養育兒女為什麼？ 

What's the point of raising a child? 

 所以典籍當中有很多精彩的教誨， 

There are numerous wonderful instructions available in the ancient books and records, 

當然連佛法也不能避免， 

and of course in the Buddhist doctrine.  

傳的年代久了， 

After passing down over time,  

不免後人有自己的意思加進去， 

it's just inevitable that future generations 

這是難免的事情， 

will put their own interpretations into it. 

我們要有智慧，要能看得出來。 

We should be intelligent to make identifications thereof. 

從什麼地方看得出來？ 

So, how should we make such identifications? 

大公無私，那這個是聖賢的教誨； 

First, selfless, as those are instructions from the sages. 

如果裡頭帶一點私心的， 

In case of any selfish statements, however tiny they are, 

可能是後人加進去的， 

they would be added by the later generations.  

那不是佛菩薩的話， 

Those are neither words from the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas,  

那不是神明的教訓， 

nor instructions from the deities.  

我們可以從這個地方去仔細觀察。 

Therefore, this may be a point to start with.  

所以我們遇到困難， 

In this regard, whenever we face difficulties,  

求佛、 

and seek blessing 

求神明保佑， 

from Buddhas and deities  

求有方法，我們要與佛菩薩，要與天地鬼神， 

to help us out. We should share the same good intentions, inspirations and deeds 

同一個善心，同一個善願，同一個善行。 

with the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and the deities.  

人的心善、念善、行善， 

With good intentions, inspirations and deeds, 

就能得諸佛菩薩加持， 

one would be blessed by the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas 

天龍善神保佑。 

and protected by the deities.  

一切為眾生，不為自己。 

We should make efforts for all living beings rather than ourselves.  

家裡面家庭養兒育女， 

Speaking of raising children in the families,  

如果說是養兒防老， 

some would be interpreted as “bringing up children to support parents in their old age”,  

這中國人常講的，這是私心， 

which, frequently highlighted by the Chinese people, is selfish,   

這個得不到佛菩薩保佑的。 

and cannot be blessed by the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.  

你養育兒女是為社會， 

We should raise children for the society,  

好好的教導他，他將來長大成人， 

teach them well, so that they can serve the communities 

為社會服務， 

and all beings 

為眾生造福， 

when they grow up.  

你有這樣的心願， 

If you bear such aspiration 

你能夠做到， 

and live up to it 

 認真負責的做到， 

in an earnest and accountable manner,  

這是大賢。 

you’re behaving like a great sage.  

印光大師在《文鈔》裡面講得很多， 

Master Yin Guang discussed this topic intensively in his A Collection of Ritual-Concluding Remarks 

世界的安危， 

by stating that 

印祖說女人做一大半的主宰， 

the fate of the world was mostly dominated by the womanhood.  

但是這個話真正懂得的人不多。 

However, few people are able to comprehend the true essence of this statement.  

祖師說得好， 

Master Yin Guang remarked brilliantly that,  

家有良妻，他才有善良的人出來； 

An understanding wife inspires virtuous husband,  

有賢母，才有孝順的子孫出現。 

while a loving mother inspires filial offspring.  

賢能的丈夫，孝子賢孫， 

And these sage husbands and filial offspring 

必定為社會、為眾生造福。 

would for sure benefit the society and all living beings.  

這些大聖大賢、諸佛菩薩從哪裡來的？ 

So, how were the great sages, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas raised? 

母親教出來的， 

They’re all educated by their mothers. 

所以賢妻良母 

Therefore, understanding/dutiful wives and loving mothers 

是社會之寶，國家之寶，眾生之寶。 

are just treasures for the society, the country and all living beings. 

 恭選自淨空法師講解的『太上感應篇』第130集 

Abstracted from Episode 130 of Treatise on the Response of the Tao with explanations by Master Chin Kong.