寧靜的森林水池 A Still Forest Pool 第三章 生活就是我們的修行 Our Life is Our Practice

Our Life is Our Practice

第三章 生活就是我們的修行

Meditation is not separate from the rest of life. All situations provide opportunity to practice, to grow in wisdom and compassion. Achaan Chah teaches that the right effort for us is to be mindful in all circumstances without running away from the world but to learn to act without grasping or attachment.

　　禪修與生活是分不開的。所有的情況都提供了修行、增長智慧和慈悲的機會。阿姜 查教導，對我們而言，正精進是：在任何狀況下都保持正念，不去逃避世間，相反地，學習不去握持或執著地生活。

Furthermore, he insists that the foundation of a spiritual life is virtue. Although virtue is neglected in our modern society, it must be understood and honoured as a fundamental part of meditation. Virtue means taking care so that we do not harm other beings by thought, word, or deed. This respect and caring puts us into a harmonious relationship with all life around us. Only when our words and deeds come from kindness can we quiet the mind and open the heart. The practice of non-harming is the way to begin turning all life situations into practice.

　　另外，他強調精神生活的基礎是戒德。雖然戒德在現代杜會已為人所忽視，可是，還是必須去理解並將戒德奉為禪修的基礎。所謂的戒德是：小心謹慎，才不會在念頭、言語和行為上傷害到他人。這種的尊重與關懷使我們與周遭所有的生命置于一種和協的關系。唯有當我們的言行是發自慈悲時，我們方能平靜心靈和開辟心胸。所謂不傷害的修行是：開始將一切生活的狀況都放入修行的方法。

To further establish our lives on the Middle Way, Achaan Chah recommends moderation and self reliance. A life of excess is difficult soil for the growth of wisdom. To take care with the basics-such as moderation in eating, sleeping, and in speech-helps bring the inner life into balance. It also develops the power of self-reliance. Don’t imitate the way others practice or compare yourself to them, Achaan Chah cautions; just let them be. It is hard enough to watch your own mind, so why add the burden of judging others. Learn to use your own breath and everyday life as the place of meditation and you will surely grow in wisdom.

　　阿姜 查提示我們要以節制及自立，進一步將我們的生活建立在中道上。放縱的生活是很難使智慧成長的。小心照料你的基本原則──例如：飲食、睡眠、語言的節制──有助于精神生活的平衡，亦有助于增長自立的能力。不要模仿別人的修行方式或和他們比較。阿姜 查提示我們：就讓他們去吧!看顧自己的心已經夠困難的了，又為何要再加上評斷別人的負擔。學習以自己的呼吸和日常生活做為禪修的地方，那麼，你的智慧必然會成長。