《靜思晨語。法譬如水》512. 屋寬不如心寬

A Big Heart Is Better Than a Big House

影音版 優酷網  | YouTube 

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當知多欲之人
多求利故苦惱亦多
少欲之人
無求無欲則無此患

You should know that those who have many desires seek many benefits and thus have many afflictions. Those with few desires seek nothing and have no such worries.

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「當知多欲之人，多求利故，苦惱亦多；少欲之人，無求無裕，則無此患。」這段文字就是要和大家分享，分享人人應該要知道，一切苦難都是來自於多欲。

"You should know that those who have many desires seek many benefits and thus have many afflictions. Those with few desires seek nothing and have no such worries." I want to share this passage with you all. This is something everyone should know. All suffering comes from having many desires.

這麼多天以來，我們不是一直在說地獄苦！所苦的無法讓我們以語言，來表達那種苦相；所以就以種種刑具和受罪的人，來做一個形容！

Over these last few days, I have constantly said that Hell is painful. The suffering there is inexpressible; it cannot be described by words. So, we describe the methods of torture and those who suffer.

其實地獄離我們不太遠，人間我們可以常常看到，多少現在就已經受苦了；我們也可以聽到，在很遙遠的地方，已經累次累次天災人禍，造成無量無數的苦，無論是貧窮加上災難、加上歉收、加上…很多合在一起，所以他們非常苦！

Actually, Hell is not far away from us. We often see it in the Human Realm. So many people are already suffering right now. We hear stories from faraway places. We hear stories from faraway places. The accumulation of natural and manmade disasters creates infinite suffering. Whether people face disaster on top of poverty, on top of crop failure, on top of… They face a combination of things so they suffer greatly.

有人會說：那些人何辜呢？他這一世怎麼會生下來，就在那個地方！這輩子來就是一直在受苦，這樣在折磨，受到飢寒病苦、天災人禍，不斷都是累積在那裡。想想看，他們不是這輩子有能力去造業？沒有，但是過去生中我們不知道！無法說他就是過去生中，做了什麼、做了什麼！

Some people say, "These people are innocent. Why were they born in such a place?" They are constantly suffering in this life. They are tormented by hunger, cold, illness and pain, and suffer from natural and manmade disasters. Think about it. Could they have created all that karma this life? No. But we do not know about their past lives. We have no way to tell them they did this-and-that in a previous life.

但是在我們佛陀的教法，大覺者對過去、現在、未來的道理，他能很清楚；佛乃是三界導師、四生慈父，佛壽無量數，來人間只不過是一個應化身，來教育我們，將他過去不斷所知道、所累積的，他對我們教育。也說過人間的壽命並不長，佛陀出生在人間總共是八十歲，是不是佛壽才八十歲？不是，佛壽是無量劫、是無量壽、無量數，只是現象應化身而已。過去也說：「人間壽命，你即使一百歲，也只不過忉利天的一天而已。」何況佛陀已經超越過去了！所以宇宙大覺者，他宇宙天地間的道理明徹，只是來人間應化一下。

But with the Buddha's teaching, the truth about the past, present and future, they can understand. He is the teacher of the Three Realms, compassionate father of the four kinds of beings, and has infinite lives. His human form was just an incarnation, used to teach us everything He learned in all His past lives. I have said human life is not very long. The Buddha spent 80 years in the Human Realm. Does that mean the Buddha's life was 80 years? No. His life lasts for infinite Kalpas. His life is infinite. That form was just an incarnation. I have also said, "A life of 100 years here is just one day in Trayastrimsa Heaven." The Buddha has already surpassed that. He is the Great Enlightened One of the universe. He clearly understands the truth of the universe, He just came here to embody it.

所以佛知過去，過去的無量數劫；所以他會告訴我們：「我們人人都是累生累世所造的業。惡業若很強，一下就墮入地獄；若是中等的惡業，生下來就到多災多難多困苦的地方，那個地方就是共業！」人間共業的地方，由不得自己，苦不堪言！哀叫無人可回應，大家都很苦，求救無門，呼天叫地！到底他們造的是什麼業？不離開多欲。

So, the Buddha knows the past, the infinite, countless kalpas of the past. He told us that we have been accumulating karma over many lifetimes. With strong bad karma, we descend to Hell. With moderate bad karma, we are born into a place with much disaster, suffering and difficulty. We are led to that place by collective karma. When we end up with this collective karma, it is beyond our control; the pain is unspeakable. We wail, but no one responds. Everyone there suffers. No one responds to the cries for help. Whatever karma people created is related to having many desires.

所以佛陀在《遺教經》中，也是這樣對我們說：「要知道－－多欲之人，多求欲故，煩惱亦多；多求利故，苦惱亦多。」只是多欲多求利，這樣苦惱很多！「少欲之人，無求無欲，則無此患。」我們若是少欲的人，自然我們就不會受到這種報。

In the Sutra of Bequeathed Teachings, the Buddha also told us, "Those with many desires seek many benefits, thus have many afflictions." Having many desires and seeking many benefits brings many afflictions. "Those with few desires seek nothing and have no such worries." If we have few desires, we will not face such retributions.

剛才說，極重的業墮地獄；中等的業，共業在人間的某一個地方；若是輕輕的業，就是我們一般人，苦樂參半。

As I said, very serious karma brings us to Hell. With moderate karma, we follow collective karma to the Human Realm. If we have very mild karma, we live like most people, with a mix of pain and joy.

有苦，過去結了不好的緣，現在在一起，苦啊！或是過去障礙他人，這一生讓我們諸事不如意，苦啊！但是還有機會，能聽聞佛法、能修行、能造福人群；雖然我們現在在修行，也有過去生中輕微的業，也還帶來人間，所以我們有我們的習氣，我們的習氣令我們心多煩惱，這都有。

There is still suffering. If we created bad affinities in the past and are with that person now, we suffer. If we hindered others in the past, in this life we will be very unsuccessful. This is suffering. But we have a chance to listen to Dharma, to practice, to create blessings for humanity. Although we are practicing now, we have some slight bad karma from previous lives that we brought back to this world. So, we still have our negative habitual tendencies. These tendencies create so many afflictions. We bring all of this to this world.

來到人間，在三界六道中，多少都有業，業的起頭多數都是一個欲字，所以才會說「一念無明生三細，境界為緣就長六粗了。」所以一念無明是從欲開始；所以一念欲心起，就多求，這一求，財色名食等等，五欲就隨著境界不斷叢生出來。

In the Three Realms and Six Destinies, we all have some amount of karma. Karma mainly originates with desires. Therefore it is said, "An ignorant thought causes the Three Subtleties, external states lead to the Six Coarse Marks." An ignorant thought comes from desire. When desire arises, we seek many things, like wealth, beauty, recognition, food, etc. External states cause the Five Desires to flourish.

所以我們若知道，源頭的病在哪裡，我們才能應病下藥。所以佛陀告訴我們：「當知多欲之人，就多求利故。」就是一直求，苦惱亦多！「少欲之人，無求無欲，則無此患。」就沒有這些煩惱、習氣。人與人之間讓我們不如意，對我們多障礙等等…我們若無那念欲，我們就很自在，輕安自在，就沒有這些粗重的煩惱。

So if we know the source of the illness, we can treat it accordingly. Therefore the Buddha told us, "You should know those with many desires seek many benefits." They keep seeking so they "have many afflictions". "Those with few desires seek nothing and have no such worries." They do not have these afflictions or bad habits. If people get in our way or hinder us, etc., but we have no desires, we will be at ease. We will be peaceful and free, because we do not have these coarse afflictions.

所以之前我們也已經說過，地獄的眾生，我們已經知道那麼多了；我們若能有懺悔的心，我們才能脫離那種地獄，甚至心靈的地獄，我們都能心得解脫，自然一切的苦都能化成樂具。所以我們要記得，我們要能虔誠禮懺；所以我們應該知道，一切的苦都是從心造！一切的罪業也是從心起，一切都是唯心。所以常常在和大家說這個心字，所以罪從心起，也是要從心懺。我們要懺悔，很虔誠，向佛前求哀懺悔，向佛前求哀懺悔！

We have already said this in the past. We already know so much about sentient beings in Hell. If we can be repentant, then we can escape that type of hell. We can even be liberated from our mental hells. Then all suffering becomes joy. So, we must remember to sincerely pay respect and repent. We should know that all suffering is created by the mind. All negative karma originates in the mind. Everything is in the mind. So, I often talk to you about the mind. Wrongdoings arise from the mind, so repentance must also arise from the mind. We need to repent, to sincerely repent in front of the Buddha.

大家應該要記得，我們以最清淨的佛心，從心懺悔；人人都是在我們現前的諸佛，我們若對任何人，有什麼態度、語言，或是…等等，有冒犯的地方，我們要趕快在人面前懺悔，這也是很重要！不只是來寺院裡，在佛前說：「佛啊！佛啊！我懺悔！佛啊…等等。」不只，人人都是佛，最好我們要時時感恩、尊重、愛。

Let us remember to repent with our purest Buddha-mind. Everyone before us is a Buddha. If we offend someone with our attitude, words, etc., we should repent before them. This is very important. Do not just come to the monastery and tell Buddha, "Oh Buddha, I repent, etc." Everyone is a Buddha, so it is best if we are always grateful, respectful and loving.

我們的心若時時有感恩，看到人就是感恩，我們彼此互相同住在一起，互相來成就。所以我們要感恩，因為我們彼此互相成就；所以我們要尊重，因為人人都是未來的佛、現在的菩薩，所以我們對人人要尊重。甚至才開始在發心，我們要愛，上求下化。

If we always feel gratitude, we will be grateful when we see others. We all live together, so we help each other succeed. Therefore, let us be grateful for helping each other to achieve something. We need to be respectful, because everyone is a future Buddha, and a Bodhisattva now. So, respect everybody. Love even those who just made their vows. We seek the Dharma as we help others.

所以我們日常的生活，若能有感恩、尊重、愛，那就不會做錯事了。假使我們的心念若顧不好，我們要趕快稽顙懺悔。

In our daily living, if we have gratitude, respect and love, we will not make mistakes. If we cannot take good care of our thoughts, we must prostrate deeply and repent right away.

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禮諸佛已
次復懺悔
已懺地獄報竟
今當懺悔三惡道報

We have already paid respect to all Buddhas; now we repent again. We have repented the retributions of Hell. Today we repent the retributions of the Three Evil Destinies.

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經中佛說
多欲之人
多求利故
苦惱亦多

In the Sutras, the Buddha said those with many desires seek many gains, thus they have many afflictions.

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「禮諸佛已，次復懺悔」雖然是禮佛了，我們還要再懺悔！「已懺地獄報竟」過去雖然已經懺悔了地獄之報，已經完畢了；「今當懺悔三惡道報！」還有三惡道！除了地獄之外，還有三惡道之報也要懺悔！

"We have already paid respect to all Buddhas; now we repent again." We have paid respect to the Buddha, but we still need to repent. "We have repented the retributions of Hell." Although we have already repented the retributions of Hell, "today we repent the retributions of the Three Evil Destinies." There are still the Three Evil Destinies. In addition to Hell, there are retributions from the Evil Destinies.

「經中佛說，多欲之人，多求利故，苦惱亦多。」這段經文就是佛說的。佛就是說我們都是多欲，所以我們多求，所以我們苦惱就很多了！

"In the Sutras, the Buddha said, those with many desires seek many gains, thus they have many afflictions." This passage was spoken by the Buddha The Buddha said we all have many desires, so we seek many things, therefore we have many afflictions.

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知足之人
雖臥地上 猶為安樂
不知足者
雖處天堂 猶不稱意

Those who are content can be peaceful and happy even when lying on the floor. Those who are discontent can be in Heaven but still feel dissatisfied.

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但世間之人
忽有急難
便能捨財不計多少

But when those in this world face an emergency, they are willing to give whatever it takes.

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再來又說－－「知足之人，雖臥地上，猶為安樂；不知足者，雖處天堂，猶不稱意。但世間之人，忽有急難，便能捨財不計多少。」

Next the text says, "Those who are content can be peaceful and happy even when lying on the floor. Those who are discontent can be in Heaven but still feel dissatisfied. But when those in this world face an emergency, they are willing to give whatever it takes."

花錢消災，人都是這樣；災難還沒有來臨前，我們就要先知道了－－要知道若是知足之人，我們的心都沒有掛礙，沒有絲毫因財而掛礙的事，都沒有，逍遙自在！

People spend money to eliminate disasters. We all do this. Before disasters arrive, we need to know and be prepared. If we are content, we will not be worried about anything, not even money, not at all. We are happy and free.

過去的出家人，一缽萬里遊，只要三衣一缽，我們就能生活下去了。孤僧一缽萬里遊，看，多逍遙自在啊！我們雖然現在這樣子生活，雖然要付出、要勞力，但是我們都心無掛礙，不受利誘來覆蔽我們的心，所以我們要知足。知足的人，雖然睡在地上，如此簡陃，我們也很歡喜！

In the past, monastics traveled far and wide with only one alms bowl. We can live with three robes and a bowl. A monk can travel far and wide with one alms bowl. How carefree and at ease! Although the way we live right now requires us to give and work hard, we have no worries in our minds. Wealth does not entice us or obscure our minds. So, we must be content. If we are content, even when we sleep on the ground, which is very austere, we can still be happy.

我每天在看「草根菩提」，這些菩薩，我們的同仁或是真善美，社區的真善美志工就會去拍，去追蹤我們這些草根菩薩、環保菩薩。他們家裡的環境到底是怎麼樣？有的人很簡單、很簡陃；但是他很快樂、他很歡喜！

Every day I watch "Grassroots Bodhi". These Bodhisattvas are filmed by our staff or our community media volunteers.

我所看到的，有一位菩薩，他們家的廚房剛好在巷道裡，在巷子裡遮起來，窗口下就是流理台，就是煮飯、放瓦斯；後面就是一個架子，放一些廚房用具。她的人塞在巷道裡，那樣轉過來就是這個瓦斯爐；轉過來手不必伸長，它就是那些廚房的用具、碗盤等等…整理得很整齊，地方是這麼窄，但是她很歡喜。

They follow these grassroots Bodhisattvas, these recycling Bodhisattvas, What are their living conditions like? Some people live very simply, very austerely, but they are very happy and joyous. I saw a Bodhisattva whose kitchen happens to be a covered part of the alley. Under the window is a countertop for cooking and gas. Across from that is a shelf with kitchen gadgets. She is squeezed into this alley. When she turns this way she faces the gas stove. When she turns the other way she does not need to even stretch out her hand for kitchen gadgets, bowls, plates, etc.. It is organized very neatly. The space is very narrow, but she is very happy.

問她：「妳這個地方這麼窄」！

Someone told her, "Your place is so narrow."

她回答：「師父說：『屋寬不如心寬。』心若寬，就不管這裡多窄了，有得煮飯來吃就很好了；看到人家房子在漏，沒房子住，我已經很滿足了」。

She said, "Master says, 'A big heart is better than a big house'. If my heart is open, it does not matter how narrow this is. Having a place to cook is good enough. Some people have leaky roofs. Some have no homes. I am already very content."

你看，多逍遙啊！多自在啊！她的心很開闊，這叫做知足之人。廚房是這樣，我們就能想像，她其他所住的地方多麼簡單！

Look at how carefree and at ease she is! Her heart is very open. This is a content person. If her kitchen is like this, we can imagine how simple the rest of her living space is.

所以說：「知足之人，雖臥地上，猶為安樂。」也是很快樂！若是「不知足者，雖處天堂，猶不稱意。」若是不知足的人，他們家無論多麼富麗堂皇，裝潢得很美，也覺得還是不夠！不夠！物質已經很充足了，但是不滿足，苦不苦呢？所以「猶不稱意」！

So "those who are content can be peaceful and happy even when lying on the floor". They can be very happy. "Those who are discontent can be in Heaven but still feel dissatisfied." If people are not content, no matter how opulent or beautifully decorated their house is, they feel that it is not enough. They have plenty of things, but are not content. Isn't that suffering? So, they "still feel dissatisfied".

「但世間人，忽有急難」時，就趕快要去求；不要緊，花多少錢都沒關係。去祭、去蓋運，去…很多！臨時才想要去如何，求已經來不及了！就像現在在的人，求利犯法；有牢獄之災，但是現在在外面花了多少錢，去請律師，去…等等，這樣是不是有辦法就稱心如意？就能出來了嗎？這花更多錢交保，說不定不到幾天又進去！所以我們人，最好就是不要犯；一犯了，無論你花用多少錢，花錢消災，有時不只是無法消災，反而災難會更多！

"But if those in this world face an emergency", they will quickly pray. I do not care how much money I spend I will hold sacrifices or ceremonies to change my luck. Trying to make things right at the last minute is already too late. Look at those who break the law for profit and end up in jail. Now, they spend a lot of money to hire lawyers, etc.. Can this make things go their way, so they can be released? They spend even more money on bail, and perhaps return to jail after a few days. So, it is best we do not break the law. No matter how much money we spend to avoid disasters, sometimes, not only can we not eliminate them, we face even more disasters.

所以最重要的源頭，災難的源頭只有一個字「欲」！我們不要貪欲，自然我們就能避開災難。所以時時我們要用心，用心才真正是我們人間最安全的，能走好這條安全的道路。我們發心立願，我們才能造福人間；我們心中無欲，我們才能開啟智慧、體會佛法。

So, one word embodies the source of suffering, desire. If we are not greedy, we can avoid disasters. So, we always have to be mindful. That is truly the safest way to live. If we can walk on this safe path, we form aspirations and make vows so we can create blessings for the world, and have a mind free of desires. Then we can unlock wisdom and realize the Dharma.

各位，我們要體會佛法，就是要保持我們的心時時平靜，不求名、求欲、求利，自然我們「與世無爭則世安；與人無爭則人安」。我們事事無爭，我們的心永遠都安；安心的人自然就是智慧。

So everyone, to understand the Buddha-Dharma, we need to keep our minds calm. If we do not seek fame, desires, wealth, we will naturally not contend with the world, so we are peace with the world. We do not fight others, so everyone is at peace. If we do not fight over anything, our minds will always be peaceful. Those who are peaceful will have wisdom.

所以我們在一個欲字，所以我們人人要知道，「多欲之人多求利」，苦惱就多了。你要求多少利，你就有多少的苦惱！少欲的人，我們就能高枕安眠，自然我們就能很安心、輕安自在。

The key is desire, so we all need to know that those with many desires, seek many gains, thus they have many afflictions. The more we seek, the more afflictions we have. Those with few desires can sleep peacefully. They are peaceful, happy and free.

所以各位，學佛沒有什麼特別，安得了我們這念心，不要讓心出錯，冒出了欲念來。所以我們要常常保持心平氣和，看淡人心的利欲；我們若能看淡，什麼樣的災難都沒了。人人若如此，人間就是淨土了，所以請大家時時多用心！

So everyone, there is nothing special about learning Buddhism. Just calm your mind; do not let it make mistakes and stir up desires. Always maintain peace and harmony in your minds, see through your desires for gain. Then there will be no disasters. If we are all like this, this world will be a Pure Land. So everyone, please always be mindful.