送你一輪明月
.
在山上的一間小茅屋裡，住著一位修行多年的老禪師。一天晚上，月光皎潔，禪師在樹林裡散步之後，回到自己居住的小茅屋。
.
到了屋門前，老禪師正欲推門時，發現有一個小偷正在屋裡偷東西。
.
老禪師生怕自己的突然出現會驚嚇到小偷，於是就一直站在門外等小偷自己出來。而小偷在屋裡沒有找到任何值錢的東西，只好不甘心地離去。
.
當小偷剛走出屋門時，看到了站在一旁沖他微笑的老禪師，頓時慌了手腳。
.
看到慌張的小偷，老禪師開口道：「山路這麼遠，你來探望我，總不好空手而歸吧！我沒有值錢的東西送給你，但夜裡寒涼，這件外套就送給你吧！」說著，禪師便將自己身上的外套脫下來，披在了小偷身上。
.
小偷披著禪師的外套，慚愧地匆匆溜走了。望著小偷走遠的背影，老禪師感歎道：「可憐的人呀！但願我能送你一輪明月！」
.
第二天一早，老禪師起床後推開自己的屋門，驚訝地發現，昨晚自己送給小偷的那件外套被整齊地疊放在門口。看到眼前的這一幕，老禪師歡喜地說道：「我真的送給了他一輪明月啊！」
.
故事中，老禪師以寬容和仁愛之心喚醒了小偷內心的善良。這是佛心看世界，原來眾生皆是佛！
.
生活中，如果我們也能像老禪師一樣，學著用慈悲寬容的心對待他人，並給予對方真誠的關懷，那麼很可能會因為這一份善念，便能使他人走上一條光明的人生道路。
.
#金菩提宗師講故事 #一輪明月 #慈悲 #寬恕 #佛性
【完整版】送你一輪明月 . 在山上的一間…
【完整版】送你一輪明月
.
在山上的一間小茅屋裡，住著一位修行多年的老禪師。一天晚上，月光皎潔，禪師在樹林裡散步之後，回到自己居住的小茅屋。
.
到了屋門前，老禪師正欲推門時，發現有一個小偷正在屋裡偷東西。
.
老禪師生怕自己的突然出現會驚嚇到小偷，於是就一直站在門外等小偷自己出來。而小偷在屋裡沒有找到任何值錢的東西，只好不甘心地離去。
.
當小偷剛走出屋門時，看到了站在一旁沖他微笑的老禪師，頓時慌了手腳。
.
看到慌張的小偷，老禪師開口道：“山路這麼遠，你來探望我，總不好空手而歸吧！我沒有值錢的東西送給你，但夜裡寒涼，這件外套就送給你吧！”說著，禪師便將自己身上的外套脫下來，披在了小偷身上。
.
小偷披著禪師的外套，慚愧地匆匆溜走了。望著小偷走遠的背影，老禪師感歎道：“可憐的人呀！但願我能送你一輪明月！”
.
第二天一早，老禪師起床後推開自己的屋門，驚訝地發現，昨晚自己送給小偷的那件外套被整齊地疊放在門口。看到眼前的這一幕，老禪師歡喜地說道：“我真的送給了他一輪明月啊！”
.
老禪師以寬容和仁愛之心，喚醒了小偷內心的善良，使他迷途知返，找到了心的方向。生活中，如果我們也能像老禪師一樣，學著用慈悲寬容的心對待他人，並給予對方真誠的關懷，那麼很可能會因為這一份善念，便能使他人走上一條光明的人生道路。
.
#一輪明月
#慈悲
#寬恕
【Full version】The Gift Of A Bright Moon
In a small hut on the hill, there lived an accomplished old Zen master with many years of practice. One moonlit night, after a stroll in the woods, the Zen master returned to his little hut.
As he got to the door and pushed it, the old Zen master discovered a thief in his house.
The old Zen master was afraid that his sudden appearance might alarm the thief, so he stood outside the door waiting for the thief to go out. The thief did not find anything valuable in the house and had to leave reluctantly.
As the thief was leaving through the door, he sighted the old Zen master standing by the side smiling at him, and panicked instantly.
Seeing the frantic thief, the old Zen master spoke, “This mountain path is so remote, and since you have come so far to visit me, I can’t have you leave empty-handed! I don’t have anything valuable for you, but since it’s cold here at night, let me offer you this coat!” With that, the Zen master removed his coat and place it on the thief.
Draped in the Zen master’s coat, the thief slipped away in shame. Glancing at the departing thief, the old Zen master lamented, “Poor man! I wish I could give you a bright moon.”
Early next morning, when the old Zen master rose and opened his door, he was surprised to find the coat he had given the thief the night before neatly folded and placed on his doorway.
Seeing this sight, the old Zen master joyously exclaimed, “I had really given him a bright moon!”
The benevolence and compassion of the old Zen master had ‘awakened’ the thief’s innate goodness, causing him to repent and revert after regaining his life bearings.
In life, if we can also learn to be like the old Zen master – treat others with compassion and benevolence, and care sincerely – then it is likely that such good thoughts would enable many more people to embark on a illuminated path in life.
#TheGiftOfABrightMoon, #Compassion, #Forgiveness
寬恕如鏡，相映光明！ . 也許，「寬恕」…
寬恕如鏡，相映光明！
.
也許，「寬恕」一個人，比去愛一個人更難，需要付出更大的勇氣。
.
「寬恕」除了可以減輕對方的痛苦，它其實也昇華了你自己。
唯有懂得寬恕別人，才能獲得真正的快樂。
在我們的生命中，一切才可能變得更完美、更圓滿。
.
請點擊連結觀看…
一輪明月_上集
一輪明月_下集
.
#金菩提禪語
#寬恕
#光明
#一輪明月
Forgiveness is like the mirror that reflects illumination!
Perhaps it is more difficult to ‘forgive’ someone than to love someone, as forgiving requires more courage.
Yet, ‘forgiveness’ not just relieves the other party’s suffering, it actually helps you to elevate spiritually.
Only through understanding how to forgive others, can we attain true happiness.
Then can everything become more perfect, more complete in our lives.
Please click on the link to watch …
A Bright Full Moon _ Part 1
A Bright Full Moon _ Part 2
#AphorismFromMasterJinBodhi, #Forgiveness, #Illumination, #ABrightFullMoonrnrn寬恕如鏡，相映光明！
.
也許，「寬恕」一個人，比去愛一個人更難，需要付出更大的勇氣。
.
「寬恕」除了可以減輕對方的痛苦，它其實也昇華了你自己。
唯有懂得寬恕別人，才能獲得真正的快樂。
在我們的生命中，一切才可能變得更完美、更圓滿。
.
請點擊連結觀看…
一輪明月_上集
一輪明月_下集
.
#金菩提禪語
#寬恕
#光明
#一輪明月
Forgiveness is like the mirror that reflects illumination!
Perhaps it is more difficult to ‘forgive’ someone than to love someone, as forgiving requires more courage.
Yet, ‘forgiveness’ not just relieves the other party’s suffering, it actually helps you to elevate spiritually.
Only through understanding how to forgive others, can we attain true happiness.
Then can everything become more perfect, more complete in our lives.
Please click on the link to watch …
A Bright Full Moon _ Part 1
A Bright Full Moon _ Part 2
#AphorismFromMasterJinBodhi, #Forgiveness, #Illumination, #ABrightFullMoon
一輪明月_喚醒你心中的佛！ . 佛說：「…
一輪明月_喚醒你心中的佛！
.
佛說：「眾生皆有佛性。」
狗也好、貓也好、豺、狼、虎、豹也好，牠們身上都可能有佛性。
.
在一輪明月中，老禪師以寬容和慈悲，喚醒了小偷內心的善良，使他迷途知返。因為老禪師相信，眾生皆有佛性，即便是小偷，也擁有善良的佛性，只是佛性剛好被利慾的烏雲給遮蔽了！只要用「愛」與「慈悲」，喚醒小偷內心沉睡的善良，小偷也有機會可以修成佛的。
.
這是佛心看世界，原來眾生皆是佛！
.
不放棄世間任何一個有情眾生，去愛來到你生命中的每個人，你的這一份慈悲善念，能使他人走上一條光明的人生道路，也可能造就出千千萬萬尊佛。
.
給自己一份更高的期許吧：「嚴以律己寬以待人！」
並且說說看，如果你是這個小偷，你得到了老禪師的慈悲和寬恕，此刻的你心情是什麼呢？或你會如何做呢？
.
希望我們都能用「慈悲」和「寬恕」的這一輪明月之光，去遍照世界每個黑暗與角落。
.
祝福大家：
光明、吉祥、智慧通達，吉祥幸福！
.
#一輪明月
#慈悲
#寬恕
A Bright Full Moon_ Awaken the Buddha within!
According to Buddha: [All sentient beings possess Buddha nature] This applies to dogs, cats, jackals, tigers and even leopards.
On a bright full moon, an old Zen master awakened the innate goodness of a burglar using tolerance and compassion and this turned the burglar back from his wrong path. The old Zen master believed everyone possesses Buddha nature. He believed that even a burglar had an innate kind nature, it was just that his kindness was blinded by his desire and greed! By giving love and compassion to the burglar, the sleeping kindness in him can be awakened and he may become a Buddha.
This is viewing the world with a Buddha’s heart: Apparently, a Buddha lies in the hearts of all sentient beings!
When you refuse to give up on any sentient being and love the people in your life, your compassionate and kind thoughts will lead others towards an illuminated path and this may create thousands and millions of Buddha.
Set a higher expectation for yourself: [Be strict towards yourself and lenient towards others!]
Supposing you are the burglar and you receive compassion and tolerance from the old Zen master, how would you feel? What would you do?
May we use the compassionate and tolerant light of a bright full moon to illuminate every dark corner of the world.
May all be illuminated, auspicious, wise and happy!
#BrightFullMoon, #Compassion, #Tolerantrnrn一輪明月_喚醒你心中的佛！
.
佛說：「眾生皆有佛性。」
狗也好、貓也好、豺、狼、虎、豹也好，牠們身上都可能有佛性。
.
在一輪明月中，老禪師以寬容和慈悲，喚醒了小偷內心的善良，使他迷途知返。因為老禪師相信，眾生皆有佛性，即便是小偷，也擁有善良的佛性，只是佛性剛好被利慾的烏雲給遮蔽了！只要用「愛」與「慈悲」，喚醒小偷內心沉睡的善良，小偷也有機會可以修成佛的。
.
這是佛心看世界，原來眾生皆是佛！
.
不放棄世間任何一個有情眾生，去愛來到你生命中的每個人，你的這一份慈悲善念，能使他人走上一條光明的人生道路，也可能造就出千千萬萬尊佛。
.
給自己一份更高的期許吧：「嚴以律己寬以待人！」
並且說說看，如果你是這個小偷，你得到了老禪師的慈悲和寬恕，此刻的你心情是什麼呢？或你會如何做呢？
.
希望我們都能用「慈悲」和「寬恕」的這一輪明月之光，去遍照世界每個黑暗與角落。
.
祝福大家：
光明、吉祥、智慧通達，吉祥幸福！
.
#一輪明月
#慈悲
#寬恕
A Bright Full Moon_ Awaken the Buddha within!
According to Buddha: [All sentient beings possess Buddha nature] This applies to dogs, cats, jackals, tigers and even leopards.
On a bright full moon, an old Zen master awakened the innate goodness of a burglar using tolerance and compassion and this turned the burglar back from his wrong path. The old Zen master believed everyone possesses Buddha nature. He believed that even a burglar had an innate kind nature, it was just that his kindness was blinded by his desire and greed! By giving love and compassion to the burglar, the sleeping kindness in him can be awakened and he may become a Buddha.
This is viewing the world with a Buddha’s heart: Apparently, a Buddha lies in the hearts of all sentient beings!
When you refuse to give up on any sentient being and love the people in your life, your compassionate and kind thoughts will lead others towards an illuminated path and this may create thousands and millions of Buddha.
Set a higher expectation for yourself: [Be strict towards yourself and lenient towards others!]
Supposing you are the burglar and you receive compassion and tolerance from the old Zen master, how would you feel? What would you do?
May we use the compassionate and tolerant light of a bright full moon to illuminate every dark corner of the world.
May all be illuminated, auspicious, wise and happy!
#BrightFullMoon, #Compassion, #Tolerant
![一輪明月_喚醒你心中的佛！
.
佛說：「眾生皆有佛性。」
狗也好、貓也好、豺、狼、虎、豹也好，牠們身上都可能有佛性。
.
在一輪明月中，老禪師以寬容和慈悲，喚醒了小偷內心的善良，使他迷途知返。因為老禪師相信，眾生皆有佛性，即便是小偷，也擁有善良的佛性，只是佛性剛好被利慾的烏雲給遮蔽了！只要用「愛」與「慈悲」，喚醒小偷內心沉睡的善良，小偷也有機會可以修成佛的。
.
這是佛心看世界，原來眾生皆是佛！
.
不放棄世間任何一個有情眾生，去愛來到你生命中的每個人，你的這一份慈悲善念，能使他人走上一條光明的人生道路，也可能造就出千千萬萬尊佛。
.
給自己一份更高的期許吧：「嚴以律己寬以待人！」
並且說說看，如果你是這個小偷，你得到了老禪師的慈悲和寬恕，此刻的你心情是什麼呢？或你會如何做呢？
.
希望我們都能用「慈悲」和「寬恕」的這一輪明月之光，去遍照世界每個黑暗與角落。
.
祝福大家：
光明、吉祥、智慧通達，吉祥幸福！
.
#一輪明月
#慈悲
#寬恕
A Bright Full Moon_ Awaken the Buddha within!
According to Buddha: [All sentient beings possess Buddha nature]
This applies to dogs, cats, jackals, tigers and even leopards.
On a bright full moon, an old Zen master awakened the innate goodness of a burglar using tolerance and compassion and this turned the burglar back from his wrong path. The old Zen master believed everyone possesses Buddha nature. He believed that even a burglar had an innate kind nature, it was just that his kindness was blinded by his desire and greed! By giving love and compassion to the burglar, the sleeping kindness in him can be awakened and he may become a Buddha.
This is viewing the world with a Buddha’s heart: Apparently, a Buddha lies in the hearts of all sentient beings!
When you refuse to give up on any sentient being and love the people in your life, your compassionate and kind thoughts will lead others towards an illuminated path and this may create thousands and millions of Buddha.
Set a higher expectation for yourself: [Be strict towards yourself and lenient towards others!]
Supposing you are the burglar and you receive compassion and tolerance from the old Zen master, how would you feel? What would you do?
May we use the compassionate and tolerant light of a bright full moon to illuminate every dark corner of the world.
May all be illuminated, auspicious, wise and happy!
#BrightFullMoon, #Compassion, #Tolerantrnrn一輪明月_喚醒你心中的佛！
.
佛說：「眾生皆有佛性。」
狗也好、貓也好、豺、狼、虎、豹也好，牠們身上都可能有佛性。
.
在一輪明月中，老禪師以寬容和慈悲，喚醒了小偷內心的善良，使他迷途知返。因為老禪師相信，眾生皆有佛性，即便是小偷，也擁有善良的佛性，只是佛性剛好被利慾的烏雲給遮蔽了！只要用「愛」與「慈悲」，喚醒小偷內心沉睡的善良，小偷也有機會可以修成佛的。
.
這是佛心看世界，原來眾生皆是佛！
.
不放棄世間任何一個有情眾生，去愛來到你生命中的每個人，你的這一份慈悲善念，能使他人走上一條光明的人生道路，也可能造就出千千萬萬尊佛。
.
給自己一份更高的期許吧：「嚴以律己寬以待人！」
並且說說看，如果你是這個小偷，你得到了老禪師的慈悲和寬恕，此刻的你心情是什麼呢？或你會如何做呢？
.
希望我們都能用「慈悲」和「寬恕」的這一輪明月之光，去遍照世界每個黑暗與角落。
.
祝福大家：
光明、吉祥、智慧通達，吉祥幸福！
.
#一輪明月
#慈悲
#寬恕
A Bright Full Moon_ Awaken the Buddha within!
According to Buddha: [All sentient beings possess Buddha nature]
This applies to dogs, cats, jackals, tigers and even leopards.
On a bright full moon, an old Zen master awakened the innate goodness of a burglar using tolerance and compassion and this turned the burglar back from his wrong path. The old Zen master believed everyone possesses Buddha nature. He believed that even a burglar had an innate kind nature, it was just that his kindness was blinded by his desire and greed! By giving love and compassion to the burglar, the sleeping kindness in him can be awakened and he may become a Buddha.
This is viewing the world with a Buddha’s heart: Apparently, a Buddha lies in the hearts of all sentient beings!
When you refuse to give up on any sentient being and love the people in your life, your compassionate and kind thoughts will lead others towards an illuminated path and this may create thousands and millions of Buddha.
Set a higher expectation for yourself: [Be strict towards yourself and lenient towards others!]
Supposing you are the burglar and you receive compassion and tolerance from the old Zen master, how would you feel? What would you do?
May we use the compassionate and tolerant light of a bright full moon to illuminate every dark corner of the world.
May all be illuminated, auspicious, wise and happy!
#BrightFullMoon, #Compassion, #Tolerant](https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-0/q82/s130x130/54369337_2365347763752369_3386049265800314880_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent.xx&oh=159f98f2e216ea0f8cc19e6cce8a05ff&oe=5D4A66A0)
一輪明月_下集 當小偷剛走出屋門時，看到…
一輪明月_下集
當小偷剛走出屋門時，看到了站在一旁沖他微笑的老禪師，頓時慌了手腳。
.
看到慌張的小偷，老禪師開口道：「山路這麼遠，你來探望我，總不好空手而歸吧！我沒有值錢的東西送給你，但夜裡寒涼，這件外套就送給你吧！」說著，禪師便將自己身上的外套脫下來，披在了小偷身上。
.
小偷披著禪師的外套，慚愧地匆匆溜走了。望著小偷走遠的背影，老禪師感歎道：「可憐的人呀，但願我能送你一輪明月！」
.
第二天一早，老禪師起床後推開自己的屋門，驚訝地發現，昨晚自己送給小偷的那件外套被整齊地疊放在門口。
.
看到眼前的這一幕，老禪師歡喜地說道：「我真的送給了他一輪明月啊！」
.
故事結語：
老禪師以寬容和仁愛之心，喚醒了小偷內心的善良，使他迷途知返，找到了心的方向。
.
生活中，如果我們也能像老禪師一樣，學著用慈悲寬容的心對待他人，並給予對方真誠的關懷，那麼很可能會因為這一份善念，便能使他人，走上一條光明的人生道路。
.
#一輪明月
#一輪明月_下集
A Bright Full Moon _ Part 2
As the thief was leaving through the door, he sighted the old Zen master standing by the side smiling at him, and panicked instantly.
Seeing the frantic thief, the old Zen master spoke, “This mountain path is so remote, and since you have come so far to visit me, I can’t have you leave empty-handed! I don’t have anything valuable for you, but since it’s cold here at night, let me offer you this coat!” With that, the Zen master removed his coat and place it on the thief.
Draped in the Zen master’s coat, the thief slipped away in shame. Glancing at the departing thief, the old Zen master lamented, “Poor man! I wish I could give you a bright full moon.”
Early next morning, when the old Zen master rose and opened his door, he was surprised to find the coat he had given the thief the night before neatly folded and placed on his doorway.
Seeing this sight, the old Zen master joyously exclaimed, “I had really given him a bright full moon!”
Moral of the story:
The benevolence and compassion of the old Zen master had ‘awakened’ the thief’s innate goodness, causing him to repent and revert after regaining his life bearings.
In life, if we can also learn to be like the old Zen master – treat others with compassion and benevolence, and care sincerely – then it is likely that such good thoughts would enable many more people to embark on a illuminated path in life.
#BrightFullMoon
#BrightFullMoonPart2
心懷一念慈悲 . 心懷一念慈悲，讓月光遍…
心懷一念慈悲
.
心懷一念慈悲，讓月光遍照每個角落。
.
請點擊觀看，一輪明月_上集。
.
#金菩提禪語
#心懷一念慈悲
#一輪明月
Harbor A Thought of Compassion
A thought of compassion allows the moonlight to illuminate every corner
Please click to watch, ‘A Bright Full Moon _ Part 1’
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#AhporismFromMasterJinBodhi
#ACompassionateThought
#ABrightFullMoonrnrn心懷一念慈悲
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心懷一念慈悲，讓月光遍照每個角落。
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請點擊觀看，一輪明月_上集。
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#金菩提禪語
#心懷一念慈悲
#一輪明月
Harbor A Thought of Compassion
A thought of compassion allows the moonlight to illuminate every corner
Please click to watch, ‘A Bright Full Moon _ Part 1’
.
#AhporismFromMasterJinBodhi
#ACompassionateThought
#ABrightFullMoon
一輪明月_上集 . 在山上的一間小茅屋裡…
一輪明月_上集
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在山上的一間小茅屋裡，住著一位修行多年的老禪師。一天晚上，月光皎潔，禪師在樹林裡散步之後，回到自己居住的小茅屋。
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到了屋門前，老禪師正欲推門時，發現有一個小偷正在屋裡偷東西。
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老禪師生怕自己的突然出現會驚嚇到小偷，於是就一直站在門外等小偷自己出來。而小偷在屋裡沒有找到任何值錢的東西，只好不甘心地離去。
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當小偷剛走出屋門時，看到了站在一旁沖他微笑的老禪師，頓時慌了手腳。
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你知道老禪師會怎樣處置這個小偷呢？
1.將小偷送衙門查辦。
2.裝作不知道，沒發生過這件事。
3.冲小偷大笑，說歡迎光臨寒舍。
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如果是你，家中遇到小偷光顧，你會怎樣做呢？
明天，讓我們繼續看下去。。。
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#一輪明月
#一輪明月_上集
A Bright Full Moon _ Part 1
In a small hut on the hill, there lived an accomplished old Zen master with many years of practice. One moonlit night, after a stroll in the woods, the Zen master returned to his little hut.
As he got to the door and pushed it, the old Zen master discovered a thief in his house.
The old Zen master was afraid that his sudden appearance might alarm the thief, so he stood outside the door waiting for the thief to go out. The thief did not find anything valuable in the house and had to leave reluctantly.
As the thief was leaving through the door, he sighted the old Zen master standing by the side smiling at him, and panicked instantly.
Do you know how the old Zen master would handle this thief?
1. Report the thief to the Magistrate for investigation,
2. Feign unawareness, pretend that nothing had happened,
3. Laugh good naturally at the thief, and said: “Welcome to my humble hut”.
If it were you, what would you do if you encounter a thief at home?
Let’s continue with this story tomorrow…
#BrightFullMoon, #BrightFullMoonPart1
一輪明月的故事。 . 有一位小偷在夜晚悄…
一輪明月的故事。
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有一位小偷在夜晚悄悄的跑進了廟裡，這間廟平時香火鼎盛，小偷心想這廟香香火如此鼎盛，裡面的香火錢應該也不少，廟裡的寶貝應該也很多。現在社會景氣這麼差、失業的人有這麼多我進去偷一點寶貝、香火錢菩薩應該會原諒的。
夜深人靜，夜晚的地靈特別靈敏，此時小偷進入廟裡的聲音已經驚動大德住持，廟裡的住持知道，廟裡根本無東西可偷啊⋯⋯⋯，因為我們的廟是不設功德箱、我們的菩薩也不掛金牌，小偷你根本就是走錯廟了。
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小偷走遍了寺廟找不到功德箱，也找不到金牌、找不到任何的寶貝很失望的正想要離去，走到廟的大門時赫然發現住持站在門口，住持拿著袈裟對著小偷說：孩子夜深了小心著涼，廟裡沒有什麼東西可以送你，這袈裟就送給你讓你取暖吧！
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小偷拿著袈裟頭也不回趕緊往外跑，此時夜晚的月亮又圓又亮，住持抬起頭仰望著皎潔的明月，嘆了一口氣說：真希望把這一輪明月送給你。
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天亮的時候禪師開啟廟的大門時，發現地上昨晚送給小偷的袈裟已經整整齊齊的摺疊放在門口，禪師微笑的說了一句：終於把一輪明月送給你了。
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人生何嘗不是如此，有人正向思考跳脫漩窩，有人卻從此一蹶不振，成了趴趴熊，任憑「慾望」就像小偷一樣，偷走我們如月亮般透亮的心；而貪、嗔、癡就像鳥雲一樣吞噬了月亮的光芒。
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因此，唯有持續不間斷用真理灌溉，才能找回心中的明月啊。
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#一輪明月、 #禪宗公案、 #透徹、 #良心rnrnThe story of the veritable moon
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A thief quietly sneaked into the temple in the night. The temple is usually filled with thick incense offered by its followers. The thief thought that this temple must also be rich in donations, and contain bountiful treasures. As the social economy was in a downturn with many unemployed people, the thief felt that even if he stole a little of the donations, the Bodhisattva would forgive him. It was the dead of the night, and the spirits of the earth were particular sensitive. At that instant, the sound of the thief entering into the temple premise alerted the Abbot, who was well-aware that there was actually nothing in the temple that was worthy of theft.., because there was no donation box, no jewelry that adorns the Bodhisattva, so the thief had targeted the wrong temple.
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The thief trespassed the entire temple grounds, yet unable to find the donation box, the gold jewelry or any treasure. Disappointed, he decided to abandon his mission and leave. As he headed to the temple entrance, he was astounded to find the Abbot by the door, clutching a set of Buddhist robe. The abbot said to the thief, “child, the night is cold, we do not have anything of value at the temple for you, may this robe keep you warm!”
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The thief grabbed the robe, and dashed out of the temple without looking back. At that moment, the night was illuminated by the round and bright moon. The Abbot looked up at the luminous moon, sighed and remarked, “how I wish I can give you this veritable moon”.
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At daybreak when the Abbot unlatched the temple door, he found the same robe that he had given the thief the previous night neatly folded by the doorway. He smiled, and made the statement, “I’d finally given you the veritable moon”.
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Isn’t our lives often mired in such predicaments? Some people contemplate escape from their whirlpool; some are paralyzed and limp like a stricken bear. The luminous moon that we all once possessed, are unconsciously and slowly being obscured by the dark clouds, and eventually being swallowed completely. Desires are like thieves that steal our hearts; greed, anger, and delusion are like clouds of birds that devour our mind, and only through conscientious cultivation of the way/ truth can we re-discover the veritable moon in our heart.
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#StoryOfTheVeritableMoon, #ZenParables, #Thorough, #Conscience