一杯水 Cup of Water

〖一杯水〗

來拜訪我的人中，有很多在社會上已有著高等的地位，他們當中有富商、大學畢業的、教師與政府官員。他們內心充滿對事物的種種看法。他們太聰明了，以致聽不進別人的話。這就像一杯水。如果一個杯子里充滿了骯髒不新鮮的水，它並沒有什麼用處。只有當髒水倒盡，它才有可用之處。你們必須先除去你們充滿意見的心，然後才能領悟。我們的修行是超越聰明與愚痴的，如果你認為你很聰明、富有、重要、是佛學專家，這就掩蓋了「無我」的真諦了。你所見到的只是自己——我、我的。然而，佛教是入下「自我」的。那些太聰明的人將永遠學不到東西，他們首先必須除去他們的才智——空掉他們的「杯子」。

Cup of Water

Many of those who came to see me have a high standing in the community. Among them are merchants, college graduates, teachers, and government officials. Their minds are filled with opinions about things. They are too clever to listen to others. It is like a cup of water. If a cup is filled with stale, dirty water, it is useless. Only after the old water has been thrown out can the cup become useful again. You must empty your minds of opinions, then you will see. Our practice goes beyond cleverness and stupidity. If you think that you are clever, wealthy, important, or an expert in Buddhism, you cover up the truth of non-self - I and mine. But Buddhism is letting go of self. Those who are too clever will never learn. They must first get rid of their cleverness, first empty their “cup”.