21. 禪定的能力
為了成功地修練精進，我們必須具備禪定的能力，讓心神全然專注於事件、行為或目標之上。這也取決於你是否具備運用判斷的能力，能夠辨別生命中應當追求與不應追求的，以及什麼是負面和正面的。
In order to practice the application of joyful effort successfully, one must have the ability to concentrate, to focus on events, actions or goals. That in turn depends on whether or not you have the ability to exercise your power of judgement, to judge between what is desirable and what is undesirable, what is negative and what is positive.
22. 避免負面行為
我們應當如何在日常生活中實踐以六波羅密的精神為依歸的生活？佛教建議人們應該過著符合道德戒律的生活，即遵守所謂的十善道（譯注：佛教基本道德信條，有不殺生、不偷盜、不邪淫、不妄語、不兩舌、不惡口、不綺語、不貪欲、不瞋恚、不邪見），或避免做出十惡。這些罪業與其它所有宗教傳統有許多共通之處，不論從哪種宗教教義的觀點來看，大體而言，它們都被視為對社會有害的負面行為。
How do we go about implementing in our daily lives the principles which are stipulated in the practice of the Six Perfections? Buddhism recommends living one’s life within the ethical discipline of observance of what are known as the Ten Precepts, or Avoidance of the Ten Negative Actions. Most of the Negative Actions are common denominators of all religious traditions. They are seen as negative or undesirable for society in general, regardless of any religious point of view.
23. 良好的行為
良好的行為能夠讓我們的生命變得更有意義、更具建設性，及更加寧靜。為達到此目標，極大關鍵乃取決於我們的行為和心態。
Good conduct is the way in which life becomes more meaningful, more constructive and more peaceful. For this, much depends on our own behaviour and our mental attitude.
為了成功地修練精進，我們必須具備禪定的能力，讓心神全然專注於事件、行為或目標之上。這也取決於你是否具備運用判斷的能力，能夠辨別生命中應當追求與不應追求的，以及什麼是負面和正面的。
In order to practice the application of joyful effort successfully, one must have the ability to concentrate, to focus on events, actions or goals. That in turn depends on whether or not you have the ability to exercise your power of judgement, to judge between what is desirable and what is undesirable, what is negative and what is positive.
22. 避免負面行為
我們應當如何在日常生活中實踐以六波羅密的精神為依歸的生活？佛教建議人們應該過著符合道德戒律的生活，即遵守所謂的十善道（譯注：佛教基本道德信條，有不殺生、不偷盜、不邪淫、不妄語、不兩舌、不惡口、不綺語、不貪欲、不瞋恚、不邪見），或避免做出十惡。這些罪業與其它所有宗教傳統有許多共通之處，不論從哪種宗教教義的觀點來看，大體而言，它們都被視為對社會有害的負面行為。
How do we go about implementing in our daily lives the principles which are stipulated in the practice of the Six Perfections? Buddhism recommends living one’s life within the ethical discipline of observance of what are known as the Ten Precepts, or Avoidance of the Ten Negative Actions. Most of the Negative Actions are common denominators of all religious traditions. They are seen as negative or undesirable for society in general, regardless of any religious point of view.
23. 良好的行為
良好的行為能夠讓我們的生命變得更有意義、更具建設性，及更加寧靜。為達到此目標，極大關鍵乃取決於我們的行為和心態。
Good conduct is the way in which life becomes more meaningful, more constructive and more peaceful. For this, much depends on our own behaviour and our mental attitude.
第二部 面對生與死的智慧
24.困難與痛苦
以寧靜的態度來面對死亡，是個非常困難的課題。
依據一般常識，好像有兩種面對困難和痛苦的方式。第一種是乾脆忽視問題的存在，不把它放在心上──即使問題實際上依然存在且未曾變小；另一種處理這個課題的方式，即是直視問題，剖析它，熟悉它的存在，並且明白它是我們生命中的一部分。
The issue of facing death in a peaceful manner is a very difficult one. According to common sense, there seem to be two ways of dealing with the problem and the suffering. The first is simply to try to avoid the problem, to put it out of your mind, even though the reality of that problem is still there and it is not minimized. Another way of dealing with this issue is to look directly at the problem and analyse it, make it familiar to you and make it clear that it is a part of all our lives.
25.疾病
疾病會降臨到我們的生命中。它不是偶然的，而是自然與生命真相的一部分。當然，我們完全有權利去避開疾病和痛苦；但儘管努力迴避，當疾病降臨時，最好還是接受它。你應當盡一切努力使疾病儘快痊癒，並且不應有額外的心理負擔。偉大的印度學者寂天菩薩曾說：『若世間有一種克服痛苦的方法，那麼我們就不需煩惱；如果沒有克服痛苦的辦法，則煩腦也毫無用處。』抱持這種理性態度是相當有用的。
Illness happens. It is not something exceptional; it is part of nature and a fact of life. Of course we have every right to avoid illness and pain, but in spite of that effort, when illness happens it is better to accept it. While you should make every effort to cure it as soon as possible, you should have no extra mental burden. As the great Indian scholar Shantideva has said: “If there is a way to overcome the suffering, then there is no need to worry; if there is no way to overcome the suffering, then there is no use in worrying.” That kind of rational attitude is quite useful.
26. 死亡
死亡是所有生命中的一部分。不論我們喜愛與否，死亡必然會發生。與其逃避思惟死亡，不如了解它的意義。我們都具備人身，同樣是血肉之軀，所以都會死亡。當然自然死亡與意外死亡有極大的差異，但基本上，死亡是遲早會降臨到我們頭上的。如果一開始，你面對死亡的態度是『的確，死亡是生命的一部分』，那可能會比較容易面對它。
Death is part of all our lives. Whether we like it or not, it is bound to happen. Instead of avoiding thinking about it, it is better to understand its meaning. We all have the same body, the same human flesh, and therefore we will all die. There is a big difference, of course, between natural death and accidental death, but basically death will come sooner or later. If from the beginning your attitude is, ‘Yes, death is part of our lives’, then it may be easier to face.
27 處理問題
處理問題有兩種截然不同的方式。一種是單純的藉著不去想它而逃避問題；另一種方式則較為積極，即直接面對問題，讓自己意識到它的存在。一般而言，問題或痛苦的類型有兩種：其一是當我們採取某種態度時，就能夠實際減輕痛苦焦慮的壓力和程度；然而，還有其他類型的問題和痛苦，即使採取肯定的態度和思考方向，也不必然能減輕痛苦的程度，但它依然有助於你為面對問題做準備。
There are two distinct approaches to dealing with a problem. One is to simply avoid it by not thinking about it. The other, which is much more effective, is to face it directly so that you are already conscious of it. Generally there are two types of problem or suffering: with one type, it is possible that, by adopting a certain attitude, one will be able to actually reduce the force and level of suffering and anxiety. However, there could be other types of problems and suffering for which adopting a certain type of attitude and way of thinking may not necessarily reduce the level of suffering, but which would still prepare you to face it.
28 遭受不幸的結果
When unfortunate things happen in our lives there are two possible results. One possibility is mental unrest, anxiety, fear, doubt, frustration and eventually depression, and, in the worst case, even suicide. That’s one way. The other possibility is that because of that tragic experience you become more realistic, you become closer to reality. With the power of investigation, the tragic experience may make you stronger and increase your self-confidence and self-reliance. The unfortunate event can be a source of inner strength.
當不幸的事發生在我們生命當中時，會產生兩種可能的結果。一種可能性是內心騒動不安、焦慮、恐懼、懷疑、沮喪，最後滿心絕望，在最糟糕的情況下甚至導致自殺行為。這是一種結果。另一種可能性是，因為這份悲劇性的經驗你，變得更切實際，變得更貼近實相。由於具備觀察審視的能力，悲劇性經驗使你更加堅強，並且增加你的自信與自我信賴。生命中不幸的事件，能夠化為內在力量的泉源。
以寧靜的態度來面對死亡，是個非常困難的課題。
依據一般常識，好像有兩種面對困難和痛苦的方式。第一種是乾脆忽視問題的存在，不把它放在心上──即使問題實際上依然存在且未曾變小；另一種處理這個課題的方式，即是直視問題，剖析它，熟悉它的存在，並且明白它是我們生命中的一部分。
The issue of facing death in a peaceful manner is a very difficult one. According to common sense, there seem to be two ways of dealing with the problem and the suffering. The first is simply to try to avoid the problem, to put it out of your mind, even though the reality of that problem is still there and it is not minimized. Another way of dealing with this issue is to look directly at the problem and analyse it, make it familiar to you and make it clear that it is a part of all our lives.
25.疾病
疾病會降臨到我們的生命中。它不是偶然的，而是自然與生命真相的一部分。當然，我們完全有權利去避開疾病和痛苦；但儘管努力迴避，當疾病降臨時，最好還是接受它。你應當盡一切努力使疾病儘快痊癒，並且不應有額外的心理負擔。偉大的印度學者寂天菩薩曾說：『若世間有一種克服痛苦的方法，那麼我們就不需煩惱；如果沒有克服痛苦的辦法，則煩腦也毫無用處。』抱持這種理性態度是相當有用的。
Illness happens. It is not something exceptional; it is part of nature and a fact of life. Of course we have every right to avoid illness and pain, but in spite of that effort, when illness happens it is better to accept it. While you should make every effort to cure it as soon as possible, you should have no extra mental burden. As the great Indian scholar Shantideva has said: “If there is a way to overcome the suffering, then there is no need to worry; if there is no way to overcome the suffering, then there is no use in worrying.” That kind of rational attitude is quite useful.
26. 死亡
死亡是所有生命中的一部分。不論我們喜愛與否，死亡必然會發生。與其逃避思惟死亡，不如了解它的意義。我們都具備人身，同樣是血肉之軀，所以都會死亡。當然自然死亡與意外死亡有極大的差異，但基本上，死亡是遲早會降臨到我們頭上的。如果一開始，你面對死亡的態度是『的確，死亡是生命的一部分』，那可能會比較容易面對它。
Death is part of all our lives. Whether we like it or not, it is bound to happen. Instead of avoiding thinking about it, it is better to understand its meaning. We all have the same body, the same human flesh, and therefore we will all die. There is a big difference, of course, between natural death and accidental death, but basically death will come sooner or later. If from the beginning your attitude is, ‘Yes, death is part of our lives’, then it may be easier to face.
27 處理問題
處理問題有兩種截然不同的方式。一種是單純的藉著不去想它而逃避問題；另一種方式則較為積極，即直接面對問題，讓自己意識到它的存在。一般而言，問題或痛苦的類型有兩種：其一是當我們採取某種態度時，就能夠實際減輕痛苦焦慮的壓力和程度；然而，還有其他類型的問題和痛苦，即使採取肯定的態度和思考方向，也不必然能減輕痛苦的程度，但它依然有助於你為面對問題做準備。
There are two distinct approaches to dealing with a problem. One is to simply avoid it by not thinking about it. The other, which is much more effective, is to face it directly so that you are already conscious of it. Generally there are two types of problem or suffering: with one type, it is possible that, by adopting a certain attitude, one will be able to actually reduce the force and level of suffering and anxiety. However, there could be other types of problems and suffering for which adopting a certain type of attitude and way of thinking may not necessarily reduce the level of suffering, but which would still prepare you to face it.
28 遭受不幸的結果
When unfortunate things happen in our lives there are two possible results. One possibility is mental unrest, anxiety, fear, doubt, frustration and eventually depression, and, in the worst case, even suicide. That’s one way. The other possibility is that because of that tragic experience you become more realistic, you become closer to reality. With the power of investigation, the tragic experience may make you stronger and increase your self-confidence and self-reliance. The unfortunate event can be a source of inner strength.
當不幸的事發生在我們生命當中時，會產生兩種可能的結果。一種可能性是內心騒動不安、焦慮、恐懼、懷疑、沮喪，最後滿心絕望，在最糟糕的情況下甚至導致自殺行為。這是一種結果。另一種可能性是，因為這份悲劇性的經驗你，變得更切實際，變得更貼近實相。由於具備觀察審視的能力，悲劇性經驗使你更加堅強，並且增加你的自信與自我信賴。生命中不幸的事件，能夠化為內在力量的泉源。
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