中文／慈惠法師

英文／佛光山人間佛教研究院

Translated into English by: FGS Institute of Humanistic Buddhism

佛教把口邊的功德，稱為「隨口功德」，當我們講出來的話，給別人方便，讓別人感覺有希望，就是功德。星雲大師曾說：「即使拒絕人，也要讓對方感覺到，在拒絕裡還是有希望。」不要斷然拒絕，傷了對方的心。即使是對方做錯事情，也不要一昧的責怪，可以指點他，讓他明瞭犯錯之處。凡事能為人著想，說出來的話深思熟慮，也是善美的好表現。──慈惠法師

When we arrive at a monastery, there is often a donation box at the front of the shrine. If a devotee wishes to make a donation, they can put money into the box. However, "donation" in Buddhism does not only refer to monetary donation. Actually, the easiest way to gain merits would be through speech.

Once in Fo Guang Shan, there was a novice monk. He was twelve years old, with a not so pleasant appearance. However, everyone liked him. Do you know why? It is because he always brought joy to others. He had a wide mouth, and so others gave him the nickname "Duckie."

Once, a group of students were talking loudly along the classroom corridor.

"Who is that? Who is making so much noise?" the teacher in the classroom asked.

Unexpectedly, a person responded, "It is me, Duckie."

Initially, the teacher was going to reprimand the students, but after hearing Duckie's response, the teacher began to laugh. Duckie was adorable, and the teacher's heart soften. She didn't scold the students.

Afterwards, someone asked Duckie, "Why are you so foolish to admit that you are a duck?"

Duckie replied, "I don’t know if I am foolish or clever. But I know by admitting that I am a duck, everyone will be happy, and I will be happy too."

Therefore, perhaps we are often being teased or made a joke among friends or in a group. Some people might think we are worthless. However, if we look at it from a different angle, we are bringing laughter to others. Is that not a meritorious act?

Everyone has a mouth that speaks. The problem is: are we making any merits with our speech? Venerable Master Hsing Yun pronounces, "Give others joy. Give others confidence. Give others hope. Give others convenience."

Sometimes, guiding someone who is lost with a sentence or giving convenience to others is also a merit. Just like "Duckie" in the story, just by saying "I am a duck" had brought so much joy. Sometimes, we might notice there is a foolish person, and no one else pays attention to him or her.

If we could go up to them and offer some words of encouragement, then that will raise their confidence. Isn't that also another meritorious act?

翻 譯我們到寺廟裡，會發現到佛殿的前面，常會擺著一個功德箱，信徒如果想要捐獻作功德，就把錢投到功德箱裡。不過，佛教所講的「作功德」，並非單指拿錢捐獻，其實最容易做到的，反而是口邊的功德。

佛光山曾有個小沙彌，那時候十二歲，樣子長得不好看，可是大家都很喜歡他，為什麼呢？因為他常常帶給大家開心。他的嘴巴很大，別人替他取了外號，叫「鴨子」。有一次，一群學生吵吵鬧鬧的經過教室的走廊，這時教室裡的老師問道：「誰啊？誰在那裡吵鬧？」沒想到，竟有人大聲回答：「是我鴨子在這裡。」

本來老師想要責備這些學生，一聽這樣的回答，忍不住笑了起來。這個學生很可愛，老師原本想責備的心都忍了下來。

後來，有人告訴這個學生：「你怎麼這麼笨呢？承認自己是鴨子。」

他說：「我也不知道自己是笨，還是聰明。總之，我承認是鴨子，大家就很開心，我也很開心。」

所以，在朋友當中，團體裡面，或許我們常常覺得被別人取笑，甚至別人拿我們當笑話的材料，別人也許覺得你這個人沒出息，可是換個角度來想，因為我而帶給大家開心一笑，這不也是一種功德嗎？

每個人天生都有一張嘴能說話，問題是嘴巴旁邊有沒有功德箱？星雲大師說：「給人歡喜，給人信心，給人希望，給人方便。」有時候，一句話指點人家迷津，給人隨喜方便，就是功德。就像那位「鴨子」，一句「我是鴨子」給人多少歡喜。有時候，我們也會發現，某個人很愚笨，沒有人理睬他，如果這時候我們能上前鼓勵他，跟他講幾句話，讓他對人生起信心，又何嘗不是功德一件呢？