(English version below)

近日聽聞有人在討論，心靈風水的眞實議，著實讓吾手舞足蹈。哇些！人類又進了一步了哦！加油啊加油。這樣子好不好？讓吾這位研習佛法，與玄學多年的行者，誠意的獻出，吾多年來實修與實證，的那麼一點經驗及心得，幫助大家理解，並成功的營造，妳你心靈的風水。

心靈有無風水？何處無風無水。風水既是一股氣流，八大識的識。討論的其中一人認爲，心靈風水是環境的導引。這說法無差。具體的說，應是人的感觀刺激，也就是六大識的，眼耳鼻舌身意受用。另外一位討論者則認爲，是地靈的蘊育。這說法同樣無差。但，若要仔細研判，是後者較爲正確。

那是因爲，天下萬物乃受地靈的支配。環境其實衹是地靈的外相，所以前者堅信，且仰賴環境過活到現今，心靈不但沒啥風水，污染指數還持續飆昇哦！事實是這樣啦！身爲多年的行者，吾的實修與實證告訴吾，環境及地靈是可以，助於心靈風水的營造。

不過，那未能臻於圓滿。欲臻於圓滿的心靈風水，依舊還得全全仰賴，佛法的實修實證也。不要膚淺的祇仰賴外相。大家稍微動一動腦筋，還存著的貪、嗔、癡、妒、慢、疑，怎能抵得過，那一點，那一時的愉悅呢！這樣的心靈，又如何能有風水可言。因此，心靈風水是先仰賴，地理環境之道，再加上老老實實的，實修佛法。

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Recently I heard about the discussion of the genuineness of Mind Feng Shui and I did a dance of joy. Wow! Mankind has progressed again! Keep it up, keep it up. Is this a great thing. Having studied so many years of Buddhism and Chinese Metaphysics, let this practitioner sincerely share with you my experience and knowledge from my diligent cultivation and attainment of all these years, and help you to comprehend and successfully create your Mindset Feng Shui.

Is there Feng Shui of the Mind? Which place is without wind and water? Feng Shui is an energy force, and also the consciousness in the Eight Consciousness. One of the people in the discussion thinks that Mind Feng Shui is induced by the surroundings. This thinking is not wrong. To put it specifically, it is the stimulation of human senses, otherwise known as the Six Sensory Faculties, namely the sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch and mind. The other person in the discussion argued that the Mind Feng Shui is cultivated by the energy forces of the Land. This opinion is similarly not wrong. However, upon closer scrutiny, the latter is more accurate.

That is because all things on Earth are influenced by the energy forces (Qi) of the land. The environment is the external manifestation of the land Qi. So the first person firmly believes and relies on the environment to live till now. Not only is there no Mind Feng Shui in his heart, the pollutant index in him is rising through the roof! The truth is such! As a spiritual cultivator of many years, my genuine cultivation and attainment tell me that the environment and land energies can help to create the Mind Feng Shui.

However, that is not complete and perfect. To achieve Mind Feng Shui that is perfect and complete, you still have to rely wholly on the genuine practice and attainment of the Buddhadharma. Do not just superficially depend on external forms. Use your brain and think about this: if you have these poisons of Greed, Hatred, Ignorance, Jealousy, Arrogance and Doubt, how will you be able to resist that bit of pleasure? How will there be any good Feng Shui in such a mind? Hence, good Mind Feng Shui has to first depend on the principles of Land Forms and Environment and the honest diligent cultivation of Buddhadharma.

【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。

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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！

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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？

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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

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"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.

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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!

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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?

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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

【謝謝你，但我的命我自己來】(English writing below)

「你明明很早就可以被男人養，為什麼不要？」

「每個人都應該爲自己的人生長本事。我想做的，是出於污泥而不染的大蓮花，沒想做溫室裡的小花。」

我家族裡的女性，幾乎清一色都是女兒當自強。我姑婆78歲，一個人住，沒嫁人沒孩子。外公娶妻時，就帶著年幼的她一起住。外公過世二十多年，外婆（也就是她的大嫂）還在世時，姑婆到了六十幾歲，都還給我外婆一些家用。

她不過是個打雜工的婦女。給外婆的家用，全靠自己努力工作賺取的。

姑婆沒讀過什麼書，而我是一個大學生，怎麼可以遜色於姑婆呢？

小時候，因為家裡欠債累累，三天兩頭就有債主「奪命追魂」的打家裡電話或「登門造訪」追債，而我一個小女孩，就經常被推出去應付這些凶神惡煞的陌生大人。理由是，他們看到小孩，口氣會軟化些，可以再拖延幾天。

當時我真的很怕，但，不出去，就會被罵被打。長那麽大了，有時會莫名其妙的害怕，幸得佛法的熏陶，以那種前面有虎，後面有熊的恐懼感，磨練出我內在『破釜沈舟』的堅韌精神。

要就不做，要做，我就絕不手軟。這樣才有意思。

這種被「嚇大」的童年，讓我很小便許下承諾，以後絕不讓任何人或東西威脅到我。

我知道很多女人都有想在家不做工的夢想。我的八字也確實有這種命，三十歲過後可以不做工，靠男人養。

但像我這般出色的人才，如果不出來貢獻於人類，而選擇那條路，豈不是太對不起祖宗十八代的強大基因，和師尊師父的教誨嗎？

出道以來，我的玄學功夫幫了不少人，我的文章也引不少很多人深思長智慧。

我這十多年練出來的功夫，去哪裡都吃得開。現在的環境風水越來越差，人的問題只會越來越多，只要有真功夫，我的行業只會越老越吃香。師父常開玩笑說，以後老了，如果沒生意，還可以到四馬路觀音廟前擺攤問事，過過日子。😄

萬一還有來世，我的潛意識起碼還會帶著這種不屈不饒的精神投胎。

如果一心想靠一個男人上位，沒有自己獨立的能力，他變心了，我怎麼辦？

以前母親也有很多男人想包她，但她也為了我們這些孩子，而一一拒絕。靠自己的本事，也把我拉到這麼大。

我媽還說，一個男人如果不要給妳名份，就別浪老娘的青春。

大人的身教，永遠都勝過於言教。

大人有怎樣的命運，孩子也必有類似的命運。

我，不想苟且偷生。現在我想賺錢，就賺錢，想寫文章和大家聊天，就寫文章，又可以繼續進修玄學，學佛修法，開發自己的佛慧。

這對我來說，是自己奮鬥很多年而得到的自由。我想要我孩子學的，就是這樣的精神。

錢，花自己心安理得賺來的，最過癮。如果是不道德不合法交易換來的錢，花的人，無論是我還是我家人，都得負上因果。

我這文章不是在貶低選擇被男人養的女性。每個人的初發心不一樣。我祇是想喚醒妳們走回原本清靜無瑕的尊貴人生。我的女客人當中，選擇這條路的，錢雖來得快，但都沒有幸福的下場。

沒有人，會比我更在意更努力的，創造我的理想人生。

若我沒這本事，我願意虛心學習。我也很慶幸，此生有兩位很厲害的大導師。

我的命，我自己來。

如果連自己的命都改不了，我有何本事收人家的紅包，爲他人改命補運呢？

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"You could have chosen to be kept by a man early in your life. Why did you not?"

"Everyone should grow abilities for their own lives. What I wish to be is a big lotus that blooms out of the slushy mud, pure and untainted. Not a little flower that is incubated in a greenhouse."

I come from a family, where almost all the women are strong and self-reliant. My 78-year-old grandaunt lives alone, never marry and has no kids. When my grandfather got married, he brought my young grandaunt to live with him. In the twenty over years he passed on, when my grandmother was still alive, grandaunt would still give a monthly allowance to my grandmother (her sister-in-law), despite being 60 over years old.

She is just a lady who works odd jobs. The monthly allowance she gave my grandmother is from her hard-earned money.

Grandaunt did not receive much of an education. I am a university graduate. How can my abilities be inferior to hers?

During my childhood, my family was laden with heavy debts. Every other day, there would be creditors incessantly calling the house phone or banging on the house door, asking for repayment. As a young girl, I often get pushed out to deal with these fierce-looking strangers. Reason being, when they saw a kid, they would often soften their tone of voice, and give a few more days for repayment.

I was frightened at that time. But if I didn't do what I was told, I would get scolded or beaten badly. Even after I grew up, there are times when I would get ridiculously afraid. I count myself lucky that the Buddhadharma has an uplifting influence on me. The terror of facing a bear in front of me, and having a tiger chasing behind gradually moulded my tenacity.

Either I don't do it, or when I do, I will burn my boats so that it's either success or nothing.

A childhood where I was constantly frightened had me promising myself this: I will never let anyone or anything threaten me.

My Bazi did indeed indicate that I can opt not to work and rely on the financial support from a man.

But for an outstanding talent like me, if I do not come out to contribute to mankind and choose an easier way out, wouldn't I be letting down the great genes of my ancestors of the past 18 generations, and the teachings from my Grandmaster and Shifu?

Ever since I started out, my work had benefitted a lot of people and my writings had helped grow the wisdom of many readers.

The skills that I hone in the past 10 over years give me freedom to earn money wherever I am. With the environmental Feng Shui worsening, the problems of mankind will only snowball and multiply. As long as I have the real skills, my line of work will only get more valuable as I age. Shifu often jokes that, if I have no business when I am old, I can still consider setting up a fortune-telling stall in front of the Guan Yin Temple at Waterloo Street, to pass time. 😄

Should I have to go through another reincarnation, at the very least, there will be this seed of unflinching courage and perseverance planted in my subconscious. Because I made the effort to.

If I opt to rely fully on a man, and have no independent ability of my own, what will happen to me when he has a change of heart?

My mum also had many offers from men, who wanted to make a mistress out of her. But for the sake of us, the children, she rejected all of them. Through her own perseverance and efforts, she still managed to raise me.

She also said if a man is unwilling to give you a legal status, don't waste your youth on him.

The adults' teaching by example will always carry more weight than what they preach.

The kind of Destiny the adults have will also be similar to the kind of Destiny their children will have.

The me right now does not have to live an ignoble existence nor live my life according to the mood of a man. When I wish to make money, I go make money. When I feel like writing to talk with all of you, I write. In my spare time, I continue honing my skills in Buddhadharma and Chinese Metaphysics, and develop my wisdom.

To me, this is the freedom that I had fought for many years. Such is the spirit that I wish for my children to learn.

Spending money is most satisfying, when this money is earned with a peace of mind. If the money is obtained through illegal/immoral ways, there will always be karmic consequences to bear, be it the spender is me or my family.

This article isn't written to look down on other women, who choose to be kept by a man. Everyone has a different motivation in life. I only wish to awaken you, to continue treading on your original pure and pristine path in life. Among my women clients, those, who chose this easy route to money, do not have a happy ending.

For me, I just think that no other person will be more bothered and diligent than me, in creating the Destiny I covet.

If I do not have the ability, I am willing to learn humbly from the right teachers, and I am very fortunate to have two great ones in my life.

I will formulate my own Destiny.

If I can't even transform my own Destiny, what right do I have to receive the red packets from others, to help them with their fortune and luck?

法鼓山網路電視台 http://ddmtv.ddm.org.tw/

Master Sheng Yen, founder of Dharma Drum Mountain, dedicated decades of his life to spreading the Buddhadharma globally and guiding Chan practice, sharing Buddhist compassion and wisdom with people around the world. His idea of Protecting the Spiritual Environment has been widely valued and recognized internationally.

Based on the Master's infinite compassionate vows, Dharma Drum Mountain's branch monasteries and practice centers worldwide have been promoting Three-fold Education and Four Kinds of Environmentalism, endeavoring to help purify human minds and society, in hopes of sowing the seeds of world peace through joint efforts to realize the goal of "building a pure land on earth."

DDMTV 法鼓山網路電視台 http://ddmtv.ddm.org.tw/

The beauty of the Buddha statues at Dharma Drum Mountain lies not only in their artistic value, but also in their ability to evoking our faith in the Buddhadharma and our understanding of the Buddhas' and Bodhisattvas' compassionate vows. Featuring a simple and elegant style, either standing or sitting, eyes lowered, and smiling, the magnificent Buddha statues remind every unsettled mind to return to their pure, original nature.