七天開悟 Seven Days to Enlightenment

Seven Days to Enlightenment

　　七天開悟

Achaan Chah described how the Buddha had encouraged his monks by stating that those who practiced diligently would surely be enlightened in seven days or, if not in seven days, then in seven months or seven years. A young American monk heard this and asked if it was still true. Achaan Chah promised that if the young monk was continuously mindful without break for only seven days, he would be enlightened.

　　阿姜 查在描述佛陀是如何藉由說，只要精進修行，就必能在七天內開悟，如果七天內沒開悟，亦將在七個月或七年內達到目的，來鼓勵比丘精進時，一位年輕的美國比丘聽了就問他，這是不是真的？阿姜 查保證：這位年輕的比丘只要不斷地維持正念，七天絲毫不中斷，他就必能開悟。

Excitedly the young monk started his seven days, only to be lost in forgetfulness ten minutes later. Coming back to himself, he again started his seven days, only to become lost once more in mindless thought-perhaps about what he would do after his enlightenment. Again and again he began his seven days, and again and again he lost his continuity of mindfulness. A week later, he was not enlightened but had become very much aware of his habitual fantasies and wandering of mind-a most instructive way to begin his practice on the Path to real awakening.

　　這個比丘興奮地開始了他的七天，但僅十分鍾就忘失了。恢復清醒後，他再開始他的七天，卻再次忘失于妄念中。他一次又一次地重新開始，也一次又一次地失去正念的相續。一個星期後，他並沒有開悟，但卻對習慣性的幻想和散亂的心更加警覺──開啟通向真正覺醒之道的最得益法門。

Results should not be expected too quickly. One with faith and confidence will have determination to persevere, as a market woman who wants to sell goods keeps on hawking, “Who wants soap? Who wants baskets? I’ve got pencils to sell”

　　不應該太快預期結果，一個具備信心和自信的人，就會決定堅持下去；就像一個想要出售貨物的市場婦人一般，會不斷叫賣：「誰要買肥皂?誰要買籃子?我還有賣鉛筆喲!」