以下為2012年05月18日,大愛電視台重播--證嚴法師所開示的《靜思晨語。法譬如水》的內容。
The Five Acute Afflictions
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莫逞一時之意氣
莫執自我或斷或常
暢順一時為之快意
交遊近惡邪師損友
毫釐之差成萬般錯
Do not act on impulse or get attached to 'self', to Nihilism or to Eternalism. If we act on whims or surround ourselves with unwholesome friends and teachers, then even a slight deviation will lead to great mistakes.
常常都是這麼說:「莫逞一時之意氣,莫執自我、或斷、或常,暢順一時為之快意,交遊近惡邪師、損友,毫釐之差就成萬般的錯。」
We often say, "Do not act on impulse or get attached to 'self', to Nihilism or to Eternalism. If we act on whims or surround ourselves with unwholesome friends and teachers, then even a slight deviation will lead to great mistakes."
也就是說——我們不要只為一時的快樂,或者是常常都執著是我,或者是執於斷或常。
This is why we should not give into temporary emotions, cling to or get attached to the self, to Nihilism or to Eternalism.
我們難道不是常常說:「一失人身萬劫難再。」所以不要執常。
We often say that it is rare to be born human. So we should not be attached to Eternalism.
但是呢?也不要執斷,以為撥無因果,這樣也是不對。
However, we should also not cling to Nihilism, or believe that there is no cause and effect. That would be incorrect.
或者是我們老是說:「我現在很風光很得意,我很快樂。」沒有想到這回的風光,是用什麼手段得來的;沒有想到這回的風光,是別人如何付出的?
Some say that they are successful, proud and happy, but they do not think about how their success came about. They do not consider that their success was made possible by others' contributions.
那他就會常常去應酬,應酬中間難免就會去結交ㄧ些不好的朋友,那這些朋友慢慢把他帶入了那種人生的險道、罪惡的淵源,慢慢就接近去了,所以有損的朋友愈來愈多。這實在是很危險。
These people tend to be very social, and they befriend unwholesome individuals. These friends eventually lead them astray , towards dangerous paths. They gradually lead them to make more unwholesome friends. This is really dangerous.
執斷常煩惱
朋狎惡法
起見取煩惱
僻稟邪師
造戒取煩惱
The afflictions of attachment to Nihilism or Eternalism arise. Under the influence of bad friends, people have afflictions of attachments to views. Once led to follow a deviant teacher, they have afflictions of upholding deviant disciplines.
所以經文裡面也這麼說:「執斷常煩惱,明狎惡法,起見取煩惱,僻稟邪師,造戒取煩惱。」
The repentance text says, "The afflictions of attachment to Nihilism or Eternalism arise. Under the influence of bad friends, people have afflictions of attachments to views. Once led to follow a deviant teacher, they have afflictions of upholding deviant disciplines."
這段文字也就是在警惕我們,不能執斷或者是執常,這些全都是煩惱。
This passage cautions us to avoid dwelling on Nihilism or Eternalism. They are both afflictions.
剛才說過了,若是執斷就撥無因果。
As mentioned before, people who subscribe to Nihilism deny cause and effect.
這一生過了之後,我們還是有來世,他不知道我們有隨業受報的因果,以為一切都是常,總是可以得生人身。常常再說的六道或者是五道,那捨了這個身命,隨著我們的業力去赴感受報。這是我們佛教徒,時時都要提醒的,真的要再來得人身不容易,是很困難。但是他執常,所以認定他一定來生還是人,所以才會一直犯過惡而不悔。
Thus, they are unaware that after this life, they have future lives. We often speak of the Six Realms or Five Realms. After this life, we will face karmic retributions based on our karma. As Buddhists, we should remind ourselves that it is rare to be reborn as human. But some people still subscribe to Eternalism.
有的執斷就說:「沒有!沒有來世!」或是說:「沒有啊!沒有因果!」像這種是撥無因果。
Others believe in Nihilism and insist that there are no future lives, and no cause and effect. They deny cause and effect.
否則他就是執著常——「這輩子怎麼做就是已經做了,假使有因果下輩子再說。」這樣子是執常。
Those who are attached to Eternalism believe that what has been done is done. If there is karmic cause and effect, they will deal with it next life. That is Eternalism.
一旦錯了,知道錯了就要趕緊改,趕快改就能夠彌補,也能夠造得少一點。我們若是知道錯了,及時反省,過去的錯誤我們要趕緊懺悔。
When a wrong has been committed, one should quickly make amends or at least mitigate its effects. Once we understand our misconduct not only should we atone for it, we should also repent.
我們若是執斷,或者是常,這種煩惱我們就是永無出期。
If we believe in Nihilism or Eternalism, our afflictions will never end.
或者是遇到觀念偏邪的朋友,我們若是常常與這種朋友接近,自然他們就會把我們引導至邪師邪法,去接受邪法。有的人到底是信仰什麼呢?自己也不知道。若是有朋友一拉,那就一直跟著人走了。無論是做事、做人,或者是心靈的信仰等等…都是會偏頗。
And if we befriend bad people or interact with them often, they will naturally lead us toward their evil teachers and toward false teachings. Some people do not even know what to believe. They just follow the advice of their friends, whether in what they do, how they act, or in their religious beliefs, etc.; so they go astray.
那在無形中,也是在無意中,就會接近著惡的方面。若是接近著惡、或者是邪——邪信,那這樣就被邪師把你牽引過去了,就接近了惡法;接近了邪——邪師,就會「見取煩惱、非果計果、非法計法」,就是容易偏差了。
Gradually and unintentionally, they lean toward negative or unwholesome matters, beliefs and teachers. In this way they draw near to negative and deviant teachings. When upholding deviant rules, they perceive the false to be true. This is why they so easily go astray.
五利使:
五種急性的煩惱
即身見、邊見、邪見
見取見、戒禁取見
The Five Acute Afflictions are View of Self, Extreme Views, Deviant Views, Stubborn Views, and Views of Deviant Precepts.
過去我們有說過了五利使,這就是五利使——執斷、執常、接近惡友、近邪師、取邪戒。
We have just discussed the Five Acute Afflictions, they include clinging to Nihilism or Eternalism, interaction with bad friends, learning from evil teachers, and upholding improper precepts.
這五種「五利使」,我們過去都說過,就是五種急性的煩惱。
The Five Acute Afflictions, as we discussed, come upon us quickly.
五鈍使:
五種慢性的煩惱
即貪瞋癡慢疑
我們在《
靜思晨語。法譬如水。五鈍使》也說過了五鈍使。五鈍使就是我們的根和境去緣著,慢慢在那裡起了貪愛的著染,就會慢慢地培養一些習氣、習性起來。
Yesterday we talked about the Five Chronic Afflictions, which develop when our senses attach to external states, and slowly foster desires and attachment.
但是這個五利使就很強了,只要你一起執著,那個見解的煩惱——「身見、邊見」,一切都是我大。那我要執斷、執常,只要他一但執著下去,就難得把它改過來;那是很利很利,不是慢慢來,那真正的很急進。
The Five Acute Afflictions are powerful. When one is attached, the afflictions of views arise. View of Self, Extreme Views, all these are the result of self-importance. If someone believes in Nihilism or Eternalism, it is very difficult to alter their beliefs. Their belief is very strong.
急進就是很急地向前進取,這就叫做五利使。就是:身見、邊見、邪見、見取見、戒禁取見。像這樣在修行的路程,即使我們有一點偏差,要再回頭那就很難了。
These Afflictions take hold of us quickly, not gradually. They are known as the Five Acute Afflictions. View of Self, Extreme Views, Deviant Views, Stubborn Views, Views Deviant Precepts. Even on the path of cultivation, any slight deviation can cause irreversible consequences.
所以我們在選擇朋友,選擇法等等…我們都要很用心,不要有一點點偏差去了。
So when we select our friends and our beliefs, we should be very mindful. We should not allow any deviation.
乃至一切四執
橫計煩惱
今日至誠
悉皆懺悔
Being attached to the Fourfold Clinging, today I repent with deep sincerity.
接下來的懺文再說:「乃至一切四執,橫計煩惱,今日至誠,悉皆懺悔。」
The next passage says, "Being attached to the Fourfold Clinging, today I repent with deep sincerity."
四執煩惱,就是有、無、非有、非無,這都不對。
The afflictions of the Fourfold Clinging are existence, emptiness, non-existence, non-emptiness. These are all wrong.
我們常常說:「我們要瞭解世間都是——苦集滅道,這樣才是正確的。」那麼他在這四樣他全都撥無。
The Truths of Suffering, Causation, Cessation and the Path are the proper views, but some deny their validity. Though there is suffering, people deny it.
這無論本來是苦,他說:「不會啊!哪有什麼苦?」他不知道人生。我們如果好好細思,很詳細去把它思量去想:「真的是很苦!來到這個世間,哪一個人是快樂的呢?」那怕即使是在享受中的人,你問他:「快樂嗎?」他也是很累,不斷地在紙醉金迷當中去找尋快樂,他也說很累。
Without properly contemplating life in detail, people cannot realize the truth of suffering. Who is truly happy in this world? Even those who indulge themselves, when asked them if they are happy, will say they are tired. They indulge themselves in material pleasures, and are always tired.
那正在享受的人,看他有的東西很多,如果你問他:「夠了嗎?」他也會說:「還不夠,我才想著什麼時候,哪一家委託行,某某人說要來帶我去看哪一件衣服很美,或者是珠寶店等等…」都還是不夠。
Those who enjoy material things, are never satisfied no matter how much they own. They constantly think about going to more boutiques to buy more clothes or more jewelry, etc. They are never content.
生意那種連鎖,一直做下去、一直做下去,一家開過了又開一家。連鎖店、連鎖公司,光是在一個國家還不夠;還要做到全球的規模。再去問他:「 夠了沒有?」他也會說:「還不夠。」
And those with businesses continue to expand and open new chain stores or franchise companies. One country is not enough, they expand all over the world. They never think they have enough.
問他:「你為什麼都要做那麼多?為什麼都不稍微收一下?」就會說:「師父我現在欲罷不能。我這樣也是在做好事,您看那些員工這麼多。」
When I ask them, "Why do you do so much? Why don't you just let up a bit?" They will say, "Master, I want to be but I cannot. I am also doing a good deed with this. I am hiring so many people."
有時候我就會問他:「這都是你自己的?都不必去借錢是嗎?」他會回答:「那可不!做事業若沒借錢不風光!這事業做得愈大、錢借得愈多,那樣才能真正有辦法打開銀行的門;我們若能夠打開銀行的門,我們才有辦法走入世界,去開這個世界企業的門。」
Sometimes I ask them if the wealth really belongs to them or if they have to borrow money. They say that business without borrowing does not look good. The more successful a company is, the more debt it accumulates. If they can get banks to cooperate they will be able to expand globally.
「打開銀行的門」,意思就是說要去借錢。每一個國家的銀行,就是靠這些企業家的利息。錢借得愈多,銀行利息愈收愈多,那企業家擔的負債愈重。萬一哪裡出了差錯,就好像推骨牌一樣,一張如果倒了,就連續一直倒下去。這都不講情的!
Getting banks to cooperate means being able to borrow money. The more people borrow from banks, the more interest the banks collect. These businessmen accumulate heavy debts. If they run into any trouble, it creates a domino effect, which can lead to their company's downfall. This is a cruel reality.
像這樣,事業大是不是很快樂呢?其實擔子很重,責任很大。萬一有了差錯,那時候再來叫苦就比較遲了。
Can anyone be happy with a large business? It is actually a heavy burden of responsibilities. If there are any slight problems, they suffer immensely.
所以世間,你說他很風光的時候,其實那個裡面在造業、在競爭,那樣默默和人競爭他不知道。他都說:「事業若愈大,幫助的人就愈多,就業的人愈多。」不知道這樣到底是對或是不對?
So in this world, though some think they are successful, they are actually creating karma by competing with others. Some say that as their business expands, they are providing jobs for more people. I do not know if that is right or wrong.
世間有很多,其實覺得到的都是那些錯覺,所以無法去一一分析,到頭來時候,錯覺幻滅了,一切都是苦不堪言。
In this world, there are many misconceptions that are hard to analyze. In the end, this will lead to extreme suffering.
無論是名利、地位等等…我們人,苦相還沒有現前之前都是執著。那執著是苦的,他把它計樂,是無常的他把它計常,那是常的他把它斷掉了等等…這種全都是偏。
Whether to fame, fortune or status, people continue to be attached, until suffering manifests. Attachment brings suffering. People dwell on happiness, which is impermanent, but overlook what is truly permanent. These are false views.
所以我們應該要知道,學佛我們要如何用心去正思惟:「什麼才是真常?」我們有一個真常,那個「空中妙有」。
So we should realize that Buddhism is about mindfully contemplating that which is truly permanent. True permanence is wondrous existence in emptiness.
雖然我們一直都說:「空,就像空花水月。」但是我們人,都不會去思考這些事;所以在那個無常中,到底是不是全都無常呢?其中有一樣是常的,是常的他卻執斷。
We always speak of how emptiness is like the moon's reflection on the water's surface. However, we do not often contemplate these matters. Does impermanence mean everything is impermanent? One thing is permanent, but some people deny it.
什麼是常?那就是「妙有」!我們人人佛性常住,人人都有這分的佛性;那麼這分佛性常住,我們都沒有去把它覺察到,那是常,我們將之執斷為無常。
What is permanent? Wondrous existence is permanent. Each of us has Buddha-nature, which is eternal, but we do not perceive it as eternal. Instead, we believe in Nihilism.
是無常的,我們卻執常。以為現在擁有就是有,財產再怎麼爭、怎麼爭,要更多、再更多,甚至想:「我若享受不到,也要留給子孫。」像這樣,以為全部永遠全都是,全都有,這都不對。
We also believe that what is impermanent is actually permanent. We think we will always own our possessions. We fight to accumulate more wealth and are never content. Even if we cannot enjoy the wealth ourselves, we want to leave it to our children. In this way, we assume we will always possess it. This is incorrect.
所以有、無、非有、非無,這全都是他的執著。
Existence, emptiness, non-existence and non-emptiness are all attachments.
各位,學佛我們就要將這些道理,真正用心去把它透徹了解。不能說隨著這種的無常而去造業。
Everyone, in practicing Buddhism we should truly and mindfully comprehend yhese concepts and not create karma within impermanence.
又復無始以來
至于今日
守惜堅著起慳吝煩惱
不攝六情奢誕煩惱
From Beginingless Time until now, guarding and treasuring what we have afflictions of stinginess arise. Unable to subdue all our six senses, afflictions of indulgence arise.
下面又一段懺文這樣說:「又復無始以來,至于今日,守惜堅著,起慳吝煩惱,不攝六情,奢誕煩惱。」
The next passage reads, "From Beginingless Time until now, guarding and treasuring what we have afflictions of stinginess arise. Unable to subdue all our six senses, afflictions of indulgence arise."
各位我們要知道,我們今天只是惜於一物,我們身外的東西,每一樣都把它惜、惜、惜…
Everyone, we should know that we do not treasure only one thing. We treasure many different external objects.
你們可知道,像我們的委員常常去幫人清掃,裡面的垃圾一清出來,好幾輛車。無論什麼東西都撿回來,來囤積起來,這種也是捨不得捨棄,連垃圾都捨不得。
Do you know that when our commissioners help others clean up, they usually find many cartloads of garbage. Some people bring everything home with them and keep it inside their houses like a treasure, even though it is other people's garbage.
何況說有的人就是守財奴,有錢就是守著,那叫他捨一點去幫助別人,他就是捨不得。捨多會捨不得,捨少會沒面子。
Moreover, some people are stingy. They cling to their money and never give any to help others. They feel that giving too much is wasteful, but giving too little looks bad.
所以一直常常聽到慈濟人說:「師父若要向有錢人勸募很困難。」我說:「正常的,因為捨多他捨不得,捨少他沒面子。所以你要去向有錢人勸募,當然就是困難。」這呢,就是惜!
Many volunteers say that it is difficult to solicit donations from the rich. I tell them that it is normal for people to be unwilling to give more, while feeling that giving too little does not look good. It is indeed hard to ask the rich to donate.
「守惜堅著」,他就是有個堅著在,有這種的慳貪。他就很執著:「這些財務都是我的。」這種的慳吝煩惱,這就叫做「慳吝煩惱」。
That is called "guarding and treasuring what we have." People are attached to greed and see their wealth as their possession. That is the Affliction of Stinginess.
「不攝六情」,所以他自己一直會很奢華,不肯去幫助別人,只是為了自己享受,或者是做一個連自己也捨不得用,那只會做守財奴,這種慳吝的煩惱等等都有。
"Unable to subdue the six senses", people will live lavishly, but be unwilling to help others because they only value their own enjoyment. Then there are those whi are such penny-pinchers, they do not even spend any money on themselves. Those are the afflictions of greed and stinginess.
所以我們要知道,這個六情就是我們的六根,在跟外面馳騁,所以會使我們的心就生起貪、瞋癡等等的煩惱;真的都不知道說,這些等等的欲求都會使我們煩惱。
We should know that the six senses, also known as the Six Roots, run rampant in the material world. They give rise to our afflictions of greed, anger and ignorance. We do not know that this causes us to lose all of our merits and virtues.
就像我們所累積的功德財,就是全被六情搬運走了,所以光是想著享受,將之據為己有。我們所看到的一切,所感受到的一切,我們全都要慳吝,貪為己有。這都是很可憐的!
Because of our six senses, we only dwell on pleasures and possessions. We wish to possess everything that we see and feel. This is very pitiful.
人生真的是要好好顧守自己的行為,無論讓你官做得多大,企業做得多好,其實你若是慳貪,那種心念都是「守惜堅著」,就會生起那種慳吝的煩惱。
We should truly be mindful of our conduct. Even if you hold a high position or work with a big enterprise, if you are very greedy and stingy, you will give rise to many afflictions.
這種的人,有一類是很有錢,但是家裡面放得很破,他就是守財奴。錢財都守住了,對自己都省吃儉用了,哪裡捨得再去救濟別人呢?
Some are very wealthy, but their homes are falling apart. These individuals cling to their wealth and spend so little on themselves, or on their house. So why would they give money to others?
這樣到底他往生後,又是如何呢?罪名叫做「守惜慳吝」,因為起慳貪吝惜,所以這種人往生之後只能受苦一輩子;又再慳吝,所以沒有再去造福,到來生他還是無福。像這樣的人生不斷延續輪迴,那就真的苦不堪言了,
What will happen to them after they die? Their problem is the attachment of greed and stinginess. Such individuals suffer all their lives, and are without merits in their next life. This is true suffering beyond words.
所以我們每天要好好守好我們這念心,不可精神偏差。一旦有了一些的偏差,身心有錯,那信仰的錯誤,或者是生活上的錯誤,若是讓這個五利使若來驅使我們,那實在是很快就會苦不堪言了。
We should be aware of our mindset every day and not allow even a slight deviation in our bodies, minds, or beliefs that would lead us to err.
這個五利使就是讓我們的善根要斷就斷了,無論如何去救就都沒辦法;所以這是精神心靈的癌症。
If we allow the Five Acute Afflictions to draw us away from the true path, it cannot be remedied no matter how hard we try. They are like a spiritual cancer.
那各位,很多事情我們都要好好思考,不要逞一時的意氣,我們真的要用心。
Everyone, we should carefully contemplate many matters, and not act on fleeting emotions. We should truly be mindful.