On Practice XVII 【修行 (十七) -英文】

我们都是带业来受轮回的，所以病苦多的人，如果能明白这就是业障的话，就应该少杀生、多念佛，业障自然会渐渐消除。

We are in the cycle of births and deaths because of the karma that we accumulated in past lives. So, if those who have poor health can realize that their illnesses are due to the karmic obstructions, they should avoid killing and recite the Buddha's name more often. Such practice will gradually eradicate their karmic obstructions.

 

念佛、为常住贡献心力、利益众人，这便是修褔、慧，可直了生死。若只顾自己，只为自己的利益，不为众人，这样就是没有慈悲心，再怎么也修不起来，以后会再堕下去。 

Keeping on reciting the name of the Buddha, dutifully carrying out our monastic tasks, and constantly thinking of working for the benefit of others, these are the dual practices toward gaining merit and wisdom that will lead directly to the liberation from the cycle of births and deaths. On the contrary, if we only think of our own interests and never about others, we are neither kind nor compassionate; our practice won't go very far and we are surely to remain in samsara.

 

我们妄念种子深重。念佛时不是头昏就是被妄念种子牵去，所以念佛时必须要随时收摄身心。 

Our habitual tendency of arising numerous erroneous and illusive thoughts is rooted deeply. That is why we may feel dizzy or are easily distracted by illusive thoughts when we recite the name of the Buddha. Therefore, we have to keep reminding ourselves to restrain our minds while practicing recitation. 

 

有些人以为‘念佛’是很容易的，所以轻视‘念佛法门’。可是真要让他们来念，却又念不到几句就起烦恼，听到念佛的声音时，心中就会有压迫感，好像千斤重的石头压在心上，这就是没有善根，业障深重，无法摄受到念佛的好处。所以不要小看了‘念佛法门’。 

Some people take recitation of the Buddha’s name lightly, thinking it very easy to practice. But if you ask them to try it, they might soon be vexed after starting it, or they might feel oppressed by tons of rocks upon hearing the sound of the recitation. Such negative reactions indicate that they did not plant good seeds in their previous lives and that their karmic obstructions are so enormous that they are unable to benefit from recitation. Therefore, do not look down upon this dharma-door of Buddha remembrance.

 

现在民间有很多人口头上说是信佛，实际上根本没有正念，以为求神问卜也算是信佛，乱信一通，或者是带着‘有所求’的心来信佛拜佛，每天都在打名利的妄想，被名利迷得团团转。像这样的学佛信佛，没有正知正见，想要了生死，就不是那么容易了。 

Nowadays, many people claim they believe in Buddha, but in fact they do not have the right mindfulness of what the true belief is. They mistake seeking divine guidance from the deities by making offerings or praying to them for blessings as their faith in Buddhas. They prostrate themselves in front of Buddha statues or they believe in Buddhas because they want something in return, they are chasing after wealth and fame, and they are deluded by such illusive pursuits day in and day out. Believing and learning Buddhas in such a way, without the guidance of right views, it will not be easy for them to escape the cycle of births and deaths. 

 

要发弘愿，别人都先成佛，我才成佛。像大愿地藏王菩萨一样‘众生度尽方成菩提’,而在行菩萨道过程当中，这个‘愿’就是成佛的愿。因为只顾自己，不把心打开，就是没有慈悲心，不但修不上去，‘我相’也去不掉。同时因顾‘我’而产生烦恼、执着、分别、嫉妒、贪、瞋、痴等等这些受轮回生死的种子。所以修行一定要‘利他’，利益别人就是利益自己。无论什么事都要帮助及成就别人、令其‘心’安住在佛道上。一切慈悲为本，方便为门，就是菩萨行。

We should make vows as grand as those of Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha, e.g. not to attain Buddhahood until all beings are delivered. While treading the bodhisattva-path, this grand vow is the vow to attain buddhahood. If, on the other hand, we think only of ourselves, then we are neither kind nor compassionate; we won’t make much progress on our practice and our attachment to the form and appearance of "self" will remain. Clinging to such self will only plant tainted seeds such as vexation, attachment, discrimination, jealousy, greed, anger, and ignorance, etc. that will keep us in the cycle of births and deaths. Hence, practice should always be motivated by altruism. And while working for the benefit of others, we will also benefit ourselves. Help others whenever and wherever possible and lead their minds to dwell on the way to the buddhahood. Whatever we do, if we are kind and compassionate to all beings while providing them with expedient guidance for practice, we are treading the bodhisattva-path.

 

人为何受轮回？就是因为七情五欲的染着心太重，被七情五欲所迷，整天为财、色、名、食、睡而烦恼，恶业也就这样在贪染追求中造出来了。

Why are we besieged in the endless cycles of rebirths? It is because we are heavily defiled and attached to sensual attractions, and are vexed by incessant cravings for wealth, sex, fame, food, and sleep. Our unremitting pursuit of physical satisfaction, therefore, creates immeasurable negative karma, which keeps us forever in samsara.

 

佛法是圆融善巧方便的。修行人应‘严以律己，宽以待人’， 凡事都要有耐心，待人要宽宏大量，慈悲包容， 随缘帮助，就是广结善缘。

 

The Buddha dharma is in itself perfectly harmonious, ingenious, adroit, and 

expedient. A practitioner should be strict in disciplining him/herself but     

considerate, generous, and forgiving when dealing with others. Be patient in

whatever we do, be kind, compassionate, and tolerant to whomever you meet, and help others when circumstances arise. By so doing, we are fostering good affinity with all beings.

 

------Translated from Analects of Master Kuang-chin（编译自《广钦老和尚开示录》）