佛陀的喜悅 The Joy of the Buddha

The Joy of the Buddha

　　佛陀的喜悅

If all is impermanent, unsatisfactory, and selfless, then what is the point of existence? One man watches a river flow by. If he does not wish it to flow, to change ceaselessly in accord with its nature, he will suffer great pain. Another man understands that the nature of the river is to change constantly, regardless of his likes and dislikes, and therefore he does not suffer. To know existence as this flow, empty of lasting pleasure, void of self, is to find that which is stable and free of suffering, to find true peace in the world.

　　如果一切都是無常、苦(不圓滿)、無我的，生命還有什麼意義呢?一個注視著一條川流不息的河水的人，如果不希望河水流動，不希望它照著它的本然不斷地改變，他必將痛苦不已。另外一個人了解河流的本質是不斷地改變的──不論他喜歡與否，因此他就不會痛苦。去明白生命如這流水──歡樂的空、自我的空，就是去找尋穩定和苦的解脫，尋找世間真正的安寧。

’Then,” some people may ask, “what is the meaning of life? Why are we born?” I cannot tell you. Why do you eat? You eat so that you do not have to eat anymore. You are born so that you will not have to be born again.

　　「然而，」有些人可能會問道:「什麼是生命的意義?我們是為了什　而出生的?」我沒辦法告訴你們。為什麼你要吃東西?你吃東西是為了不需要再吃任何東西了；你出生是為了不再出生。

To speak about the true nature of things, their voidness or emptiness, is difficult. Having heard the teachings, one must develop the means to understand.

　　論及事物真實的本然，它們的空或無，非常困難。聽了這些教導之後，我們必須展開方法去理解。

Why do we practice? If there is no why, then we are at peace. Sorrow cannot follow the one who practices like this.

　　為什麼我們要修行？如果沒有為什麼，那我們就是在平靜之中了。憂傷是無法追隨一個如此修行的人的。

The five aggregates are murderers. Being attached to body, we will be attached to mind, and vice versa. We must cease to believe our minds. Use the precepts and calming of the heart to develop restraint and constant mindfulness. Then you will see happiness and displeasure arising and not follow either, realizing that all states are impermanent, unsatisfactory, and empty. Learn to be still. In this stillness will come the true joy of the Buddha.

　　五蘊是殺手，執著身體，就會去執著心；反之亦然。我們必須停止去相信我們的心。用戒律和內心的寧靜來增長抑制和相續的正念。然後，你將洞徹快樂和不快樂的生起，也不會跟隨它們。了解所有的狀況都是無常、苦和空的。學習冷靜，在這樣的平靜中將會產生佛陀的「真正的喜悅」。