被殺前的恐懼The Fear Before Being Killed

那天經過樟宜機場日本餐館的魚缸時，我依慣例地停下腳步。

幾天前，我在此魚缸前為水族念往生咒，今日再看，餐館進貨了，水族量明顯增加了。

魚缸裏面的水族都縮在一起，眼神都很恐慌、無助、絕望，全身軟綿綿，仿佛都已知道即將被宰殺的命運，縮在一起因爲誰都不想先被撈出水。

美食端上桌時，有多少食客會想到它們的恐懼呢？

我提醒我身旁的學生們，願衆生明白魚缸裏面的水族原本就是人。人這一世沒有修都很可能會變成魚缸裏面的水族。

人是高等的動物，應該有高等的智慧去想想這一世要如何解脫，而不是一味地吃喝玩樂。

在魚缸前，我很用心地持往生咒，希望水族們能早日離苦得樂。

會念往生咒的佛友，可在用餐前持咒回向給這些畜類。

不會念的朋友們，可默念這往生短咒7遍或21遍回向：

往生淨土，
超生出苦，
南無阿彌陀佛。
南無阿彌陀佛。
南無阿彌陀佛。

戒殺是放生，肯持往生咒回向也是在放生。

如果這麽簡單都不肯念，那還算是善嗎？

會持此咒，一日行善的機會多得是。念念的善是要持續不斷才算是真善。

The other day as I passed by the fish tanks at a Japanese restaurant in Changi Airport, I came to a stop as per my usual habit.

Few days ago, I recited the Rebirth in Pureland Mantra for the marine animals in these fish tanks. Today, the restaurant has new stocks and the quantity of the marine animals has visibly increased.

The marine animals in the fish tanks are all huddled together in a corner with fear, helplessness and hopelessness in their eyes. Their bodies seemed all lifeless, as if they already know their inevitable destinies of being killed and took to huddling together, because no one wished to be the first to be fished out of the waters.

When the delicious dishes are being served on the table, how many people will think of the fear the animals experienced?

I told my students beside me of my hope that sentient beings will know the animals in the fish tanks were once human beings. If a person does not cultivate in this lifetime, there is a high possibility that one will reincarnate to be a aquatic animal.

Man is a supreme animal. We should have the supreme wisdom to ponder about liberation in this lifetime and not just indulge blindly in the worldly pleasures.

Standing in front of the fish tanks, I recited the Rebirth in Pureland Mantra diligently, praying that the marine animals can achieve liberation from this Samsara world.

Fellow Buddhist friends who know this mantra, do chant it before your meals and dedicate to the animals you are consuming.

If you do not know, you can recite this short version 7 or 21 times:

往生淨土 wang sheng jing tu
超生出苦 chao sheng chu ku
南無阿彌陀佛 Namo Amituofo
南無阿彌陀佛 Namo Amituofo
南無阿彌陀佛 Namo Amituofo

To abstain from killing is akin to freeing captive lives. Being willing to chant the Rebirth Mantra and dedicate the merits is also akin to freeing captive lives.

If one does not even wish to chant such a simple verse, how can one be considered kind?

If you know how to recite this mantra/verse, there are plenty of chances everyday for you to perform kind deeds. A truly kind person is one who continuously has kind and proper thoughts.