《靜思晨語。法譬如水》96. 四住地

The Four Grounding States

人的心若要能夠讓它完全都沒有雜念；一片心地清淨寧靜，是很不容易的事情。

To free the mind from discursive thoughts, so it remains pure and tranquil, is not easy.

我們常說，打坐就是要讓心清淨。其實，坐下來的時候，我們的心與外面的境，還是一樣緣境住在我們的心中。

I often say we meditate to purify our minds. But actually, when we sit down, external phenomena are still imprinted upon our minds

各位，坐著時候，是否真的都不會聽到外面的音聲呢？蟲的鳴聲、鳥的叫聲，最重要的就是我們自己的心聲。外面的境界的聲音，我們還能夠聽過就算了，但是我們自己的心聲呢？

Everyone, when we sit in meditation, we may hear the sounds from outside, the sound of the birds and the insects. But most importantly, we need to hear our inner voices. We can ignore or let go of external sounds, but we have to listen to our inner voice.

心聲就是煩惱。我們到底是煩惱多，或是善念多呢？

In our minds, do we find more afflictions, or more good thoughts ?

若能分辨出這是善念，分辨出這是惡念，惡念的煩惱，我們能夠即時消除嗎？

Even if we can discern good thoughts from evil thoughts, can we promptly eliminate the afflictions caused by evil thoughts?

善的念頭，今天想，今天我應該要發心，要去作一件好事，有一個好的規劃，這個念頭是否是真切？這個念頭是否能夠加強，一定讓想的就都可以去做到？這樣就是善念增長。

If we have good thoughts, if today we think, "I should resolve to do a good deed and make a good plan, " are those thoughts clear and firm? We need to strengthen these thoughts and be determined that we can make it happen. This is called nurturing good thoughts.

我們不是常說：「惡念一起，就是趕緊警惕消滅惡念；惡念若是還沒有生起，我們要注意不要讓它生起；善念若是還沒有生起，要趕緊造因緣，讓這些善緣可以生起；若是善的念頭已經生起了，我們還要趕緊加強力量，成長善的力量。」這也是佛陀以另外一種方法，來教育我們。在三十七助道品裡面也都是這樣說的。

I often say that when an evil thought arises, we must be aware of it and quickly eliminate it. If an evil thought has yet to arise, we must be careful not to let it do so. If a good thought has not yet emerged, we must quickly find opportunities and Assisting Conditions to help it arise. If a good thought has emerged, we must promptly strengthen it, so more goodness can develop. This is one of the methods the Buddha taught us. In the 37 Practices to Enlightenment these is something like this.

另外一句話也是這樣說的：「諸惡莫作，眾善奉行。」善與惡只在我們的心中，如果能發生惡念就趕快消除，善念還沒有生，趕快培養讓它生起來，如果可以這樣就是在修行了。

In other words, "Do all good deeds and refrain from all evil". Good and evil exist only in our minds. If we can eliminate evil thoughts as soon as they arise, and foster the growth of good thoughts, that have not yet risen, then we are truly engaged in spiritual practice.

所以要常常向內傾聽我們內在的心聲，到底是善的念頭？或是惡的念頭？這都要注意了！

So we must always listen to our inner voices, and pay attention to whether those thoughts are good or evil.

 

四住地：
見一切住地、欲愛住地
色愛住地、有愛住地

The Fore Grounding States are: Deluded Views of All Phenomena, Cravings in the Desire Realm, Form Realm, and Formless Realm.

我們在《靜思晨語。法譬如水。顧好自我心地》說過「四住地」的煩惱。

Yesterday we discussed the afflictions of the 4 Grounding States.

「住」就是在我們的心理，心就如同一片大地，你給它什麼樣的種子，它就長出什麼果實，所以我們要注意「住」，就是念頭住在我們的心中。

Ground refers to the mind, which is like a field. The seeds we sow determine the fruits we will harvest. So we must be very careful with these fields, and the thoughts that reside in our minds

 

六根緣著外境
而起心動念
叫做「見一切住地」

When the 6 Sense Organs come in contact with external conditions, and give rise to thoughts, it is called the Deluded Views of All Phenomena.

第一、「見一切住地」，也可以叫做「見愛住地」，就是我們的六根，緣著外面的塵境而起心念，這叫做見愛住地。

First is Deluded View of All Phenomena, which is also called Cravings Arising from Views, These are thoughts that arise when the 6 Sense Organs come in contact with external sense objects and conditions.

因為我們人多數都是因為一個貪字，就是因為貪，對於所見到的一切，內心的貪念就生起了，所以說起來，眼根看到外面的色塵，裡面意識的貪念就生起來了。一根一塵就含蓋了六根六塵，涵蓋了六識，在我們的內心(意根)起了種種作用，這些我們在《靜思晨語。法譬如水。顧好自我心地》已經說過了。

Greed resides in most of us, so whenever we see things, craving arises in our minds. Therefore, when the eyes see form, which is a sense object, greedy thoughts arise in our consciousness. This applies to all 6 Senses, 6 Sense Objects, and 6 Consciousnesses. This is how our minds work. We have already discussed this yesterday.

 

因一切欲望愛念
而生起煩惱
叫做「欲愛住地」

All manner of desires and cravings give rise to afflictions. They are called Cravings in the Desire Realm.

再來就是說「欲愛住地」。這個「欲愛」是，每個人與生俱來都有「欲」。最近我都常常譬喻說：「看到動物一生下來，無論是貓、狗生下來之後，母貓就把牠們的身體舔一舔，幼貓就靠攏過來吸奶。豬、狗也都是這樣。小鹿生下來就能站得起來，牠的動作就是走到母鹿的身邊，跪下來吸奶。」這是一切生物的生態，一生下來食慾就開始了。

Next is Cravings in the Desire Realm. Humans are inherently born with desires and cravings. Lately, I have often used the example of animals eating right after they are born. Take cats or dogs, for example. As a cat licks her newborn kittens, the crowd over to suckle Pigs and dogs do the same. A fawn is born knowing how to stand, Its first action is to walk to the doe, and kneel to suckle milk. This is the behavior of all living creatures. The desire for food starts at birth.

看看我們現在，為了吃已經造了多少的業？逞一時口福的快感，吃盡天下動物的命。吃盡了天下眾生的命，想想光是一天，在這個大地上，要消掉了多少動物的生命呢？

But look at us now, how much karma have we created by eating? To satisfy our palate, we eat all kinds of animals, and destroy the lives of all sentient begins. Think about it. In one day alone, how many animals live are taken in the world?

再者，為了飼養動物，大地上種植牧草、製造飼料等等，飼養動物所需要的量，比人類所需要的食量還要大，所以為了供應人口欲的快感，需要大地很多五穀、雜糧、草等等的飼料，大量供應給這些動物。

Moreover, to feed these animals, we need to grow grasses and grains, etc. Animals eat much more than humans. Hence, to satisfy human palates, we need to grow a lot of grains, grasses, etc. to feed the animals.

動物所排泄出來的污染，大小便溺污染大地，這種惡性的循環，造成了現在的氣候的污濁，這種污濁的氣候，造成了溫室效應。環境的氣候都變了，溫度不斷升高，乾旱的地方乾旱、水災的地方水災，不能平均，這都是因為氣候、氣流的關係。

These animals excrement also pollute the land. This vicious cycle creates air pollution,. The vicious cycle creates air pollution, which intensifies the Green house Effect. Our climate has changed. Average global temperatures continually rise. While drought afflicts some places, these is flooding in others. This is no moderation. These changes in climate and air currents.

也同樣來自於地氣的污濁，這樣來感染了空氣。空氣就造成了氣流。很多的源頭都是人的欲念。人的欲，生下來一樣是食慾。

Can be traced back to contamination of the land. which led to contamination of the air. which affected the air currents. The Source of these problem is human desire. We are born with the desire to eat.

我們看看婦產科，當媽媽把孩子生下來之後，醫生和護士，把孩子清理乾淨了，包好之後，抱來嬰兒室的時候，就是先餵他葡萄糖。古早人是用黑糖水、甘草水等等，用棉棒沾濕了放在嘴邊，嬰兒就會開始吸了，這是以前。

Look at the nursery in the obstetrics ward. After the mothers give birth, the doctors and nurse deal with the babies. They wash and wrap the babies, bring them to the nursery, and feed them glucose water. In the past, they dipped a piece of cotton into brown sugar or licorice water, then placed it in the baby's mouth. Right away the baby began to suck. This happened in the past and is still the case.

現在也是一樣，把葡萄糖放在奶瓶當中，拿給嬰兒，他就會開始吸了，這些都不需要人教，天生自然，食欲就跟著人來了。所以這叫做欲愛，從人一出生就已經有了。

When we put glucose in the bottle, the infant will suck on it without being taught. The desire to eat is inborn and natural These are desires and cravings. They exist at the time of birth.

除了這種口欲、食欲，慢慢長大之後，隨著社會的環境，在社會環境中，一切的生活物質、生活型態不斷引誘著人，欲心不斷升高。不只是食欲、物欲、財欲、利欲、名欲等等…不只是這些，還要色欲，這些就是欲愛住地。這種煩惱，愚迷的煩惱住在心地當中，所以有的人貪小失大，那樣的欲愛也有。

Aside from the desire for food, for taste, as we grow up and spend more time in society, material goods and certain lifestyles tempt us. Our desires continuously increase. In addition to desire for food, material goods, money, wealth, and fame, these is also sexual desire. These are Cravings in the Desire Realm. This kind of affliction, one of delusion and confusion, dwells in our minds. Some people suffer big losses from small cravings. This is also that kind of desire and craving.

在《譬喻經》中有這樣的一段經文： 有一對夫妻，雖然生活不是很好，常常為了吃而煩惱。

In the Sutra of Parables, there is a story about a couple who were not well off and often worried about the next meal.

一回有三個餅，倆夫妻很歡喜，你可以一塊，我也可以有一塊。夫妻一人有一塊餅，吃得很開心。但是這餐有一塊餅，可以吃飽了。

Once, they obtained three biscuits, so they were very happy "You can eat one!, I can eat one!". The couple was very happy to eat their biscuits. But after they finished the meal, and each had one biscuit.

接下來只剩下一塊餅而已，要怎麼辦呢？先生說：「這塊是我的。」但是太太也說：「我在做家事比較辛苦，所以這塊是我的。」兩個人爭奪那塊餅。

There was only one left. What could they do? The husband said, "This biscuit is mine!". The wife objected, saying, I'm more tired because I do housework, so this biscuit is mine. The two fought over that biscuit.

最後想出一個好辦法，就說：「我們以這塊餅來作個賭注，贏的人才可以拿來吃，輸的人就要認命看別人吃。」「好啊！那要怎麼個賭法？」「我們開始禁語，你不能夠說話，我也不能說話。哪一個人先說話，就是輸了。」「好啊！」這樣開始夫妻兩個人都不說話，就是在那邊顧著這一塊餅。

Eventually, they came up with a plan, "Let's do this. Let us make a wager with this biscuit, the winner eats the biscuit, the loser admits defeat, watches the winner eat ." "Sure, what kind of wager? Starting now, we must remain silent. Neither of us can talk. The first one to talk loses. That's a good idea." The couple stopped talking and just watched the biscuit.

期間有一個小偷，跑到這個家裡面，看到這兩個夫妻對坐著不說話，他進到家裏，兩個人還是沒有說話，這個賊想說，這兩個夫妻好像沒有什麼反應，所以就放心大膽的到室內去搬東西。值錢的東西全部都拿一拿，就在那邊打包了，同樣，這對夫妻也都沒有講話。

At this time, a thief came to their house. He saw the couple sitting face to face, but not saying a word. As he entered the house, the two still did not say anything. Since they had no reaction at all, he went around the house and picked up and packed all the valuables. Meanwhile, the couple still did not say a word.

這個賊想說：「拿了這麼多的東西，他們都沒有說話了。」看看那個太太長得不錯，所以就去非禮那個太太。先生看到那個情形還是不說話。太太已經到將要被非禮的狀況，非常危急了，所以才出聲說：「你都沒有看到嗎？這個人想要侮辱我，你都沒有看到嗎？」先生這時候才開口：「哈哈！這個餅是我的。」

He took so many things without any response from them. The thief thought the wife was attractive and went over to molest her. Even then, the husband still said nothing. The wife was on the verge of being assaulted. At that critical moment, she finally spoke, "Can't you see? This man is trying to molest me! Are you blind?" The husband finally broke his silence, "Haha! The biscuit is mine!"

看，這種愚夫愚婦，為了貪一塊餅，竟然不顧大的事。

Look at such a silly, senseless couple. For the sake of one biscuit, they ignored what was truly important.

佛陀拿這個故事來譬喻，世間的凡夫愚癡貪欲，只為了小小的利欲，竟然失去自己的慧命，這就是愚人。的確，這個欲愛，有時候除了男女色欲以外，只是為了小小的食慾，你想要多少呢？

The Buddha used this as an analogy for the delusion and ignorance caused by greed. People, for the sake of a tiny gain, actually lose their Wisdom-life. These people are foolish. Indeed, desires and cravings can extend from sexual desire down to small cravings for food. Think about all the craving there are.

我們看到很多人，問他說：「你可以戒菸嗎？那個菸只是小小的一截而已，吸進去也只是一個氣氛而已，又不會飽，但是會污染身體內臟。」要他戒除，卻非常的困難。那就是煩惱已經住進他的心地，這種追求的欲，已經住入心地，要他改說起來真的很困難。

We see many people who have problems quitting smoking. A cigarette is such a small object. People only inhale smoke, which is not filling, but will damage internal organs. Yes, it is difficult to quit, because affliction already resides in their minds. The desire already resides in their minds, so it is difficult for them to change.

或是跟他說：「不要喝酒啊！酒就像是穿腸貫肚的尖刀，不好！」「但是要我戒酒很痛苦，戒不掉啊！」這些難道不都是已經偏向的愛欲？他寧可損害自己的身體，也無法控制嗜好。

Drinking is also bad, it damages people like a sharp knife that cuts through their intestines and stomach, yet quitting is very painful. People cannot give it up. Isn't a deviant desire? The drinker prefers to damage his body, because he cannot control his habit.

這就是我們凡夫，貪於小小的東西。酒一喝下去，除了損害身體，還會改變我們的行為，本來是很老實的人，一旦酒喝下去，吵架、罵人、打人等等…什麼動作都會出來。明明知道酒醉誤事，但是當煩惱「住」入了內心當中，就會控制不了自己的心欲，這也是一種煩惱。這種欲愛住地。

Ordinary people are greedy for trifles. Aside from harming the body, drinking will also affect behavior. Once they drink, people who are normally scrupulous, will fight, yell and hit others. All sorts of aberrant behaviors appear. They know that drinking causes problems, yet they can not stop themselves. When such afflictions of desire enter the mind, we cannot control our cravings. This is also a kind of affliction. These are Cravings in the Desire Realm.

 

貪著於世間一切
而起諸多思惑煩惱
叫做「色愛住地」

When we crave everything in the world, we give rise to many delusions and afflictions. This is called Cravings in the Form Realm.

其實我們凡夫，在世間真的造很多業，有的人在思想中貪欲很大，所以說「色愛住地」。

Indeed, ordinary people have created many afflictions. Some people have very greedy minds. So the third is Cravings in the Form Realm.

第三稱作「色愛住地」，色愛，貪的範圍、希望的欲，希望有很多很多的東西：「凡是我看到的都屬於我」，有這種的權力慾望。不只是財、名、位，他都需要。只要想得到的，就算不在眼前，但是他所期望的，都是他的計畫，這叫做「色愛住地」的煩惱。

The scope of this craving is very board. We hope to acquire many things, we want to possess whatever we see. This scope extends beyond wealth, fame, or status. We want everything we can fathom, even things that are not in our sight. We even plan to obtain things we cannot see. This affliction is from Cravings in the Form Realm.

所以說來，無論是「欲愛」、「色」、「無色」，這些的差別只在於是不是在我們的身邊，距離近一點的？或是擴大一點的？或是到了看不到的？我們依然還是把它想進來，拿到心地當中來煩惱。

When we speak of desire, form, and formlessness, we refer to desiring the things around us, those slightly father away, and even things we cannot see. We hope to acquire them all. These desires give rise to afflictions.

所以這四住會造一切罪。「住」就是「煩惱住在我們的心地當中」。所以我們學佛應該要時時自己清除心地煩惱。

The 4 Grounding States may cause all wrongdoings. This happens when afflictions abide in our minds. Thus, as we learn Buddhism, we must always remove the afflictions within.

每天早晨，聽聽自己的心聲，善惡的念頭，自己要好好釐清楚。惡的要趕緊去除，善的要趕快增長。心中有一念欲愛，那是要不得，住在我們的內心，就已經種下一顆種子，苦不堪言。

Every morning, we must listen to our inner voices. We must clearly discern good thoughts from evil. Quickly eliminate evil thoughts. Rapidly nurture good thoughts. We must not allow any cravings or desires to exist in our minds. When such thoughts are in our minds, we have already planted the seeds that will lead to indescribable suffering.

所以我們學佛要時時多用心！

So everyone, please always be mindful.