《靜思晨語。法譬如水》498. 覺性澄清求正道

Seek the True Path With Clear Enlightened Nature

影音版 優酷網  | YouTube 

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日日精進慎勿放逸
學佛道者唯求正道
除去無明覺性清澄
這是修行的目標

Be diligent every day, do not become indulgent. Buddhist practitioners only seek the Right Path. Eliminating ignorance so our enlightened nature becomes clear is the goal of spiritual practice.

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「日日精進，慎勿放逸」，這就是教育我們，平常時時時自我警惕。時間不斷消逝，所以我們要時時自我鞭策，把握時間，向著佛的道路殷勤精進。

Be diligent every day, do not become indulgent. We need to always remind ourselves of this. Time passes continuously. So we need to encourage ourselves to seize the moment and diligently walk Buddha's path.

所以我們學佛道者唯求正道，除去無明覺性清澄，這是我們的目標。

We Buddhist practitioners only seek the Right Path. We eliminate ignorance so our enlightened nature can become clear. This is our goal.

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體本靜寂 垢除心明
明心覺性 越三界苦
得大自在

Our essence was originally tranquil. Eliminate defilements and the mind will be clear. With clear minds and enlightened natures, we surpass the Three Realms and attain great freedom.

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其實佛法是很簡單，只是凡夫心隨著欲念，所以變成了是複雜。

The Buddha-Dharma is actually very simple. But ordinary being's minds follow their desires, so things become complicated.

佛陀他覺悟之後，就是對我們直接說：「人生是苦，苦在人人有欲念。有了欲念的追求，變成了複雜的煩惱這樣不斷叢生出來。」所以佛陀開始，就對我們說人間苦的道理－－苦的道理是來自於人心的欲念。

After the Buddha attained enlightenment, He told us, "Life is suffering. Suffering comes from desires. When we pursue desires, complicated afflictions continuously spring up." So, Buddha began to tell us the truth of suffering. The truth is that suffering comes from our desires.

所以學佛只是這麼樣簡單，我們若能去除欲念，把複雜的事物把它變成了簡單，那這樣這條道路就能夠很正，很正確的康莊大道。大道直故，不只是路寬，路還是很直。你們想，佛陀的教法是不簡單？很簡單！

It is this simple. If we can eliminate desires, and make complicated matters simple, then this road can be a straight, correct and broad path. The path is straight to the end. Not only is it wide, it is also straight. Think about it, aren't the Buddha's teachings simple? Very simple.

佛的真理，就是要設法讓我們去除苦難、要去除無明。常常對大家說：「一念無明生三細，境界為緣長六粗。」只是那念無明而已，就是說三項很微細的煩惱生出來。這個無明微細的煩惱就是「貪、瞋、癡」。

The Buddha's principles teach us how to eliminate pain and suffering, which is to eliminate ignorance. I often say that "an ignorant thought causes the Three Subtleties, external states lead to the Six Coarse Marks." Just one ignorant thought can give rise to three very subtle afflictions, which are greed, anger and ignorance.

這三項實在是非常微細，以現在科學如此發達，就是用顯微鏡要看透我們的心，貪瞋癡這麼微細的煩惱，要去哪裡看得到呢？都是看不到，肉眼看不出來。但是我們自己的心眼反觀自照，我們還有這個貪瞋癡。

These three afflictions are truly very subtle. Though modern science is very advanced, if we look at our minds through a microscope, can we see the subtle afflictions of greed, anger and ignorance? We cannot see them. We cannot see them with our physical eyes. But we can examine ourselves with our mind's eye.

如此微細的無明煩惱存在嗎？如人飲水冷暖自知，唯有自己能夠去感覺。所以我們是不是要，時時很用心呢？要不然這個無明是無法去除，我們若不去除無明，覺性要如何能夠澄清呢？

Do we still have the subtle afflictions of greed, anger and ignorance? Only the person drinking the water can experience how hot or cold it is. So, don't we need to be always mindful? Otherwise, we have no way to eliminate ignorance. If we do not eliminate ignorance, how will our enlightened natures become clear?

所以說－－「體本靜寂，垢除心明；明心覺性，越三界苦，得大自在。」我們的覺性是如此光明透徹，但就是被無明遮蓋，所以本性的光明照不出去外面。所以我們現在要趕緊反觀自照，讓我們內在的覺性使之明朗起來；因為我們的覺性，本來很清淨、很透徹。

Our enlightened natures are so bright and clear. But they are obscured by ignorance. So, the radiance of our intrinsic natures cannot shine through. So, right now we need to quickly self-reflect so we can illuminate our inner enlightened natures. Our enlightened natures were originally very pure and clear.

所以，我們自己現在還沒有那樣能力可以反觀自照，我們就要借重佛陀他覺悟之後的方法，我們借用他的方法，來回歸我們的本性。

Right now we do not have the ability to illuminate this nature ourselves so we need to borrow the methods the Buddha taught us after His enlightenment. We borrow His methods to return to our intrinsic natures.

我們人人都有本體，有這個本體才能顯相，才能夠去運用。我們若沒有本體，就沒有相和用。

We each have a basic essence. Because we have this essence we are able to manifest it and make use of it. Without this essence, we would have no appearance nor function.

所以「體、相、用」，這就是佛陀教我們－－「我們自己的本體，本來就是靜寂清澄，就是我們的本性。」所以我們要去除了那個垢，無明若去除，自然我們的心就明。所以覺性和本體心，這都是同一件事情。

Regarding essence, appearance and function, the Buddha taught us that our original essence was tranquil and clear. That was our intrinsic nature. So, we need to eliminate defilements. If we eliminate ignorance, our minds will be clear. Enlightened nature, basic essence and the mind are all the same thing.

總而言之，就是我們有那個無明，把我們的覺性、把我們原來的本質，我們全都將它污染掉了，所以我們在外面顯現出來的、現前出來的，都是一些引誘我們的東西。我們自己內心的那個無明貪欲，也是去取著外面的境界，所以體、相、用，使我們愈陷愈深。

In summary, our ignorance has polluted our enlightened nature, our basic essence. So, what manifests in the outside world are things that entice us. Because of our ignorance and greed we grasp at the things in our surroundings. So with that essence, appearance and function, we will become trapped more deeply.

我們若能夠反觀回來，知道我們的本體，我們的本性，我們的本心，本來就是如此清澄寂靜，如此清明；我們應該要趕快反觀自照，我們要趕緊向這條的道路明確精進，那這樣我們才能有辦法明心覺性，才能有辦法越三界的苦難，得到自在。

If we can self-reflect, we recognize that our basic essence, our intrinsic nature, our original mind, was inherently clear, tranquil, and pure. So, we must quickly self-reflect to illuminate our minds. We must quickly and diligently progress on this path. Then we see our natures with clear minds, and surpass the suffering of the Three Realms to attain freedom.

所以說起來是這麼簡單，不過就是一個心念而已。這個心念我們若是控制得住，那些五欲就完全去除，這些欲念完全去除，無明就能夠降伏下來。降伏了無明，我們心的光明才能夠透徹出來。

Saying it this way sounds very simple. It is just a thought. If we can control our thoughts, we can completely eliminate the Five Desires. If we eliminate these greedy thoughts, we can subdue our ignorance. If we do so, then the light in our minds can shine through.

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妻子眷屬 非復我親
七珍寶飾 乃為他玩
以此而言 世間果報
皆為幻化

Our wives, children and family members, will no longer be our relatives. Our treasures and jewelry will belong to others. Based on this, we see that worldly retributions are all illusory.

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天上雖樂 會歸敗壞
壽盡魂逝 墮落三途

Even though there is joy in Heaven, it will eventually decay. When life is over and the spirit leaves, we fall into the Three Destinies.

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下面這段文又再這樣說－－「妻子眷屬，非復我親；七珍寶飾，乃為他玩。以此而言，世間果報皆為幻化，天上雖樂會歸敗壞，壽盡魂逝墮落三途。」

The repentance text continues on to state, "Our wives, children and family members, will no longer be our relatives. Our treasures and jewelry will belong to others. Based on this, we see that worldly retributions are all illusory. Even though there is joy in Heaven, it will eventually decay. When life is over and the spirit leaves, we fall into the Three Destinies."

其實這段文字也是很淺顯，大家應該看了都懂。

This passage is quite clear. Everyone should understand it.

因為不只是物質，無論是貴重便宜等等…一切，一直到我們一口氣若不來，那些東西都不是我們的了。甚至「妻子眷屬」無論是我們多愛的人，同樣到了那個時候，「非復我親」，已經不是我的親人了。

Not only material goods, whether expensive or cheap, but everything that we possess will no longer be ours when we stop breathing. Even "our wives, children and family members", no matter how much we love them, when that time comes, "will no longer be our relatives". They are no longer our loved ones.

因為各人一條生死路，個人造業，各人帶業而去。所以世間無論是多麼親、多麼愛，平時卿卿我我情愛纏綿，到了最後，還是各人所造的業，是各人隨業而轉。到了那時，愛與親都是各人一條路。

We all have our own path in life and death. We all create karma and take this karma with us. So in this world, no matter how close and loving, how entangled in love and passion we are, in the end, we alone take the karma we created. We transmigrate base on that karma. At that moment, we and our loved ones each have our own path.

在很多年前，我記得有這樣的事情，那就是有一位會員，就是帶她的兒子來和我見面。那當時這位會員來到我的面前，哭哭啼啼，帶的這個兒子，好像病得很重，臉很黃、體力很弱。

I remember an incident from many years ago. A member brought her son to meet me. When she came before me she cried and wailed. It seemed that her son was gravely ill. His face was jaundiced and he was very weak.

我就問說：「是什麼事情？」媽媽就一直對兒子說：「你自己說，你自己說。」兒子就是頭低低的，一句話都不說。

I asked, "What's the matter?" She kept telling her son, "Tell her. Tell her yourself." Her son kept looking down and did not speak a word.

我就對這個媽媽說：「你說啊，你起頭說。」她說：「他是自己說要來看師父，要求要來看師父，現在來到了怎麼不說？」

So I told her, "You can say it. You start." She said, "He said he wanted to see you. He asked to meet you. Now that he's here, why won't he speak?"

我說：「你起頭說。」她就說：「是交了一個女朋友，愛得死去活來，對方不肯，那個女孩子就約我兒子，相約兩個人要一起『走』。這個孩子就很傻，真的就是和人一起去喝藥。那個女孩子拿藥給我兒子喝，兩個人就喝了，喝了就『去』了。『去』了，我們發現時，就趕緊為他們急救、急救，急救之後，兩個人又再醒來。」

I said, "You start." She said, "He had a girlfriend. They loved each other deeply. But her family opposed it, so she proposed that they die together. This child was very foolish. He actually drank poison with her. She gave it to him and they both drank it. Then they started dying. When we discovered them, we quickly administered emergency resuscitation. Afterwards, they regained consciousness."

我說：「醒來不就好了？」她說：「才不，還沒了！那個女孩子又來叫我兒子，說這輩子如果不一起走，她不甘願，所以就一直叫。那個女孩子又再把我兒子叫去，到她家又喝下去了，喝了之後，那個女孩子去了，我兒子一個多禮拜都沒有醒來。」

I said, "Isn't that a good thing?" She said, "No, there's more. The girl came to my son again and said she wouldn't ever be satisfied unless they died together. So, she kept calling him until he went over and they drank poison again. After that the girl died. My son was unconscious for over a week."

我就說：「你怎麼樣了？一個多禮拜都沒醒來，你怎麼了呢？」他才抬起頭來說：「我自己也不知道，我就一直一直有這樣的感覺。」

I asked, "Why were you unconscious for so long? What happened?" He finally raised his head and said, "I don't know myself. I just had these feelings."

我說：「你有什麼感覺？我很好奇，你到底有什麼感覺？這七天的時間，你有什麼感覺呢？」他說：「很害怕，怎麼會怕。」

I asked, "What feelings? I am very curious. What feelings did you experience? Over those seven days, what were you feeling?" "I was scared."

我問：「你不是和那個女孩子一起走嗎？」他說：「沒有，又沒有和我在一起，很害怕，就是很暗、很冷。我一直叫她，卻都沒有在我的身邊。」

"Why were you scared? Weren't you with that girl?" "No, she was not with me. I was scared, it was dark and cold. I kept calling her, but she was not with me."

我說：「還有什麼感覺嗎？」他回答：「有的，媽媽一直在叫，所以只有聽到媽媽的聲音。這四周很寒冷。」

I said, "Did you feel anything else?" "Yes, my mom kept calling me. I only heard her voice. I was surrounded by bitter cold."

我又繼續問他：「你的女朋友呢？」他說：「我不知道她在哪裡，我在那裡一直很冷，一直很黑暗、很痛苦、很掙扎，只聽到我媽媽的聲音而已。」

"What about your girlfriend?" "I don't know where she was. I was very cold there. It was very dark, very painful, I struggled. I could only hear my mother's voice."

我再問：「再來呢？」他說：「不知道，就眼睛張開就是媽媽在身邊，一直搖我、一直叫我。」

"What then?" "I don't know. I opened my eyes and saw my mom at my side. She kept rocking me, calling to me."

「媽媽」，我就問他媽媽說：「那你怎麼樣呢，七天的時間？」她說：「師父您知道嗎，我若叫不醒他，我會跟著他去。」我說：「啊！妳也想自殺？」她說：「不是！那是捨不得他，我七天七夜都沒睡，我都快發狂起來了。」

I asked his mother, "How did you feel over those seven days?" She said, "Master , do you know, if I hadn't been able to wake him up, I'd have followed him." "Do you mean you would have committed suicide?" She said, "No, I just couldn't let him go. I didn't sleep for seven days and nights. I was about to go crazy."

我就說：「看，妳有聽到妳兒子說了嗎？那七天的時間都是一片黑暗，那個女孩，也沒有在他身邊跟他一起走。妳若真的想不開，若跟著他去，妳兒子也不會在妳身邊。」

I said, "Look, did you hear what he said? He spent seven days in complete darkness. The girl wasn't by his side. If you couldn't let go, and followed him, he would not be by your side either."

這你們想想看，七天的時間，日夜不分都是黑黑暗暗，真的很恐怖。和他一起走的，是不是在他身邊呢？

Everyone, think about this. In these seven days, it was like one pitch black, uninterrupted night. This is very scary. If you die together, will you stay together?

我們常常說：「看不到的事情。」其實這種魂魄離開身邊，離開了身體，所看到的、所感覺的是什麼呢？業若尚未盡，那種的媽媽的疼愛，七天七夜的守護著。總之他業未盡死不了，媽媽的愛又再把他拉回來了。但是這分愛是不是長久的呢？媽媽總有一天也是無常會來。到底這個無常會又再出現在兒子的身上？或者是媽媽的年齡較大呢？不知道！

We often say there are many things we cannot see. Actually, when the spirit leaves the body, what does it see? What does it feel? This boy's karma was not exhausted. His mother lovingly watched over him for seven days and nights, and because it was not his time, he did not die. His mother's love brought him back. But is this love everlasting? One day, death will arrive for his mother, too. Will it come first to the son or to the older mother? We do not know.

那段時間，這對母子就是在那個愛的拔河。一個兒子是為了情而甘願去斷命，一個是為了母子之情，竟然七天七夜守護在身邊。

During that time, this pair were in a tug of war of love. The son was willing to die for love. The mother stayed by his side and watched over him for seven days out of love.

但是聽聽那種從死中歸來的人，那種的心情，應該我們能夠去體會著孤魂獨逝，什麼樣的親都無法在我們身邊，業力是各人造的業力，是不同的路走。所以我們應該要真的很覺悟，覺悟－－「我們一分無明，所以不得自心往內自照，所以一直都是那麼黑暗的心境。」

But when we hear from those who returned from the brink of death, their experiences allow us to realize that the spirit goes alone. None of our loved ones can stay by our side. We all create karma, which leads us onto different paths. So, we must become aware of our ignorant thoughts, thuis we need to constantly illuminate our minds.

在這個世間為了那個欲念，我們也是很掙扎。所以，現在如來就如慈母一般，不厭其煩，不斷倒駕慈航來人間，用直接的方法告訴我們，凡夫還是叫不醒。就像那個年輕人，一次被情拉走，糊里糊塗和人喝安眠藥。喝安眠藥，已經一次拉回來了，在次又是再被拉走，一直到對方結束生命。到底他是不是這樣醒來了，永遠都醒了呢？

With a mental state of constant darkness, we constantly struggle due to our desires. The Tathagata is like a kind mother. He tirelessly sails the ship of compassion back to this world. He uses very direct methods to teach us, but we ordinary people still have not awakened. Take that young man, for example. Once he was led by passion, he confusedly drank poison with the girl. He was already saved once, but then was pulled back in again, until the other person died. Now that he was awoken, will he be awake forever?

所以說，我們若沒有很正確的清醒，若沒有真正的覺悟，實在說一次又一次、一次又一次，不知道要幾次才能夠真正覺悟。

So, if we do not actually awaken, if we do not attain true enlightenment, frankly, who knows how many times it will take to attain true enlightenment?

所以我們應該要趕快直指人心，佛陀就是用很直接對我們說：「人生的苦難，來自於情與欲。」這個欲愛情念，所以會發生了很多無明；所以說到了那時候，就是「妻子眷屬，非復我親」，也不是我的親人了。「七珍寶飾」，就是再多的珍玩寶物，也已經不是我們的了。一口氣不回來，那些東西在世間是別人在玩了，不是我們的了。

So, let us look directly into our minds. The Buddha told us very directly that human being's suffering comes from passions, desires, and cravings. Thus, many ignorant thoughts arise. At our last moment, "Our wives, children and family members, will no longer be our relatives." As for "our treasures and jewelry," no matter how much we have, they will no longer be ours. If we cannot take another breath, these things are left here for others to enjoy. They are not ours.

「以此而言」，像這樣子說來；「世間果報皆為幻化」－－我們來到人間是乘業而來，所以有了那個因緣來，這個果報也是幻化。

Based on this, if this is the case, then "Worldly retributions are all illusory". We follow our karma to the Human Realm. We have the causes and conditions to be here, but this karmic retribution is also illusory.

所以「天上雖樂，會歸敗壞」，雖然天上是很快樂，壽命很長，但是也有壽盡；即便天人也有五衰相現，壽盡的時候。所以「會歸敗壞」，還是一樣有敗壞的時候。所以壽盡、福盡，同樣「魂逝墮落」，那這個魂；身體和我們的靈魂就分開了，同樣靈魂還是墮落，隨著我們的業力去轉。

"Even though there is joy in Heaven, it will eventually decay." Even though in Heaven there is a lot of happiness and people live very long lives, these lifetimes still come to an end. Even heavenly beings manifest the Five Signs of Decay. When their lives end, things "will eventually decay". When life and blessings are exhausted, "the spirit will fall". The body and spirit will be separated and the spirit will fall and follow karmic forces through transmigration.

各位，學佛真的我們就是要學個正道、正念、正思惟，去除了我們的欲念、欲情、欲愛，我們自己的自心性才能夠清澄明朗，才不會又再造作很多業障。所以請大家要時時多用心！

Everyone, when we learn Buddhism we learn the Right Path, Right Thoughts, Right Thinking. By eliminating thoughts of desire, passion, and craving, the nature of our minds can finally be clear and bright. Then we will not create more karmic obstacles. So everyone, please always be mindful.