修定 Learning Concentration
Learning Concentration
修 定
In our practice, we think that noises, cars, voices, sights, are distractions that come and bother us when we want to be quiet. But who is bothering whom? Actually, we are the ones who go and bother them. The car, the sound, is just following its own nature. We bother things through some false idea that they are outside us and cling to the ideal of remaining quiet, undisturbed.
在修行中，我們總認為，當我們想安靜時，是噪音、車子、聲音、視覺來干擾我們，可是，到底是誰在干擾誰呢?事實上，我們才是去干擾它們的人。車子、聲音只是順其自然罷了。我們透過錯誤的觀念──認為它們是外在的，去干擾它們，並執取要保持安靜和不要受到干擾的觀念。
Learn to see that it is not things that bother us, that we go out to bother them. See the world as a mirror. It is all a reflection of mind. When you know this, you can grow in every moment, and every experience reveals truth and brings understanding.
學習去了解，並不是事物在干擾我們，而是我們自己去干擾它們。一旦你認識這點，每一刻你都可以成長，而且每個經驗都顯示著真理，並也帶來領悟。
Normally, the untrained mind is full of worries and anxieties, so when a bit of tranquility arises from practicing meditation, you easily become attached to it, mistaking states of tranquility for the end of meditation. Sometimes you may even think you have put an end to lust or greed or hatred, only to be overwhelmed by them later on. Actually, it is worse to be caught in calmness than to be stuck in agitation, because at least you will want to escape from agitation, whereas you are content to remain in calmness and not go any further.
通常，不曾受過訓練的心充滿著擔憂和焦慮，所以當些許的平靜在禪修中生起時，你會輕易地去執著它，錯誤地認為平靜的狀態就是禪坐的終點。有時侯，你甚至會認為你已經結束了淫欲、貪欲或嗔怒，但，未來只會被它們所淹蓋。事實上，陷于平靜中比陷于煩擾中還糟，因為，你至少會想脫離煩擾，然而，在平靜中。你會樂于耽溺，而絲毫不向前進。
When extraordinarily blissful, dear states arise from insight meditation practice, do not cling to them. Although this tranquility has a sweet taste, it too must be seen as impermanent, unsatisfactory, and empty. Absorption is not what the Buddha found essential in meditation. Practice without thought of attaining absorption or any special state. Just know whether the mind is calm or not and, if so, whether a little or a lot. In this way it will develop on its own.
當極樂、清明的狀態從內觀禪修中生起時，不要去執著它們，雖然這種平靜的滋味很甜，但是，我們一樣要將它視為無常、苦和空的。禪那(定)並不是佛陀在禪坐中所發現的核心。不要想去達到禪那或任何特殊境地而修行，只要知道心是否平靜就好，如果是，是多或少。如此一來，平靜會自然增長。
Nevertheless, concentration must be firmly established for wisdom to arise. To concentrate the mind is like turning on the switch, and wisdom is the resulting light. Without the switch, there is no light, but we should not waste our time playing with the switch. Likewise, concentration is the empty bowl and wisdom the food that fills it and makes the meal.
雖然如此，為了智慧的生起，定必須穩固地建立起來。要將心專注起來，就好像開開關，而智慧就是光。如果沒有開關，就不會有光線。可是，我們也不應該將時間浪費在玩開關上。同樣的道理，定是空缽，而智慧是填滿缽和成為一餐的食物。
Do not be attached to the object of meditation such as a mantra. Know its purpose. If you succeed in concentrating your mind using the mantra “Buddho,” let the mantra go. It is a mistake to think that to stop repeating “Buddho” would be laziness. Buddha means “the one who knows” -if you become one who knows, why repeat the word?
不要去執著禪修的對象(所緣境)，例如：咒語。認識它的目的。如果你用咒語「逋哆」而使你在專注上有所成就，那就放下咒語。認為停止念「逋哆」就是懈怠是錯誤的。「逋哆」的意思是：「覺知者」──如果你是覺知者了，為何還反覆地念這個字呢?