作者：索达吉堪布
出版社：天津博集新媒科技有限公司
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心灵的诺亚方舟试读：
关于慈善的思考——第四届“国际公益慈善论坛”演讲
（2010年6月20日下午）各位高僧大德、各位慈善家：大家好！今天很荣幸与这么多人共同交流慈善的话题。
我个人而言，是一名佛教徒，而大乘佛教的所有理念，归根结底就是利益一切人类，乃至一切众生。因此，与各位一起探讨这样的理念，对我来讲非常高兴。慈善是心
所谓慈善，其实就是无条件关爱一切众生。在这方面，有钱的人可以作物质上的支持，而没有钱的人，则应发起一分爱心。我们虽不要求世界上所有人都变成比尔·盖茨、巴菲特，但至少也应效仿特蕾莎修女，先从身边的众生关心起。
特蕾莎，是天主教的一名普通修女，当她发现修道院外穷人的悲惨遭遇后，毅然决然舍弃了天堂般的舒适生活，用一生的时间，挑起了拯救贫民、麻风病患等的重任。从表面上看，她不过是个平凡而普通的女人，但实际上，她所做的事远远超出我们想象。且不说别的，仅仅在6年时间里，她就收留了6万多个弃婴……这些可歌可泣的善举，赢得了全世界的认同。1979年，她获得了“诺贝尔和平奖”。去年，诺贝尔基金会一致认为，她是诺贝尔奖百余年历史上最受尊崇的3位[1]获奖者之一。所以，不管是佛教徒，还是天主教等其他宗教徒，以慈善来帮助他人都非常有意义。
现在人生存的目标各不相同，但若是只一味追求外在的物质，内心充斥着自私自利，那就算生活条件再好、世界变得再美丽，一切的一切也无有任何实义。所以，要想人生真正具有价值，就应该用佛教的利他理念来调整自心，若能做到付出一切而不求回报，这才是最有意义的。
然而，如今不少人认为，慈善只是有钱人的消遣，跟自己这种平民百姓没多大关系，故对这方面不闻不问、从不关注。这种观念是错误。对此，我常想起一个非常难忘的故事：2007年2月16日，刚刚卸任的联合国秘书长安南，在自己的庄园举行一场慈善晚宴，旨在为非洲贫困儿童募捐，应邀参加的都是富商和社会名流。晚宴将要开始时，一位老妇人领着一个小女孩来到庄园的入口处，小女孩手里捧着一个精致的瓷罐。保安见状，拦住了这一老一小，请她们出示请柬，否则不能进去。
小女孩说，她从电视上知道这里要为非洲儿童举行慈善活动，很想为那些可怜的孩子做点事，就把自己储钱罐里的钱都拿来了，想全部捐给他们。保安却仍以没有请柬为由，拒绝她们入内，并说这种场合不太适合她们。
小女孩问道：“叔叔，慈善不是钱，是心，对吗？”她的话让保安愣住了。见自己实在无法进去，小女孩就将手中的储钱罐递给保安，请求道：“我知道受到邀请的人有很多钱，他们会拿出很多钱，我没有那么多，但这是我所有的钱。如果我真的不能进去，请帮我把这个带进去吧！”
正在此时，旁边突然有位老人说：“不用了，孩子，你说得对，慈善不是钱，是心。你可以进去，所有有爱心的人都可以进去。”他，就是美国大名鼎鼎的“股神”巴菲特。
后来，这场慈善晚宴的主题改为：“慈善不是钱，是心。”当天的主角并不是捐出300万美元的巴菲特，也不是捐出800万美元的比尔·盖茨，而是这仅仅捐出30多美元的小女孩，她赢得了最多、最热烈的掌声。
这个故事说明了什么？就是普普通通的人也可以参与慈善，这并非仅仅是有钱人的专利。在此问题上，李连杰的“壹基金”就做得非常好，他号召每人一个月捐一元钱，或者做一个小时的义工，如此一来，只要有颗善良的心，谁都可以参与到慈善中来。
当今慈善的现状及历史原因
现在社会两极分化非常严重，有钱的人挥金如土、一掷千金；没钱的人却衣不蔽体、食不果腹，连基本生活都难以保障。在这样的环境中，我们每个人应发起无私的爱心，尽量去帮助相关众生。若能人人都做到“老吾老，以及人之老；幼吾幼，以及人之幼”，构建和谐社会才会轻而易举、指日可待。
然遗憾的是，这样的理念，如今只留在文字上，很少人能真正做到。大部分人只关心身边的亲朋好友，而素昧平生的那些人，即使遇到了困难、痛苦，自己也袖手旁观、无动于衷。人们的慈善观念之所以这么差，究其原因，可以追溯至六七十年代。那时由于受极左思潮和“文革”的影响，慈善被视为“资产阶级的糖衣炮弹”、“地主阶级的伪善之举”，从而遭到了历史性的毁灭和打击，致使慈善事业一度陷入停滞，销声匿迹长达30年之久。直到20世纪80年代，慈善的概念才重新兴起，慈善机构纷纷建立，慈善活动频频开展，此时一部分人才纠正了对慈善事业的误解和偏见。
但尽管如此，慈善理念由于历史上的影响，在大众中仍未得到广泛认可。现有的《辞源》、《辞海》中都没有“慈善家”的词条，几年前出版的《中国大百科全书》中对“慈善事业”的解释是：“带有浓重的宗教和迷信，其目的是为了做好事求善报。慈善者通常把慈善事业看作是一种施舍……它只是对少数人的一种暂时的、消极的救济。”相比之下，美国《百科全书》中“慈善事业”的释义则是：“最悠久的社会传统之一，它借由金钱的捐助和其他服务，来提升人类的福祉。”所以，为了推动慈善事业的发展，廓清遗留在人们头脑中的模糊认识和偏见，重新定义“慈善事业”等词语，从各方面加强人们的慈善意识很有必要。未来对慈善的展望
作为佛教徒，帮助可怜众生，甚至舍己为他，是我们义不容辞的责任。即便在座各位中有些不是佛教徒，但对于看不起病、读不起书、吃不饱、穿不暖的人伸出援手，也是一个具良知者的基本道德。那么，我们如何才能加快这种慈善公益的步伐，改变当前一些不足，以更大程度地利益众生呢？对此，我想提一下自己的看法：
第一、慈善的未来，离不开民间慈善力量，这与政府相关政策上的鼓励和支持，是分不开的。就拿这次玉树地震来说，我们佛学院当时去了一千多位出家人，大家都不顾生命危险、饥寒交迫，没日没夜地抢救，最终救出了一些埋在废墟中的人，也挖出了很多灾民的财物。可见，在一场大的灾难面前，单纯依靠政府的组织、领导，要解决许多问题有相当大的困难。因此，政府应积极调动各方面的力量，增强人们的慈善观念，并在此基础上，加快慈善的立法进程，健全慈善法律制度，以令更多的人承担起这种社会责任。
第二、全民应增强慈善意识，从根本上转变以往的观念。现在许多人在学校所受的教育、所读的书，长大后在社会几乎用不上，而且由于缺乏人格和道德的培养，到了工作岗位之后，成天为金钱而四处奔波、为地位而不断忙碌，结果给自己带来了什么？唯一就是痛苦折磨。因此，不管是什么样的学校，都应发挥它的教育作用，让青少年从小有一种仁爱的观念，时时培养他们助人为乐的意识，以慈悲心来行持一切善举。
今天，公益慈善论坛的背景，就是一个大大的“善”字。假如人人小时候都能有颗善心，就不会做违法乱纪的事情了。因此，现在社会最需要的，不是外在的金钱和物质，而是内心的道德。
大家都清楚，在20世纪末、21世纪初，整个人类的经济发展达到了前所未有的高度，可是由于人们不知足，以至于伦理道德日益下滑，内心的困惑不断增加，天灾人祸也频频出现。因此，心里没有善念的话，外在的物质再丰富，也无法得到真实的幸福安乐。所以，每个人应转变自己的理念，这一点相当重要。
第三、要完善慈善机构的管理机制。倘若这些机构资金使用的透明度不高，运作方式不完善，就会丧失公信力，得不到民众的支持和信任，这样一来，其时间也不会长久的。
总而言之，不管中国，还是其他东方国家，在慈善的理念、力度、管理上，与西方发达国家比起来，确实有天壤之别。因此，我们今后如何用心去推动慈善事业的发展，这值得每一位有志之士三思。
好，非常感谢！最后祈愿我们能以菩提心或爱心，对待所有人类乃至一切众生。谢谢大家！
Thoughts on Charity：The Fourth“International Charity Forum”Speech
（June 20，2010 PM）Good afternoon to all great masters and philanthropists. I am very pleased to be here today with so many wonderful people, to talk about the topic of charity.
Just as the aim of charity is to help others, the fundamental basis of all the philosophies of Mahayana Buddhism is to benefit all human beings, and even all living beings. As a Buddhist, I am therefore honored to be here to discuss this important concept with everyone.
Charity Is Heart
Charity is actually the unconditional care of and love for all living beings. In this regard, the rich are able to offer economic support, while those who have no money can still generate a loving heart toward others.While it is impossible for everyone in the world to become Bill Gates or Warren Buffett, it is possible for us to imitate MotherTeresa, beginning with the care of and love for living beings around us.
Mother Teresa was an ordinary Catholic nun. When she encountered the plight of the poor outside her convent, she resolutely abandoned the comfortable heavenly life, using her entire lifetime to undertake the important tasks of rescuing the poor, helping leprosy patients, and inspiring millions by her example.On the surface, she may have appeared to be just an ordinary woman, but, in fact, what she accomplished is far more than anything we can imagine.To mention only one of her achievements, in just six years she founded and established shelters for more than 60，000 abandoned babies.These heroic charities have received worldwide recognition.In 1979，she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.Last year, the Nobel Foundation acknowledged that, in the hundred-year history of the Nobel Prize, she was one of the three most respected winners.（The other two were Albert Einstein, who won the prize for physics in 1921，and Martin Luther King, the peace prize winner in 1964.）Therefore, we can see that, whether coming from Buddhist, Catholic, or other religious beliefs, acts of charity to help others and put others before ourselves are vital to the social well being of everyone and worthy of praise.
Nowadays, the objectives of human life are different for each individual. However, whatever we long for, without a proper motivation, is meaningless.If we seek solely external, material things, our heart fills with a selfish motivation, and no matter how good our living conditions are, and no matter how beautiful our personal lives seem, none of it will have true meaning.On the other hand, if we use the Buddhist concept of altruism to transform our mind, and set a proper motivation, whatever we do will become meaningful.Likewise, only by giving everything, without asking for anything in return, can charity reach its fullest potential.
Today, many people think that charity is simply something the rich do for leisure, and that it has little to do with the ordinary population. Therefore, in this respect, many people have no interest in and are never concerned about it.This thinking is completely wrong.There is a very memorable story I often think about in this regard.On February 16，2007，the then departing UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan held a charity dinner in his own mansion to raise money for the poor children in Africa.Among those who participated were the very wealthy and celebrities.Before the banquet started, an old woman came to the entrance of the mansion leading alittle girl.The little girl was holding a delicate porcelain jar.Seeing this, the security guard stopped the old woman and the young girl, and asked them to show their invitation cards, failing which they would not be allowed to enter.
The little girl said that she had learnt from television that there was to be a charity event for the children of Africa, and that she would like to do something for those poor children. She had decided to take all the money that was in her savings jar and donate it to the cause.However, the security guard, seeing that they had not been invited, refused to let them enter, saying that the event was not suitable for them.
The little girl then asked，“Uncle, charity is not money, it's the heart, right?”Her words shocked the security guard. Knowing that she was certainly not able to get in, the little girl then placed the savings jar in the hands of the man and said to him，“I know the people invited are all very rich, and they will donate a lot of money.I do not have so much, but it is all the money I have.If I really cannot go in, please help me take this in.”
Just then, an old man appeared and said，“No, child, you're right. Charity is not money, it is the heart.You cango in.All loving persons can go in.”The old man was the famous“Sage of Omaha，”Mr.Warren Buffett.
Later, the charity banquet slogan was changed to：“Charity is not money, it is the heart.”The protagonist of that day's charity dinner was not Warren Buffett, who donated three million dollars, nor Bill Gates, who donated eight million dollars, but the little girl, who donated just thirty dollars. She was well received, and the crowd gave her the most enthusiastic applause.
What does this story tell us?That an ordinary person can participate in charity；that it is not just a privilege of the rich. In this matter, Jet Li's“One Foundation”has set a very good example.He encourages each person to donate at least one dollar per month, or do an hour of voluntary charitable work.This way, as long as there is a kind heart, anyone can participate in a charitable event.
Charity’s Present Situation and Its Historical Causes
Social polarization is now very serious. Wealthy people spend money like water and are extravagant.In contrast, poor people do not have enough clothes to wear, do nothave enough food to eat, and even their basic needs are not guaranteed.The prominent Chinese poet of the Tang Dynasty, Du Fu, once wrote，“While the mansion of the rich has spoilt wines and rotten meats, the roadside has the frozen bones of the dead.”This is as true a picture of the current state of affairs as it was of his.In order to improve the situation in this environment, each of us should generate a non-discriminative love toward others, and, as much as we can, help living beings.If everyone can achieve the idea expressed in the saying“While taking care and honoring our own elder relatives, we should not forget about other elderly.While raising and educating our own children, we should not forget about other children，”then building a harmonious society will be very easy, and just around the corner.
Unfortunately, however, at present this idea just exists on paper, and very few people actually achieve it. Most people only care about their families and friends.As for strangers, even in times of difficulties and hardship, most people never help them.Instead, they remain hard-hearted and uncaring.The reasons why people have this rather negative concept of charity can be traced back to the 1960s and 1970s.At that time, due to the influence of the extreme left and the effects of the“CulturalRevolution，”charity was regarded as“bourgeois sugar-coated bullets”and the“hypocrisy of the landlord's class，”which was then facing historic destruction and condemnation.This caused charitable acts to dry up, and charity disappeared for almost thirty years.Only in the 1980s did the concept of charity re-emerge in China.Gradually, charitable institutions were established, and then charitable activities were frequently carried out.At that time, some wise people started to correct the misunderstanding and prejudice regarding charitable acts.
Nevertheless, the concept and practice of charity, due to this historical influence, has not yet been widely recognized by the public. Existing Chinese“Sources of Words”and“Sea of Words”（dictionaries）don't have an entry for“philanthropist.”The Great Encyclopedia of China, published a few years ago, explains a“charitable act”as：“With strong religious and superstitious beliefs, the intention is to perform a good deed in order to receive good fortune later.Charitable people often view charity as an act of giving.However, it only targets a small group of people on a temporary basis, and is pessimistic.”In contrast, inside the Encyclopedia Americana from the United States，“charity”is defined as：“One of the oldest social traditions, through donations of money and otherservices to improve human well-being.”Therefore, in order to promote the development of charity and clarify the vague understanding and prejudice toward it, it is necessary to redefine“philanthropy”and other related words, and strengthen an awareness of charity in all its aspects.
Future Prospects of Charity
As a Buddhist, helping less fortunate living beings and even giving ourselves up for others are our mandatory responsibilities. I hope that even those of you here who are not Buddhist will agree that giving a helping hand to people who cannot afford medical care, education fees, food, or even clothing are the basic moral values of an ethical person.So, how can we accelerate the pace of this charity and improve the current shortcomings in order to benefit all sentient beings as much as possible?In this regard, I would like to present a few of my views.
Firstly, the future of charity is inseparable from the power of private charitable groups：it needs the encouragement and support of government policies. Take, for example, the Yushu earthquake.At that time, more than a thousand monks from our Buddhist Institute werethere to help.Everyone was risking their lives, facing hunger and cold, and rescuing the victims day and night.Eventually, we rescued some of the people who had been buried in the rubble and dug out some of the victims'belongings.As we learned, when we are facing a major disaster, relying exclusively on government organizations and our leaders to solve various kinds of problems is very difficult.Therefore, the government should actively mobilize its various resources and capacities to enhance the concept of charity, and, on the basis of this, further speed up the legislative process of philanthropic law, making the charitable legal system robust and complete, so that more people can take on this social responsibility.
Secondly, everyone should enhance their own awareness of charity and endeavor to transform their previous incorrect ideas about charity. Besides that, we also need to reform our education system, which plays an important role as an architect of our future generations.At present, our schools don't emphasize moral education.As a result, many people lack character and moral values.As for the knowledge that our schools emphasize and teach us, many people are barely able to use it.Brought up in this education system, many people are constantly striving for money and status only, making no room fortheir inner spiritual growth.What are the results of this?The only sure one is tormented suffering.Therefore, all types of schools should fulfill their educational role and function so that young people learn the concepts of love and benevolence, beginning in childhood, and constantly cultivate an altruistic mindset, as well as learn how to carry out charitable acts with compassion.
The background of today's charity forum is the big word：“kindness”. If everyone had developed a kind heart early in their childhood, they would not do anything against the law as an adult.Hence, what the present society needs most is not external monies and materials, but the heart of morality.
As we are all aware, in the 20th century and thus far in the 21st century, the economic development of humanity as a whole has reached an unprecedented level. However, stemming from the idea of acquiring still more, moral values continue to decline every day, confusion and misunderstandings increase, and natural and man-made disasters are happening more frequently.As we can see, if there is no kind heart, no matter how rich the external material world may seem, we cannot obtain true happiness, joy, and comfort.As such, it is very importantfor everyone to change their mindsets.
Thirdly, we need to perfect charitable organizations'management mechanisms. Lack of transparency in the use of funds in these institutions and imperfect operating procedures will diminish their credibility, causing lower public support and trust.With this, they will not last long.
All in all, there is a world of difference between the concept, management, and influence of charity in China or other eastern countries, as compared to that in western developed countries. Therefore, the question of how we can make the effort to seriously push our future development of charity is worthy of consideration by every conscientious person.
Finally, let's pray that we can use bodhicitta, or love, in our treatment of all human beings, and even all living beings. Thank you.放生利众 勤修佛法——河北万佛禅寺开示（2010年6月27日下午）
万佛禅寺的各位法师、秦皇岛的佛友：
下午好！我在这个寺院中给各位作开示，因为时间关系，只简单讲三个方面的道理。
放生护生
第一、今天这里将举行放生仪式，所放的生命有飞禽、水族，还有其他各类众生。等一会儿念《放生仪轨》时，大家要从内心中对它们生起慈悲之心。
你们沿海一带的城市，造业确实比较严重。刚才我从北京过来时，一位不太信佛的朋友说：“您到秦皇岛很好，那边的海鲜、尤其是螃蟹特别好吃！”我告诉他：“我是吃素的。”他听后连连道歉：“哦，我忘了，对不起……”但从那句话的侧面来看，住在海边城市的人，所造之业难以想象。
在座皈依佛门的道友们，可能在回忆自己的一生时，也会想起不少为了血肉杀害众生的场面，这些都值得深深忏悔。作为大乘修行人，以慈悲心、平等心、关爱心来救度可怜众生，这是我们应有的责任。所以，今天大家共同放生，是非常有意义的事，此举不但能解除一切病苦、灾难，有利于身心健康和世界和平，同时也能让我们暂时得到善趣安乐，究竟获得无上解脱。所以，放生确实有非常大的功德。
另外，这里学净土念佛的人比较多，希望大家不要以杂修为借口，诽谤藏传或其他传承的佛教。要知道，佛教各派圆融无违，全是释迦牟尼佛的教法，谁修持善法、积累资粮，谁就能获得解脱。汉地的憨山大师也讲过：“放生又念佛，万修万人证。”这句话大家要记清楚，如果既放生又念佛，获得解脱才有把握。否则，只是一味地提倡念佛，什么善法都不做，甚至只维护自己的宗派，排斥其他甚深的佛教传承，这样不但得不到解脱，反而可能会堕入恶趣。因此，为了解脱，为了自他一切众生获得圆满佛果，大家应当摈除门户之见，共同修持清净之法。
学佛利益
第二、我们所求的知识中，佛教是最伟大、最无上的；在所有的学说中，佛陀的智慧、大悲是第一，世间任何学者、任何理论也无法与之相比。《别译杂阿含经》亦云：“一切众明中，日光最为上，十方世界中，佛为第一尊。”在一切光明中，日光是最明亮的，同样，世间千千万万个宗派、千千万万个学说中，佛陀的智慧最无与伦比。因此，大家要懂得学佛的优越性。
其实，众生的快乐、幸福，全部依赖于佛法的智慧，佛陀若没有宣说妙法，人们就会始终沉溺在无明的黑暗中，永无出头之日。故《华严经》云：“如来众贤圣，出现于世间，为开净慧眼，令得永安乐。”佛菩萨来到这个世间，目的是什么呢？就是为了开启无明众生的清净慧眼，见到万法的真相、轮回的痛苦，以获得解脱的利益，这样，众生在今生乃至生生世世中，就会得到永恒的安乐。
然而遗憾的是，现在很多人常找不到真正的快乐之因，始终在盲目地奔波、劳碌，最终自己一无所得。因此，若想寻找心灵的安宁、快乐的源泉，并解决自他的一切大事，唯一要依靠佛陀的大悲心和大智慧。
行持善法
第三、大家应当行持善法，只有这样，才能让整个世界处于光明之中，自己也处于幸福之中。《长阿含经》云：“修行善法，具十善业，如是一人，有百千神护。”倘若能够行持善法，即使你只是一个人，却也有千百万的护法、天神、非人等护佑。我们也经常看到，行持善法的一个人，有时候力量远远超过无数人，这是为什么呢？就是因为他有护法神的保护、诸佛菩萨的加持。
当然，在行持善法之前，首先务必要学习佛法，否则，行善就容易流于表面，佛教也会变成一种形象。所以，寺院里必须要有闻思修行、讲经说法，通过佛教的智慧来教化众生。若能在此基础上，再行持放生、念佛、参禅，尽心尽力地利益众生，这对大乘行人而言，才是最有意义的。
今天在古老的禅寺中，我简单讲了这三点，望有缘者铭刻于心。但愿以此简单的语言，能转变很多人的苦难命运，让他们走上解脱之道！真正的“财富”——北京万人放生开示（2010年6月27日上午）
今天，你们来这里的目的，主要不是看我，而是要念经。念什么经呢？听说这边要放好几万只鸟，鱼也放得比较多，北京这么多居士和佛友共同行此善举，真的令人非常高兴。不管你们是佛教徒，还是不太信佛的人，只要有一颗善良的心，就是做人最基本的原则。
当今这个社会，伦理道德日益下滑，做善事的人少之又少，虽然外在的物质条件日新月异，可是人们内心的困惑、痛苦却不断增加。所以，能做一些对众生、对自己有利的善事，这是十分有意义的，大家理应以欢喜心来参加放生。
由于时间关系，我也就不多说了，下面只想强调几个问题：利他为重
第一、人生的价值是利益众生，这也是大乘佛法的精髓。《弟子问答录》中讲过：“余事皆下品，唯有利众高。”世间上其他事的意义都不大，唯有利益众生是最无上的，这是佛陀极其欢喜的事。如《华严经》云：“若令众生生欢喜者，则令一切如来欢喜。”假设能让众生得到快乐，我们的功德资粮自然会增上。因此，希望大家以后在日常生活中，尽心尽力为众生多做一点有意义的事。
关爱生命
第二、世界上什么都不珍贵，只有生命最珍贵。每个人在遇到生命危险时，若能保住自己的性命，付出一切财物、地位、名声也愿意。而这样宝贵的生命，不仅仅是我们人类拥有，其它众生也拥有。为了平等维护众生的生命，大家一定要全力以赴尽量放生，《梵网经》也说：“以慈心故，行放生业。一切男子是我父，一切女子是我母。”世间上所有众生都当过我们的父母，以慈悲心来放生的话，这个功德极其广大。
在汉传佛教中，莲池大师、憨山大师、印光大师等无数大德都提倡放生；在藏传佛教中，全知无垢光尊者、宗喀巴大师、麦彭仁波切、法王如意宝等诸大成就者，也将大量精力用于放生，并救护了无量无边的生命。所以，大家平时若能定期、不定期地组织放生，此举十分有意义。哪怕你一个月或一年中，放一条鱼、一只鸟，此功德也不可思议。
今年我写了一首《放生之歌》，已经公布在网上了。里面就有几句是：“一只只小鸟，回归蓝天，欢乐的歌声，弥漫天际。天王感动，降下了福喜，山川河流，祥和安逸。
一条条小鱼，回归沧海，自由的舞姿，摇动海域。龙王感动，洒播出甘霖，花草树木，快乐生息。
……
一群群牛羊，回归草原，安闲的身影，装点雪域。护法感动，赐予了幸福，白云绿草，充满生机。”
这是我在放生时的一种体会、一种感觉。如果我们积极参与放生，不但所放的众生会获得快乐，而且对构建和谐社会，平衡人与人、人与动物、人与自然之间的关系，也会起到良性作用。因此，大家应当关爱所有的生命，就算是一条鱼、一只鸟，也要尽量放生。
学佛之乐
第三、学习佛法能给我们带来最大的快乐。在藏地，大多数人从小就信仰佛教，我也学佛二三十年了，在此过程中，自己深深感受到：一个人的快乐、幸福，从外境上很难以得到，即使你拥有房屋、家庭、地位、财产，也不一定非常快乐。只有内心中有一分看破、自在、宁静，快乐才会自然而然获得。所以，我希望大家要从内心中寻找快乐，物质上能维持基本生活就可以，不要欲望特别大，贪图过多的外在财富。
其实佛法能让我们快乐，这一点，许多人都有切身体会。在座的大多数人，如今正在学习《入行论》、《前行》、《菩提道次第广论》等大乘教言，在这个过程中，若能依此不断调伏自心，下了一定功夫之后，你们从佛教智慧中获得的快乐，会远远超过追求物质、刺激感官所得的满足。为什么呢？因为外在事物通常很难得到，即使得到了，也会轻易耗尽，而如果内心中有佛教的境界，这些是不容易离开的。
现在汉地的自杀率特别高，据卫生部一份资料显示，每年因精神问题自杀者达20万人，甚至在许多高等大学中，自杀现象也比比皆是。而我们藏地，大多数人信仰藏传佛教，从没有听说有人因感情而自杀，或因事业不成功而跳楼的，所以，佛教确实能给人带来无比安乐。如今全世界的无数人，对藏传佛教的大德和教义极有兴趣，这并非像“追星族”追明星那样盲目，而是通过他们的智慧观察，明白什么才能让自己更充实、更圆满、更快乐。
因此，不能把快乐寄托在外境上，这是我多年学佛的一种心得。你们有条件时，务必要抽出部分时间和精力，用于坐禅、念诵、看书，尤其是学习佛法。我常给外面的学佛小组强调：闻思修行要摆在第一，其他形象上的仪式或行为，应该放在其次。所以，北京这边学佛的道友们，我唯一希望大家把精力用在学习上，你们学得越好，最后收获会越大。
当然，你们学得好，跟我个人毫无关系，但对你自己确确实实有利。学佛的人与不学佛的人相比，在心地善良、为人处世方面，会有天壤之别。因而，学习大乘佛法不仅能利益众生，对自己也相当有帮助。
由于时间关系，我也就不多讲了，大家如果真有信心、有兴趣，可以通过网络或光盘、法本来学习。你们许多人这次参加放生，可能只是出于好奇，不一定想听我的法。但也有一部分人，是长期跟我一起学习，趁机想互相见个面。不管怎么样，见面不是很重要，握手不是很重要，照相也不是很重要，最重要的是什么？就是佛法的教义要融入心，这对你的人生来讲至关重要。若能如此，面对生活、面对生死、面对任何一件事时，你才会游刃有余。否则，形象上有再多的表示，对自己也没什么意义。
今天很高兴跟大家共同放生，放生之前，我从以上三方面作了简单开示。藏文化的修心养生观——清华大学科技园演讲（2010年6月25日晚上）主持人致辞：
晚上好，非常感谢大家光临清华科技园！在讲座开始之前，首先，我对今天的主讲人——索达吉堪布作个简单介绍：
索达吉堪布，是喇荣五明佛学院汉僧部的主管大堪布，在国内外享有极高的知名度，曾先后随晋美彭措法王前往美国、加拿大、法国、德国、荷兰、英国、日本、印度、泰国、新加坡、马来西亚、不丹、尼泊尔等国家弘法，并被推任为美国纽约喇荣显密中心的导师。
在著书方面，堪布的著作令人叹为观止，现已印刷出版的就有一百多本，累计字数超过千万。
在学识方面，堪布对戒律、俱舍、中观、因明、般若等五部大论精通无碍，并通过现代网络技术弘扬佛法，影响非常广泛。
在修为方面，堪布对时轮金刚、大幻化网、大圆满等，都证达了不可思议的境界。
在慈善方面，堪布从2007年起发起“启动爱心”的倡议，号召佛教徒在保护动物的同时，也应关爱自己身边的可怜人。并身先士卒，先后在藏地建立了智悲小学、养老院、居士林、小沙弥学院等；资助大量失学的高中生、大学生；在几所中学分别设立奖学金；救济了很多身患重疾、无力医治的病人……
堪布曾两次应邀出席在人民大会堂举办的“国际慈善论坛”。此次来京，也是为了出席第四届“国际公益慈善论坛”，顺便有机会给各位奉献一个精彩的演讲。今天的题目是《藏文化的修心养生观》，下面欢迎索达吉堪布——
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