who is the founder of Buddhism?"

She had read all of Shifu's FB articles from 2013-2019, but was unable to reply.

Do not treat the Buddhadharma as ordinary mortal knowledge, let alone masquerade under the name of learning the Dharma, but in reality, using the knowledge to make more money and build a business. Peddling the Buddha for self-profit is a sin that would have you swallowing red hot iron balls and drinking boiling hot liquid iron in Hell!

.

Before my trip to Taiwan, Shifu told me to take a photo with Taipei 101. So I went there with my Grandmaster's book.

Master Dai Hu had taught me, Taipei 101 is the modern-day version of Wen Chang Pagoda.

In ancient times, Wen Chang is highly valued, because it favours the academics, scholarly achievements and career. When a certain mountain form is lacking in certain geographical locations, a Wen Chang Pagoda ( also known as Wen Feng Pagoda) would be constructed to activate and encourage the birth of more scholarly people.

So in the old days, there is the Wen Chang Pagoda, and now we have the Taipei 101.

In the past, there is Buddha who first expounded on the Four Noble Truths. And now, we have His Holiness, Dharma King Lian Sheng, to continue turning the Wheel of Dharma.

What about humans? Throughout history, humans have lived a befuddled existence. Even till now.

Most people want Wen Chang because they pursue fame and recognition. I covet Wen Chang, because I hope to get enlightened sooner. Oh please, let me be less stupid...

Whether you are new to the teachings of Buddha, or a Buddhist disciple for years, if you are pursuing the ultimate truth of Life like me, this book will open up your eyes and have you singing in praises.

Just how well do you know Buddha?

.

I strongly recommend this book and you can purchase it online at the links below, or hop over to True Buddha Prajna Treasury to read the ebook or listen to the audiobook for free.

1) Kinokuniya Singapore - https://singapore.kinokuniya.com/bw/9789573052654

2) Kingstone Taiwan - https://www.kingstone.com.tw/basics/basics.asp?kmcode=2012000022409&lid=common-index-billboard-all&actid=bookindex

3) 真佛般若藏 True Buddha Prajna Treasury - https://www.tbboyeh.org/cht#/store

從網路漫遊，發現一篇我不認識的簡短介紹文說起（ Applex Twin 是我在製作音樂時，另外給自己的人格名稱）：

Applex Twin – LiveSet @ 8th Hammer Of God

「Applex Twin is a Taipei-based artist I happened upon recently. I was immediately impressed by her lengthy piece ‘I am in the rear room Ohne mich 我在後房沒有我’ a few weeks ago, so I was intrigued to see her share this live set from a recent gig. It’s relentless, hard-edged techno from the off, beats crashing and colliding at times and throwing the listener off balance. Stick with it, though, it’s tough. AH」----- http://thethinair.net/2016/03/rave-new-world-1103/

使用電腦做音樂，起因於我的經濟狀況，彈不起鋼琴，然而在誤打誤撞進入戲劇的精煉，我的身體成了無邊際的音符，而在被身體限制的後期，我發現電腦生成音樂，每個聲響成了我可描述更廣浩的不可見的維度，我想說故事的各種角色，我的時間，我的空間，我的畫布。他們都轉換成類似心電感應或是wifi一般的非物質性漂浮物，使用能量再聚在我欲傳達者的面前。

我的中心經驗，是在極權資本消費為上的社會系統中，還能得到這般的小確幸。

當你知道有人說，在這社會無論是什麼樣的圈子，除了靠手段金錢運氣才看得見實力。就算到了分享的網路時代也是，那些你每天以為--很酷很潮很流行很明星很偶像很科技很想要的姿態消費物件，背後是金錢閃耀--沒錯，操作與行銷。

網路時代，自我衍生了許多垃圾。每個人都成了訊息傳播者，比較苦惱的是大部份的人成了垃圾訊息傳播者，思考變片面人云亦云，甚至「最酷」的東西都是品牌形象塑造。在這正片烏烟瘴氣的節點中。在這片渾濁的後網路假網紅時代，偶然發現跟我毫無關係的遠方只是因為喜歡我的無名之作而介紹我，那就是一個美麗。

過去種的種子，被冷言被輕掠過都不敵它們小發芽與其他世界接軌的那瞬間。偶然回到過去自己創造的宇宙才發現他們已在與我同質性的遠方耳裡又種下一顆種子。念茲在茲，使我仍然感謝網路的多貌性與無遠弗屆性。

這就是我的小確幸。

我不懂音樂，成了我是自己的音樂的開始。

在我心中，每個人的一生都是一篇看似重複卻不斷變形的電子樂章。每個人都是音樂能量。每個人都是藝術家，都是音樂家，都是傳遞者。這是詩意的現實，而非階級統治之下的專業分配。唯有「套版」的藝術家與音樂家，訓練有素的生產者，才需要把自己的鏡子給摔碎。也許這樣想法起因我是個鄉下孩子，在我高中時，整個城鎮只有一家唱片行。我對於搜集音樂很沒興趣，有一些音樂會在偶然的事件裡啟發我，但我仍然不滿足世界的樣貌。相較之下，愛上文學與哲學，卻創造了我對文字之外的詩意著迷。

我被音樂類型影響的很淺，知道這些類型與整個唱片業的過往機制，的確是在來到城市後逐漸地摸索才辛苦得到一套理解。我的快樂是，我的databass建立在，我不曾被洗腦後的產物。而對於流行文化的媚俗反感，也造就了我思考後殖民時代的大眾存在，於此，在做音樂的個人方法上，我也成就自己的極端。

在房間與電腦中間，玩了幾年電腦符號生成聲響。他不夠酷，也不夠潮。總而言之，成了不大被認可的非工業產物。

當代書寫的複雜交錯，許多人仍然拘泥在一種特定的大類型。書寫為何？當我們把鍵盤拆解，可以變成你我眼前的文字，也可以變成我電腦軟體裡生成的聲響。所以我才說，作曲與書寫與訊號與聆聽，都成了反饋的過程。並非實際上的存有。

于此，在當代製作音樂理所當然晦澀難懂。若是音樂與書寫無異，
不如說音樂是聆聽的訊號詩。在錯誤的拍子中，也就是在規則框架之中，嘗試在歪斜的過程，反射自己的生命聲響。這才是當代書寫=作曲=音樂的重點。

人類本來就是一種多面向難以解釋沒有邏輯確礙於自我認定文明包袱假裝自己有邏輯的生物。我對「音樂」的反應與理解，成了我對世界的理解。

簡而言之，我在音樂的處理上，雖然障礙，老實又的確高興對於五線譜的一知半解，對於和弦音律的一知半解。於是我給音樂的定義更廣更深。就此，框架在此破除。與極高端精密算數的電腦，我們成了脣齒相依的隊友。

自己實在沒什麼有建設性的實力。我不是點播機，也不是伴唱機，我沒有常人認定的音樂家應該有的工匠實體技巧，現場表演中，我反抗算拍子，我喜歡讓拍子算我，我相信在放棄算拍子的流程中，人會依照自己的慣性譜出獨一無二的曲。也就是說，以人類重複錯誤的重複性，我們是有自己一套獨一無二的重複機制。

這套獨一無二的創作機制，乃是在未來極度科技化的非人性社會中，可行的一套人性辨認方法。如果音樂是一種自由，在更廣闊的定義中，是有機定義的溝通。過往意識形態建構的音符的確有其社會脈絡之下的歷史回溯，然而，我是一個不相信歷史可以在我身上種下確切包袱的人，也許我欲嘗試在主觀歷史中逃逸，渴望那個我也做不到的自由。

在墨西哥受 Vernacular Institute 邀請交流的期間，遇到在有限的英文語言（兩者都非本國語言）的討論中，我遇上了詩人，用大提琴寫詩的，用電腦3D動畫寫詩的詩人，用鏡頭寫詩的，蓋了一個太空站錄音室寫詩的，用筆電音樂寫詩的。他們啓迪我許深，他們讓我知道，我的這一切隨性自由痛苦孤獨都不是空有也不是錯誤，我身邊的夥伴，只是跟我長得不太一樣，這個世界，有許多與我相似的人。

我與瓜地馬拉的大提琴詩人 Mabe Fratti一同表演前，便成了好朋友，我從來沒遇過這麼不「大提琴」音樂學院的狂野熱情派對詩人。

在地震期間，許多人都很彷徨，她說，她覺得很無助，當她去幫助的時候，她發現自己什麼都不會，我說，去把你的大提琴拿來，我們來做一個曲子，以主觀的書寫留下並且撫慰所需要的靈魂，這就是藝術家或是詩人的價值所在---

心靈上的洞見，在一無所有時，便可知奚其明徹。

而在錄音的過程中，整整一小時，沒有停下，是整整的一小時即興，然而，在結束後，在場兩個畫家與製作人，他們都給了我「Beautiful 與 Genius 」的評價。製作人甚至欣喜若狂地幫我錄了我人生第一卷母帶卡帶。毫無修飾，就是一小時的大提琴與我的電子樂來回對彈。

我笑了，這真到了天鵝的世界。

Cover : Womb(Mauricio Arroyo)

https://soundcloud.com/applebetty/future-peoples-message-in-earthquake-live-recording-bettyapple-ft-mabe-fratti

This recording happened in 09/23/2017 at Mexico City, Santi Rodriguez Studio , which is a improvisation from Applex Twin aka BettyApple and Cello artist Mabe Fratti. special Vocal speaking from Kyle Kaplan aka @geometricsound

After experience 2 time epic earthquake and feel complex emotion from the disaster ,as artists, we feel that we want to document not only the reality but also the feeling from the whole dimension message to earth and human being .

嘉賓主持 : 淳子

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