《靜思晨語。法譬如水》97. 四流造一切罪

The Four Currents Create All Wrongdoings

我們在《靜思晨語。法譬如水。四住地》已經說過：「四住」。「四住地」——就是說我們的「心地。」心地要好好調好。如果心地沒有調好，就會生出毛病。

Yesterday we spoke about Four Grounding States, which are all about our states of mind. We must cultivate our minds. If our minds are not attuned properly, problem will develop.

常常提到「四大」，一切的毛病災難，都是因為四大不調。若是「地、水、火、風」不調，就叫做「四大不調」。我們的身體如果有病痛，也叫做四大不調。

I have often mentioned the Four Elements. All illnesses and disasters are causes by an imbalance of the Four Elements: earth, water, fire and wind. When we are physically ill, it is also an imbalance of the Four Elements.

我們心理的「生、住、異、滅」，也是四種煩惱不調，變成無明煩惱。心地沒有好好調好，我們的思想見解就會偏差，就會產生毛病。所以我們修行，最重要的就是要調心，真的要將心地調好。

The four states of mind, arising, abiding, changing, and ceasing, these four kinds of imbalance of afflictions, can become afflictions and ignorance. If the mind is not properly adjusted, our thoughts and views will deviate and produce problems. Thus, in our spiritual cultivation, it is most important to adjust and harmonize our minds.

 

四流:
欲流、有流
見流、無明流

The Four Currents: Current of Desire, Current of existence, Current of view, Current of Ignorance.

接下來就是「四流」。我們接著解釋懺文：「或因四流造一切罪」。

Next are the Four Currents. "The Four Currents may cause all wrongdoings."

「流」就是流動的意思。我們知道若是我們的心要能「定」，我們就有「戒」要遵守，如此心才能定，「心定」才能「生慧」。

"Current" means fluid or flow. We know that to develop Samadhi of the mind we must first uphold precepts. Then, the mind can be still and wisdom can develop.

 

心沒有約束好
感官受外境牽引
貪著眼前的欲樂
生出種種煩惱
謂之「欲流」

If the mind is undisciplined, it will be guided by external conditions through the senses. It will cling to the desire for pleasure and create all kinds of afflictions. This is the Current of Desire.

不過凡夫常常，都不能把我們的心約束好，所以變成「惑」。惑就是「煩惱」，煩惱就是「受外面的境界所牽引」。

However, ordinary people often fail to discipline the mind thus creating delusions. Delusions are afflictions causes by external phenomena we encounter.

我們都是貪一時境界當前的欲，所以欲的樂境，就使我們的心再起惑。所以四流的第一流，叫做「欲流！」

We all crave imminent desires. So the pleasing states of desires bring about delusions in our minds again. The first of the Four Currents is called the "Current of Desire".

「欲流」就是凡夫在欲界中，就是貪求慾念，貪求我們眼前一時的快樂。「我快樂所以我歡喜，有什麼事不可以！」如此這般的為所欲為，在這之間貪欲自然會使我們迷惑。

Ordinary people are in Desire Realm, and seek desire. They crave instant pleasure. We like whatever makes us happy. So there is no stopping us from doing whatever we please. Of course this approach creates delusions.

所以「惑眼牽心」，一切境界迷惑了我們的眼根——因為我們的眼根，不斷緣著外面的境界，由我們的無明，來迷惑我們的眼根，去緣著外面的塵境，所以又牽引我們的心動起來，所以叫做「惑眼牽心」。這樣就讓我們的心開始流動起來。

Thus, "the deluded eyes mislead the mind. External phenomena mislead our perception. Our eyes constantly connect to external conditions. Our ignorance deludes our sight, which connects to external conditions. It then influences the mind. Thus the deluded eyes mislead the mind and cause movement or flow in our minds.

「流」就是「不定」的意思，「動」就是「動搖」。修行者若有這分動搖的心，這就是定力不夠！

Flow means unsettled, movement means not still. When a practitioner's mind is not still, he lacks Samadhi.

平時人事物的境界。我們明明知道「戒」—要—守好我們的規矩，守好我們的規戒，守好我們一念心的淨念。不受聲、色，什麼人說什麼聲音，我們都不會受，這個聲音傳來的是非動搖我們的心，這樣才是真正的修行。

When we encounter people and matters each day, we should understand the importance of upholding precepts and rules. We should safeguard the purity of our minds, and not be affected by what we hear and see. Thus, we will not allow verbal conflicts affect our minds. This is true practice.

除了天地萬物，有形有色的東西，會牽動我們的心，最可怕的就是色欲！無論是男女感情或是同性感情，這都會顛倒人生。所以這叫做「欲流」。

Besides all the things in this world that have shapes and forms and are able to stir our minds, there is sexual desire, which is most frightening. The emotional ties between men and women or members of the same sex can lead to confused lives. Thus, this is called the Currents of Desire.

欲流會惑眼牽心，使我們無明煩惱顛倒，所以又再牽引，人生的是非、煩惱、苦難。

It can delude our eyes and mislead our minds, causing the rise of ignorance and delusions. This will once again bring about disputes afflictions and sufferings.

 

放縱欲望
敗壞人倫道德
導致煩惱纏縛於心
謂之「有流」

Indulging in desire and acting unethically and immorally causes the mind to be entangled by afflictions. That is the current of Existence.

第二叫做「有流」。

The second is the Currents of Existence.

「有」，看我們凡夫，禁不了欲，就會造成很多，人倫道德的種種敗壞；惡的行為之後，那就有煩惱來擾亂我們的定心。我們若能循規蹈矩，行於人倫軌道，心就能很平穩。

When ordinary people fail to control their desire, they engage in actions that go against basic human morality. After committing misdeeds, our minds become disturbed by afflictions. If we abide by rules and behave ethically, our minds are calm and peaceful.

所以心不要起動，若是起了動念，真的會逾越做人的規矩。脫離了規律，這樣的人生就苦了，心就被縛住了。所以第二叫做「有流」——就是已經有了，造成了有了這種煩惱。

Therefore, our minds should not be disturbed. Once a negative thought emerges, we may overstep the boundaries of proper behaviors. When we digress from rules and discipline, our life will be filled with suffering and our minds will be bound. So, it is called the Currents of Existence. It means once exists, afflictions follow.

 

煩惱層層覆心
思想見解愈趨偏差
謂之「見流」

When afflictions accumulate and obscure the mind, our thoughts and views deviate. That is the Current of View.

第三、就叫做「見流」。「見流」就是「觀念、意見」。

The third is the Currents of View. The Currents of View is our ideas or opinions.

我們既然做了錯誤的事，我們的心已經被縛住了，煩惱覆心——煩惱將我們的心整個遮蓋起來。

Once we commit wrongdoings, our minds become entangles by afflictions. These afflictions will obscure our minds.

看看有多少人，錯了卻怕人知道。這就是以前一直在說的：「煩惱覆心。」愈是做錯的人愈會說謊；愈是造成罪業的人，愈是逃避，心愈黑暗。所以這都是見解。

Many people try to hide their wrongdoings. As we have discussed before, "afflictions obscure the mind." The more wrongdoings one commits, the more one lies. The more wrongdoings one creates, the more one hides, and the darker one's heart becomes. Everything is caused by individual views.

看看在慈濟，如此浩蕩長的隊伍裡面，過去同樣也有錯誤的人生，但是他能及時回頭。錯了以後，我的心應該要自我解脫，解開我們的心。要解開心的一個方法，就是要發露懺悔。

In the Tzu Chi, many of our volunteers have made mistakes in their past. However, they were able to turn their lives around. After making a mistake, we must liberate ourselves by setting our minds free. The method to do so is through open repentance.

所以我們在寺院，每天都在念懺悔，懺悔就是發露。

In our Abode, we recite repentance verses every day. Repentance is to confess openly.

其實光是看文字，以口念懺悔，有沒有進入我們的心？有沒有警惕我們的心？向著佛念，其實我們自己，隨著文字有沒有進入心境？若能進入心境，我們就能提高警覺，就能立刻改過。

Besides reading and reciting the repentance, we should be mindful of whether it resonates in our minds and causes us to become more vigilant. Not only should we recite it to the Buddha, we should truly immerse our minds in the worlds we recite. If we are able to do so, we will be more mentally alert in correcting our mistakes immediately.

「經者道也，道者路也」。「經」就像一條路，因為它是「道」。

Sutras point to the Way. The Way is the Path. Sutras are just like a road or path.

 

讀經就像在看路
要時時提高警覺
自我檢視

Studying Sutra is like checking our path. We should always be alert, self-reflective.

 

方向偏了要及時轉正
方向對了就更用心走
此為讀經的真意

If you direction is off, correct it all once. If it is correct, stay on it even more mindfully. This is the real meaning of studying Sutra.

我們在看經就像在看路。回頭看，我們的路有沒有走錯？向前走，路往哪裡去要很謹慎。如果走錯路了，就要及時把方向轉正；若是對的方向，我們要謹慎用心走。這才真正是讀經的意思。

Studying the Sutras is like checking our path. We look back to see if we are on the right path. Moving forward, we must choose the way carefully. If the direction is wrong we must correct it right away. If the direction is right, we should walk cautiously and mindfully. This is the real meaning of studying the Sutras.

但是我們讀經，就這樣讀過去了。在佛前唸經，雖然我們一直說：「我要懺悔、我要發願。」不斷一直念。但是佛陀若是用木雕泥塑的，慈悲就不會對你反應，你再有錯也不會反應。

But when we recite the Sutras, we are often just reading it in front of the Buddha. We keep repeating, "I want to repent: I want to make a vow." But the Buddha statue is made of wood or clay. Whether we are compassionate or make mistakes, it does not respond.

最重要的，我們要更上一層樓，人人都是佛！所以我們心靈的境界，應該要再提升到：「我自己也是佛，我的面前人人都是佛。」因為佛陀這樣說：「心、佛、眾生三無差別。」只要我們的心清淨，回歸佛的本性，其實我們立地是佛。

What is most important is that we strive to improve ourselves, as we all have a Buddha-nature. Thus, we must elevate our minds to believe that "I am a Buddha and everyone I meet is a Buddha." The Buddha said, "There is no distinction between the Mind, Buddha and all beings." As long as our minds are pure, we can return to our true nature and attain Buddhahood instantly.

不過我們滿心都是煩惱，所以我們還是凡夫。但是要尊重他人，他們心地清淨，人人是佛。而且他們能為人群付出，現在是菩薩。

However, our minds are filled with afflictions because we are still ordinary people. We still have to respect others. If their minds are pure, they are just like Buddha. Moreover, they can serve mankind; they are the Bodhisattvas now.

 

若能發露懺悔
心不被煩惱縛住
觀念開通
就能解脫自在

If we can repent openly, our minds will not be entangled by afflictions. When our minds are open,we can be liberated and at ease.

所以我們能面對這麼多佛菩薩，訴說：「我過去有這樣這樣的錯誤，我現在知錯了，感恩有人牽引我，牽引到菩薩的道路。我現在要精進往菩薩道路走，過去的錯誤，我要懺悔過去。現在我要保持清淨心，讓你們大家知道，我過去曾經這樣，我現在發心發願，請大家為我證明。我會這樣改、這樣做。」這就是最好的懺悔、最好的發願。

So we should face all these Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to recount our past mistakes to them and repent. We should be grateful that someone has guided us onto the Bodhisattvas-path so we can now walk diligently on it. We should repent our past mistakes and maintain a pure mind. By openly confessing our mistakes to others, we can make a vow, with others as our witnesses, that we will correct our behaviors. This is the best repentance and best resolution.

因為人人都有羞恥之心，我已經跟你說：「我以前怎麼壞、怎麼壞？」我也已經跟你說：「我要改了！我現在就不能不改」。所以我如果不改，你會去告訴別人，我過去怎麼壞；我現在如果不改，你會去告訴別人，我會被人笑，所以我要警惕。像這樣，我們的觀念才真的能轉過來，心的縛著也能解開。

Everyone possesses a sense of shame. We have confessed openly how bad we were before. We have also vowed to change. Thus we have to change now. If we do not change, others will talk about how bad we were before. If we do not change now, more people will know and they will laugh at us. Therefore, we should be very cautious. In this way, we can alter our perceptions and release the entanglements in our minds.

我們如果又聽到：「什麼人說你怎樣啊！」你會說：「對啊！我已經都和人說過了。」所以我們也很自在。

If we later hear people criticize us, we can say, "Yes, I have already told others of my mistakes." Thus, our minds will be at ease.

雖然過去做了錯誤的事，我們坦白表露，就不必再怕人知道，心就不必再被煩惱縛住，這樣我們的見解才能開通。

Although we have erred in the past, once we confess openly we will not worry about others knowing. Our minds will not be tied down by worries. Then our views can become open.

所以「見流」，是因為前面的心，有煩惱、有束縛。只要煩惱束縛開放之後，觀念就能開通，這叫做「見流」。見流就是「三界的見惑」，所以煩惱就是眼前的境界，已做之後的心境；或是做了以後心的束縛。都差不多是這些。

The Currents of View means our minds are entangled by afflictions and worries. Once the afflictions and worries are released, our perceptions will be open. This is called the Currents of Views, which is the confusion of the Three Realms. Thus, afflictions refer to our present state, our mindsets after we've done something, or the entanglements of our minds after we committed mistakes.

 

由愚癡所生的煩惱
謂之「無明流」

再來就是「無明流」。「無明」也是「三界的見思惑」。

Next is the Currents of ignorance. Ignorance is deluded views and thoughts in the Three Realms.

無論是在眼前、或是過去、或是未來，這種迷惑就是從無明起。所以我們對境分別好事、壞事，這就是過去、現在、未來，我們面對的境，種種好或壞，都會使我們的觀念和思想，會起無明和迷惑，這種境界會不斷增長。無論是累積在現在、過去、未來，這種煩惱就是不斷累積。

Whether it is in the present, in the past, or in the future, delusion starts from ignorance and leads us to differentiate among all external phenomena. In the past, present & future, our differentiation of external states will give rise to ignorance and confusion in our perceptions and thoughts. These kind of conditions will continuously develop. Whether in our present, past or future, these kinds of afflictions continuously accumulate.

我常說：「萬般帶不去，唯有業隨身。」我們這一生，是承著過去的業力而來，有了這個業力和現在的助緣，所以業的種子，和現在的助緣牽動起來。這股力量讓你由不得自己，所以由不得自己，又再造惡因，又再結惡緣，將來再成惡果。

I have often said that only karma remains with us when we die. Our present life is the result of the karma from our past lives. Retribution arises when karma and conditions ripen. Thus, when the seeds of karma are affected by present conditions, the power of such effects is beyond our control. Thus, we uncontrollably create more negative causes and negative affinities that bring negative retributions.

這種「見」和「惑」的境界，又讓我們增加。增加什麼呢？增加憎恨的人，增加愛追求的人。這種憎恨的無明，就是又在這裡糾結增長，這都叫做「無明」——「無明的流動」。

What would such states of views and delusions add to our minds? They would increase our hatred and desires. Such hatred would grow and entangle our minds. These are all called ignorance, the Currents of ignorance.

 

無明的流動牽引
將使人不由自主的
造作出惡因惡緣
結出惡果

We afflictions are caused by foolishness, that is the Currents of Ignorance. The influence of ignorance will cause us to uncontrollably create negative causes and conditions, resulting in negative retributions.

學佛我們要知道，就是這股無名的流動，牽引的力量，它又再牽動我們的身口。

To learn Buddhism, we must be aware of the power of the Currents of Ignorance, which can affect our actions and words.

這股力量實在是說來很奧秘，由不得自己，使我們的心，不斷隨著境界牽動。

This power is unexplainable and uncontrollable. It can cause our mindsets to continuously change according to the conditions we encounter.

過去我們也說過「身口七支」——口有四：「妄言、綺語、兩舌、惡口」共計有四項；我們的身體有「殺、盜、淫」這三項。這身口七支由我們的「無明見思惑」中升起。

We've talked about the 7 Branches of karma. Four are speech: lies, flattery, gossip and harsh words. There are of the body: killing, stealing and sexual misconduct. Then seven kinds of karma of body and speech originate from delusions of views and ignorance.

無論是「見思之惑」或是「無明之惑」，就是貪瞋癡不斷在牽動。這樣我們就會在三界之中無法脫離！所以見解實在是很重要。

These delusions are greed, anger and ignorance that bind us to the Three Realms. Therefore, proper views are critical.

同樣在人生中，有很多我們面對的境界，讓我們心生慾念。心有了慾念，顛倒人生就受苦；有了苦就受它束縛；受了束縛後，觀念、迷惑，一層一層疊上去。既然做了錯了，還怕人知道，真的是很辛苦的事。

Similarly, in life we encounter many circumstances that give rise to our desires. Once desires arise, a confused life will bring suffering. With suffering comes entanglements, with entanglements come views, confusion and delusion that continue to accumulate. When one errs, and is afraid of others knowing, it is a difficult burden.

所以這種粗重的煩惱，就是在我們的生命中流動，所以叫做「四流造一切罪。」

Therefore, such heavy afflictions flow like currents in our life. So "the Four Currents may cause all wrongdoings."

各位，我們要真正用心，我們的心要好好顧守好，不要受流動的煩惱影響我們，脫離了軌道。所以時時要多用心啊！

Everyone, we should truly be mindful. Let us take good care of our minds and not allow afflictions to influence us to deviate from the right path. Therefore, please always be mindful.