
11. 智慧的角色
有些時候,你的智慧可能與你眼前的欲望相互牴觸,因為它明白長程後果的影響性。所以,智慧所扮演的角色是,決定一個事件或因素的正負面可能性,以及它可能產生的正負面結果。智慧的角色就是透過教育獲得完全的覺知,做出正確的判斷,然後再運用這份能力去追求自己的利益或幸福。
Sometimes your intelligence may oppose your immediate desire because it knows the long-term consequences. Thus, the role of intelligence is to determine the positive and negative potential of an event or factor which could have both positive and negative results. It is the role of intelligence, with the full awareness that is provided by education, to judge and accordingly utilize the potential for one’s own benefit or well-being.
12 審視你的心靈
如果我們審視自己的內心世界,就會發現其中存在著各種不同的心理因素,兼具正面和負面的面向。例如,我們可以審視兩種相當頪似的心態:一種是自信;另一種則是自負或驕傲。這兩者的相似之處在於,都是心靈狀態,能夠給予你某種程度的信心和膽識;但是,自負和驕傲容易導致較負面的結果,而自信則會帶來正面的結果。
If we examine our mental world, we find that there are various mental factors which have both positive and negative aspects. For instance, we can look at two types which are quite similar: one is self-confidence and the other is conceit or pride. Both of them are similar in that they are uplifting states of mind which give you a certain degree of confidence and boldness. But conceit and pride tend to lead to more negative consequences, whereas self-confidence tends to lead to more positive consequences.
13. 兩種自我
通常我會將自我區分成兩種類型:一種是珍視的自我,只為自己的一些利益著想。罔顧他人的權利,這是負面的自我;另一種自我則說:「我必須成為好人。我必須服務。我必須負起完全的責任。」是那種對於「我」或自我的強烈情感,跟我們某些負面的情感相抗衡。
I usually make a distinction between different types of ego. One type of ego is self-cherishing in order to get some benefit for itself, disregarding the rights of others. This is the negative ego. Another ego says, ‘I must be a good human being. I must serve. I must take full responsibility.’ That kind of strong feeling of ‘I’ or self opposes some of our negative emotions.
14 智慧的自我
因此,世間存在著兩種類型的自我,智慧或智力則將它們加以區別。同理,我們必須能夠區分真正的謙卑與缺乏自信。或許有人會將兩者混淆,因為它們都稍微表現出謙和的心理,但一個是正面的,而另一個負面的。
So there are two types of ego, and wisdom or intelligence makes a distinction. Similarly, we must be able to distinguish between genuine humility and a lack of confidence. One may mistake the two because both of these are sort of slightly humbling mental functions, but on is positive and the other is negative.
15. 對治負面欲望
欲望包括正面和負面兩種。例如,大乘佛教經典提到兩種欲望或兩種決心。一種決心是裨益眾生;另一種決心是為了利益眾生之目的而達到完全證悟的境界。一個人若缺乏這兩種決心,要獲致完全證悟是不可能的。但欲望也可能導致負面的事物。而對治負面欲望的解藥則是滿足。凡事總會出現極端,中道才是適當之路。
There is both positive and negative desire. For instance, the Mahayana Buddhist literature mentions two desires or two aspirations. One is the aspiration to be of benefit to all sentient beings and the other is the aspiration to attain fully the Enlightened state for that purpose. Without these two types of aspiration, the attainment of full Enlightenment is impossible. But there are also negative things which result from desire. The antidote to this negative desire is contentment. There are always extremes, but the middle way is the proper way.
16. 幸福的關鍵
滿足感是獲得幸福的關鍵。身體健康、物質財富以及伴侶朋友,是我們感到幸福的三大因素。而滿足是這一切的關鍵,它能夠決定你與這三項因素的關係所導致的結果。
The sense of contentment is a key factor for attaining happiness. Bodily health, material wealth and companions and friends are three factors for happiness. Contentment is the key that will determine the outcome of your relations with all three of these factors.
17. 「貧窮」的痛苦
當我們對物質財產和財富所抱持的態度不正確,就可能導致對於財產、房子和物品產生極度的執著。這會令人無法感到滿足。若是發生這種情況,那麼我們將永遠陷入不滿足的境地,內心永遠渴求更多。就某種程度而言,反而成為真正的窮人;因為貧窮的痛苦,就是渴望得到某些東西,且感到有所匱乏的痛苦。
When our attitude towards our material possessions and wealth is not proper, it can lead to an extreme attachment towards such things as our property, houses and belongings. This can lead to an inability to feel contented. If that happens, then one will always remain in a state of dissatisfaction, always wanting more. In a way, one is then really poor, because the suffering of poverty is the suffering of wanting something and feeling the lack of it.
18. 享樂的對象
現在我們要談談享樂或欲望的對象,以及物質享受。佛教經典提到五種欲望的對象:色、聲、香、味、觸。不論這些享樂的對象是否能帶來快樂滿足,或相反地為生命帶來痛苦與不滿足,絕大部分都取決於我們如何運用自己的智慧。我們日常生活中所表現的行為,是決定這些能否產生真實、維持長久滿足感的的關鍵因素。這些大部份取決於我們的態度。就心理因素的層面而言,動機至為關鍵。
Now when we talk about objects of enjoyment or desire and material well-being, Buddhist literature mentions five types of objects of desire” form, sound, odours, tastes and tactile sensations. Whether or not these objects of enjoyment give rise to happiness, satisfaction and contentment, or conversely, give rise to suffering and dissat5isfaction depends very much on how you apply your faculty of intelligence. Our behaviour in our daily lives is the key factor in determining whether these really produce genuine, long-lasting satisfaction or not. Much depends on our own attitude. And for this mental factor, motivation is the key thing.
19. 人類生命的存在
在佛教經典中,人類生命被視為存在或輪迴形式中最好的一種。以人類形式存在的好處有許多,像是長壽、良好健康、擁有物質財富,以及流利的口才,讓我們能夠以更加有益的方式跟人產生連結。但到底這些條件是否能夠帶來更有益或有害的存在,大部分都決定於你運用它們的方式,以及你是否運用了聰明才智的能力。
In Buddhist literature, human life is seen as a favourable form of existence or rebirth. There are various factors that could complement the favourable existence as a human being, such as having a long life, good health, material possessions and eloquence so that one can relate to others in a more beneficial existence or a more harmful on depends very much on how you utilize them and whether or not you apply the faculty of intelligence.
20. 修行
佛教典籍提到六波羅密的修行(譯注:即六度,包括布施、持戒、忍辱、精進、禪定、智慧;為大乘佛教修習的主要內容,為到達涅槃境界的途徑),例如,某人獲得財富,依據佛教的教義是因為他曾經做過慷慨和布施的善行;但為了能成功地實踐慷慨和布施,首先必須具備某種完善的道德。唯有當我們面對艱難困苦而有能力忍受它們時,才算是真正接受道德的訓練。此外,你還需要某種程度的歡喜精進心。Buddhist literature mentions practice of the Six Perfections. For instance, in the case of acquiring material possessions, according to Buddhism, generosity and the act of giving are seen as causes of wealth. But in order to practice generosity and giving successfully, one must first of all have a sound ethical discipline. And that ethical discipline can come about only if one has the ability to bear hardships when confronted with them. For that you also need a certain degree of joyful effort.
有些時候,你的智慧可能與你眼前的欲望相互牴觸,因為它明白長程後果的影響性。所以,智慧所扮演的角色是,決定一個事件或因素的正負面可能性,以及它可能產生的正負面結果。智慧的角色就是透過教育獲得完全的覺知,做出正確的判斷,然後再運用這份能力去追求自己的利益或幸福。
Sometimes your intelligence may oppose your immediate desire because it knows the long-term consequences. Thus, the role of intelligence is to determine the positive and negative potential of an event or factor which could have both positive and negative results. It is the role of intelligence, with the full awareness that is provided by education, to judge and accordingly utilize the potential for one’s own benefit or well-being.
12 審視你的心靈
如果我們審視自己的內心世界,就會發現其中存在著各種不同的心理因素,兼具正面和負面的面向。例如,我們可以審視兩種相當頪似的心態:一種是自信;另一種則是自負或驕傲。這兩者的相似之處在於,都是心靈狀態,能夠給予你某種程度的信心和膽識;但是,自負和驕傲容易導致較負面的結果,而自信則會帶來正面的結果。
If we examine our mental world, we find that there are various mental factors which have both positive and negative aspects. For instance, we can look at two types which are quite similar: one is self-confidence and the other is conceit or pride. Both of them are similar in that they are uplifting states of mind which give you a certain degree of confidence and boldness. But conceit and pride tend to lead to more negative consequences, whereas self-confidence tends to lead to more positive consequences.
13. 兩種自我
通常我會將自我區分成兩種類型:一種是珍視的自我,只為自己的一些利益著想。罔顧他人的權利,這是負面的自我;另一種自我則說:「我必須成為好人。我必須服務。我必須負起完全的責任。」是那種對於「我」或自我的強烈情感,跟我們某些負面的情感相抗衡。
I usually make a distinction between different types of ego. One type of ego is self-cherishing in order to get some benefit for itself, disregarding the rights of others. This is the negative ego. Another ego says, ‘I must be a good human being. I must serve. I must take full responsibility.’ That kind of strong feeling of ‘I’ or self opposes some of our negative emotions.
14 智慧的自我
因此,世間存在著兩種類型的自我,智慧或智力則將它們加以區別。同理,我們必須能夠區分真正的謙卑與缺乏自信。或許有人會將兩者混淆,因為它們都稍微表現出謙和的心理,但一個是正面的,而另一個負面的。
So there are two types of ego, and wisdom or intelligence makes a distinction. Similarly, we must be able to distinguish between genuine humility and a lack of confidence. One may mistake the two because both of these are sort of slightly humbling mental functions, but on is positive and the other is negative.
15. 對治負面欲望
欲望包括正面和負面兩種。例如,大乘佛教經典提到兩種欲望或兩種決心。一種決心是裨益眾生;另一種決心是為了利益眾生之目的而達到完全證悟的境界。一個人若缺乏這兩種決心,要獲致完全證悟是不可能的。但欲望也可能導致負面的事物。而對治負面欲望的解藥則是滿足。凡事總會出現極端,中道才是適當之路。
There is both positive and negative desire. For instance, the Mahayana Buddhist literature mentions two desires or two aspirations. One is the aspiration to be of benefit to all sentient beings and the other is the aspiration to attain fully the Enlightened state for that purpose. Without these two types of aspiration, the attainment of full Enlightenment is impossible. But there are also negative things which result from desire. The antidote to this negative desire is contentment. There are always extremes, but the middle way is the proper way.
16. 幸福的關鍵
滿足感是獲得幸福的關鍵。身體健康、物質財富以及伴侶朋友,是我們感到幸福的三大因素。而滿足是這一切的關鍵,它能夠決定你與這三項因素的關係所導致的結果。
The sense of contentment is a key factor for attaining happiness. Bodily health, material wealth and companions and friends are three factors for happiness. Contentment is the key that will determine the outcome of your relations with all three of these factors.
17. 「貧窮」的痛苦
當我們對物質財產和財富所抱持的態度不正確,就可能導致對於財產、房子和物品產生極度的執著。這會令人無法感到滿足。若是發生這種情況,那麼我們將永遠陷入不滿足的境地,內心永遠渴求更多。就某種程度而言,反而成為真正的窮人;因為貧窮的痛苦,就是渴望得到某些東西,且感到有所匱乏的痛苦。
When our attitude towards our material possessions and wealth is not proper, it can lead to an extreme attachment towards such things as our property, houses and belongings. This can lead to an inability to feel contented. If that happens, then one will always remain in a state of dissatisfaction, always wanting more. In a way, one is then really poor, because the suffering of poverty is the suffering of wanting something and feeling the lack of it.
18. 享樂的對象
現在我們要談談享樂或欲望的對象,以及物質享受。佛教經典提到五種欲望的對象:色、聲、香、味、觸。不論這些享樂的對象是否能帶來快樂滿足,或相反地為生命帶來痛苦與不滿足,絕大部分都取決於我們如何運用自己的智慧。我們日常生活中所表現的行為,是決定這些能否產生真實、維持長久滿足感的的關鍵因素。這些大部份取決於我們的態度。就心理因素的層面而言,動機至為關鍵。
Now when we talk about objects of enjoyment or desire and material well-being, Buddhist literature mentions five types of objects of desire” form, sound, odours, tastes and tactile sensations. Whether or not these objects of enjoyment give rise to happiness, satisfaction and contentment, or conversely, give rise to suffering and dissat5isfaction depends very much on how you apply your faculty of intelligence. Our behaviour in our daily lives is the key factor in determining whether these really produce genuine, long-lasting satisfaction or not. Much depends on our own attitude. And for this mental factor, motivation is the key thing.
19. 人類生命的存在
在佛教經典中,人類生命被視為存在或輪迴形式中最好的一種。以人類形式存在的好處有許多,像是長壽、良好健康、擁有物質財富,以及流利的口才,讓我們能夠以更加有益的方式跟人產生連結。但到底這些條件是否能夠帶來更有益或有害的存在,大部分都決定於你運用它們的方式,以及你是否運用了聰明才智的能力。
In Buddhist literature, human life is seen as a favourable form of existence or rebirth. There are various factors that could complement the favourable existence as a human being, such as having a long life, good health, material possessions and eloquence so that one can relate to others in a more beneficial existence or a more harmful on depends very much on how you utilize them and whether or not you apply the faculty of intelligence.
20. 修行
佛教典籍提到六波羅密的修行(譯注:即六度,包括布施、持戒、忍辱、精進、禪定、智慧;為大乘佛教修習的主要內容,為到達涅槃境界的途徑),例如,某人獲得財富,依據佛教的教義是因為他曾經做過慷慨和布施的善行;但為了能成功地實踐慷慨和布施,首先必須具備某種完善的道德。唯有當我們面對艱難困苦而有能力忍受它們時,才算是真正接受道德的訓練。此外,你還需要某種程度的歡喜精進心。Buddhist literature mentions practice of the Six Perfections. For instance, in the case of acquiring material possessions, according to Buddhism, generosity and the act of giving are seen as causes of wealth. But in order to practice generosity and giving successfully, one must first of all have a sound ethical discipline. And that ethical discipline can come about only if one has the ability to bear hardships when confronted with them. For that you also need a certain degree of joyful effort.
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