天下有賊Thieves abound in the world
妳你若是吾標準粉絲的話，定知曉吾很喜歡詩與偈。詩是唐代的詩，偈是佛或古德的偈。這一世最早認識唐朝，是在小學時期。當老師告訴我們，在中國唐朝時代，可以說家家戶戶，夜晚就寢時，不關門也無需擔心賊人入宅，聽了內心讚歎唐朝，不愧為盛世，治安果然好。這朝代也藴育出，享譽中外的大詩人及大修行家，如：玄奘、善無畏、慧果、杜甫、李白、白居易、李商隱，等等。
人間的賊和「非一般」的賊
這裡講個笑話「供養」諸位，一來笑一笑，少一少，二來牽引諸位，進入智慧庫裡，取得離苦得樂的慧寶。有位男子命終墮落幽冥地府，閻羅王審問堂下的男魂，生前在陽間做何事業，男魂回曰生前幫人搬家的。閻君說這男魂生前所做是善業。再問下去才知非也，因這男魂是趁人們不在家時，夜裡入屋，搬走她他人的財物，是賊也。哈！哈！哈！
事實上這人間還是有賊的，所以到處都在張貼海報，或其他相關通告，且近年的超級市場，也雇請多名保安人員，若無賊的話，何必增加此開銷呢？賊的特性是趁人之危的，她他們皆在妳你不注意，妳你不留意下，行偷盜之事。以上所提的賊，是一般人可捕捉得到的。接下來所要提到的，是非一般人所不能預防，及捕捉得到的。唯有真心誠意地實修佛法，方能逃出其魔掌，永得無苦安樂。
原來我們天天和「賊」共處！
佛法中提到的六根，即眼、耳、鼻、舌、身、意，又名六賊。為何稱為六賊？吾說過賊是趁人之危的。這六根應無「防護之力」，即好逸惡勞，貪看，貪聞，貪嗅，貪食，貪是非，貪觸，貪想念，等等，因而失去人身，甚至萬劫不復啊！這種賊所盜取的，是我們身心與慧命，遠遠，大大地慘重過，世間的那些身外之物啊！告訴大家，這種賊最最怕佛法。想要天下無賊，唯有佛法。若無佛法，天下有賊。
If you are an ardent fan of mine, you would certainly known that I loved poetry and verses. Poetry from the Tang Dynasty, and verses from the Buddha and the wise sages. I learned about the Tang Dynasty in my primary school days. My teacher told us that the commoners in those days slept in total peace at night without any worry of burglar breaking into their homes, even with their doors unlocked. When I heard that, I was full of awe and praise of the Tang Dynasty, that the period was indeed times of prosperity with good governance. Many great poets and spiritual practitioners also emerged from this period of time. Great names like Xuan Zhuang, Shan Wu Wei, Hui Guo, Du Pu, Li Bai, Bai Ju Yi, Li Shang Yin, etc.
Real-Life Thieves vs “Extraordinary” Thieves
At this point, let me share a joke with everyone, to have some laughter while staying young at heart, and also to lead everyone into the treasure trove of wisdom to acquire the precious wisdom, that can set you free from endless sufferings. Here goes: A man died and went to the Netherworld to be interrogated by the King of Hades, who asked him, “What was your profession before you died?”. The man replied that he was a house mover. The King of Hades said that the man held a honest and virtuous job. Only upon further questioning that He realized that the man was a “house mover” in the night time! A burglar who moved people’s belongings from unguarded houses! Ha ha ha!
Fact is, thieves still exist in this world, that is why you see anti-crime posters everywhere. Even the supermarkets are employing more security personnels in recent years. If there is no thief, why these extra expenses? A thief is best at sneaking in for a heist when everybody is least aware. This kind of thief can be physically apprehended by the law enforcers. Another kind of thief, however, is harder to defend against, and apprehend, by most people. Only when you practice the Dharma wholeheartedly can you escape from its evil clutches, and enjoy eternal bliss with freedom from sufferings.
We are living with “thieves” everyday!
In Buddhism, there are the six sense-organs, namely the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and mind. They are also known as the six thieves. Why so? I said that a thief would pounce when you are at your weakest. These six sense-organs are defenseless and lazy, and become desirous of sight, sound, smell, food, gossips, touch, thought, etc, causing you to lose your merits to be born human again, for the next thousands of lifetimes. These thieves will rob you of your body, mind and spiritual well-bring. This is far more grievous than the material possession the real-world thieves will steal from you! Let me tell you something, these unseen thieves are most terrified of the Dharma. If you wish for a world without thieves, only the Dharma can make it happen. Without the Dharma, the world will be infested with thieves.
