星雲大師第七講 義工菩薩 Venerable Master Hsing Yun, Seventh lecture. Volunteer Buddha

Venerable Master Hsing Yun, [Seventh lecture].(Unit 7) Volunteer Bodhisattvas

Translated by Elizabeth Dong (Dong Yee)

Believers are holding the Dharma joy to serve  in Buddhism service, because they can gain their extensive learning opportunities and enhance their level of faith further more. 

The buddhas and bodhisattvas stay in the world for a long time, and they are saviors of all beings who feel lost. The monks and nuns are diligent and commit to doing things for the world. They do not seek to be paid, and they volunteer to contribute to the people. They are also volunteers.

  Since ancient times, a group of people have contributed a lot to the world, but they have often been ignored. That is ca"volunteer." Buddhism also has volunteers, and Buddha can be said to be the ancestors of volunteers. The Buddhas , Bodhisattvas and those great virtues in the past all contributed to the people, cared for the society, and even wished to propegate the Dharma under the spirit of "unconditional loving kindness and universal compasion, "  they built the saha world into a pure land. The real volunteers are whose who imitate the spirit of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to practice  affluence widly with compassion  , benefit the people equally and happily .We call such people "volunteers and bodhisattvas."

星雲大師　第七講．義工菩薩 英文翻譯：董譯

信徒是懷抱著法喜在佛門服務，因為那裡能成就他們廣泛學習的機會，進一步提升他們信仰的層次。

　　諸佛菩薩常住世間，為迷茫眾生的依怙，出家人精進不懈，為世人做諸佛事，他們都不求回報，義務為眾人發心奉獻，他們也是義工。

  自古以來，有一群人為世間貢獻良多，卻往往為人所忽略，那就是「義工」。佛教也有義工，佛陀可說是義工的始祖。諸佛菩薩、歷代大德，他們都能本著「無緣大慈，同體大悲」的精神奉獻人群、關心社會，甚至發願弘揚佛法，將娑婆世界建設為人間淨土。真正的義工，是效法諸佛菩薩的精神，以慈悲心普施饒益，平等心利樂有情，我們稱這樣的人為「義工菩薩」。

In this lecture, I will answer the questions about the definition of "Volunteer Bodhisattva", the concept of properness, and how Buddhism discovers volunteers, gives volunteers education, rewards, and even how to do "volunteers among volunteers".

在這個講次裡，就著「義工菩薩」的定義、應有觀念，以及佛教如何發掘義工、施予義工教育、獎勵，乃至如何做「義工的義工」等相關問題，提出解答。

Question (1): First of all, the question I may ask Venerable Master is : at the current social epidemic is to become a "volunteer", but what on earth do you have to do to be called a "volunteer"?

A: The so-called "volunteer" is to serve the people and do things that benefit the public or help others. Volunteers are not professional, not demanding, not for treatment or payment,  not for the gratitude from others, or not for any intentions to do it. Volunteer is purely a compulsory service.

問(1)：首先請教大師，現在的社會流行講「義工」，究竟要做哪些事才能稱「義工」？

答：所謂的「義工」，就是服務人群，做有益於大眾或幫助他人的事。義工不是職業的、不是有所求的，不是為了待遇、不是為了得到對方的感謝，或有什麼企圖心才去做，義工純粹是義務性的服務。

For example, to the temple to sweep the floor, irrigate flowers and plants, do some gardening, when guests come, take the initiative to serve tea, meals, do some introduction for the guests, guide the guests to visit around or if seeing others are very busy, go forward to help. When  the Buddha statues and paintings need to be cleaned, when the equipments occasionally in the temple are broken and need to be repaired, these things all require people to help. Volunteers can do a lot of things, and there are no special restrictions, as long as they are for faith and for the public. Volunteers can participate  to do a favor.

例如到寺院道場掃地、灌溉花草、園藝整理；客人來了，主動去倒茶、招呼用餐，為客人介紹、導覽環境，或看到他人很忙，上前為他服務；寺廟裡要曬藏經、要清洗佛像、上油漆，偶爾寺廟裡的設備故障了，需要維修，這些工作都需要人發心幫忙，義工可以做的事很多，並沒有特別的限定，只要是對信仰、對大眾有幫助的事，義工都可以來參與。

Question (2): In today's society, there is so-called "another volunteer". What is the difference between "volunteer" and "another volunteer"?

A: Volunteers and another volunteer are different. Volunteers are sentient and righteous, serving the minds of benevolence and righteousness. Another volunteer is the term used by the government in the past and is salaried. Another volunteer is "I have an ambition to do this," but not necessarily Good thing ; they have an ambition and have some kind of necessary.They are determined to do things without "righteousness". China advocates "righteousness", so it is better to be a "volunteer" without asking for any benefit.

問(2)：現在的社會，還有所謂的「志工」，究竟「義工」、「志工」，兩者有什麼不同？

答：義工和志工不一樣。義工是有情有義，是以仁義的胸懷為人服務；志工，是過去政府所用的名詞，是領薪水的；志工是「我有『志』要做這件事情」，但不一定是好事；志工是有企圖心、有這個需要，立志非要做這件事卻沒有「義」，而中國崇尚「義」，所以還是做「義工」比較好。

Since ancient times, the commom people who have contributed to society in the city have been called “the righteous people ”. A piece of field was donated out, and the harvested crops were all consumed by the public. It was called "Donated field". When a well was drilled and water was supplied to everyone, it was called a "Donated well ". The soldiers who defended the country and the people were called “righteous armies." Other things, such as lighting a lamp to illuminate the darkness, building bridges and paving roads to facilitate travel, and supplying tea or water on the roadside for pedestrians to quench their thirst. All these were "charity deeds." Nowadays, with the help of free clinics, charity performances, charity sales, and charity music performances and so on, which can help promote social welfare. Anything that contributes to society's humanity and interests can be called "righteousness or charity deeds ". Those who do  charity deeds will become "righteous people or philanthropists " in the end . 

自古以來，對社會有貢獻的市井小民，稱為「義民」。一塊田地布施出來，收成的作物都供給大眾食用，就是「義田」；鑿一口井，供應大家取水，就稱「義井」；軍人仗義保國衛民，稱「義軍」。其他如點一盞燈照亮黑暗、造橋鋪路方便行旅、在路邊施茶，供行人解渴，這些都是「義行」。現在的人以義診、義演、義賣、義唱等方式，協助推展社會公益，舉凡對社會人類有貢獻、利益的事，我們都可以稱為「義」，這些行義的人到最後就成為「義人」。

We call them "Volunteer Bodhisattva." The buddhas and bodhisattvas stay in the human world, and they are saviors  of all beings. Monks and nuns were diligent and committed to doing things for the world. They never seek repayment, and they volunteer to do things for the people. They are also volunteers.

Also serving the public, "Volunteers" and "another volunteer" have very different meanings. Just as knowledge has good and evil things , and a wise man can be ruined by his own wisdom . .  Prajna wisdom is purely beautiful and beneficial to others. From a common sense , the positioning of "volunteers" and "another volunteer" is very clear.

我們稱他們為「義工菩薩」。諸佛菩薩常住世間，為迷茫眾生的依怙，出家人精進不懈，為世人做諸佛事，都不求回報，義務為眾人發心奉獻，他們也是義工。

　　同樣為社會大眾服務，「義工」與「志工」意義大有不同。就如知識有善有惡，聰明也會被聰明誤，般若智慧純粹是善美的、利益他人的。就常理上來說，「義工」與「志工」的定位就很清楚了。

Question (3): When it comes to "Buddha", the average person always thinks that Bodhisattva is enshrined there to be worshipped by people. We talk about "Volunteer Bodhisattva" whom we talk about is to serve people. Which on earth is better ,  a bodhisattva for only to be worshipped , or a volunteer bodhisattva that only serves everyone?

A: Is it better to be a "Buddha" for worship, or is it better a "Volunteer Bodhisattva" to serve people ? Just as compassion and respect, we need to respect the elder or the senior and we need to have compassion for the younger or the junior. There is compassion in respectfulness, and there is respect in compassion, the both cannot be separated.

Volunteers are the ones who serve people and do things for people. Going to the hospital to help people who need fill out the form is the volunteer of the hospital;  at the train station, the people taking  those who don’t know the road to buy tickets are volunteers at the train station; in the past we once set up a “Mother Volunteer” , they took care of the children on the roads , serving them , these were volunteers ; the Volunteer Bodhisattva and volunteers who relieve the victims of a disasterand are volunteers.

問(3)：講到「菩薩」，一般人總認為菩薩就是供奉在那裡給人禮拜，我們講「義工菩薩」，這是為人服務的。究竟是供人禮拜的菩薩好，還是為大家服務的義工菩薩好呢？

答：做一個給人禮拜的「菩薩」好，還是為人服務的「義工菩薩」好？就如慈悲與恭敬，對上要恭敬，對下要慈悲，恭敬裡要有慈悲，慈悲裡也要有恭敬，二者不可分開。

　　義工，是替人服務、替人做事的。到醫院，幫助有困難的人填表格，就是醫院的義工；在火車站碰到不認識路的人，帶他去買票，是火車站的義工；過去我們曾經成立「義工媽媽」，在路上照顧學童，為他們服務這是義工；還有義工菩薩、義工服務隊，他們救災救難，都是義工。

Therefore, are the volunteers who serve people better ? Or are the ones that get respected better ? There is an old saying : if you want to be a Buddha, you will be the firstborn Or if you want to be a Buddha statue, you first are to be a sentient being. If you want to be respected, you must do merciful things and cultivate the blessings, then you will have enough virtues to gain respectful and prayed .

因此，做義工為人服務好，還是受人恭敬好呢？有一句話說，欲作佛門龍象，先作眾生馬牛。要受人恭敬，要常行慈悲，要廣修福報，你才有足夠的德行讓人恭敬、禮拜。

Question (4): Today's society has a very good atmosphere, that is, many people like to be volunteers, and some of them choose to go to Buddhism to be volunteers. What are the motives for people coming to Buddhism?

問(4)：現今社會有一個很好的風氣，就是很多人喜歡做義工，其中也有人選擇到佛門做義工。來佛門的人都是哪些動機呢？

答：在社會上，一般義工是有待遇的，但是佛門裡的義工，他們到寺院的動機很單純，都是沒有待遇的服務奉獻，那才是真正的義工。

A: In the society, generally volunteers are treated or got paid. However, the volunteers in Buddhism have simple motives for going to the monastery. They are all unpaid service dedication. That is the real volunteer.

Some believers come to the monastery to serve the public and serve the Buddha and Bodhisattva. They believe that both Bodhisattvas and Bodhisattvas have seen the things they’ve done, and they will get a lot of construction in their hearts. Some believers are embracing Buddhism in Buddhism, where they can achieve opportunities for extensive study and further enhance their level of faith. To be volunteers in Buddhism, as long as you have the hearts to do, no matter what your status are or occupation is , you can be happy ant at peace.

有的信徒到寺院來為大眾服務、為佛菩薩效勞，他認為佛菩薩都有看到，在他們的心裡會得到很大的建設。有的信徒是懷抱法喜在佛門服務，那裡能成就他們廣泛學習的機會，進一步提升他們信仰的層次。到佛門做義工，只要有心，不論是什麼身分、地位，從事什麼職業，一樣都能歡喜自在。

Question (5): Is there a time limit for volunteering at the temple?

A: To be volunteers in the temple, you can first consider your time and conditions. For example, I can come only on Sundays and Saturdays, I can only come in the morning or come in the afternoon; or  I can only do one hour or I can do three hours; I can do for a month or three months, or I can do for three years, etc. These must be clearly stated and explained in advance. A person who wants to be a volunteer should be careful not to exceed his or her ability, he or she need to consider his or her time, economy, and ability, etc. 

Don't do this, never be like the dew, the so-called "dewed heart", which can not bear the sun, as soon as it is shined by the sun, disappears at once,  you should keep cultivating this feild of blessings in the long run.

問(5)：到寺院來當義工，是不是有時間上的限制？

答：到寺院做義工，可先衡量自己的時間和條件，如：我只有禮拜天能來、禮拜六能來；我只有上午能來、下午能來；我只能做一小時、能做三小時；我能做一個月、三個月，我能做三年等等，這些都要事先講清楚、說明白。

　　一個人發心，不要超過自己的能力範圍，量及自己的時間、經濟、能力等，別發露水道心，要持續長遠的耕種這塊福田。

Question (6): When you go to the temple as a volunteer, can you eat in the temple? Can you use the materials of the temple ?

A: There is a so-called "Threefold Wheel of Essential Emptiness" in the Dharma. If I do some alms givings, I get merits. If I accept the alms givings, I get the merits, too, because "there are no differences between the donors and the recipients." We can't just donate, but don't accept. In the Buddhism ,we can give , and we also can accept .

Volunteers serve in the temple. When it is time for meals, they can dine with others, when it is time for rest or for tea,  They can rest and drink tea with others . If they work too late, the temple can arrange you to stay overnights, The temple is the home of our spiritual and wisdom lives. You can't refuse the home.  You serve dwellers of the temples appropriatelly, and let the dwellers of the temples to be thoughtful for you appropriatelly. This is a reasonable exchange.

問(6)：到寺廟擔任義工，可以在寺廟裡用齋嗎？他能動用常住的物資嗎？

答：佛法有所謂的「三輪體空」，我布施，有功德；我接受，也有功德，因為「施者、受者，等無差別」。我們不能只有布施而不肯接受，佛門裡是給得起，也要能受得起；我能給人，我也要能接受。

　　義工在寺廟裡服務，到了要用餐時，就和大眾一起用餐；大家休息，要喝茶了，就與大眾一起喝茶；甚至工作到很晚，寺廟請你安單，寺廟是我們法身慧命的家，你也不能拒絕。就這麼適當的為常住效勞，常住也適當的為我們體貼，這是合乎情理的往來。

Question (7): If volunteers work in the temples and accidentally damage items, such as breaking bowls, teacups, and even flowers and trees, do volunteers need compensation?

A: Damaged items in the temple might be damaged accidentally , they need not to pay for.  Are there no ties of comradeship in the temple? Only can let volunteers serve us, if they sometimes damage something, can’t Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, temples, and permanent residents afford them ? Does Buddha and Bodhisattva have no such compassion and understanding? We can't let Buddhas , Bodhisattvas, temples, and dojo trapped in unjust.

If the volunteer accidentally damagedu the thing, he said, "I have damaged something in the temple, what should I do?" Don't worry about that, u you will have the opportunity to donate again in the future. When it comes to compensation and exchanges, it is too hurtful and it hurts the affectionate.

問(7)：如果義工在常住工作，不小心損壞物品，如打破碗、茶杯，乃至花草樹木，義工需要賠償嗎？

答：在寺廟損壞物品，必定是在不小心、不留意的情況下，也不需要論及賠償。難道寺廟這點情義都沒有嗎？義工就只能來為我們服務，常住稍微有點損失，佛菩薩、寺廟、常住就擔當不起嗎？佛菩薩連這點慈悲、諒解都沒有嗎？我們不能陷佛菩薩、寺廟、道場於不義。

義工如果不小心損壞東西，說：「我損壞了常住的什麼東西，怎麼辦？」心裡勿須掛念，你將來有機會再捐獻就好。說到賠償、往來，這就太傷和氣、感情了。

Question (8): Some believers have special expertise or skills. They go to the temple to do volunteer work. If they want to switch to full-time, paid work, can they?

A: If you want to be volunteers in the temple, first you must  explain clearly ,  some people do their best to do volunteer jobs, they do not need to consider how treat or pay for them.  However, if you have a special situation, you can also explain to permanent dwellers . For example, if he comes to do volunteer work, he needs to solve the traffic problem for him. 

he needs to have transportation or long-term transportation expense to come;  or he has special expertise such as accounting, cashier, design, etc., which is exactly the talent that Buddhism needs, but he does not have any income at present. In order to come to serve in the temple , which has to increase a lot of expenditure, there are difficulties being volunteers. Under such circumstances, permanent dwellers should bear these responsibilities for him.

Volunteers who have to make a living need to make a statement in advance: they can do full-time jobs,  someone’s livelihood is difficult, but his or her personal life is very simple, now the average salary is TWD10,000 , or TWD20,000 , as long as he or she needs half-pay for him or her to have a daily use  , he or she can do full-time jobs , such requirements are also very reasonable.

I think that today Buddhism must use talents. There should have the equal rights and obligations between the temple and the people who do things. Don't just think about finding free or unpaid volunteers to do things. Volunteers, who don’t want to be paid ,have less responsibility; volunteers are different from full-time people, the full-time people must be responsible for completing things within the time limit because they have responsibility. Therefore, in order to develop Buddhism today, the professional salaries should be given appropriately.

問(8)：有些信徒擁有特殊專長或技能，他們到寺廟做義工，如果要轉為專職、有受薪的工作可以嗎？

答：到寺廟裡做義工，要先講清楚、說明白；有的人發心做義工，不需要常住為他考慮多少待遇。但個人如有特殊情形，也可以向常住說明，如：他來做義工，需要常住替他解決交通問題要有交通工具或長期的交通費才能來；或者他有特殊專長如會計、出納、設計等，正好是佛教所需要的人才，但是他目前沒有收入，為了來寺廟服務，反而還要增加很多的支出，做義工有困難，在這樣的情況下，常住應該為他負擔起這些責任。

　　有需要生活費用的義工在事先作說明：可做全職，但生計有困難，不過個人生活很簡單，現在外面的薪資是一萬塊、兩萬塊，只要常住給我一半的薪水能有飯吃，就能專職，這樣的要求也很合理。

　　我認為今天佛教要用人才，寺廟與做事的人之間應該權利、義務要相對等，不要只想著找免費的義工來做事。義工，不要錢，卻少了一分責任；義工與專職的人不同，專職的人因為有責任在身，就必須負責在期限內把事情完成。所以今天佛教要發展，應該適當給予專業人員薪水。

未完待續

to be continued