念佛公鸡往生记
Rebirth of a Reciting Cock
宽阔的庙庭静悄悄的，四周的虫儿也静悄悄的。
All was quiet in the spacious temple grounds. Even the insects were silent.
一只大公鸡在庙庭站定，一鼓作气，喊破了沉睡的天空。
A large cock stood in the courtyard. In a burst of energy, it crowed loudly and shattered the silence.
响亮的鸣叫，直贯到耳朵里，催促大家开始一天的念佛生活。
The robust sound went straight into the ears of the temple"s residents. It prompted everyone to begin a new day of Amitabha-recitation.
师父们排班列队进大殿，大公鸡摇头晃脑地也跟进去了。
As the monks queued to enter the Great Hall, the cock swayed its head and followed them in.
大家在绕佛，它尾随着，微营销plus有模有样的。
The masters did their circumambulations and the cock followed suit. It seemed to know what it was doing.
大家念佛，它嘎巴嘎巴，和着韵调一起唱。
As the Amitabha-chanting sounded, the bird cackled along, matching the monks" rhythm and intonation.
大僧鞋一步，小掌子一步；大僧鞋再一步，小掌子再一步……
With each step of monastic shoes came a step of chicken-feet. And another and another …
那边吃饭过堂，它还跟，专吃地上的饭粒，一点也不让福报漏掉。
When the monks ate, the cock did not join them. Instead, it consumed the grains of rice that had fallen to the floor, not letting any worldly blessings go to waste.
有一天，大众念完佛都绕出来了，它不肯走。一位师父说：「你怎么还不走啊！念完佛要锁门了。」
One day, the monastics finished their chanting and left the hall. The bird did not follow them. Asked one master, "Why aren"t you leaving? The recitation is over and we have to lock up."
大公鸡来到佛桌前，一动不动，仰着脖子，大叫三声。
The cock went before the table with the Buddha image and refused to move. Craning its neck, it loudly crowed three times.
师父近前一看，往生了，站着往生了。
The monk approached for a closer look. The cock had passed away, standing upright.
动物不是我们盘里的菜，它们充满灵性，有缘遇到念佛，也都能往生。
Animals aren"t fodder for our dining tables. They have their own spiritual nature. If karmic circumstances allow them to encounter Amitabha-recitation, they too can be reborn in the Pure Land.
故事出自《倓虚老法师佛七开示》
From "Master Tanxu"s Teaching at a Seven-Day Buddhist Retreat"
