規矩(戒)是工具 Rules are Tools

Rules are Tools

　　規矩(戒)是工具

One should fear wrongdoings, sometimes even to the point of not being able to sleep. At first, cling to the rules, make them a burden. Afterwards, you can carry them lightly. But you must experience the heaviness first, just as before one can go beyond suffering, one must experience suffering. One who is conscientious is at first like a freshwater fish in salt water -trying to keep rules, his eyes will burn and sting. Whereas one who is indifferent and negligent will not be disturbed but will also never learn to see.

　　我們應該懼怕惡行──有時甚至到無法入眠的地步。剛開始，都會執著條規，把它們變成一種負擔，之後，你方能夠駕輕就熟。可是，你必須先經驗那種負荷，如同在我們可以超越痛苦之前，必須先經歷痛苦一樣。一個謹慎的人剛開始時就好似一條淡水魚在鹽水里一樣──試圖要守持條規，但他的眼睛會如火灼般刺痛。然而，一個不關心、不在意的人，雖然毫不受干擾，但永遠也學不會去了解。

Working with the 227 precepts is essential to our monk’s practice. We must follow the rules well. Yet the rules are endless. Keep in mind that rules are conventions or tools. There is no need to study all the expressions of Dharma or know all the rules. To cut a path through the forest, you need not cut down all the trees. Cutting just one row can take you to the other side.

　　行持兩百七十七條戒是我們出家人修行的根本。我們必須好好地遵守戒條，然而，戒是無數的。切記！戒條是約定俗成的、是工具。沒有必要去學習所有的名相或認識所有的戒條。要在森林中開辟一條道路，不必把所有的樹都砍掉啊!只要砍一排，就能帶你到另一邊了。

The point of all practice is to lead you to freedom, to become one who knows the light all the time. The only way to reach an end in the practice of virtue is by making the mind pure.

　　一切修行的意義，是要導引你至解脫，導引你成為一位一切時中都覺知光明的人。唯一能達到戒行圓滿的方法，就是使心清淨。