大英博物館
這座十七世紀末的建築
於1759年對外開放。
匯集有關自然，歷史，
人文⋯的物品與創作。
歷經數次擴增改建，
今日的大英博物館日新又新。
豐盛的內涵，
遍及各地的文物，創作，
歷史, 考古方面的學術修養研究
和科學上的考據印證。
廣受世人讚賞。
由埃及館出來轉角處
看到告示牌寫著：
「 第91展覽室有佛菩薩文物展 」
原本佛學教育反對偶像崇拜，
由於古今世人對佛陀淨土的憧憬，
祈禱，禮拜，頌揚，紀念佛菩薩⋯
許多佛像藝術文物因而產生。
佛像文物對於歷史，學術，
藝術方面有莫大的貢獻。
我們佛弟子更是以真誠恭敬心
讚歎佛學文物的萬古流芳。
越過畢卡索畫室的左側
即是佛像文物展覽室。
其中一幅七百多年前
( 1300 – 1500 ) 的水墨<< 西方三聖圖 >>
（ 旁有禁止攝影的告示，
因此無法拍照與您分享。）
阿彌陀佛立於圖中，
與左輔(慈悲)觀世音菩薩，
右弼(智慧)大勢至菩薩。
多麼清靜莊嚴。
幽靜的室內似乎因有著它，
顯得閃亮生動起來。
畫雖古樸老舊卻釋放出
不凡的能量。
我想到<< 佛說大乘無量壽莊嚴清淨平等覺經 >>
敘述：
阿彌陀佛於成佛前
住世於娑婆世界期間
（ 過去無量劫以前於「世自在王佛」住世時 )
曾為妙喜國的國王。
很喜歡修學佛法，
後來放棄王位，出家為僧，
法號法藏比丘。
有感於世人內心為貪念惡念所困，
為外在世界災難所苦，
而向老師世自在王佛，
表達其願力 -
期願極樂淨土得以實現。
世自在王佛鼓勵法藏比丘
至心求道，並開示修行方法，
以念佛一法方便十方眾生修行，
作為普度眾生的法門。
而後他修成正果，
證入無所執的清淨境界。
他曾發四十八大願，
要成就一個清淨平等
集十方諸剎土美好於一的
佛國極樂世界。
經過數劫不懈的努力，
廣大願力的因，
與歷經無量劫修得功德的果，
成就了西方淨土極樂世界。
成為十方一切諸佛讚譽的
阿彌陀佛。
觀世音菩薩
觀一切眾生，聽一切苦難，
隨因緣化身度一切眾生（ 源於<< 妙法蓮華經
觀世音菩薩普門品 >> )
也有經典記載觀世音菩薩
在過去無量劫中
早已究竟成佛，
名號「 正法明如來 」
因其大悲願力所發菩提心，
為度一切眾生, 以菩薩示現，
乘願而來，
觀察眾生音聲救度苦難。
大勢至菩薩
因念佛修行證果，
其持念阿彌陀佛，
以智慧之光普照一切，
使人得到無上力量。
引導念佛眾生往生西方淨土。
佇立<< 西方三聖圖 >> 前良久，
凝視畫面柔和光輝，
想到古今多少藝術家沐手揮毫，
仰慕之情⋯
感念佛恩與藝術家的無私奉獻。
British Musuem
Built in late seventeenth century
and opened to the world in 1759.
The objects and creation about nature, history, humanities...
After several times of expansion and reconstruction,
the British Museum was getting new and new with each passing day.
Its rich connotation covered the cultural relics, creation, history,
archaeological research
and confirmed by scientific research
all over the world.
At the corner of the Egyptian Pavilion,
I saw a sign saying：
<< There is an exhibition of Buddha and Bodhisattva cultural relics
in the 91st exhibition room. >>
Originally Buddhist education opposed to idolatry.
Since ancient and modern times,
because of the longing of the Buddha's pure land,
pray, worship, praise, and commemorate Buddhas
and Bodhisattvas...
Many Buddhist art and cultural relics were produced.
Buddhist relics for history, academics, art
have a great contribution.
Disciples of buddha admire the eternal beauty of
Buddhist cultural relics with sincere and respect.
Cross the left side of Picasso's studio,
I saw the exhibition room of Buddha statues and cultural relics.
One of the paintings
<< The Western Pure Land Trinity >>
Chinese Brush Painting
（ 1300 – 1500 )
more than seven hundred
years ago.
There was a notice prohibiting photography,
so I could not take pictures to share with you.
<< The Western Pure Land Trinity >>
Buddha Amitabha in middle, Avalokitesvara
( Guanyin ) at left and Mahasthamaprapta at right.
So pure and solemn expression.
The secluded interior seemed to be bright and vivid because of it.
Although the paintings are simple and old,
they released extraordinary energy.
I thought of the
<< Infinite Life Sutra >>
（Shakyamuni Buddha had explained about Amitabha and his western pure land ）：
Before Amitabha became a Buddha
（ Before the immeasurable calamity,
during Lokeśvara stayed in the Saha world. )
he was king of Miaoxi.
Hard at work in study and practice Bouddhisme.
Later, he gave up the throne and became a monk,
Dharma Nickname - Dharma^kara.
He felt that people’s hearts were trapped by greed
and evil thoughts, suffering from the external world disaster.
He expressed his aspirations to the teacher -
Wish the Pure Land of Bliss will be realized.
His teacher encourage him to seek the truth
from his heart
and teach him how to practice,
persevere in reciting the Buddha's name,
facilitate the practice of all beings as a way to help sentient beings.
And then he practiced successfully - got into no attachment, the realm of purity.
His Forty-eight Vows
for achieving a pure equality,
all the good things in the pure land.
Through protracted and unremitting efforts,
the cause of the vast aspiration,
his enlightenment after immense catastrophe,
achieved the western pure land of ultimate bliss.
Became the praise of all Buddhas - Amitabha.
Guanyin Bodhisattva observes all living beings and listens to all suffering.
Incarnates all sentient beings according to
causes and conditions
（The original texts come from
<< The Lotus Sutra’s Universal Gâté Chapter on Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva >> )
There are also scripture records
that Guanyin Bodhisattva has become
a Buddha already,
but rather to manifest as a Bodhisattva with great compassion
to retune our world again for helping all beings.
Mahasthamaprapta
with light of wisdom shines all alike.
Make people get supreme power.
Guide the beings who recite the name of
Buddha ( Amitabha )
reborn in the Pure Land.
Stayed In front of
<< The Western Pure Land Trinity >>
for a long time,
gazed at the soft brilliance of the painting,
thinking of how many artists in ancient and modern times
worked of art presented in admiration of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas...
I am grateful for Buddha’s grace and selfless dedication of artists.
